Why a magnesium alloy bike?
The use of magnesium alloy has been used in the aviation and automotive industries, but bikers have also come to appreciate it. In recent years, it has grown in popularity immensely among the manufacturers of balance bikes.
So who should we say our thanks to? Well, a round of applause for a certain English chemist: Mr Humphrey Davy, who in 1808 first produced magnesium in the form of amalgams. Magnesium is a material that is in demand in many industries due to its properties: low density and a very favourable strength-to-weight ratio. Examples? When used in the automotive industry, it can reduce the weight of the entire vehicle by approx 1% and its fuel consumption by over 0.5%. In cars, it is most often used for the production of interior elements such as seat frames, steering wheels, certain parts of the dashboard, door structures, etc.
Magnesium: light and durable
Magnesium is ⅓ lighter than aluminium and ⅔ lighter than titanium, which is why it is also used to make the best bike frames. Why? Comfort and efficiency, naturally. Products containing this element absorb and dilute vibrations, weigh very little and are resistant to wear. Downsides? Due to the difficult manufacturing process, they tend to be on the pricey side.
Aluminium: the most popular kid on the block
Aluminium is currently the most popular material used to build equipment and vehicles for bikers. Elements made of aluminium are stiff, however, which makes them not-so shock resistant. Magnesium really is unrivalled here. Aluminium elements are indeed very light, but sadly less resistant to wear - though still a better option for price-conscious consumers.
Balance bikes are most often made of steel elements. Steel is the oldest material used for making bike components; it is heavy, easy to process and, compared to the materials mentioned above, simply cheap. Regular construction-type steel with an increased carbon content is usually used for bike frames. The tubes are butted (thicker at the joints) to reduce the overall weight of the bike.
Final thoughts
In the case of all these materials: aluminium, steel and magnesium - the best way to sum it up is the age-old saying: “What is cheap is expensive, and what is expensive is cheap.” You may have to pay slightly more but quality is an investment and - in the long run - you end up actually saving. Scientists and researchers studying the properties of magnesium and its compounds claim that magnesium features characteristics of aluminium and carbon fibre - which is corrosion resistant - as well as flexibility when it comes to processing.
So how long is our Cariboo Magnesium Pro (previously known as: Movino Magnesium Pro) likely to survive? This is the first balance bike on the European market with a frame made of magnesium alloy. Magnesium Pro is durable and weighs just over 2 kg. So let’s just say this bike will surely serve a few generations.
A magnesium bike?
Why a magnesium alloy bike?
The use of magnesium alloy has been used in the aviation and automotive industries, but bikers have also come to appreciate it. In recent years, it has grown in popularity immensely among the manufacturers of balance bikes.
So who should we say our thanks to? Well, a round of applause for a certain English chemist: Mr Humphrey Davy, who in 1808 first produced magnesium in the form of amalgams. Magnesium is a material that is in demand in many industries due to its properties: low density and a very favourable strength-to-weight ratio. Examples? When used in the automotive industry, it can reduce the weight of the entire vehicle by approx 1% and its fuel consumption by over 0.5%. In cars, it is most often used for the production of interior elements such as seat frames, steering wheels, certain parts of the dashboard, door structures, etc.
Magnesium: light and durable
Magnesium is ⅓ lighter than aluminium and ⅔ lighter than titanium, which is why it is also used to make the best bike frames. Why? Comfort and efficiency, naturally. Products containing this element absorb and dilute vibrations, weigh very little and are resistant to wear. Downsides? Due to the difficult manufacturing process, they tend to be on the pricey side.
Aluminium: the most popular kid on the block
Aluminium is currently the most popular material used to build equipment and vehicles for bikers. Elements made of aluminium are stiff, however, which makes them not-so shock resistant. Magnesium really is unrivalled here. Aluminium elements are indeed very light, but sadly less resistant to wear - though still a better option for price-conscious consumers.
Balance bikes are most often made of steel elements. Steel is the oldest material used for making bike components; it is heavy, easy to process and, compared to the materials mentioned above, simply cheap. Regular construction-type steel with an increased carbon content is usually used for bike frames. The tubes are butted (thicker at the joints) to reduce the overall weight of the bike.
Final thoughts
In the case of all these materials: aluminium, steel and magnesium - the best way to sum it up is the age-old saying: “What is cheap is expensive, and what is expensive is cheap.” You may have to pay slightly more but quality is an investment and - in the long run - you end up actually saving. Scientists and researchers studying the properties of magnesium and its compounds claim that magnesium features characteristics of aluminium and carbon fibre - which is corrosion resistant - as well as flexibility when it comes to processing.
So how long is our Cariboo Magnesium Pro (previously known as: Movino Magnesium Pro) likely to survive? This is the first balance bike on the European market with a frame made of magnesium alloy. Magnesium Pro is durable and weighs just over 2 kg. So let’s just say this bike will surely serve a few generations.