The best mag I read is
bike from the states.
It goes through the usual ups and downs, but most months you can read it cover to cover.
More of a "thinking bikers" mag. rather than one for the ADD generation (of which I am a senior member)
I have to admit that I dont give the majority of reviews even a glance these days.
I was put off by month upon month of reviews (from all different mags) who would rate a bike or piece of equipment badly because they hadnt set it up correctly!
And a classic example was a trail bike review a couple, of years ago:
There were two different bikes, with the same air sprung fork.
1 bike review said the bike wasn't as good becuase the fork was too firm and the other review rated the bike down because the fork was too soft!
HA!
As far as reviews go. I would always tell my junior team riders off for jumping on someone elses bike and bouncing around in the car park on it to determine how it "felt".
"Oh this bike / brand of something feels awesome / crap."
How about:
a) set the whole bike up for your weight, shape, preferences.
b) time yourself on a section of trail (and make it one that the bike is designed for)
c) then change something you are considering
d) time yourself again
Then make a decision.
I also like the quote from a mate of mine from a little town in Canada starting with W:
"Those with personal preferences prefer to loose!"
Keep the dream alive
