I just look at the pictures, er, read the articles...

[gurp13]

So, what biking or mountain biking related magazines do you read and why or why not? I am subscribed to Bicycling but it's pretty heavy on the roadie content, though there is an occassional nod to MTBing. I recently picked up Mountain Bike Action. Seems okay, but the way they are flogging Santa Cruz bikes so much is suspicious to me. I've read three different times about how great the Nomad is. And the Blur. Good bikes, sure, but...

So, what do you read or recommend?

[Kid A]

some i had sub'd to over the years alos inlcude Bike and dirt rag

[dhshuttlemonkey]

MBA is definately biased towards Santa Cruz. It seems that every 5" or 6" bike they review is always the ultimate do everything trailbike. I'll not be renewing my subscription when it runs out.

btw, I have a bunch of back issues if anyone wants them.

i've seen plenty of reviews on specialEDs, i mean specialized bikes as well. this topic has been covered in its entirety over on mtbr.

i think BIKE has more of an artsy approach with its photography and articles/stories and i do enjoy that magazine the best. i do like MBActions "Ask RC" section though, there can be some helpful tips in it from time to time.

currently i don't subscribe to any of the publications, but i used to subscribe to MBAction. when doing research on a product, i put a lot of faith in what others are saying about it on mtbr in the product review sections.

[CalEpic]

My favorite is Decline - free ride/downhill oriented. The photography is outstanding. Also cool columns by the top names in racing. My only gripe is their proof reader is heavy on the chronic. Spelling mistakes by the truckload.

Dirt Rag is pretty good but the vegan-hippie-fixie-messenger boy style doesn't really do it for me. they do have some good stories though and I like the "rider's eye" photo's.

MBA is a joke.

Time for an STR E-zine.

C

[P-Funk]

I subscribe to Dirt Rag, but I'm going to be subscribing to Decline & BIKE as soon as I get around to it. I actually like to browse through the Mountain Bike UK mag when I'm at the bookstore. It's interesting to see what's going on across the pond. I've actually bought an issue from time to time.

I agree with Cal about the vegan-hippie-fixie-messenger boy style of Dirt Rag. Sometimes it gets a little old, but they seem more honest in their reviews and they tend to review stuff that may be a little less mainstream sometimes.

[Neccros]

I love UK magazines... and their MTB mags are kick a$$ as well.... Even though the trail info doesnt apply here, just their way of reviewing gear and just how they put a magazine together over there is far superior to any US mag...

I used read a ton of UK computer mags and those are no different...

[Wrecker]

Damn Brits...I like MtbIreland--heeheeh j/k
I just like the pretty pictures, and Mtbr for product info; or hell, anything on the net. Computers are a beautiful thing

[P-Funk]

Originally Posted by Neccros

I love UK magazines... and their MTB mags are kick a$$ as well.... Even though the trail info doesnt apply here, just their way of reviewing gear and just how they put a magazine together over there is far superior to any US mag...

I used read a ton of UK computer mags and those are no different...

I agree with you on the production & style of UK mags. I'm a graphic designer so I'm always noticing design when I look at something, and the UK mags are almost always MUCH nicer than American ones. They use higher quality paper with slick covers, and they just seem to put more emphasis on the actual design. And you gotta love the oversized dimensions too. They aint cheap though.
The current Mountain Bike UK comes with a free DVD, but the price is still $8.00.

[Neccros]

Not to mention *IF* you know where to look, you can get PDF versions of Mountain Bike Action! Save a few trees why dont ya!!

[P-Funk]

Originally Posted by Neccros

Not to mention *IF* you know where to look, you can get PDF versions of Mountain Bike Action! Save a few trees why dont ya!!

Yeah, I just thumb through that one at the store and don't even buy it anymore.

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by P-Funk

I agree with you on the production & style of UK mags. I'm a graphic designer so I'm always noticing design when I look at something, and the UK mags are almost always MUCH nicer than American ones. They use higher quality paper with slick covers, and they just seem to put more emphasis on the actual design. And you gotta love the oversized dimensions too. They aint cheap though.

Yeah Im a "cool design" whore myself... Love good design, but couldnt design my way out of a paper bag!! (I try though) I got the opportunity to meet Tim from Crank Brothers and that guy does some cool stuff with their packaging, etc....

Heck yeah UK mags are pricey!! I used to get every issue of Computer Arts from like 96-2003!!! talk about pricey!!

But they are so worth it...

B

[Pain Freak]

I'm also kind of bummed with the hippie type political bs that Dirt Rag has( I don't care what they think about wars or presidents), but all things considered I like this mag about the best. Honest reviews in a bike mag???? Ain't gonna happen ( the bite the hand that feeds you syndrome). Decline is okay, and so is Flow, but I haven't been able to find it lately. Bike is good sometimes just don't waste your time reading reviews, they are all positive.

What I'd like to see is more about different trails with descriptions of the ride and the terrain instead of finding some inner nirvana bs.

[Neccros]

I think Flow bit the big one... Most of the Decline people Flow'ed over from Flow..(No pun intended)

I recall being shocked going to Frys and seeing 26 mag(XC, Trail, All mountain version of Decline) and Decline, but unfortunatly they killed 26 but I still have a couple of issues somewhere...

[jfromlv]

I'd definitely have to agree with Pain Freak on this. I'm at the point now where I've let all my subscriptions run out, and I don't think I've missed out on much, in fact, I know I've been riding more!

[Jordansrealm]

Mountain Biking UK
Mountain Bike Action
Bike
Decline
What mountain bike UK
Dirt Rage
Cycling

I pick any of those up from time to time but im a huge magazine whore I dont subscribe to any.

[Innes]

For me, it's DirtRag hands down. I grew up in Pittsburgh so I'm a little biased and it's cool when I can see pics from home. If you want one from the UK, Singletrack is the only one worth spending any money on. All of the other ones are crap and they have more advertisements than pictures and articles.

[mtnbikerdude87]

Dirt rag is my favorite. Sometimes they have some good articles too.

[soul rider]

BIKE and Decline rule ...bicycling always has "models" on the cover. they pose with all clean gear and nice big pearly whites never real dirty riding shots. mba is ok...the website is awful, when there is a race report no pictures, just names of people you don't know and times...lame

[dirttorpeedo]

it used to be mtn bike,i believe they've gone away.i'll pick up whatever is laying around the bike shop and study what the so called latest and greatest is. i dont sub any mags for bikes tho they allways rehash the same stuff over.