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 favorable 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 aluminum 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 a pricey side. 

Aluminum: the most popular kid on the block

Aluminum is currently the most popular material used to build equipment and vehicles for bikers. Elements made of aluminum are stiff, which makes them not so shock resistant. Magnesium really is unrivaled here. Aluminum elements are indeed very light; sadly less resistant to wear, but 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 the 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: aluminum, 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 aluminum and carbon fiber, which is corrosion resistance, as well as flexibility when it comes to processing.

So how long is our Cariboo Magnesium Pro (previously knowns as: Movino Magnesium Pro) likely to survive? This is the first balance bike *on the Polish market/ on the European market/ on the CEE market with a frame made of magnesium alloy. Magnesium Pro is durable and weighs just over 2 kilograms. So let’s just say this bike will surely serve a few generations.