[Closed] About to splash out on a singletrack mag subscription - worth it?

It is to me, others may disagree.

no.
i used to be, but now it is just like the rest of the mags.
repeat articles, same people testing and sucking up to their fave companies, and too many adverts creeping in.
shyte.............fact.
imho

i think it is worth the subscription to support the forum alone

I reckon it's well worth the money. Not 100% on the mark but the good issues make it worth the
money.

Got an expensive subscription after last Christmas (OK, lets not go there 🙂 ) and have enjoyed the magazine and the occasional downloads enough to renew it.
The online stuff, apart from being able to download loads of back issues is probably too new to say. I just got it to support them basically.
Your mileage may vary though...

I am thinking of taking a subscription, not sure if I'll get the full monty I'll see what my folks will cough up for

Not sure, might cancel mine. The hit rate of agreeable articles is higher than MBUK, MBR or WMTB, but I never feel fully satisfied. A bit like after watching the Hollyoaks Omnibus alone in a dark room

So maybe i should just o for the online content @ £15

I've been a subscriber since the go-far days but I've just cancelled my subscription. The last few issues haven't had much in them that's interested me, don't think I've even bothered reading more than a couple of articles in the latest issue. Not sure why really, does get a bit samey after a while though.

Lost interest in the mag (and all MTB mags) a long time ago.

If you haven't read the mag buy one or two and subscribe if you like it, you're not likely to find it in a supermarket, but WHSmiths should have it and a lot of bike shops do too. Its horses for courses really as to how much you'll like it.

I used to buy MBRs and (and MBUKs if they had a freebee on the cover) as often as I saw them and have been buying Singletrack since issue one. But that was when I was new to riding, building up my first bike, finding out where to ride, riding, learning more about what I need from my bike, changing something........ Ultimately though there is only so much to learn about it all though so after 10-12 years you might find your milage varies with magazines of any sort. But I pretty much put MBR down when I picked up my first copy of singletrack.

I've been reading the mag long enough and remember how refreshing it was when it first appeared that I simply consider it worthy of patronage. Do I need to read it? Not really, I figured out what I'm doing and why a long time ago. But I read it anyway.

Anyone tried the online mag through an eBook?
That would float my boat for sure.

Still think it's pretty good, like and trust the reviews, most articles get read, it's the only bike mag the missus will ask to read, (apart from the time I caught her sneaking a peak at the Gee Atherton contents page of Dirt). It's the only one I have on subs.

I prefer the "this is why we do this" style to the overt "Do it like this" of the other mainstream mags.

I got a MBUK subs as a Christmas present 2 years back. Read the first few issues then didnt bother opening the next one. Realised this was a waste of my families money so phoned Future and they happily suggested alternatives - WMB. Got this for around a year - now I'm looking forward to NOT getting it every month. For me their star rating is beyond ridiculous. It's not about performance, its not about value for money, its about ??? (I've no idea).

Anyway, Christmas is coming and the family needed a simple idea - so I suggested a PREMIER online subs to STW. PREMIER. Did you get that bit? Im now a PREMIER member! I kinda like the mag and the downloads but from the few issues I've read I honestly think that kit wise it's too focused on the expensive end of the market. But I really enjoy articles about rides, 100mile enduras etc. And its obvious the guys love and live what theyre doing!

Is ST online worth it? So far I think so. The MBUK / WMB reviews all end up on bike radar whilst the mag is still on the shelf - so thats a waste of money. At least ST is different!

only mag i have subs with now after trying lots is cycling plus . Oh and outcast when ever that gets made 🙂

i'll buy ST if i see it. much more down to earth than the other offerings.

how hard is it to set up a mag? i sometimes wish there was something similar to ST here in Germany rather then the weight obsessed, carbon **** mags or the "this is freeride" "you need THIS bike" lifestye jobbies.

****ing krauts.

I got a cheap sub deal at MM but I quite like a Sunday walk to the shop to get it myself when it's out, so won't renew but will keep buying as it seems to suit my riding lifestyle more than all the others and I like the fact it's still rider owned instead of a faceless corporation like future

I expect I'll still buy the odd issue if something in the contents grabs my eye. I don't really want to knock the mag 'cos I have a lot of sympathy for what they are trying to do, but I'm personally just finding it a bit dull and predictable. Maybe it's just 'cos I've been reading it for so many years.

Only mag I'm subscribing to at the moment is DIRT which I'm really enjoying, it's hard to put into words why but I think they do a great job of keeping the mag looking fresh and of conveying their enthusiasm for mountain bikes.

Second :thumb: for Dirt. Singletrack is OK but doesn't quite "do it" for me. Dirt consistently demonstrates passion for bikes.*
.
.
.
. *IMHO of course. Other opinions are available and I'm sure are equally valid.

It's an interesting one.

I like the [i]idea[/i] of the magazine, more than I like the reality of it. But, as I have posted before, that's because my tastes have changed, rather that ST failing in what it does. Indeed, ST has in many ways informed my tastes.

However, I have not yet cancelled my subscription: for me, £27 p.a. isn't mush to pay towards a bunch of guys running an independent magazine 30 miles from where I live about an aspect of the activity that consumes most of my waking (and almost all of my sleeping) thoughts.

I may not read many articles, but the copies find their way into the waiting room at the GP's surgery, perhaps to enlighten a few other people.

Dirt magazine - the ONLY MTB magazine imo

I've got a sub.

I read more of the mag than I did when I subscribed to MBR/WMB. I also like the fact that it is independently produced and that they have this forum for us to play with.

(IMHO) DIRT is a magazine for people who love riding mountain bikes whilst STW is a magazine for people who love being mountain bikers.

I like Singletrack, although the last few ish'es haven't really done it for me for some reason (maybe it's me).

Bought my first issue of Dirt to see what all the fuss was about recently and it's not really my cup of tea being "younger and radder" and more about big bikes than what I is. :shakes zimmer frame at the injustice of it all:

Still at the end of the day what are you gonna spend, £4 per ish or something, that's what a pint costs in that london.

There's a definite difference in the riding styles of Dirt and Singletrack. Dirt is too downhill/freeride for me to relate to. I'm more an XC adventure type rider.

even if the mag was sh*t (which it isnt), then id still be happy to pay the subs for the use of this forum, classifieds etc. so put it all together, and i think its well worth it.

Does the advertising not cover some of the costs of the forum? Or is it subsidised by the mag?

I've subscribed since the beginning. There was a slightly wobbly patch a year or so ago, but the recent issues have been great; the last once could have been written just for me.

Really looking forward to the new issue too.

STW mag vs the world!

I've recently returned to MTB'ing, and have been picking up a couple of the mags each month because so much has changed.

STW seems like a series of "editorial" type articles, with some reviews and a ride chucked in. It seems like a "boutique" magazine to me.

The reviews seem comprehensive on paper, of the strength of the waterproof review I bought the Pace event jacket, largely because it was described as being a good cut ("beer belly friendly" was the term in print, I think, and thats me!). Well, they need a fat knacker on their test team, the XL fits me very well but first try on and I was sweating that it wouldn't!

MB"we're the best riders ever"R hasn't changed much in the years I've been away. Plus they are so trail centre orientated - the other month their "local knowledge" feature was following the route at Gisburn Forest. Good route, but local knowledge - nah. Local knowledge is local riders riding local routes open to all using map & compass/GPS

MFUK - not bought or read that shite for years.

WMB - regurges so muchy content each month, its unreal. Would doubt whether a subscription to WMB would be VFM.

But to summarise, if wifey hasn't got the hint that I want a subscription (STW mag left open on the subs page in the contemplative reading room) then I'll get my own in the new year. It is the only MTB mag that talks sense

I've had 2 subscriptions as crimbo pressies but never renewed either & wished my bro in law had got me something more interesting!
It's all waffle, waffle, waffle, if you ask me.

Like most mags, enjoyable for a while until it starts being too repetitive
Got the first 51 issues, but cancelled my sub now

The first ten or maybe up to 20 were excellent then got a bit too mainstream and commercial
(fair enough though it is a business after all)

My long term favourite is still the US mag "Bike" only one that really makes me want to get out and ride

Used to be good, hasn't been good for some time now. The new issue looks promising but will probably be crap. DIRT is a much better magazine, it may be all about big bikes, but it inspires. If you were to show a copy of Singletrack and Dirt to someone who was new to biking the copy of Singletrack would bore the t*ts off them. Singletrack has boring photos and boring writing, it was much better when it came out 4 time a year. It is there job and good luck to them, I suppose it pays for their beard trimmers and guitars.

I found WMTB has a better finished/polished quality than ST, but then ST is working very hard to find original articles/ideas. I wish they will merge and do a What Singletrack or something like that. Go for ST they have Ferrentino in it, a funny outro, and a nicer gallery.

WMTB better quality than ST?! 😮

I've subscribed for years. The mag has had its ups and downs, thats normal. But I am struggling now to pick up the new editions as they drop through the letter box.

The edition just full in interviews, earlier this year, was very annoying and if that happens again, I'll be cancelling my sub (are you reading this STW ?, Ed ?)

However, there have been some great issues and I've lol at some of the things written in the mag, more so than any other MTB mag I've read.
There are definately some excellent contributors to the mag, imo.

Also, the mag has served to get me out on the bike at times when perhaps I'd have stayed home instead.

I read it now mostly as an entertainment and [b]occassionaly[/b] to assist with a purchasing decision, although one should bare in mind just who is writting an article, but that applies to all MTB mags, doesn't it ?.
🙂

Solo.

I will renew my subscription, as its the only bike mag I buy these says, also I need something to read on the loo!

Chipps, pictured whilst reading this thread:

[img] [/img]

I still like the mag 🙂 Will renew my sub next month

I bought a couple of copies of Dirt and found it awful. Page after page of people writing about how rad and sick they are.

Sick to the back teeth of the future mags. Just cancelled WMB subs.

I'll pick up MBR from time to time and don't mind it - they seem to get a real slagging from everyone but it's deffo better than the Future mags.

Just ordered a STW subs - will see how it goes.

The edition just full in interviews, earlier this year, was very annoying

I thought that I'd hate that one, but actually really liked it. Some of the interviews felt a bit cut short though (possible premier content?).

I'm getting a bit worried about all this "premier content" business.

I'm sure they won't let it detract from the mag itself; but I do think it'll encroach on what we already get here online as they try and charge for things that were previously free - the news, reviews and trail guides etc 😕

I do think it'll encroach on what we already get here online as they try and charge for things that were previously free - the news, reviews and trail guides etc

It's just loads of photos of Mark pulling funny faces*

*it's not really

I should have got the clue when the new editions started popping through the letter box before I'd finished the last one. Then I started throwing the mag down in disgust when I read yet another review where they marked a bike as excellent even when all the testers hated it (apparently it dawned on them what kind of riding it would be perfect for after they sent it back). Then there was the time they put some wider bars on a bike and it made all the difference...

Sorry, my blood pressure's too high to carry on...

[i]The edition just full in interviews, earlier this year, was very annoying and if that happens again, I'll be cancelling my sub (are you reading this STW ?, Ed ?)[/i]

Yes I am reading. And hopefully part of our uniqueness is that we do listen - and that our readers have a direct line back to the editorial staff for suggestions and criticism. I don't see many other magazine staff members doing that on other magazines. As for the interview issue, that was an experiment - it wasn't popular, so we won't be doing it again. You get your wish.

[i]I should have got the clue when the new editions started popping through the letter box before I'd finished the last one[/i]

Are you really complaining that it takes you more than six weeks to read every issue? 🙂

We do listen to suggestions and, where possible we run stories sent in by readers too. All part of the 'If you don't like the magazine, then let us know what you would like' approach. My email is in the magazine, as is the phone number of everyone here and all our readers are welcome to get in touch.

In terms of Premier content, we're not going to start charging for things that you're used to getting for free. What we're going to try to do with this is to give you even more stuff. Kind of like a DVD Extra disc, so you get the deleted scenes, the Directors' Cut and lots of extra bits and pieces.

We do want all our readers to like what they read in the magazine, that's why we all work silly hours, late nights and weekends to try to get everything finished as best as we can. At the end of the day, we're making this up as we go along, so we're always up for suggestions.

Cheers
Chipps

Hi Chipps. I used to love it, maybe it changed, maybe I changed, but the mag doesn't speak to me any more. But I don't think I'm really in your target demographic so I wish you success.