Who wants to review stuff?

I'm willing to sub the copy. I think that may well prove necessary.
(I know you won't mind me saying this).

I'm willing to sub the copy. I think that may well prove necessary.
(I know you won't mind me saying this).

IS necessary.

;)

should we build a review template so the reviews are somewhat standardised? ie rough word count, certain sections to include, and a ratings table?

i am happy to write and/or edit reviews if we want to add a degree of polish. i used to be an editor and i write the odd gadget review.

Shift key broken?

Well I'm up for reviewing stuff too. I don't need Platini subbing it though.

I'm definitely up for this as well.

Shift key broken?

i only use it when it matters ;)

(i have a university qualification in editing and worked as a professional editor for three years in case you're doubting my ability to edit copy)

I'm defo up for this

how many of you checked and double checked the first letter of each line of the original post and then checked the last letter of each line?

put your hands up

I can join Platini on his subbing desk

I can review how things get on with the Glasgow weather/neds

Count me in (also an editor). Reviews of more female-focused bike stuff would be good too (there's no way to make that sound less dodgy).

Reviews of more female-focused bike stuff would be good too (there's no way to make that sound less dodgy).

Do you mean this?

I could crash test stuff.

I could crash test stuff.

Guess who won't be given the nice bike to review.

I'll see if someone wants to have medical equipment reviewed and we'll give you that stuff after you've smashed yourself up ;)

No sweat. I'm at home picking off the last of my scabs so I'll be ready to roll with fresh skin soon.

I'm happy to review stuff.
And I can write properly.

In his absence I nominate edscoble

You are all as funny as Nitrous Oxide. Where are your reviews on the Tyre Review thread?

Velocio, seems that you're heading me off at the pass?

Funnily enough, I was thinking of doing something like this, separately from this forum.

Anyway, I always thought this was a place for structured info also.

I also nominate Ed-deaf-on-the-bag-Scoble as a tester.

As a sadly now part time web editor and journo, looking for a new line to keep me occupied, I'd love to be involved in this. Would gladly dedicate some editing time for the odd reviewed bit too…

So add me to that list, sir!

Add me in too VB... if you need someone outside of London?

Good stuff, I'm in!
Tested some stuff for a triathlon magazine before.
I think most companies own standardised questionnaires for testing...

I am massively up for this.

I could crash test stuff.

Beaten to it by CrazyJames, dovoneil. I mean, he doesn't say it in as many words, but we all know what he means. ;)

Just had an interesting conversation... one of the things that came out of it was girls. As in... where applicable (clothing, accessories, etc) we should try and have both a boy and girl review something. Apparently boobs are an issue (who'd have thought it! Bag straps, jackets, etc) as are other general proportions, angles of cuts, etc... and as the range of women's stuff is quite poor in some areas we should try and have things reviewed from both a boy and girl perspective to see what works.

I've also been thinking about storing more structured info for reviews for it to be easy to search and sort based on a custom criteria (i.e. 135mm fixed hubs sorted by price). I think I know how, but it will take some code.

We clearly have enough interest though... so what's next? I guess we need to do two things:

1) Work out what the process of reviewing something is: How they get reviewed (length of time, expected usage in that time), the template for writing it up, how we choose who reviews, how we copyedit the review, formatting, length, how we get good looking and insightful photos of the gear, etc, etc.

2) Get some companies (manufacturers, distributors or shops) who want to put their stuff up for review signed up to doing so. Basically get hold of things to review and work out the process for this... who we talk to, whether items can be kept by the reviewer or have to be returned, if returned the time we get to keep them and how to return... do we have to worry about insurance?, stuff like that.

Then hopefully we put those two sides together and start making some reviews.

I don't want to overstretch initially... instead I want to set the bar high. We should collectively check out reviews and basically see whose reviews we like to know what level of detail and template to build up. I'd rather get lots of real world usage and stuff we can relate to in our reviews... but like it when things get geeky and focus on details too.

Anyhow... I love that the idea has legs... going to put some serious thought in this weekend.

If anyone has contacts with companies who want to stick their neck out and risk an early (for us) review, let me know.

Haha I certainly test some things to destruction ;). I'm up for testing anything apart from clipless pedals and the accompanying shoes, the only cycling products I will never use lol.

i am happy to write and/or edit reviews if we want to add a degree of polish. i used to be an editor and i write the odd gadget review.

Didn't know had a degree in Polish. Czesc! ;)