What Every Piece Must Do

We cover a wide spread of subjects, from Scandinavian TV dramas to chain lube, so readers deserve to know what holds it all together. These are the promises every article has to keep before it is published, and the questions we ask when we read each other's drafts.

1. Answer the question in the headline

If a title asks how to do something, the steps should be there, in order, without a detour through three paragraphs of preamble. Context is welcome, but it comes after the reader knows they are in the right place. A guide such as How to Clean a Bike Chain should leave you able to do the job, not just think about it.

2. Say only what we can stand behind

• No made-up percentages, surveys or studies.
• No quotes from people we have not spoken to.
• No claims of personal testing that did not happen.

When something is uncertain or differs by country, the article says so in plain words. "It depends" is an honest answer as long as we explain what it depends on.

3. Put safety where it will be read

Cycling, home improvement and some hobbies carry real risks. Warnings about helmets, lights, brakes, ladders or electricity go in the step where they matter, not in a footnote. When a job is beyond a beginner, we say so and suggest a qualified professional.

4. Keep health, money and law general

We are not doctors, lawyers or financial advisers, and our writing never pretends otherwise. Articles touching those areas stay general, point out what to check and encourage readers to get personal advice where it counts.

5. Respect the reader's time and wallet

We do not push products, and we do not quote prices that will be out of date next month. Where buying something is part of the topic, we explain what to look for so you can compare options yourself.

6. Write for a newcomer

Every draft gets a second reader on the team who pretends to know nothing about the subject. Jargon is explained or cut. Steps are numbered when order matters. Tables appear when they make a comparison clearer than prose would.

7. Link with purpose

Internal links point to the next useful thing to read, such as moving from choosing a road bike to setting it up properly. Links to other websites are there because they add something relevant, not as decoration.

8. Fix mistakes openly

When a reader points out an error, we check it promptly. If they are right, the article is corrected and, for anything significant, a note says what changed. You can report a problem any time via the contact page.

Who checks this

All four writers hold each other to these points. You can meet them on Who Writes Here.