Any experience or thoughts about Mg bicycles?
11-17-20, 05:47 PM
#26
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But, several big differences. 1) the safety bicycle was much faster because you could gear it so much higher. 2) Anybody could ride it, not just tall, brave (usually young) men.. 3) The penny farthing had been around, what 15 years? It wasn't entrenched in everybody's garage, 5 bike shops in every small city. Most people had never even considered riding a bike until the safety came along.
Also we don't adopt big changes simply because they are better. Witness the metric system. Yes, we (the US) use metric a little because we have to to compete in the world. But our choice for everyday use is more archaic than the safety bicycle.
Many years later when I was in grad school, a machinist told me: "I hate the metric system because of all the math." But he could compute dimensions in the US system -- fractional and decimal -- in his head. So he obviously didn't have a problem with math, but had been convinced that it must be hard because of math.
Today it has become a moot point. Most manufacturing industries have switched to metric fasteners. Designers and machine tools handle both systems simultaneously. Most high tech equipment works in metric but displays US if you want it to by computing the conversion. All standards of weights and measure are defined in terms of metric units. The remaining uses for inch based tools are getting fewer and further between. There are still a few funny standards such as pipe and the dimensions of lumber, that are essentially benign. So I think the whole controversy between US and metric just kind of fizzled.
11-17-20, 08:01 PM
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I used a set of Nashbar-branded magnesium pedals for several years without any episodes of bursting into flames.
A Paketa magnesium tandem was ridden by a team at a couple of tandem events we participated in several years ago. They had nothing but good to say about it. Very light! Paketa apparently no longer in business.
A Paketa magnesium tandem was ridden by a team at a couple of tandem events we participated in several years ago. They had nothing but good to say about it. Very light! Paketa apparently no longer in business.
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11-17-20, 10:13 PM
#28
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Many years later when I was in grad school, a machinist told me: "I hate the metric system because of all the math." But he could compute dimensions in the US system -- fractional and decimal -- in his head. So he obviously didn't have a problem with math, but had been convinced that it must be hard because of math..
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11-17-20, 10:14 PM
#29
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I used a set of Nashbar-branded magnesium pedals for several years without any episodes of bursting into flames.
A Paketa magnesium tandem was ridden by a team at a couple of tandem events we participated in several years ago. They had nothing but good to say about it. Very light! Paketa apparently no longer in business.
A Paketa magnesium tandem was ridden by a team at a couple of tandem events we participated in several years ago. They had nothing but good to say about it. Very light! Paketa apparently no longer in business.
11-17-20, 10:19 PM
#30
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Hey everyone - someone in the Cyclocross/Gravel forum pointed me over here because they saw this thread.
So, I'm one of those brand ambassadors jadocs mentioned above. I've been riding my A/1 for about 4 months. It's my first gravel bike and so far I am loving it.
I also read the review yesterday that mstateglfr posted and thought it was real good critical review - I agreed with a lot of it.
My thoughts on the bike so far:
...
So, I'm one of those brand ambassadors jadocs mentioned above. I've been riding my A/1 for about 4 months. It's my first gravel bike and so far I am loving it.
I also read the review yesterday that mstateglfr posted and thought it was real good critical review - I agreed with a lot of it.
My thoughts on the bike so far:
...
May I ask what your dimensions are (esp height, inseam)?
11-18-20, 05:25 AM
#32
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Also, unless an Mg bike was run over, got caught under a car, was doused in fuel and the fuel was ignited, it would be hard to get it to burn (as pointed out above, the Mg metal cuttings - called "swarf" - can be ignited and that makes machining Mg pretty dangerous.)
Regarding corrosion, a scrupulously good paint job inside and out would probably preserve the frame for decades. That said, if this was used in wet conditions over a period of years I'd have to think that there'd be significant corrosion under the paint. They used to make slide rules out of Mg. Nice and light, but the exposed surfaces of those rules are now rough, and there is generally a lot of corrosion under the painted surfaces. And that's for extremely good paint jobs (the markings had to survive fingers touching hundreds of times a day for years) of objects kept in very clean, dry indoor environments.
Mg apparently has good damping characteristics. At least that's the claim here: https://www.precisiontandems.com/cat...amagnesium.htm
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11-18-20, 06:25 AM
#33
Ups!
Funny,I read the 1984 interview with Tom Kellog, Gary Klein and Jim Redcay last night. Klein said then that bicycles were in the third "era". First era - push bikes. Second era- pedals and the high wheelers. Third era- safety bikes - diamond frames and chain/shaft driven drive trains. That he had developed a new tubing for the closing chapter of the third era. That further evolution in metals, composites and ceramics were just more of the end of that era.
Magnesium -more tweaks to push this era a little longer. (The first two eras lasted about 15 years each, This one has gone on 140 years. Will any of us live to see the next?)
Magnesium -more tweaks to push this era a little longer. (The first two eras lasted about 15 years each, This one has gone on 140 years. Will any of us live to see the next?)
https://www.bikeforums.net/alt-bike-...ar-newfix.html
Last edited by y0x8; 11-18-20 at 06:28 AM.
11-18-20, 09:08 AM
#34
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As you can see from the pics I didn't need to slam my seatpost, and while I did have to shrink the reach, I was probably going to do that anyway with a stem/bars of my choosing. Personally I would recommend the XS for someone my size if you want a truer, better fit, but 5'5" and up can ride a S. Anyone shorter than me I wouldn't recommend though.
The way Vaast measures reach and stack are a little different than normal and designed to get you a slightly more upright position because the bike is geared more toward being all-day comfort.
Hope that helps a bit.
Hell yeah!
The bottom bracket may be cast (although I suspect forged) but the tubes are all drawn, hydroformed, and welded. You can see the "stacks of dimes" welds at the joints.
Also, unless an Mg bike was run over, got caught under a car, was doused in fuel and the fuel was ignited, it would be hard to get it to burn (as pointed out above, the Mg metal cuttings - called "swarf" - can be ignited and that makes machining Mg pretty dangerous.)
Regarding corrosion, a scrupulously good paint job inside and out would probably preserve the frame for decades. That said, if this was used in wet conditions over a period of years I'd have to think that there'd be significant corrosion under the paint. They used to make slide rules out of Mg. Nice and light, but the exposed surfaces of those rules are now rough, and there is generally a lot of corrosion under the painted surfaces. And that's for extremely good paint jobs (the markings had to survive fingers touching hundreds of times a day for years) of objects kept in very clean, dry indoor environments.
Mg apparently has good damping characteristics. At least that's the claim here: https://www.precisiontandems.com/cat...amagnesium.htm
Also, unless an Mg bike was run over, got caught under a car, was doused in fuel and the fuel was ignited, it would be hard to get it to burn (as pointed out above, the Mg metal cuttings - called "swarf" - can be ignited and that makes machining Mg pretty dangerous.)
Regarding corrosion, a scrupulously good paint job inside and out would probably preserve the frame for decades. That said, if this was used in wet conditions over a period of years I'd have to think that there'd be significant corrosion under the paint. They used to make slide rules out of Mg. Nice and light, but the exposed surfaces of those rules are now rough, and there is generally a lot of corrosion under the painted surfaces. And that's for extremely good paint jobs (the markings had to survive fingers touching hundreds of times a day for years) of objects kept in very clean, dry indoor environments.
Mg apparently has good damping characteristics. At least that's the claim here: https://www.precisiontandems.com/cat...amagnesium.htm
As far as the corrosion goes, Vaast's/Allite's magnesium cocktail has been processed to reduce the impurity levels to a minimum to help against corrosion. Additionally, the frame gets PEO (plasma electrolytic oxidation) bath to envelope the Mg alloy in a nice ceramic layer which helps prevent corrosion and protects the frame as well as add to the stability of the frame.
I'll definitely post pics if/when my bike bursts into flames. Should be great for Instagram! lol
11-18-20, 09:36 AM
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I remember a few guys riding magnesium bikes 20 years ago.
The rock shox mag 21 is what, 30 years old now?
So is the innovation the dropped chain stay? Just like I can get from about 20 other brands and even generic.
The rock shox mag 21 is what, 30 years old now?
So is the innovation the dropped chain stay? Just like I can get from about 20 other brands and even generic.
11-18-20, 10:25 AM
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11-18-20, 10:25 AM
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11-19-20, 07:41 AM
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That's what the Kirk magnesium frame was. Never really caught on, though.
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
11-19-20, 09:31 AM
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That's what the Kirk magnesium frame was. Never really caught on, though.
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
11-19-20, 09:46 AM
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That's what the Kirk magnesium frame was. Never really caught on, though.
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
11-19-20, 02:31 PM
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https://www.bicycling.com/rides/g200...rt-a-wildfire/
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11-20-20, 07:16 AM
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That was blamed, and though people are skeptical, it's at least possible.
https://www.bicycling.com/rides/g200...rt-a-wildfire/
https://www.bicycling.com/rides/g200...rt-a-wildfire/
https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2...-fire-austria/
11-20-20, 10:41 AM
#44
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That was blamed, and though people are skeptical, it's at least possible.
https://www.bicycling.com/rides/g200...rt-a-wildfire/
https://www.bicycling.com/rides/g200...rt-a-wildfire/
Also:
Fire investigators have concluded that sparks from a mountain bike pedal striking a rock caused a recent fire in a US National Forest that spans parts of California and Nevada. A statement posted Wednesday on the Inyo National Forest Facebook page claimed that an investigation determined the cause of the blaze to be a pedal strike.
“The cause of the Rock Creek fire that started on August 5th has been determined. Investigators have concluded that the fire was started from a bicycle pedal strike to a rock. Conclusive evidence was found in the fire origin area that was on the Lower Rock Creek mountain bike trail. A fire ignition from this type of trigger is a testament to how dry the area is right now. All residents and visitors are asked to be extremely careful with anything that may cause a fire while you are out in the forest,” the post read.
“The cause of the Rock Creek fire that started on August 5th has been determined. Investigators have concluded that the fire was started from a bicycle pedal strike to a rock. Conclusive evidence was found in the fire origin area that was on the Lower Rock Creek mountain bike trail. A fire ignition from this type of trigger is a testament to how dry the area is right now. All residents and visitors are asked to be extremely careful with anything that may cause a fire while you are out in the forest,” the post read.
Chances are the rider never knew anything happened, and that this is a low-probability freak event.
The 86,000 acres surrounding my house got incinerated 3 months ago from a freak, a priori low-probability event (a mid-summer lightning storm).
11-21-20, 03:02 PM
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That's what the Kirk magnesium frame was. Never really caught on, though.
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
1987 Kirk precision magnesium road bike | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
11-21-20, 05:56 PM
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11-22-20, 01:22 PM
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