Cycling plus magazine

[compo]

I only very occasionally buy a cycling magazine. There is only so much that can be said about cycling. Cycling in the summer heat, in the spring, in the winter, how to go up mountains and how to come down mountains and the such like. I used to religiously buy running magazines until I realised I was reading the same articles rehashed year after year, and nowadays it is the same with my other main hobby of sea fishing. (pun not intended). So, I have pretty well packed up buying magazines. The main reason I would need to get mags is if I am looking to buy something and with the advent of the internet and online shopping even that reason is now pretty well redundant. As has been said magazines now seem to cater for the very well heeled. I recall the last magazine I bought had a "budget" bike shoot out. The cheapest bike was, from memory, about £1500. If you enjoy magazines then great, it's your money, your life, but for me they have largely lost their draw and interest.

 

[e-rider]

Cycling magazines can be quite good for beginners, but quite quickly it's just the same old stuff over and over again. Also, it appears that the quality of the articles is decreasing or maybe I just know more these days, but there is often some quite appalling reporting and testing of equipment which if I were the editor I'd be very embarrassed indeed. One such example was a pump test were the 'tester' gave a low score because the pressure adjust button didn't work properly - he didn't realise that these only work for schrader valves and not presta valves!!! Idiot. If I were the pump manufacturer I'd been taking that mag to court for damages to sales.

 

[jowwy]

i have both active and plus sent to my ipad each month, i like reading them and also use Cycle chat everyday

but cycle chat can't give me reviews, pictures etc etc of upcomming wheels, bikes, equipment like the mags can

but both have their uses

 

[howdenbiker]

I buy Cycle+ and Active, they are quite similar and I deciding which to get regularly, though I enjoy reading the articles, working on a pc most of the day it's quite nice to pick up a mag anfd flick through it. I have found however that both seem to be overdoing it on articles about food and fitness most of which is pretty obvious.
I will try Bike etc this month, I recall it has some more meaty articles in it.

 

[Jenkins]

For me, two years ago subscribing to Cycling Active was the cheapest way of getting an Altura waterproof jacket.
Last year subscribing to Cycling Active was the cheapest way of getting a pair of Altura Nightvision waterproof trousers
This year subscribing to Cycling Plus was the cheapest way of getting a decent thermal jersey.
Of the two, it seems to me that C+ is the better read for the more experienced cyclist while Cycling Active is more aimed at the casual or beginner cyclist.

 

[runner]

I used to get c+ on order via direct debit but cancelled when they informed me they were increasing the price of the dd

 

[runner]

An interesting alternative is Cycling World mag which is more aimed at sportives and long casual rides both home and abroad. I keep meaning to buy the web site allows you to order a free copy,,,,,it never seems to arrive.