Ever bought gear based on the review in the mag

BigStu2

I have, Marin Rocky ridge came out on top in its tests, I had to have one, XT shifters and front deraileur- waiting for the Marin even before it arrived, Kenda Nevegal tyres you liked them I bought them, ODI lock ons- got them as well, Mace shorts, good value, good enough for me. Giro Xen helmet, soon as I found a good price it was on my head.
Naturally everyone doesn't buy gear purely based on reviews but they have certainly helped me out in the past.
Thanks for making riding that much more enjoyable.
Hopefully I'm not in danger of becoming a test rider lookalike.

stubs

I bought a Deuter Hydro 12 rucksack purely on the strength of a magazine review and I found the review was spot on I love it and would buy another.

Bought my 1st set of Superstar brake pads purely because the reviews on the singletrackworld forum were so bad I thought anything that gets that much flak from so many self important bellends must be okay and I was right now all my mates use them.

gregmorris234

Yup, I bought the Gt I-Drive because of the amazing review, but, yes there is a but, they once had done a review on the Gorlech Trail in Brechfa, they said it was really good saying how naturall it felt and all that, so me and my father went and rode the worst trail i've ever ridden in my life. Thats a full 14 years and that time in my life of riding a bike was the worst EVER. So although some of their reviews are top notch some of them can be top not.

geordiefreerider

Well you cant go wrong with a marin for starters, Xt is awesome, giro xen's are cracking helmets (even though im now using a bell, its only coz i got it cheap) ODI lock on's do the business and are comfy and my fledgling mountain biking bro keeps up with me with his nevegal stick-E's even though im running a wtb timberwolf and a nokian gazzalodd in wet forest riding !

So it seems to me your running good kit and have nothing to worry about mate !!

.blitz

BigStu2 wrote:

Ever bought gear based on the review in the mag

No, I make my own decisions. Very often there will be a rave review on something in a magazine then it's in the lbs and I'm like WTF is that? :shock:

The bottom line is the reviews are someone elses's opinion. For example, if you read the reviews on the Bionicon Golden Willow in this month's mbr and Singletrack, you have to ask if they are talking about the same bike.

Skonk

I also bought a GT I-Drive based on a review and I've been very happy with it, though in the review they didn't mention the issues these bikes have with creaking noises comming from the pivots.

I'm still glad I bought it though.

paul.skibum

Bought my first proper bike - a Merlin based on a review, and my cove handjob frame. I'd buy SLX groupset on a review if I had the cash!

gregmorris234

I've got that creaking. It looks like most people have it with their I-Drives. Dont think its anything bad, its just a bit annoying.

mugs

Not specifically, but it's definitely influenced my final decision, or helped me create a shortlist. Generally I'll read a magazine review, then if it's something I'm interested in I'll search for opinions of others who have bought it or tried it on independent sites and forums, if it's universally praised I'll check it out. I have yet to buy anything 'blind' just on the strength of a magazine review.

Being new to mountain biking, I've been pleasantly surprised by the honesty in the magazines that I've read. Reviewers don't seem scared to publish criticisms, which definitely isn't the case in all magazine sectors (cars and hifi being my previous experiences, where bias is rampant!) I think there's a lot of pressure put on magazine reviewers by publishers and suppliers who spend serious money on advertising in said titles, and long may MTB reviews remain honest and tell it like it is.

Actually that raises another point. I've never let a magazine review put me off a product either. I'm aware that tastes are personal and a bad review just means that those involved in the review didn't like it, not that it's necessarily a bad product. I'll still go through the screening process above when I read a bad review of something I'm interested in.

Skonk

gregmorris234 wrote:

I've got that creaking. It looks like most people have it with their I-Drives. Dont think its anything bad, its just a bit annoying.

Giving the pivots a service every few rides keeps it noise-free but it's a bit of a chore since it means removing the BB to get access to the BB pivot.

I dont really mind though, I like tinkering with it the bike it's self rides really nice which is what matters.

Raymondavalon

- DHB glasses, the ones with three interchangeable lenses..

- Felt FS bike - based on the Equilink rear suspension review on a more expensive model

- Respro face mask for commuting

- Endura Singletrack shorts

- Innovations CO² inflator

- Topeak Pocket Shock DXG Shock Pump

Very happy with the purchases I've made and it shows that reading reviews can and often does pay off.. however the Crank Bros. Joplin didn't get an overly good review in MBR, but so far it's been flawless and like me, many other Joplin owners have also had months/years of trouble free service from this product..

Bungalow Bill

stubs wrote:

Bought my 1st set of Superstar brake pads purely because the reviews on the singletrackworld forum were so bad I thought anything that gets that much flak from so many self important bellends must be okay and I was right now all my mates use them.

You just became my number one person to marry hahahahaha

Dazzza

I wouldn't say totally but the wmb article on the anthem certainly swayed me into buying it, a decision i have loved ever since. 8)

Mtbr or bike radar usually serves my reviewing needs, though singletrack is good for the more obscure bits n bobs.

stickygreen

I bought most of my gear based on what the guys on here said.

KnightofCydonia

I trust other users here as much as anything but will never buy something just because 1 person or magazine said so unless they go into great details about it AND it matches exactly why I wanted to buy it to begin with. Even then I'd want to see it in person rather than order blindly, but the guys here are definitely great help.

stubs

stickygreen wrote:

I bought most of my gear based on what the guys on here said.

I have a shed full of broken or worn out crap, in my opinion you should buy it for £500 buyer collects is paypal okay with you

llamafarmer

The Anthem was largely influenced by the reviews. It sounded perfect for what I wanted, so I went and found one to test and have loved it ever since.

Northwind

geordiefreerider wrote:

Well you cant go wrong with a marin for starters

Yes you can, the cheap ones are horrible... £500 for a bobcat, they're having a laugh