[Closed] Do YOU even buy Singletrack?

I must admit, I'd like to like it, but I subscribed last year, and I afraid I didn't find anything I was interested in. I just can't get on with the writing style....it just too much like the guy who's a bit cooler than you talking down to you in the pub, which is fine now and again, but all the articles appear to be written that way. It just feels too cliquey and written for it's own amusement.

It didn't really give me much confidence when the mag was relaunched, and everything but the quality of the content appeared to be targeted.

I really want the mag to do well, as it was such a breath of fresh air when it was launched, but the content really needs a shakeup (IMHO).

I haven't bought any mtb magazine in about a decade lol.

Does anyone buy bike mags anymore?

Does anyone buy [s]bike[/s] mags anymore?

Slight fix.

I've given up buying any magazines (Unless those that come with the Sunday papers count). I still read many, but just don't buy any. Mainly read them in airport lounges and on aeroplanes. I've taken a real liking to reading Superyachtworld before a flight, as it happens! One can but dream...! 🙂

I buy ski magazines (mainly cuz of the drooly pictures).

Can't find anywhere to buy it anymore. Is it subscription only?

List here or enter you're postcode.

http://singletrackworld.com/stockists/

I pay for the digital download. Content is ok but only gets a flick through each edition.
It would appear the my riding isn't the mainstream the mag caters for ( or any other mags ) target audience.

Yes, I do, been buying it for about 6 months or so. I really enjoy it.

It seems to hit the shelves at a someone infrequent pace, though.

Used to be a subscriber many years ago.Nice photos,but the articles/reviews could be a bit tedious. Having said that,it's way better than MBR,What Mountain Bike etc.
Magazinesin general, are too expensive.

I used to buy every issue and then went on to subscribe when i found it difficult to locate a copy in the shops (must be an essex thing!)

Trouble is recently , and certainly within the last 6 months or so the mag has become more and more leftfield in the writing and the product reviews in particular. Bike reviews are a big part of the mag for me but im just getting a bit tired of the 'boutique brand' attitude of the mag (i mean a liteville 301 WTF?) and despite being on the singlespeed simplistic bandwagon for some time all we seem to get is long travel sull sussers, to which there are only a hadfull of trail centres in the UK where they can be used to their full potential anyway.

I think the mag cant decide what it wants to be. MBUK for hippies maybe?

Also some of the photography is quite dull and it always looks like the riders are fed up, wet and cold. In this respect WMB gets it right - wheras its catering for the mainstream it does have a very upbeat feel to it wheras STW always feels down in the dumps.

There have been some great articles in the past, i especially like the racing tips and features you have run, and although Matt Harts writing can be annoying some of his articles have been very useful to me. And the product reviews were relevant to everybody. Im sure a singlar Buzzard is a fantastic bike but ive never met anybody that actually bought one or in fact knows where to buy one within a 100 mile radius...

rant over

Bought it a few times, but not to my taste.
I dont really ride MTB these days, don't want a new mountain bike as i'm happy with mine and there's more than enough information on the internet without spending another £5 a month.

Sorry.

I have bought a few copies - definetley not the target audience of the mag however.

I feel that ST mags articles are written by somebody who actually cares for MTB (and yes I do like the romanticising in it 😳 ) unlike MBR which seems like its written by an accountant, or MBUK which is just Doddy willy waving.

Dirt is good too.

Privateer - is that even a MBT mag doesn't sound like one.. Whenever I've picked it up I've never been able to read it and it costs too much.

i hate brollies...

but i do subscribe and download the PDFs. can't say that i read each copy fully... usually just flick through and read the bits that grab me.

read it for years and years now, I used to pick up the odd MBR but not for about 18 months. Only realised last week could be a premier person, not sure what it means yet but I can read reviews on bikes which is what i wanted to do.

I read it for what it is, a mag about bikes and bits and people who ride, I'm a simple guy and my needs are the same.

I once picked up mbr for the free tool, made of plasticene (sp) beware of greeks bearing gifts and all that

I still read many, but just don't buy any. Mainly read them in airport lounges and on aeroplanes. I've taken a real liking to reading Superyachtworld before a flight, as it happens!

You need to try and find an airport where you can pick up free copies of the Red Bull magazine, Red Bulletin.
Probably the best free airport magazine you can get 😀

I've subscribed in the past but gradually found I became less interested in the articles, and more in the through the grinder kit reviews. It got too flowery and poetic for me.

These days the only mag I buy is Dirt, and that's now only occasionally (Steve Jones writing is bloody hard work at times, though when I decipher the Walesyness, I find he strikes a chord).

The main reason, however, is the price - they're simply not worth the asking price. They're a luxury item, and when funds are tight these are the 1st to go. I would much rather buy a good book and have a week of reading than a hour or two whilst having a sh!t.

I are mostly a subscriber and one of the fat kanckers described earlier. You skinny bitches may be fast uphill but lordy you'll never keep up with me downhill, gravity is on my side and a continuously curved body is aerodynamically efficient.

I do however bemoan the loss of the Coffee forum and want to see the return of the Bike Porn feature. Agree with the points made earlier re crappy writing style of certain other publications. I tried to read them and they made my eyes bleed with their rad claptrap

It's as close to a decent UK mag as there is.

WMB and MBR have both slid badly.

As trail builder and rider I see very few mags that dip into any bread and butter trails issues.

Great to see lobbyists for access brought to light and interviewed. There the real stars.

Not all riders wish race, just ride, keep trails open a flowing.

I spend hours every year keeping our backyard trails brush free and open with mates. In kind for all to use.

See more faces than ever pick up fat tyre bikes and going forth. Must 50 fold using these since the late 90's

Great leveler to young and to.enjoy old abandoned paths blocked for decades reopened by local riders for community use.

Few interviews with lobbyists, builders, profiles of decent hard working club mates would be nice.

Every mag can profile sponsored riders, when I meet out on a single track with hoe and shovel making good an eroded strip of nice track, I might then take an interest.

Had it as a Xmas pressie on subscription a few years ago, didn't renew it. Too much waffle. I keep flicking through when I see it but I don't think I've ever actually bought a copy myself.
Still too much waffle.

Now and then I'll buy a proper copy, but as a digital sub I get to read it on the 'pooter.

Actually, I buy the real paper version for the pictures. Which are ace. Sometimes, like a teenager, I cut out the best ones and decorate the mancave with them.

Subscribe but it is getting a touch whimsical and some of the articles have got a bit porridgey...

I miss Mike Ferentinos bit too.

Still makes for a decent couple of hours escapism away from.the glowing screen.

I still subscribe, it's my last luxury I have left, I've cancelled all the other subscriptions, but have kept this one. I lurk a lot on here, always have probably always will. I like reading both the forum and the magazine.

I love the quality of the new relaunch but sometimes wish we could have a choice over whether we have a subscriber copy or a commercial copy, having whats in the mag on the front is handy sometimes.

Yup, I'm another of Luke's middle aged fat knacker types that subscribes...

Me too, fat middle aged estate car driving loser.
I have singletrack and dirt subs.
Enjoy reading the articles in singletrack.
Enjoy the photos in Dirt, although their editing and spell check hasn't worked ever.
Where are the bmx racing articles?
What happened the the dirty girls?
Swearing and all sorts doesn't make up for that.
Don't even get me started about Richy Cunninghams crap...
Happily race you down anything!

I buy from WHSmit's if I like the issue. I didnt buy issue 66 due to the extensive Alpkit advertising feature.

Iam thinking of subscribing though to help Chipps afford some decent glasses. 😆

DIRT is utter shite now. Minimal copy. Where did their stories/content go? Replaced with massive photos and ads.

Writing a mag involves thought not buying in agency (nice) pics.

Yup, I'm another of Luke's middle aged fat knacker types that subscribes...

We will have to sit on the skinny little ****er next week, lets see how fast he is then.

Have subscribed since around issue 3 with just a year's break when I lived 2 min from a Smiths that sold it.
Like any mag it has it's good and not so good issues but the relaunch version is nice to look at and I've generally enjoyed the content.

I've got a print subscription, though it normally takes me a couple of weeks to get through it all once it drops through the letterbox, unless I've got a massive train journey up north to survive or something.

I like the writing and I especially like the photography. MBR/MBUK photos just wind me up, with all their flash photography of riders shredding the gnar off everything in sight. That's just not how I ride, and it's not what mountain biking means to me. ST is a lot closer for me.

The forum is also great when I'm bored, I do tend to lurk a lot.

Yes i do, or did- i cant afford the monthly cost at the mo.
It's the only mag worth bothering with, as its just so lush as mags go. Its not just all about the latest bling, id like more mtb stories and such like. The photography is what makes it for me- always inspires 😉

As soon as Mint Sauce makes a move i'll subscribe!

Im getting my subscription again thanks to Mrs Rossi and christmas- id love to see Mint in the mag!!!!!

MBR/MBUK photos just wind me up, with all their flash photography of riders shredding the gnar off everything in sight. That's just not how I ride, and it's not what mountain biking means to me. ST is a lot closer for me

This!

I've been a subscriber since 1873, I think. I've got them all in order on a bookcase. How sad is that? The only magazine I'd even contemplate doing that with. I bought MBUK for the first time in years last week. Coincidentally on the same day as Singletrack dropped onto the mat. Looking at them both the Blackadder scene popped into my head, of Brian Blessed booming "You, Edmund, compared to your brother, are as excrement is compared to cream"

I see the subscription as a sort of moral obligation, and consider it as much a subscription to this site as to the mag, which is a sort of added bonus.

I think the new format is just superb. Having spent a good few years working in the publishing industry, designing magazines myself, I find it really interesting what they're trying (and succeeeding IMHO) to do. Other publications seem to be in a race to the bottom. Make it digital only? Make it free? Fund it purely through advertising? Its been disastrous for standards of journalism, with a lot of it nowadays being barely disguised advatorials.

So going in the opposite direction and trading on quality is a bold, and imaginative move. They deserve to succeed for having the courage to swim against the tide, and offer a real alternative to the rest of the publishing industry, which looks increasingly bereft of interesting ideas. The big publishing houses are dealing with the 'digital revolution' in about an effective a way as the music industry has done. utterly complacently. A lot will go to the wall. And deservedly so. They'll illicit about as much sympathy as the record companies moaning too

I subscribe, mostly because I think Singletrack are one of the few magazines "doing it right" when it comes to digital stuff. I'd love more magazines to offer a range of formats, full back issue access, etc to subscribers. I'm happy to pay to support that, and it helps that I really like the magazine too.

Have been trying to cut down on the pile of mags at home, the STs are the only ones I can just download a digital copy of, yet are the ones I find hardest to send to the recyclers. Great photography, high quality paper, interesting articles.

Yes, every issue is read cover to cover. Over the course of a month of visits to the little boys' room.

I've got every issue of Singletrack and still think it hits the spot most of the time. It's the only mag (of any kind) I buy now.
I've been a subscriber for several years.

I don't buy ANY cycling mags any more, haven't done for a year or two.

Why?

They are all just a bit poor.
The articles are mainly devided into three catergories - Reviews, interviews and 'I went here and did this' stuff. Anything that steps out of those three is generally something put on by a manufacturer and no more than an advert.
As far as I can tell there is no actual journalism involved, and nobody actually knows very much about the bikes themselves, so it seems anyway (WMB I'm looking at you)
There's a hoard of different articles that could be written about different things, for inspiration (and I've mentioned this before)just pick up a copy of 'Bike' or 'Autocar' for example. When was the last time you saw a product tested to distruction? ANY mention of the used market? TRUE modifications? (Not just 'I fitted a new shock')
Etc etc etc. There'as loads (So don't pick on one of my examples, that's all they are, examples)

Part of the problem is that push bikes are too simple. There's not very much to write about. And with MTBs there's not much history to delve into, so you end up going round in circles.

But that's why I don't buy them. Too samey. Needs variation.

Yes, every issue is read cover to cover. Over the course of a month of visits to the little boys' room.

This is the problem with the relaunch, my average poo time has gone through the roof with the longer features.

I find it really interesting what they're trying (and succeeeding IMHO) to do. Other publications seem to be in a race to the bottom. Make it digital only? Make it free? Fund it purely through advertising? Its been disastrous for standards of journalism, with a lot of it nowadays being barely disguised advatorials.

Have you read IMB Magazine? It's all of the above, digital only, free and funded through advertising. It's still, in my opinion, a far better read than MBR or MBUK and is easily as good, if not better than, Singletrack.

I've bought a couple of issues, but none in the last six months. It's a good magazine - I just got bored with MTB writing in general...

There's only so many times I can read an article in this format:

We scouted out some likely terrain
It looked gnarly.
We rode it
Some of us fell off
Others didn't
We got back to the van/support truck
We had a beer
Went home, feeling tired but satisfied

MTB-ing, whilst cool to do, is fairly dull IMO to read about.

just pick up a copy of 'Bike' or 'Autocar' for example. When was the last time you saw a product tested to distruction? ANY mention of the used market? TRUE modifications? (Not just 'I fitted a new shock')

Bike aren't bad in that regard, tbh. They seem to be doing a good job of testing their Yamasaki to destruction, and I forget the guy's name but he pretty heavily modified the Z1000SX he had on test to see if he could get to a state where it was ideal for him. They've done quite a few looks back at used stuff too.

I got a free 6 month sub for test riding a BMW, and liked it enough to carry on for another year. Best of the motorcycle mags IMO, Ride does the odd good kit review but the rest is incredibly samey.

I read my housemates copy if he's bought it. I like Jenn's writing, but there could be more stuff about/for women.

Like the photos of far flung places and reading the stories. not bothered at all about whether one set of brakes is a teeny bit ligther/ more expensive/ stops in a bit less distance than another, or whether one set of tyres is .... Etc etc etc

As I’ve always stated, keep the content and I’ll but it. Just so happens since the relaunch I’ve bought it more frequently.
I do have to say though, in the early days it was way more gritty, more in tune with the ethos of my riding, then it went a bit fat, a bit middle aged and lost it’s way and now it’s gone on a diet, bought a new pair of shoes and bib tights, new shades, lost some weight and is getting out there again and riding/writing like they are riding.
Which is most excellent IMO.

Having been a died in the wool ProCycling and Cyclesport reader for eons, I no longer buy them. Content is poor nowadays, same old interviews and stories about climbs I’ve already done on my roadie.
Privateer is a good mag, so too Rouleur so I buy both of those too, again dependant on content. One caveat though, they often lie unread for a few weeks until I get around to reading them.

I’m not precious with them, once read I bung em’, can’t be bothered with keeping them, they’re just moments in time IMO and once the fix has been sated I have no need to clutter my home.

The Forum. I do not buy the Mag to ease my conscience on using this Forum. I buy the Mags cos’ of the content, this Forum makes me laugh and is full of insightful and intelligent folks, some of whom ride hard like I do and I respect that, the team that write the Mag ride hard too, that I respect more..

May or may not flick through it at the newsagents but very rarely buy it. I think the last one I bought was Xmas 2010 purely for the calendar.

Have never been interested in niche bikes, routes or other people's jobs/adventures so I guess I am not part of the demographic

Like Binner's, I've been a subscriber from issue 1 and still have them all in a box in the garage. Been absolutely hooked since the article in issue 2 (maybe) about riding in the mud, then detouring through the town on the way home to proudly display the silliness of our hobby!

At the time I thought I was alone in this dirty habit! 😆

Another from the 'original Binners subscription posse'TM here. Would be interesting to know how many of those original 200 or so subscribers still do so - and why. I know why, I just can't be bothered to type it all out here, cause it's nearly lunchtime and I'm hungry.

On the subject of the calendar - (as I'm sure the ST team are reading this) - please please pretty please get some better pics on the next one!

🙂

Bike aren't bad in that regard, tbh. They seem to be doing a good job of testing their Yamasaki to destruction, and I forget the guy's name but he pretty heavily modified the Z1000SX he had on test to see if he could get to a state where it was ideal for him. They've done quite a few looks back at used stuff too.

I menat Bike as a GOOD example and my example of 'new shock' was aimed at the MTB market. My bad.

Bike is the only mag I subscribe to, although I should go for MCN Sport as well.

Used to buy it back in the day when it used to be full of articles (an near impossible to find to buy any where)

Tried it again last year, full of adds, and full of BS. ie Wheelset reviews with 'cheap' ones starting at £500!!! and light reviews where everyone knows that you cant get lights for under £100....

Hmmm not the mag for me thanks, in fact some what against the whole ethos of how the mag used to be.

Full of BS?
I think not!

Our ad count is the lowest in any bike mag on the market with the exception of Privateer who are still searching for advertisers.

Our ad limit is 33% and has never been higher than that. That limit is self imposed too. We could, often go much higher but we cap the ads precisely to make sure the content outweighs the ads. Compare that to the industry standard minimum of 50%.

Which of us is talking BS?

This thread is great. The feedback is read by us all and we discuss it at great length. But when someone calls what we do BS I'll bite back, because we are proud of what we do.

This thread is great. The feedback is read by us all and we discuss it at great length.

Even the new glasses suggestion?

Oh and wheres issue 67? I went into two WHSmiths to pick up over the weekend 🙁 I might as well subscribe.

[quote=hora ]Oh and wheres issue 67? I went into two WHSmiths to pick up over the weekend I might as well subscribe.

You probably should as STW will get more direct revenue (as opposed to WHS taking a cut) and you;ll get it earlier - think ours arrived last wednesday?

Right, do the Tshirts come up tight? I guess I should ask for XL just to be sure.

Yes; paper copy from WHSmith. I'd prefer to buy it from the LBS but mine do not stock it.

I don't sub because I can't choose when I do/don't want it. And also, I can't be doing with reading it on a computer. The "Premium" subs thing is also quite annoying.

You should subscribe. Its a proven fact that forum members with the blue 'P' by their names are far more well-endowed than those without one, and miles betterer at horizontal jogging 😉

[quote=binners ]You should subscribe. Its a proven fact that forum members with the blue 'P' by their names are far more well-endowed than those without one, and miles betterer at horizontal jogging

😯 😯

Mrs NBT has "our" [img] [/img]

[i]Right, do the Tshirts come up tight? [/i]

No, they are normal sized. My Large fits like a large.

*said he, with a blue "P" next to his name*

The "Premium" subs thing is also quite annoying

Why?

A man who oozes your charm and charisma has no need for a mere 'P' nbt. And its a sure sign of confidence and assurance that you let your wife use it 😉

*is relieved by Binners's reassurances*

Hi singlecrack,
I've not read the full thread so apologies if someone has already answered. I've looked at your account and when you singend up January 2012 you had to choose Direct Debit if you wanted the free t-shirt. You didn't so you didn't. However if you really want a t-shirt head over to the [url= http://singletrackworld.com/shop ]shop[/url] to get one at a subscriber discounted price.

Cheers
Patrick

Forum user Pook said he never got his tshirt. It was out of stock(?) at the time apparently?

yes. subscriber number a bit higher than 200 actually.

recall carting 2/3 boxes of the original Issue 1 round Edinburgh trying to flog 'em to LBSs... and delivering a box of Issue 1s to BikeTreks I think it was, whilst en route returning from London.

has had its ups and downs but it's still there and I'm still a subscriber.

Yes a subscriber since I saw it in the cafe at Afan about 5 years ago. Much the best mtb magazine.

Yup, subscribed almost immediately it came out, I've rarely been disappointed with the quality and breadth of the articles and I like the kit reviews even if I can't afford much of it.

Oh, and I'm over 50, but not a fat knacker.... well, not most days 🙄

I used to subscribe. I cancelled my subscription after Marks 'Ratners' incident.

'Ratners' incident

?

Long-term subscriber here and still enjoy the mag as much. It really does inspire me to get out. 🙂

Photography is stunning, love reading about riding areas around the UK as well as overseas. Jenn's writing brings a new dimension to the features - great stuff!

Kit tests include a wide range of products across all price points, most important these days.

The only thing I would like to see is book reviews relating to riding ie guide books, mapping software, maps etc.

I'm happy. 😀

Mark - sorry rushed post. By BS I mean its bull that cheap wheel sets start at £500, no they don't, you can get good ones for about £200and lights are not £100 or more, you can buy perfectly good ones for £25!

Add wise you certainly run way more than back in the day..

Edit: re CG's post above, perhaps I bought the only 2 mags that didn't test budget range stuff...

Hora, issue 67 went in the recycling some time ago. I'm currently enjoying 77. 8)

you can get good ones for about £200

Even less of you are prepared to shop around...

I lost interest a bit earlier this year but have loved the last couple of issues. It's exactly the type of MTB mag I want to read. Keep it up.

Hora, issue 67 went in the recycling some time ago. I'm currently enjoying 77

Do'h

I mean 76

I recall a quote "do you watch Top Gear to see the Reliant Robin road test" I guess the problem is finding a balance between Bike pron and mundane stuff. I'm re-reading issue 47, the bonk issue-great read.

New stuff and latest gear is everywhere nowadays, what with the world wide net and everything, so it's good to hear about experiences that can't have a price put on them and anyone can have-regardless of bike/kit cost.

The "Premium" subs thing is also quite annoying

Why?

Because I have to subscribe to the mag to see this web-content, but I don't want to subscribe for the reasons I gave. It's like first and second class, or an elite club I suppose.

Sorry to sound miserable as I do actually really like the mag in paper format, even more since the recent upgrade.

An up to date GPS / route planning SW thing would be good, those things move on so quickly....

I do like the gear reviews and bike tests.
I occasionally find it a bit northern-centric (nothing against the north) or should that be todmorden-centric?
The presentation/layout doesn't draw my eye and although some of the writing is really great; the experience can leave me a little flat. The photography is generally very high standard, but I sometimes want a little more. I have turned off my auto subscribe and will probably just pick up a paper copy when I feel it'll interest me. I'll probably keep my Dirt sub though.

Can we have a North Downs review 🙂 not the wierd SHORT MBR ones that always crop up. They always read like some sort of after thought/padding out.

Would be interesting to know how many of those original 200 or so subscribers still do so -

Mark - Regarding the bad grammar and spelling mistakes, you should sort this out (even though most of them are from outside contibutors) thanks.

I subscribe digitally and enjoy reading the mag. Renewal is in January and i can't see any reason not to.

I am middle aged though, not a fat nacker and i do like to go as fast as I can everywhere.

Nope. I find it self-absorbed and poorly writed.

Lol!

Subscriber and been very happy with it. Got my tshirt quite quickly.