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Bicycling Magazine: Progressive Periodical or Porn Rag?

5K views 38 replies 30 participants last post by  Digger51 
#1 ·
Just got my copy of Bicycling and, in keeping with its recent racy theme for ads, there is one on page 102 for Adam and Eve with Bree Olsen as the hook. For those of you unfamiliar with the actress' work, a quick internet search will educate you with very UNambiguous results. Bree informs us that using Bike11 as the code at checkout wins us some free AND discounted smut.

This makes the Pearl Izumi ad from recent months (where a man and a woman are practically copulating) pale in comparison. My question is: why does Bicycling need to resort to allowing these kinds of ads into a historically stand-up periodical? Of course sex sells, but do they really think a plurality of the readership will accept this? It certainly seems that Bicycling is treading on precarious territory with the direction of their content.

How long before the back cover shows an amorous couple finding a new use for a tandem? Or Ron Jeremy touting the stiffness of his ride? Watch it, Bicycling - watch it.
 
#12 ·
How thin lately? It was getting thin back in the late 80's when I stopped my subscribtion!! They use to be a mag that geared toward beginners and advance riders, now their for beginner rich riders. They either eliminated or shortened all the stories and how to's, and replaced them with ads. Then when they did a review of a product, more then likely that product had an ad thus they couldn't report anything bad or questionable in the report for fear they would lose a sponsor. Now it's just a ***** mag for beginners.

I now subscribe to Cycling Times, it's sometimes a little ecentric, but at least it's informative.
 
#25 ·
I know, right?

And apparently not about Bicycling - "a historically stand-up magazine?" :eek:ut:

:D

/It's been of iffy quality, even for a beginner's interests, for the last, well, forever.

Free with your subscription renewal - a new editor and staff of writers.
 
#10 ·
In my own opinion, Bicycling Magazine does a lot of repeat stories. How many times can they revise "Climb Better", or "Train to Ride a Century" articles? Those are just a few examples. In the past year, they've run two separate articles on cargo bikes. I don't know about you, but I'm a road cyclist, and I couldn't give a rat's ass about cargo bikes, cyclo-cross, mountain biking, and commuter bikes. But that's just me. Bicycling covers all of those areas, and repeats them over and over again. And I am almost beginning to think they play favorites with bike manufacturers too when they rate and give a bike review. My subscription is almost out and I will probably not renew. I'll look for a different magazine that is geared to road cycling specifically.
 
#13 ·
It's kind of like...bicycling, it's pretty simple and straight forward. Over the years, I've read quite a few articles on the same subjects (just like on this forum), just with a different perspective. It's OK. The ads are understandable given that newspapers and mags are struggling due to the internet.

I agree with you about the other stuff. I have no interest in mountain bikes, cargo, etc although an occasional review doesn't really bother me. It seems that they show the same bike companies.

I'd like Bicycling (the mag) to do (or continue to do) some articles on nice rides, tours, multi-days around the country; how cyclists and bicyclists can improve the perception of cycling, tire reviews, upgrades for performance returns, etc. I'd like to read about the every day roadie too, and how they work cycling into their lives as well as reading about how former racers ride today. Maybe they could do an interactive survey concerning what readers want to read about. I read other cycling periodicals, as well.
 
#11 ·
As far as the ads are concerned, any magazine will publish anyone's paid advertising. It's what pays the bills. I don't get too caught up in all the hype of any ad. Those ads are produced by an ad agency to catch one's eye immediately and process quickly in the brain. Since most men and women are sexually driven, sex appeals to the masses, and that's what they use to attract buyers.
 
#29 ·
Depends on your needs, if you are a long distance touring type of rider there's Bicycle Quarterly; if you want a down to earth less serious but fun and practical there's Bicycle Times (a quarter publication); If your into BMX there's BMXer Mag; Dirt Rag for hard core MTBers; Mountain Bike Action for the rest of the MTBers; Velo News for coverage of race events and techno and training ideas; nothing but touring then there's Adventure Cyclist; and others, just depends on your interests.
 
#18 ·
I don't care what Bicycling has for ad content - Bicycling is irrelevant. After I read the same article 7 years in a row, I finally caught on.

Road Bike Action, Paved, Road, Bicycle Times - all of those are much better magazines.
 
#27 ·
It took you 7 years, Platy? :D
I kid, I kid.
I'm with ya. Good luck on the store, btw! :thumbsup:

Have not seen Bicycle Times, I shall pick that one up.
 
#19 ·
Haven't had a subscription in over 20 years. In fact have bought it on a regular basis for over 20 years. Every now and then I'll get an issue if I see an article that looks interesting. The magazine could be alot better if they did more product reviews and comparisons. Hell, I haven't seen a review or comparison on rims. Wouldn't want to review anything but "this" pre-built wheelset or "that" pre-built wheelset. For the most part, I don't think it's worth the paper it's printed on.

In the September issue they had an article on Grand Fondo's. They picked th Las Vegas Grand Fondo as one to put on your bucket list. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, oh they were being serious. Of all the Grand Fondo's in this country and Europe, they picked Las Vegas as a "must do " ride. Please, having lived in Las Vegas for 16 years, got to say; riding there is nothing to write home about. It just reinforced why I don't buy that magazine.

If Bree Olsen is in there showing some nipple, couldn't hurt.
 
#21 ·
Note that I never said I was against porn or had any problem with Bree Olsen. In fact, Charlie Sheen has good taste - he's not "Winning" by accident!

It simply surprises me that Bicycling is trending toward the XXX - I guess I greatly misguessed the core demo of the mag, which I thought was conservative. Hell, at this point, they might even be better off by just going off the deep end and rename it Bi-Cycling. I'm sure the fold outs would be much more interesting than "The 50 Golden Rules". But I would still only subscribe for the articles. :thumbsup:
 
#22 ·
Bicycling has had Adam and Eve ads in the back pages for years. This isn't anything new.

Can't say I recommend Adam & Eve, either. I guess it's fitting that they're in Bicycling magazine, though. Adam & Eve has a small, overpriced selection with a lot of house label products, kind of like the average LBS. :D
 
#23 ·
bicycling has had adam and eve ads in the back pages for years. This isn't anything new.

Can't say i recommend adam & eve, either. I guess it's fitting that they're in bicycling magazine, though. Adam & eve has a small, overpriced selection with a lot of house label products, kind of like the average trek or specialized concept store. :d
fify.
 
#30 ·
Bicycling mag,

Now lets get rid of all the dudes wearing tights in your tests and reviews and lets replace them with various porn stars (or just smoking hot chicks) in bikinis or less!

You will surely have my subscription then.

When are you finally going out of business?
Long live Roadbike Action!!!!
 
#34 ·
Really? You think RoadBikeAsshat is a good publication? That thing is on the same level as Bicycling: toilet paper.
 
#33 ·
I want a magazine that has a Podium Girls foldout each month.
 
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