General Bicycle Quarterly
Q: Is Bicycle Quarterly only about old
bikes?
A: No, Bicycle Quarterly is about
quality bikes in the widest sense. We do examine the history of
cycling and present amazing old bikes, but we also test the latest
bikes from the best builders. Technical articles in Bicycle
Quarterly present issues such as frame geometry or tire
performance that are of interest to all cyclists.
Q: Is Bicycle Quarterly related to
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly?
A: Yes. In 2006, Vintage Bicycle
Quarterly changed its name to Bicycle Quarterly to
reflect its focus on the all aspects of cycling.
Q: Most bike magazines like everything their
advertisers sell. How about you?
A: Most bicycle magazines are financed
through advertising. Contrasting this, more than 90% of Bicycle
Quarterly's revenues come from readers' subscriptions. So we can
afford to tell you what we think, even if it offends our advertisers.
In fact, advertisers who make good products, appreciate our honest
reviews: If we like something, it really is very good.
Q: I would like to submit an article/letter to the editor to Bicycle Quarterly. How do I do it?
A: For a letter to the editor or an article that you have already written, just send it to the editor. If you are planning an article, please contact us with a proposal, so we can make sure it fits into our plans for the next few issues. We always look for submissions, especially for the columns My Favorite Bike, Projects, Builders Speak and Destinations. We cannot return contributions unless prior written arrangements are made.
Q: Vintage Bicycle Press sells tires, handlebars and other parts. Doesn't that constitute a conflict of interest when you test these and other components for Bicycle Quarterly?
A: That is a real concern, and we are very, very aware of it. We usually start selling components after we test them and like them, rather than testing components we already sell. These components would not be available otherwise, as the profit margins are too small for most distributors. We feel that our readers are better served by having these components available to them, even if there is a conflict of interest, than if we told you about these fabulous parts that you cannot get. We disclose all potential conflicts of interest with each article. Our readers then can make up their own minds. Our main business is publishing Bicycle Quarterly. The components are only a sideline, so we don't feel the need to promote them excessively.
With everything we test, we try hard to be objective. If anything, we are more critical of the products we sell. In our test of the Grand Bois "Ourson" tires, we said they weren't worth the extra money over Panaracers, because unlike other Grand Bois tires, they use an older tire mold with a less-than-optimal tread pattern.
Conflicts of interest are unavoidable, because the cycling world is small. Most makers of "real-world" bicycles know each other, and many are good friends of ours. This close collaboration improves the quality of the bicycles they offer, so it is a good thing.
Subscriptions
Q: You advertise a 1-year subscription for the
U.S. at $30, yet the price online is $32. Which price is
correct?
A: Payment by check/money order receives a $2
discount, which is not available for credit card payment. This
reflects the lower processing fees for checks.
Q: Is my subscription still current?
A: Your last issue is mailed in a special envelope stating "Your Last Issue." Also, on your address label is a number behind your name, which indicates the last issue you will receive. If we have your e-mail address, we will also send you a reminder when your subscription expires. If you are still in doubt about the status of your subscription, please contact us.
Q: Has the latest issue been sent out? Why have I
not received mine?
A: The postal service can take up to 5
weeks to deliver periodical mail. Check here to see the latest issue, and the date
by which it should have reached you. If your issue has not arrived by
that date, please contact
us.
Q: Are back issues available?
A: Yes, all issues are available. Click here for more
information.
Books
Q: Is your book "The Competition
Bicycle" available in bookstores? How about
Amazon.com?
A: Our books are available in many quality
bookstores and bicycle shops (click here for a list). We like to support these
stores. However, our books are not available at discount internet
sites. The price Amazon.com would pay for our books is less than the
production cost! Most publishers get around this problem increasing
their mark-up, but we wanted our book to be affordable for all
customers. So in effect, everybody gets a discounted price.
Q: How is the "Limited Edition" of "The Competition Bicycle" different from your
standard edition?
A: The Limited Edition is signed and numbered.
It includes 8x10" ready-to-frame reprints of two of the most
stunning photographs from the book, made by a professional photo lab
directly from the original medium-format positives. There will be
only 75 copies of the Limited Edition. The book itself is the same for
both editions. All our books are made to the highest standards, with
sewn hardcover binding and archival paper. The Limited
Edition is sold out.
General Info
Q: I have an old bike. Can you tell me its value?
A: As a matter of policy, Bicycle Quarterly does not comment on bicycle values. These values fluctuate with time and other factors. In the end, each bicycle is worth as much as somebody is willing to pay for it.
Q: I have an old bike. I could not find any information on it on your site. Where might I find help?
A: A good source of information is the Classic Rendezvous web-site (www.classicrendezvous.com), which also includes a e-mail list where you can ask questions (or search the archives).
Q: Who is Il Vecchio?
A: George Gibbs, owner of Il Vecchio Bicycles, a bike shop in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood, is a good friend of Jan Heine, editor of Bicycle Quarterly. Contrary to common belief, Jan Heine does not own a bike shop. Il Vecchio Bicycles closed in late 2009.