Disappointed with Cycling Active magazine's new style of concentrating on serious road bikes?

[Cush]

I have to admit I am addicted to magazines and subscribe to; well a few that cover my interests and occasionally others. I have cancelled my subscription to Cycling Active because as has already been said, it is now aimed at the affluent cyclists and not your everyday pedal pusher. Speaking for myself: what I want is a magazine that covers the needs of the urban commuter who will occasionally be a tourer and now and again a mountain biker. The kit that this group will be interested in will be able to be used for several disciplines. So a shirt will not cost a bank loan and will be able to be used for walking as well as cycling down to Tesco or on the C2C. The lights this person is liable to want are the ones they can use on the bike or for taking the dog for a late or early walk. The computer will be one that can be strapped to the wrist or the handle bar (yes I have a wrist strap for the Garmin 200). I liked the route cards in CA, in fact, this was one of it's main attractions. Yes, occasionally a review of the exotic but impractical would be acceptable. And so the list goes on. Maybe an editor will read this rant and take notice but until then I am off cycling mags.

 

[Dirk]

I don't like the 'new' Cycling Active magazine and have therefore cancelled my subscription.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

I have to admit I am addicted to magazines and subscribe to; well a few that cover my interests and occasionally others. I have cancelled my subscription to Cycling Active because as has already been said, it is now aimed at the affluent cyclists and not your everyday pedal pusher. Speaking for myself: what I want is a magazine that covers the needs of the urban commuter who will occasionally be a tourer and now and again a mountain biker. The kit that this group will be interested in will be able to be used for several disciplines. So a shirt will not cost a bank loan and will be able to be used for walking as well as cycling down to Tesco or on the C2C. The lights this person is liable to want are the ones they can use on the bike or for taking the dog for a late or early walk. The computer will be one that can be strapped to the wrist or the handle bar (yes I have a wrist strap for the Garmin 200). I liked the route cards in CA, in fact, this was one of it's main attractions. Yes, occasionally a review of the exotic but impractical would be acceptable. And so the list goes on. Maybe an editor will read this rant and take notice but until then I am off cycling mags.

The original editor left after the previous edition, perhaps he didn`t like the new direction the magazine was taking. I had some correspondence with him and he seemed a suitably enthusiastic chap about getting everyone cycling even if it was on a BSO lol

 

[Simontm]

Time to drag this out again...

 

[martint235]

Anything to do with everyday cycling I can find easily on the net. Here, Sheldon, YouTube, etc. Personally I pick up magazines for historical articles like Paris Roubaix in 1960-something, and stuff about non-everyday cycling. So I like to read about pro racing, pro-level race bikes, and stuff I can't afford and don't want. But I wouldn't dream of subscribing to one.

You'd be wanting Cycle Sport then. It has absolutely no relevance to my own cycling but if you want to read about elite level peloton stuff it's right there. I get it because it's interesting to read rather than it has anything to do with my cycling.
Bear in mind it ignores every other form of racing pretty much so if you want to see the results of a local club run it won't be there.

 

[John the Monkey]

We can never expect anything more of cycle mags until cycling becomes a commonplace activity in this country, and that's a long way away..

I wonder. Driving is pretty mainstream, and their mags seem to feature the sort of ridiculous vehicle that briefly overtakes you at speed limit +10, before sitting in the same traffic jam as everyone else.

Given traffic conditions locally, "Practical Driver" is pretty much an oxymoron, I guess though.

It just wouldn't be a cycling magazine thread if it didn't have people moaning about them now, would it? I have a vision for my own magazine: 'Audaxing Curmudgeon Monthly'. Packed full of articles about how bus shelters are much better accommodation than Travelodges, why these newfangled STI levers and 9 speed drivetrains are just a flash in the pan, and how to make that 30-year old Carradice look just like a 25-year old one.

 

[RichardB]

I have glanced at a few cycle magazine covers since I got back into cycling a few months ago, and nothing has really caught my interest - reasons as above, I guess. The only cycling magazine I have bought regularly was Bicycle in the late 70s/early 80s. That was full of interesting stuff, from HPVs to gearing, to touring kit, to weight loss. A very wide range, aimed at people who were just interested in bikes. I assume it's long gone, but I still have my copies and read them occasionally. Might try Cycling Plus, on the basis of comments above. ACM looks like a winner, if it ever makes it to print.

 

[Hyslop]

Just about to cancel my orders for my cycling magazines,one of which is Cycling Active.I opened the recent edition and simply thought "dross" and it went out with the paper rubbish,essentially unread.The last few magazines Ive read all seem to feature similar reviews,themes,fitness topics etcetera.The occasional article is of interest/relevance,but frankly,I have no need to spend money on glossy waiting room fodder.I suspect they are often bought y those who like to be seen reading a cycle mag rather than actually cycling.

 

[Simontm]

BTW if you are Surrey libraries member you get access to Zimio - an online/app magazine service and you can read Cycling Active, Cycling Plus and Cyclist for free. Oh and for me, Rugby World and SFX as well

 

[MichaelW2]

I wonder. Driving is pretty mainstream, and their mags seem to feature the sort of ridiculous vehicle that briefly overtakes you at speed limit +10, before sitting in the same traffic jam as everyone else.
Given traffic conditions locally, "Practical Driver" is pretty much an oxymoron, I guess though.
View attachment 105147

I notice that 5th gear is back, reviewing ordinary cars, in-between capers in a Lambo. Admittedly from the perspective of a petrol-head who usually drives performance motors, so a Fiat Panda is judged on it's acceleration and handling, rather than the ability to get 3 screaming kids to school, then do the weekly shop at Tesco.

 

[Venod]

And why do MTB mags usually have a picture of someone in the air with a mean look on their face with the bike at a jaunty angle, on the rare occasion that both my wheels leave the ground I am sure I must have a look of terror and the bike is dead straight ready for landing.

 

[MichaelW2]

And why do MTB mags usually have a picture of someone in the air with a mean look on their face with the bike at a jaunty angle, on the rare occasion that both my wheels leave the ground I am sure I must have a look of terror and the bike is dead straight ready for landing.

Have you noticed that brand labels on MTBs are slipping from the the side of the downtube, to the lower face, in order to appear in these "big air", like totally rad stunts.

 

[ianrauk]

Sounds like the Cycle Active reboot is right up my street.
Will have to grab a copy to check out.

 

[Andrew_P]

I used to like them when I firs got back in to cycling but much like forums the cyclical element started to grind on me only you can't ignore it so easily in a mag. Quite like lusting after bling though but stick to online reviews for that. Quite surprised people need paper media the amount of online content where you can pick and choose what you read.

Love a bit vertical compliance, with stiff power transfer to convince me I need it to do my commute on.

 

[Paulus]

I am just about to cancel my subscription to C+ because of many of the reasons mentioned above. Too many high cost bikes and reviews of kit that I will never want or require. I can get all the info I need here and from my LBS.