[Closed] singletrack magazine.what are your views on it.

Read it occasionally, seems like the best of a pretty poor bunch, which sounds like I'm damning them with faint praise I suppose.

I really like it. It feels slightly more inline with how I see mtb.

Mbuk is my favourite, the rest are just too up their own arses. Though it's still not that good.

I "think" this is an market segment related thing. Singletrack I like, but then I am slap bang in the middle of their key demographic. They know their audience and play to that. Good strategy.

Would like to see more articles by Ed (beard) though, his stuff normally very good and the "Man and Boy" one a year or 2 back was wonderful.

I liked Benji's rant this month, didn't agree with all of it, but a good article nonetheless.

Privateer I kind of like also, but it's like thicker version of singletrack.

Really like the Ride journal. The rest really are all a mix. MBRs "old blokes who should know better" is great! 🙂

Kev

and blame the dog is excellent. Whilst on a "Bike" (US mag) tangent...

Can they do an "Ask Ed" column or "Ask Matt" in the style of "Ask Chopper" (also from Bike)?

It's pretty variable, I find some issues much better than others. This month's was pretty good, the Jenn Hopkins article was very well written. Quite often there are what seem to be "bought in" articles mainly about riding in interesting places, but I find the writing lacks a little depth - the articles seem to have been written by non-native English speakers or have been translated.

I'm more into the features than the reviews so they are at the mercy of how much they can write themselves in a month, and what outside contributions they get.

Much better than other monthly mags, but it would be nice to include some more Ride Journal style pieces too.

I like it. It's aimed a bit more at the sort of rider that I fondly imagine I am (or would be if I had the money for flash bikes!).

overall the best of the bunch but I can't stand blame the dog, that's a load of pretentious bull.

i like a magazine i can read that's written by adults who do the same sort of riding that i do or aspire to do, not a comic for children with a limited attention span, that's why i buy ST and occasionally Dirt but non of the others unless i'm really really desperate

Quite often there are what seem to be "bought in" articles mainly about riding in interesting places, but I find the writing lacks a little depth - the articles seem to have been written by non-native English speakers or have been translated.

You know I'd never thought about it like that but I know what you mean.

The problem with all the MTB mags as I see it is that there's just not a wide enough spread of different types of articles. Tests, ride articles, interviews. That's yer lot really. I can hazard a guess as to why, but compared to 'Bike' motorcycle magazine for instance there's an awful lot lacking.

OOh, forgot about Dirt. It's excellent. Singletrack is highly relevant for me now, Dirt is definitely my aspirational state (hucking, tabletopping, gnar mashing, rock hound riding). Dirt are also very clear on their segment IMHO, and aim at that squarely.

Kev

Quite often there are what seem to be "bought in" articles mainly about riding in interesting places

in the very early days of ST there was an article about riding in Alaska and i'd read it word for word in Bike Magazine, happily it was a good piece so i didn't grumble

I buy the magazine from time to time mainly because I use the forum a lot and feel I should support it. Some of it is good but some of it feels a bit amateurish tbh, and I find often the photography isn't that great, IMHO.

Mind you I don't find magazine for any subject to be that amazing, I've bought a few photography ones that aren't great either. I quite like MBUK though 😳

MBUK doesn't take itself too seriously, which is great. I do like Singletrack and also buy Dirt and Bike, but then I'm a photography whore. Bike is probably my favourite, even of half the articles are utter trollop - the photos just have me creaming my undershorts.

Edit: The Albion. A BMX mag as it should be, even if you don't ride BMX (which I don't anymore). F'king excellent. And free!

It's not for me at all. the magazine content is pretty much irrelivent to the riding/bikes/kit I do/like/use.

i like the attitude and approach of ST more so than other mags.

they seem more interested in 'riding', lifestyle and adventure. more a 'get out and ride' philosophy than a 'ooh, i know lots about new items, the weights, who that racer is, etc'.

their write ups seem honest and not full of anal detailing about weights and stiffness.

i only buy i occasionally, but keep meaning to sign up for the digital version.

here in germany the magazines are crap awful. more concerned with either xc, carbon ****iness or big bike hucking. not so much middle ground, which is what i think ST does well. there seems to be a lack of article written by riders for riders. more articles written by bike journos (i know ST are also bike journos,but they come across as a little less up their own arses than others) for people that want to know everything; who go on to tell you about each component on their bike, the latest forks, drivetrain etc, but seem to spend more time being engrossed in the lifestyle than living it.

how easy is it to start up a magazine?

the problem for all the mags is that there's only so much you can write about riding a bike up and down some hills. most of the mags get away with this by largely being advertorials. singletrack does a pretty good job of avoiding that by and large and ime has always attempted to fill its pages with stuff that you want to read about, in a style that makes you want to read it.

plus, i've ridden as a guide for featured rides with almost all of the main mags and st were the only people that sent a couple of guys out that seemed like a couple of mountain bikers on a weekend ride rather than a couple of journalists on mountain bikes. i'm pretty sure that that is relevant to how the mag reads.

It's OK. I've started being more selective before choosing to buy it (thumbing through first). I really like blame the dog but not a big fan of Jenns articles.
I do find that the articles about rides don't include much detail of what the ride/trails are actually like and more about the feelings/emotions of the rider which can be a bit frustrating. Probably a bit too much niche-ness in there too IMHO. Pretty good and easily one of the better mags overall.

The editorials are usually good, grinder reviews seem relevant, fitness articles seem a bit copy'n'paste, big foreign trip articles don't really interest, route guides are ok.

Used to like the 'fish out of water' type articles that ran a while back, most of the 'industry insider' stuff I also find interesting.

Overall I guess once you've read a mag for a few years it does tend to lose the *wow* factor, but stw does seem to be balancing the articles quite well between the interest of old hands and newcomers.

I'd miss if it weren't there 🙂

Singletrack is a great mag, but gear and reviews seem a but aimed at their location. Not all of us are blessed with living oop north. Mbuk is good, but a bit too baggy-jeans-and-piss-pot for me sometimes, mbr is a steady ok, but it's what mountain bike that gets my monthly subscription year after year.

they seem more interested in 'riding', lifestyle and adventure. more a 'get out and ride' philosophy than a 'ooh, i know lots about new items, the weights, who that racer is, etc'.

That sums it up pretty well for me too.. and I find the articles are interesting rather than trying to be clever or cool.. and it's not really trying [i]too[/i] hard to sell me stuff either..

the first time I ever saw the mag it was mostly filled with articles advising us not to waste money following the latest trends and extolling an 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' attitude.. which is nice

I generally like Singletrack, and occasionally buy Dirt as I find the article style and photography to be good even if I can only dream of riding some of the stuff they talk about.

I guess the reason I like Dirt is that most of the articles are about something and have human interest even if I would never do the thing itself. Many of the Singletrack abroad articles turn me off as they usually seem to be expensive "look where I went on my holidays" diaries rather than experiential accounts set to a backdrop. I guess I would like to hear more about the culture of biking and the issues surrounding it.

I would like to see more opinion pieces (access articles, Ferrentino, Chips' editorials, etc), rants (A la Benji this month), stories about biking not stories with bikes in (Ed Oxley, Great divide, Jen, etc) and reviews (preferably of affordable stuff and lots of tyres, this months XO and expensive wheels reviews had me laughing and choking in equal measures. Made the Tracer2 almost seem like good value.). I want to read stuff to inspire me and keep me sane when I can't get out, not see someones holiday snaps with some words attached. Detailed route guides with trail info, conditions, etc would also be nice in addition to the story.

got an online subscription recently, so been looking at alot of the back issue, articles are pretty good in general, but i don't read the kit stuff really, also too many ads for my liking, understandable but still too many..

If nothing else, the photography is generally stunning and will keep me entertained even if the articles aren't too great. Overall though I really like it - good mix of reviewy bits, trip bits and interviews (with interesting people thankfully..). Keep it up I say!

As a magazine it's absolutely top drawer. They've got the mix perfect IMHO, catering for the range of readership that a national magazine demands. Hence I've had a subscription for years.

I totally agree with alpin's summary. I don't want to read about dogs bollox, XTR, supa-dupa, ultra-light, carbon fibre, mega-bling, because its about as relevant to me as watching Clarkson test drive a Ferrari on Top Gear, insofar as they're both about as affordable.

I think Benji's rant was the best article for a while. I love Mike's stuff. Consistently insightful and interesting. Some of the contributor articles (you lot) are brilliant, giving a non-industry take on everything. Which other mag does that?

The route guides are always good. Have you ever ridden an MBR route? No? Neither have they?

I've tried stuff ie: Bivvying - on the strength of articles. And, for gods sake, they provide this place. They should receive a government 'care in the community' grant for that.

I'm sorry TJ, but I appear to have bought into 'the brand' 😉

Ohh Errrr.. posting about the Mag on the Mags forum.. will this get shut down?

Well I like the Mag, I think it fits my riding style well and has some pretty good tests in it, with a variety of bikes too (all inclusive styles etc.) I'm a fan of the Journo'ist and story telling mentality, keeps me entertained anyhoo's. Pics are a bit odd at times, I mean how many photos of a bike placed against a roack can one man take, but on the whole it's a solid well build Mag.

I likes the forum me betters.

Its ok, I do pick up the odd copy once in a while.

I subscribe to what mountain bike which is ok to read, but I wish they would get rid of all the bikes and kit list at the back of the mags!

The STW forum is my fav though, just ticks all the box's for me! 🙂

I enjoy having an ST subscription but don't really analyse it each month...as a subscriber it turns up on my mat normally when I'm not expecting it and I read it, sometimes I'll read every article, sometimes I'll just browse through. Think I've looked at the current mag for about 5 minutes so far. Then it makes it's way to the smallest room where it stays getting read for months, possibly years

I like the mag a lot. Have an online sub which works well for me. Articles are just the right mix fpor me.

I borrow copies of Dirt from a mate, also a good mag.

Don't read it any more. Used to like it but I don't think the quality of writing or the originality is there these days. There used to be the odd good article but not enough of them to keep me interested.

grum - Member
I buy the magazine from time to time mainly because I use the forum a lot and feel I should support it. Some of it is good but some of it feels a bit amateurish tbh, and I find often the photography isn't that great, IMHO.

nuke - Member
I enjoy having an ST subscription but don't really analyse it each month...as a subscriber it turns up on my mat normally when I'm not expecting it and I read it, sometimes I'll read every article, sometimes I'll just browse through.

Big Dave - Member
Don't read it any more. Used to like it but I don't think the quality of writing or the originality is there these days. There used to be the odd good article but not enough of them to keep me interested.

All of that^

I keep making a mental note to cancel my print subscription and go digital. At least that would save the waster of paper and the cost of postage.

Personally, I think they should just package up the best bits of the forum every month.

Would. Be. Comedy. Gold.

😐

I've been a subscriber for a couple of years now (and buying off the shelf for a year or so before that), for most of the reasons Alpin gave. Living in Sweden, we have no real dedicated MTB mag; just a couple of 'cycling' ones and the odd bit in outdoor-lifestyle mags. I don't feel that any of the mags here reflect the actual situation of mountain-biking in the country. It's all about top-draw, XC-race bikes and bits, or when they do beginner stuff it assumes that XC-racing is the default aspiration.

For me ST is just by, for and about ordinary people who like bikes. Yes, some of it's a bit rubbish sometimes, but the positives outweigh the negatives. I also read Dirt simply because it's entertaining, well written and, again, seems to be written by people who love what they do.

Bought first copy 2004. I read it and like it when I buy it. My subscription runs out from time to time and I forget to get around to renewing for 5 or 6 months - don't know if that says any more than I'm disorganised!

Poor form to slag off a magazine/company on its own forum that it funds for little return imo.

The trouble with all MTB mags is that after a while they run out of things to write about and repeat themselves. Nowadays with the internet MTB news articals are pointless because they are a month out of date. So then the only new thing to write about is product, which is basicly 'here is some new stuff, only just slightly better than the old stuff'

I subbed to singletrack for a couple of years, it was a slightly different take to what had come before, but then it got all a bit samey.

However, of all of them, Singletrack does seem to try the hardest to be good. So I still by it from time to time, Dirt less so, and MBR in moments of weakness.

I was a subscriber for about 4 or 5 years, really enjoyed it for the majority of the time I subscribed, however I got a bit bored with it towards the end of my subscription. While previously I used to read the magazine from cover to cover and reading some of the articles several times over, towards the end of my last subscription the magazine used to remain in its plastic wrapper for days/weeks. Part of the change was me though, while STW seemed to concentrate more on bigger bikes/bigger riding in the STW demesne I had changed from a LT hardtail to a rigid SS 29er, so it became kind of less revalent to me I felt. I'll definitely subscribe in the future though once the ennui has passed.

Jamie - Member
Personally, I think they should just package up the best bits of the forum every month.

Poor form to slag off a magazine/company that funds a forum for little return imo.

I wonder what the web site revenue from advertising is? OK sure its nowhere near enough to cover the cost, but still, these guys are not some magical charity you know.

It is still the only mag I have ever subscribed to but that doesn't mean it is perfect. There is still too much of the Calder Crew and Friends. I accept that if this is your experience then that's what you will write about but it leads me not to take some reviews/comments seriously e.g I never believe anything about Ragley. In common with a lot of magazines, columns are sometimes a cop out. It's easy and cheap to get somebody to write a page about anything. I already listen to plenty of ill informed ranting when I ride with friends. Having said that I really enjoyed Benji's rant which wasn't strictly speaking a column

OK sure its nowhere near enough to cover the cost

I stand by my original statement.

I have a subscription, but mainly to support the forum. If you look through the digital copies of three or four years ago, I think they're much, much stronger with regards to content. More pages too! I think the articles by the STW team are not as interesting as their 'external correspondent' ones, and some of them make me cringe; the Jamaican article, most of the 10 year anniversary one and Benji's in the last were fairly poor.

And I've never received my discount card! Probably won't do now... 😕

Poor form to slag off a magazine/company on its own forum that it funds for little return imo.

If I ran a magazine I'd think some free market research about it was useful to hear.

I would buy it occasionally, if it was in any of the local shops, Tesco, Morrisons, they all stock MBUK.

If I ran a magazine I'd think some free market research about it was useful to hear.

That's why I said "slag off" not "constructive criticism" 😉

I struggle to see much in any of the mags that is relevant to how and where I ride; but Singletrack and Dirt are the two that I tend to buy as the pictures and articles make me want to ride. I occssionally pick up MBUK for a train journey to see what the kids are being told to do and buy but it usually ends in disapointment. I might flick through MBR and whatMTB if they are at a friends house but I very rarely buy or even bother to brows them in a newsagent. I don't like the style or the content... not sure why but there seems to be no substance to the reviews, ride guides or articles... as if they came straight from a brochure without hitting a reality filter?

Don't read it any more. Used to like it but I don't think the quality of writing or the originality is there these days. There used to be the odd good article but not enough of them to keep me interested.

Not sure what planet [i]mbr[/i] and [i]wmb[/i] are on

[i]mbuk[/i] not bad but suffering from the recent makeover

[i]Dirt[/i] is totally irrelevant but I like it

Also like online mags [i]Wideopen[/i] and [i]IMB[/i]

Both Ride and Privateer are the best magazines out there at the moment. Shred is excellent too, although difficult to get hold of.

[I]Ohh Errrr.. posting about the Mag on the Mags forum.. will this get shut down?[/I]

I doubt it, I personally like to see constructive criticism it helps to influence future writing.

I read the mag on and off. had a subscription that has just lapsed and will renew it soon.

i would like to see the routes having enough riding for a weekend. i rarely (if ever) travel to ride for a day so a day and a halfs riding would be ideal.

If they could make STW more like Mountain Bike World, or Mountain Biker International, I'd be far happier! 8)

I think the articles by the STW team are not as interesting as their 'external correspondent' ones, and some of them make me cringe

Actually Dave, I got that wrong. Your stuff is very good.

I doubt it, I personally like to see constructive criticism it helps to influence future writing.

Maybe. But you're not the gaffer, are you? 😉

I'm here. Reading away. Not closing stuff....
As you were..

🙂

I think the mag needs a LOT more stuff about road bikes in it 🙂

Personally, I think they should just package up the best bits of the forum every month.

Jamie... I'm already looking for a publisher. You up for being picture editor?

😐

rOcKeTdOg wrote:

i like a magazine i can read that's written by adults who do the same sort of riding that i do or aspire to do, not a comic for children with a limited attention span, that's why i buy ST

LOL! Yeah, thay kind of sums it up for me too. 🙂

Personally, I think they should just package up the best bits of the forum every month.

Would be as dull as dishwater.

I think the mag is great, mature, well written, honest and free from any hacking scandal.

I'm another ST and 'Dirt' reader. Probably says more about the type of riding i aspire to than the quality though. MBR is the best for price comparison ads from major retailers......

I thought Benji's last article was great and i would love more of that opinion style, whether i agree or not. Guess it was a real 'marmite' one!

Every mag has its ups and downs, you can't please all the people all the time. Singletrack Mag has on the whole, appealed to me the most out of all the mags for a number of years. It's by no means perfect, and there are articles in it that don't interest me too, but on the whole I'm glad it arrives on my doormat every so often.

Some things I would like to see though, but suppose not always possible...

-I loved the fish out of water articles of old. Please can we have more?
-Kit test wise, if you're going to do it do it properly, don't just print a picture (or not in several cases this month), a price and two lines about the item... This month's wheel review, bit of a waste of time IMO.
-Readers rides. We've had a few featured in the past, always think it's at least interesting to read about why someone has poured their time effort and money into some really strange and sometimes wonderful creations. Even if I'd not ride them myself, it's always cool to see I think.
-More contributor articles and pics... But then I would say that eh! (cough*gis another job mister*cough) 😉
-More local trail rides around the country, I know it wouldn't be easy, but reading about someone's local Sunday group route from the perspective of a total outsider, is quite a cool prospect. To me at least. But I just love hearing about new trails I've not yet ridden, it inspires me to go ride them.

But whatever happens, as long as it continues to appeal to me I'm going to continue to subscribe.

I get it through the letterbox, I read it over the next few weeks ( I like to make it last). Some bits I like, other bits are ok.
Like most mags really.
There's nothing in it that actually annoys me, unlike MBR, but I still get that every month anyway.

What annoys me about MBR? Well, I'll tell you - every bike HAS TO HAVE the same length stem, the same width bars, the same tyres, a chain device, etc etc or they say its wrong. Stupid that is.

I subscribe, but don't read the mag but just skim through.

I look at my subscription as supporting the forum, far more of an interesting and useful read than the mag could ever be. Thats not a slight on the mag, just that there is such a diverse group of people and ideas on the forum contributing to what is mostly an interesting read.

i like the bike tests. the themes make them more interesting than "three very similar 140mm suspension bikes" from other mags.

they feel more like wondering into a bikeshop and seeing whats on display than focussed research into a type of bike.

I think it is brill. Along with Dirt and Wideopen it feels like a magazine about mountain biking by people who genuinely love doing it, as opposed to a magazine about bits you can buy for your bike. I disagree with the comments that it repeats itself although I have only got the mag since the late 20's. I also think it stands up really well to being re read. Last year I travelled 2 hours out and back every weekend, and re-read through my entire ST stash. A bit sad but thoroughly enjoyable. In short, it is boss.

May pick up a copy and give it another go - stopped reading it a couple of years ago...

...because it was in the worthy but dull pile on my table

My 2p worth -

STW Magazine, it's crap, uninspiring & too cliquey. I used to buy it regular, but haven't for 2 years.

STW Website, a riot, I'm here aren't I. Full of crap, but occasional gems and sometimes useful. The classifieds have so far served me qell as both buyer & seller.

I think the mag is very inspiring. Certainly head and shoulders above the rest in that respect, but I guess it depends on your type of riding.

If there's one criticism of Singletrack I have, it's that too often the photos accompanying atricles are very small and there seems to be an unwritten rule about not showing too much of the rider or their bike.
I understand this probably makes for a better / more arty photo (as long as it's not a close-up action shot, obviously), but it is a bike mag after all and I'm sure can't be the only one who likes to see what bikes and bits others are riding. (Not that I'm a gear freak these days, but just out of interest - like!)

I've been a subscriber from day one to about three years in then let it slide and have been subscribing for the last five years or so. When I wasn't subscribing I reckon I still read most of the issues, just mates' copies.

As most things it's gone through good and less good phases. I don't think it's ever been bad but in the good times, it's been compulsive reading while the less good issues have been ones that I've got through but just as and when.

Either way, I find it better than any of the other mags I've read. Certainly miles better than Privateer which literally sent me to sleep...

I don't think the mag's currently going through one of its better periods at the moment though. A lot of the articles just seem very samey or just trying too hard (Benji's recent rant for example). For my money, the best articles/reviews/etc are things that either have a good theme (the racing/bonking issue IIRC) or are interesting products (the more offbeat bikes - not niche tryhard stuff that are only 'exciting' because of who they're made by or because of the lugged construction/<insert other completely non-functional design aspect>, just interesting concepts that make you think or have an interesting idea behind them even if the end result isn't necessarily an improvement.

EDIT - just been reminded about fish out of water - I always though that was a great one - something a bit different but kind of related. Maybe hard to contantly come up with new content but it's worth it if it could be.

I'll still keep buying it though - if nothing else, simply to pay towards the forum.

I personally like to see constructive criticism it helps to influence future writing.

This is a good thing.

Reading what lots of people have said about no longer reading or only doing so infrequently, I suspect it's less that the magazine or its content or editorial direction have changed but more that the readers have change.

I remember my first issue of ST - something in the single figures, I think - and it was a revelation. I surfed its wave. I was returning to MTBing after several years away. It spoke directly to me. It felt accessible and bullshit-free.

I think it still is. There's a thread out there that's 20 pages long about branding. ST managed to hit the anti-branding thing perfectly (and, in so doing, created a nice brand for itself).

My riding has moved on. My MTB is ridden a handful of times a year. I'm almost always out on the road bike. So, for that reason, ST doesn't really seep into my psyche in the same way. This is important: people need to recognise the ebb and flow of their own proclivities.

There are blips - I'm still no fan of Ferrentino's writing, but then I don't like Johnny Green's efforts in Rouleur. Some good stuff has come and gone (Samuri..!). Some bad stuff has found its way in - at one time there seemed to be a monthly article that started "what I did on my holidays".

But, you know, it has created something that finds true value in British MTBing. In fact, if it did more of this - more about, say, rigid 29ers than just Calder Valley "techcore" - the better.

Each time I read/contribute to one of these threads, I tell myself: "Write something. Put your money where your mouth is." But then I remember how hard it is to be interesting....

In short: continue as you are, but expand the range of what you cover beyond what the Calder Valley Kings are into. Just a little - 5% will do.

The magazine has changed in style and content, its inevitable that it has to so that sales continue, but there is still room for good and unusual work to appear on the pages, take the access issue for example, those articles have stirred debate across the board and as far as I know there's only Privateer who have taken this on board and put their slant on the subject.

The photography continues to be amongst the best on offer, not sticking to a rigid formula as per the other mags, the opinion pieces are not just about selling bikes/gear etc, there's a regular column from a proper industry insider (i:e not a bike journo "insider") the route guides are done the right way round !

All this and more, it and Privateer are the only MTB mag's I subscribe too and yet I still don't read them as avidly as I once did, thats not a reflection of the mag its a reflection of me and what I devote my time to doing.

Long may Singletrack mag continue 🙂

Mag - not my cup of tea.

Forums - highly entertaining. Found some proper bargains in the classifieds too.

I suspect it's less that the magazine or its content or editorial direction have changed but more that the readers have change.

I wondered that but when reading old issues (the benefit of still having them!) I still find the articles interesting and not just from a nostalgic pov - in fact, that's what usually reminds me that the most recent issues just aren't hitting the spot for me in the same way.

that's what usually reminds me that the most recent issues just aren't hitting the spot for me in the same way

Interesting. At least you've tested it - I never have; I've just assumed that I've changed more (or more differently).

it and Privateer are the only MTB mag's I subscribe to

Though I have a subscription, Privateer is yet to capture anything for me. Funnily, and I think this is something that would get TJ's goat, it's the choice(s) of font(s).

I bought a copy a 6 months ago, thought it was dull as dishwater. But I don't really like magwazines anyway..

Not heard of Privateer so googled it - how much? Nearly £10 per mag!!!

No wonder they are named after pirates.

As to STW, I subscribed for a long time then cancelled my subs as it was getting a bit samey, although I have changed a lot too which must add to the mix. This is the second time I have done this.

Actually getting a hankering for it again so will have to go buy a copy, if I like it then I'll sub once again.

Maybe this time, unlike the last two times, I'll get the free gift (is there still one offered?).

It's great that MTB is such a big and diverse pastime that geriatric benders with spuds and a well thumbed highway code can have their own niche mag and forum to compare how omniscient and uptight they are and belittle people who don't share their tastes ie commuting, ignorance about road biking, with a few useful bits and bobs thrown in

It should be a charity really

(tbh it is nice to read mag that acknowledges that not all so-called extreme sports are really rad to power gnarr and some of us listen to R4 rather than spend time lowering our jeans - but don't tell Benjii)

Good thread, actually, and some really interesting points.

When I read it (past tense), I found it to be more of a grown-up read than some of the others - a bit like Playboy (hear me out!) in that the articles are included because they're an interesting read, not because it's necessarily proving a particular point or any such.

If I want to know how a particular bit of kit works or is worth buying, I'll probably go to WMB or Bikemagic, as sometimes a score out of 10 is useful (and they do seem to have a larger collection of reviews). But for general coffee-table reading by (reasonably) normal people rather than self-professed experts, it's not bad.

Having said that, though, I never bought it that often, perhaps because general coffee-table reading wasn't top of my list of priorities. I'd read it if there was a particular grouptest of interest (Ti hardtails, for example), and then enjoy the rest of the articles, rather than buying specifically for the articles.

Distribution was always the other issue for me - if I was at Kings Cross looking for a read for a 5 hour train journey, I probably would pick it up if I could have found it. Now I'm in Canada, I can't get it anywhere, and my buying habits don't justify buying a sub, to my mind.

st magazine is pretty good, decent writing and some lovely photography. I dont buy it though as it seems a bit thin on the ground.

The best mtb magazine is dirt, which I try and buy every month. The photography is fantastic, good gear reviews and some interesting articles (the writing is not as good as single track though)

Singletrack the site - Fine, I can look at what I want and laugh at some of the ramblings of the mental patients (me included)

Songletrack the magazine - meh! Some articles are ok, the bike tests seems fine too, some articles are in no way relevant to me but you can't have it all ways. I'll have a flick through while waiting for the wife in Sainsbury's but if it's not my cuppa that month i'll buy something else

Ive only ever bought one issue and that was only because I was in it. Really doesn't inspire me but then I don't read any mtb mags other than the ones in my mates van on the way to rides. I likes to sees new bikes and kit but the words is far too confusings.

bring back mountain biker international!!!