Cycling Catalogs, Magazines and Brochures

In this digital age, I have spent quite a bit of time on cycling websites; building “virtual” dream bikes, scouring for closeout deals, or just seeing what’s new. But I have to admit; I love the old school cycling catalog or magazine. It keeps me in touch with my inner child, reminiscent of pouring over the Sears Christmas Wish Book and dog-earring the pages of dreams unfulfilled. Then there’s the tangibility, that dream of a new custom titanium ‘cross frame seems a little more attainable when it’s tactile (even if it’s only an image).

I remember the first bike catalog that I poured over, drooled on and dog-eared. It was an early 90's Colnago catalog. It accompanied me to the breakfast table. I brought it to work and ogled it on my lunch break. I dined with it in my lap at the dinner table. Any spare time I had to re-read it, I did. Other cycling related catalogs and brochures followed suit. Not quite to the degree as the Colnago catalog but I definitely showed them some love. Even now, I still get excited every time an Excel Sports or Colorado Cyclist catalog shows up in my mailbox.

And then there are cycling magazines. I have a nice stack of Cycle Sport in my basement. Each new issue I get seems to be on my person at all times. My new favorite is Cyclocross Magazine. I got my first issue (which was their fourth) at my LBS and right after reading it I signed up for a subscription. Then I proceeded to order all the back issues. I can’t get enough.

Maybe I'm a bit antiquated or retro, but as nice as the Internet is for finding and consuming information, I hope the hard copy catalog or magazine never goes away. It would be a shame to deprive my inner child his wish book.