Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop
For the second issue running we're missing content.
What excuse this month?
Self indulgent and pointless trip to Jamaica-expensive Hotels in Lancs?
You are charging £4.25 for the mag. Please can we have some value for money.
Singletrack Officially: Thinnest MTB Mag of the Year.
Three strikes and you're out!
become a premier member to get the extra content 😉
I thought that too
Seemed to be more adverts than there used to be as well
Its so thin even the postie doesnt bother to read my copy anymore 😉
Agree, only my second subscriber issue and I'm wondering why I subscribed-only arrived today as well.
Count the ad pages and editorial content in the other mags and then reflect on the mere 30% of ads you get in Singletrack! The industry standard is at least 50%. We have a self imposed 33% maximum for ads!
I do get cross at these types of threads knowing just how hard every single member of our staff has worked on this issue in particular.
Haven't checked with my earlier copies but it does seem a bit on the light side.
I get cross when a poor mag drops through my letter box two months running.I can't wait to see the feature on roof racks in next months mag, FFS !
Closed thread coming up.
I always think to myself before I start criticising something "could I do better?" and mostly I keep my mouth shut these days.
So here's a suggestion - a Readers' Issue where all the articles and reviews are written by readers/forum dwellers. Photos too.
It could be awful, it could be great...
thats a great idea stuartie_c
emac65
refund waiting for you if you want it.
01706 813344
FFS!
Drag out an old issue and see if it really does have less content and more ads. Don't have the newest one myself but I'm not convinced.
You should try reading the latest issue of 'Bike' magazine. Probably 15 minutes of reading content in that....
Mark,you've just made my mind up for me....
stuartie_c - Member
I always think to myself before I start criticising something "could I do better?" and mostly I keep my mouth shut these days.
What a pointless statement!
I remember when you could get a penny sweet for a penny.....
Edit:
Well it was bound to happen sooner or later. I agree 100% with this:
What a pointless statement!
i always have a look through magazines first at the libary (WH smiths) if there isn`t much in them i dont buy them.
What a pointless statement!
Why?
March 2010 116 pages, march 2009 132 pages, haven't counted the adverts! No one said you didn't work hard, just that it appeared a bit light on content, again.
I thought that it was a bit light in content at first, but then actually its got quite a few good "thinking" articles in it, which do out wiegh the pages of ads and component reviews in the other mags. It took me 15 minutes to read a copy of MBR and I'm still reading STW
Also nice to see its pushing the gender thing with the clothing article and putting Aliegh (Phwoarrr!!)on the main page of the Quants article.
My only gripes are the bike reviews are a bit lightweight and also last month wasn't Chipps' editorial anti upgrade or something and then the long termers article were about pretty much the blingest bikes in history? Would be nice to see the staff long term testing the bike to work article bikes, or mid range component based bikes 😈
Oh and FFS last thing I want is to eat my cornflakes with that rockstar Roland grinning at me.....he does have a [url=
CLUB[/url] which is bad enough.. 🙄
You are charging £4.25 for the mag. Please can we have some value for money.
MBR is £4.20.
Bargain!
But last month had a 'lightweight' tag on the front cover, and no content too...
stuartie_c:
Why?
For example:
If an electrician wired up a light for me, and when i went to turn it on the microwave started then i would criticise him. I am not qualified to do better, but i know what he has done is wrong. The fact i could not do better is neither here nor there when i have paid him for a service on the very foundation that i cannot do it for myself.
....and of course this is not even getting into the issues of constructive criticism.
stuartie_c - Member
Why?
Because you are (presumably)not as skilled at every possible occupation as those who do it for a living, so it's meaningless comparison.
No way would I expect anyone to pay £50 for a meal I'd cooked for instance, I expect something way better.
EDIT loving the appreciation Jamie 😀
Only read a couple of bits so far but think what I've seen is great. Even liked Mike Ferrentino for once(have I got old enough now to "get" him?).
The Magna Via article is superb. But how the hell could you not know it was there - if it was down here you'd be queueing for days to ride it!
Keep it up chaps.
Strange how peoples perception can be so different cos I thought this issue was good. It's not really a magazine for flipping though while on the toilet, try sitting down with a brew and actually reading it properly and you'll see that the articles make a lot more sense that way!
I liked the B&B article - I've adopted that approach many times at races. 🙂
Its a special weight weenie edition 🙂
Aye, alright. Fair point.
But the main point I was trying to make was "can we do better?" which seems to have been lost by the focus on vilifying my (rather trite) initial statement. Constructive criticism is pretty much what I was getting at - rather than moan, how about we do something positive?
If an electrician wired up a light for me, and when i went to turn it on the microwave started then i would criticise him. I am not qualified to do better, but i know what he has done is wrong. The fact i could not do better is neither here nor there when i have paid him for a service on the very foundation that i cannot do it for myself.
God I hate this non sequitur stuff.
The articles are good but are there less of them and or are they shorter, has a thinner mag appeared after the launch of premier content? I don't know and don't have the time or inclination to research the answers, just my perception, right or wrong.
@ stuartie c: I have no idea what you mean.
I don't know and don't have the time or inclination to research the answers
..but feel more than comfortable throwing the poo around like a hormonal chimpanzee. Fair enough then. 😐
Dummy out the cot....
Wow, sanctimony, who could have expected that.
Bought the last issue the thin one, and it was excellent,gereat pictures as usual, and good writeing,didnt buy last months What mountain bike or this months as theyre full of reprinted reviews and ADVERTS.
Havent been able to find this months copy yet,but await my free complimentry copy(not to hopeful)so wil probably buy it, to suupport this FORUM.
****ing forum cocks! Sometimes wonder why we bother! Mark
Ever heard of customer service?? This guy is a PAYING customer! Who is entitled to express on a forum (which he is also helping to support by looking at adverts, which umm, you get more money from)
Jamaica article - only skimmed so far, but looks interesting and plenty long enough.
Gisburn/hotel - original musings (from a soft bugger)
Minx Girl - Always interesting to read baout the folk behind small bikey firms - girl too - bonus.
UP - article on climbs - a wee bit lightweight, but more interesting than Mbr's 10 best climbs (predictable)
Adjustable bike test - OK, a bit more detail would be good.
Good variety of products tested
Nice gallery
Ferrentino - always worth £1 to my mind
Jazz improvisation.........nice......
Handlebars test - can't accuse anyone of going light there - yawn
Lights test - 4 months too late
Halifax ride guide - shortest route ever, but interesting.
Mat Hart - best training advice in any bike mag.
Quantocks ride - real folk by the looks
More ride guides might attract some - recycle them like the other mags?
Letters page - errr, no thanks
I'll keep my subs up I think - satisfied, if not dazzled.
Keep up the good work (you grumpy git(s))
Wow, was not going to comment but someone is not really ok with been criticised... :p Though I'd say get over it as the people that pay you ie your readers are the people that have the right to criticise your work.
i got my first issue today and im impressed with the quality it looks and feels like a proper mag and the articles were good . as crazylegs says its a proper have to read mag rather than a flick back and forth. maybe thats too much for some tho 😉
I honestly thought that the previous issue was one of the best in quite some time. Only flicked through this months looks good so far.
Best MTB mag going IMO, only other things worth getting hold of (despite their expense) are Embrocation, Rouleur, and The Ride Journal.
If you don't like something, don't buy it.
Wasn't throwing poo, asking the questions which seemed reasonable, obviously you think otherwise, fair enough.
What do you want me to explain to you? Or are you being obtuse?
Here's what I was suggesting in a clear, straightforward form:
Some readers are unhappy about a perceived dwindling in the quality of a magazine. Publisher of magazine reacts angrily to public criticism. Suggestion is to meet in the middle whereby readers have some input to the content of one issue of the magazine. Readers get to see things from the publisher's point of view. Publishers get a fresh perspective on the interests of their readership.
Is that clearer?
daveatextremistsdotcouk:
God I hate this non sequitur stuff.
You love it! Washing machine.
😉
....oh and nice bit of bitching on the twitter feed.
****ing forum cocks! Sometimes wonder why we bother!
*cough* getting paid *cough*
*runs*
,Throw him in solitary....LOLobtuse
Sorry, I just always think of the Shawshank Redemption whenever I hear/read that word.
Boxelder - quantocks is a route guide
Ben's magna via was a article about the origins of a trail
Oh dear more ranting...
not seen the latest issue, not been home yet, although i did get txt the Aleigh centrefold
ST is till miles better than the other mags, imo
What's the world come to when Brant is giving customer service advice 😆
allthepies:
What's the world come to when Brant is giving customer service advice
There also appears to be four gentleman on horses outside. Can't be good.
@ stuartiec: I was making fun at my own expense.
The last issue was really good, especially the bivvy articles. The contents for the latest issue hasn't really got me going but I'll have a gander in Smiths at lunchtime next week and maybe buy it.
so if you are unhappy with being criticised about your mag,,
well isnt it the same as you doing bike tests and bikes or items being criticised you make positive and negative remarks on products
so this is the same some of the guys on here are offering their opinion
live with it learn from it,, it's not personal
Mark always was a bit of a psycho - bless him
ST doesn't have to (& can't) please everyone - folk can vote with their wallets, which is presumably what mark would prefer.
[i]Lights test - 4 months too late[/i]
I dunno, last time I checked there was a night time race at Enduro 6 plus two big 24hr races coming up in the next few months - plenty of people will be wanting new lights for one/some of those events.
@cynic-al: you big tease.
the people that pay you ie your readers are the people that have the right to criticise your work.
Yes, but it can be done so much more constructively. This "we pay, so get to be rude" used to piss me right off when I worked as a waiter.
I honestly thought that the previous issue was one of the best in quite some time
Me too - some inspiring people in it.
Boxelder - quantocks is a route guideBen's magna via was a article about the origins of a trail
I know - both more interesting, because of the real folk bit and the trail origin bit
Oh dear more ranting...
What, the bit just above from Dave - Hahahaha, have you met Manwells from the classifieds? You'd get on swimmingly emac65
fair point with the lights bit crazy legs - it'll be a minority that don't have lights mind.
mbr says welcome to our world on twitter 😆 mbr aren't anywhere close to being in the same class as singletrack and deserves all the criticism they get 😆
mbr says welcome to our world on twitter mbr aren't anywhere close to being in the same class as singletrack and deserves all the criticism they get
Aimed at a different audience and still readable for me.
Sorry
Mark just needs to calm down... 👿
I popped up to the LBS to pick up my copy today and it did literally feel 'light' compared to the regular issues...but at the end of the day there is plenty of reading material there.
Looking forward to a proper focussed read though...
Oh so this isn't a thread about lightweight kit? Arse 🙁
Don't all magazines around this time of year come out a little slimmer?
MBR @shedfire It still hurts when you've invested time, effort, sweat and sometimes blood.
Well don't write up so much bloody pish then and mark bikes down for something irrelevant.
boxelder - Member
the people that pay you ie your readers are the people that have the right to criticise your work.
Yes, but it can be done so much more constructively. This "we pay, so get to be rude" used to piss me right off when I worked as a waiter.
Shirley they make the mag as they want it to be/what they believe, then folk can buy it or **** off? (within commercial limits)
It's not like say being a big commercial law firm where you are desperate to hang on to clients and will do what you want them to.
You can't expect every issue to be the same. For there to be good issues, there must be poor issues. The overall magazine has been from launch the best available for people who know what mountain biking is about. Give the guys a break ffs.
Average issue IMHO. So that would be about 1000% better than any of the competition, apart from possibly DirtRag (which is bloody hard to get hold of now Borders is dead).
Keep up the good work STW Gents.
I think the previous 3 issues have been bloody corkers by the way.
I'm sure there are people on this thread who complaining about the size of portions in restaurants and how "that's very expensive...", and probably could do with getting out a bit more.
You can subscribe to dirtrag.
If opinion isn’t split then it’s not a good product. For my money Singletrack is the best mountain bike mag out there at the moment. Quantity doesn’t bother me, quality does. If you don’t like don’t buy it, or un-subscribe.
cynic-al,
I'm not suggesting people should expect Mark or whoever to come grovelling. I think we agree that this kind of criticism is pointless. People buy the mag through choice, and if they perceive it to be going downhill they can stop buying it. If you subscribe and then it fundamentally changes, you've got a gripe, but it hasn't.
The point I was trying to make, was that there are folk who think that because they've paid somebody, they can be rude. I think Mark might be with you on the folk can buy it or [i]choose not to[/i] bit.
It's only £4 - I work with people who spend that on bottled water every day!
Not even opened my copy yet, its only just arrived..
But when the first response to criticism is to offer a refund and rant about customers on twitter, its a bit dissapointing..
crazy-legs - Member
Lights test - 4 months too lateI dunno, last time I checked there was a night time race at Enduro 6 plus two big 24hr races coming up in the next few months - plenty of people will be wanting new lights for one/some of those events.
Posted 19 minutes ago # Report-Post
what about the 70% that needed lights well befor xmas! including me.
shaggy - MemberIf opinion isn’t split then it’s not a good product. For my money Singletrack is the best mountain bike mag out there at the moment. Quantity doesn’t bother me, quality does. If you don’t like don’t buy it, or un-subscribe
What would you know - that tripe you made up about Alaska almost had me driving to Yorkshire to demand a full refund.
😉
'spect
what about the 70% that needed lights well befor xmas! including me
Nice use of made up stats there. 😛
i used to buy every issue. i then decided to boycott one issue last year that coincided with the awful soft-porrn shot in the calender. and didn't miss the mag too much. i didn't buy the last one cos of that cover - skidding in the snow? yikes! but really, i'm mostly annoyed that the people who pay a premium price (£4.25) get anything but premium service.
Still the best mag, but noone has the right to speak to a customer like that! Mark, you should think yourself lucky your not on the wrong end of a gross misconduct dismissal for that twitter comment, I know I would be if I did similar at my company!
Elements of your job may be hard, just like everyone else on the planet but on the whole you should remember that your out riding bikes and being paid for it, so man up and take criticism as the free bonus which it really is!
i didn't buy the last one cos of that cover
Really? I mean really? 😯
Im loving the latest issue but im slightly biased as it has a few of my pics in . ha ha
Seriously though ,off the back of my mates rushing out to buy a copy to see/read about the Qs article ,I have heard nothing but praise for the mag. Even my dad read it and liked it. It aint a comic like some of the others and I like the style of writting. Having met Chipps also makes it a mag I'll keep buying. Him coming along on Oldfarts birthday ride was great.
Really? I mean really?
well i did explain that wasn't the main reason. i guess i got annoyed at seeing 'gnarly' cover pictures, normally over some canadian roots and rocks on a bike with white bombers, which never seemed to bear any relevance to anything inside. i was already feeling less than enthusiastic and then i saw that snow cover.