With so many publications competing for your attention, what is the best mountain bike magazine today?
If you’re a passionate mountain biker, then it’s hard to get enough of the sport you love. You might look at Singletracks online, peruse Pinkbike forums, and subscribe to Seth’s Bike Hacks on YouTube.
Some of us still like the features of a traditional magazine, though, whether it’s online or in print.
Via pocketmags.com
Around since 1994 and with a large, partisan readership, Bike may be the most popular magazine for people serious about mountain biking.
The production values are high, and the photography is eye-catching.
The well-written features cover the gamut of what you would expect in such a publication but with a strong quality of writing to keep the content fresh.
The magazine either includes too much downhill and enduro or cross country, depending on your personal preference.
Meaning, it tries to report on various aspects of the sport.
Articles range from racing, trails to ride, trends, personalities, and adventures.
The lust factor of Bike goes up each year with the release of the annual gear issue, the “Bible of Bike Tests.”
Overall, a well-balanced publication that makes you want to ride.
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Via magazines.com
If you ask people who live the sport what publications they like, the two most common answers will be Bike and Dirt Rag.
Started in 1989, Dirt Rag is the grittier, less glossy publication. Your earthy friend who’s been breathing mountain biking for ten years reads Dirt Rag.
Not taking itself too seriously, it’s more laid back than the rest. This is the magazine you want to have a beer with.
Oh, and once in a while, it will contain actual beer reviews. The magazine’s features tend to be well-written and treat a wide scope of the mountain bike lifestyle for the mountain bike geek.
It covers gear, events, destinations, bike races, and mountain bike-centric political issues, such as trail access.
Dirt Rag will even throw in something discerning about music or about the psycho-social aspects of riding or being in nature.
This kind of diversity keeps each issue interesting and capable of surprise. It's East Coast base counterbalances the western bias of a lot of American mountain bike coverage.
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Via ericnyffeler.com
A crude separator of publications on this list might be those that make you drool over the gear and those that make you drool over experiences.
On the one extreme would be Mountain Bike Action, where you’ll walk away with an expensive buying list.
On the other end of the spectrum is Freehub, where you’ll walk away with an extensive bucket list.
Freehub will make you imagine yourself shredding trails in Iceland; moving to Durango, Colorado; or riding a bamboo frame.
That makes the magazine great for dreaming or for people who live in epic locations, but it may not relate as much to average mountain biking experiences.
Regular riders, however, also like to be infected with wanderlust. This quarterly contains quality writing to go with fabulous photography.
Many of its features wouldn’t be out of place collected in a book. It’s a refreshingly far cry from guys on mtbr.com forums arguing about 15mm differences in dropper posts and bottom bracket heights.
And don’t worry, gear lovers, there are still product reviews!
Although you could say Freehub isn’t for casual fans of the sport, the unique and varied stories with striking visuals will draw in people that care nothing about life on two wheels.
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Via mountainflyermagazine.com
Mountain Flyer loftily calls itself “The Mountain Bike Journal.” Based in both Vermont and Colorado, it claims the similar territory as Bike.
Four times a year you can read about racing, personalities, gear, bikepacking, destinations, and events.
Like Dirt Rag it also takes on political issues such as trail advocacy and inclusiveness in MTB.
It will make you more interested in handmade bikes and multi-day stage races in British Columbia than you thought you were.
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5. UK Mountain Bike Magazines:
The Brits have a lot to say about life behind bars. In many ways, the location of the publication doesn’t matter.
The content is still about mountain bikes and mountain biking.
However, most of us probably aren’t going to pack our bags next week to head off to some local Welsh trails. We do not have access to Shwarf, Shand, or Million bikes.
Good thing, then, that there’s selective reading, brought to you by the internet!
Via imbikemag.com
Sign up for IMB free and it’s delivered to your inbox every two months.
Presented like a Patagonia catalog—in other words, high production values—it almost seems too good to be true.
Maybe it is. Maybe it’s covertly pushing product all over its pages. Maybe I don’t care.
And those pictures! Just tell me when the next issue is coming out!
Via enduro-mtb.com
More of a German venture with a UK presence, Enduro Mag focuses on a segment of the market that has grown over the last decade.
In addition to enduro, it covers trail riding, hardly a narrow segment of the sport.
You can read it every two months on a free app as well.
If just saying “German-based” makes it seem distant, click on the website and get lost in all the interesting content!
The following also have their followers, and the list just shows the abundant riches that are yours if you want to soak up more mountain biking culture.
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Via hi-torque.com
This is the publication that inspires the most heated debate. It’s the best mountain bike magazine usa and also the worst.
It’s for newbs; it’s for you. Etc. No one seems capable of reacting to MBA neutrally.
You can’t argue with its success: Debuting in 1986, it’s the longest lasting mountain biking magazine.
Though I claim above that Bike and Dirt Rag are nearest and dearest to the hearts of hardcore mountain bikers, MBA is the number one selling.
It can’t be ignored. Mountain Bike Action, starting with its supermarket ready covers, is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Dirt Rag.
With its unimaginative aesthetic values, it’s slick. The articles are:
Not bad topics, but those more experienced in the sport may tire of the content quickly.
The magazine also has a reputation for being on the cozier side with the industry. And for reviewing too much high-end gear, though, to be fair, that’s the norm.
It reports on professional racing but also doesn’t ignore the grass roots by addressing, for example, high school mountain bike leagues.
MBA covers various angles of the sport in a way that invites the non-expert to take a look.
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So, Which Will it Be?
The excitement of getting a new issue of a mountain bike magazine makes a subscription exciting.
So what's your best mountain bike magzine in your opinion? Let me know below...
From the pages of your hip knowledgeable riders and writers of your periodical magazine to set a foundation to us riders of all ages. There’s nothing more satisfying as to a passionate/enthusiastic reader and rider to learn Hands on Skills of doing repairs plus speaking the language when walking into a bike shop, seeing products that have been reviewed by your magazine and feeling confident about making purchases. You folks rock the trails for all of us to enjoy.
Thank You.
Great article. It would be great to see some of the new digital magazines in your list such as onetrackmind.bike
Terrific in-depth observation on each magazine. Thank you…please email me on 1. (Besides eBay & couple sites, where I can find Gary Fisher Sammy Hagar Mountain & City Biking Magazine . And also w classics like Tom Ritchey also on cover where can I find that? Thank u. Hope u all enjoy my non profit dedication site…-Christopher
#2. Meant to read: w Tom Ritchey on cover etc why didnt you feature “Mountain & City Biking” in your review? I’m looking for 1889 cover featured on front page of site but I actually yet to own. http://Www.redrockerriders.com
I am 61 and returning to biking after decades . . . yes DECADES . . . of not getting on a bike. Started riding a recumbant stationary bike in late 2019 when I realized that I was only a decade away from 70! Exercise has become my "drug of choice" and am in the best shape of my life. My wife and I will be transitioning to some actual bike time on roads and trails this summer and I am stoked waiting for the weather in the NE to turn. Which of the above mags would be good for someone returning to biking? I am interested in the travel aspect of it (we go my motorhome) but also need some basics re skills and maintenance. Thanks!
Hi Keith
I am wanting to give a subscription to a Mountain biking magazine to my very energetic 14 year old grandson …he has a bike and is fearless,,,yikes
Dirt Rag and Bike have been suggested….what would you suggest and what is a reliable subscription site?
Take care and thanks Nancy
Dirt Rag ceased publication back in January 2020 unfortunately. Was always my favorite…