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VAAST introduces “Super Magnesium” tubing on new gravel, mountain & commuter bikes

vaast gravel bike with allite super magnesium lightweight tubing
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Upstart VAAST is bringing high end magnesium tubing to cycling with their new bikes. It’s an 8081 magnesium alloy called Allite Super Magnesium, comprised of aluminum, rare earth metals, and 91% magnesium.

Why? Because it’s light, and they say it has great ride characteristics. The tubes have a PEO (plasma electrolytic oxidation) coating inside and out to prevent corrosion, then are painted and clear-coated. The clear coat is tinted the same color as the paint so scratches are less likely to be visible.

Great, but isn’t magnesium flammable?

vaast super magnesium lightweight gravel bike frame

Yes, technically, magnesium is highly flammable…when shaved or powdered. But no, these bikes are not flammable, because you really can’t light solid magnesium on fire. But they’ll melt at 1,200°F. Because that Mg powder is flammable, they don’t sand down their welds. Because that would create powder. And maybe flames.

Frame weight is 1,200g for the Vaast A/1 Allroad gravel bike, but they say that can come down in future iterations. Compared to carbon, that might seem a little heavy, but many steel and titanium gravel frames hit close to or well above 1,500g.

Complete bikes start at $2,500 complete (pretty decent considering the build!), or $1,299 frame and fork, same price for either a Shimano GRX (700c) or SRAM Rival1 (650B) builds. Both come with Praxis Zayante carbon cranks, a house brand cockpit, WTB saddle, Stan’s rims and Maxxis Rambler tires.

Vaast Mountain & Commuter Bikes

They offer urban, mountain and gravel bikes. All of the full size bikes have rack and fender mounts, aimed at adventure riders.

The M/1 Mountain bike shown above is aimed at the adventurous beginner, with a 120mm Rockshox 35 Gold RL fork, Retail runs from $1,999 (XC, Shimano XT/SLX build with 29er wheels) to $2,099 (SRAM NX Eagle, 27.5″ wheels). The sizing is noteworthy for taller riders; the XL is recommended for riders 6’4″ to 6’8″!

Price is $1,199 for the U/1 Urban commuter bike, just one build available, but in 700c and 650B wheel sizes. Both get the rather good Microshift Advent 1×9 wide-range drivetrain, full carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes, and internal cable and hose routing.

Not shown, kids’ bikes range from $799 (20”) and $999 (24”). Vaast frames are recyclable, and they’ll have a program for dealers to recycle them.

VaastBikes.com

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Jason
Jason
4 years ago

I would love a comprehensive review of their gravel bike and how magnesium feels compared to other well designed AL, steel and ti frames.
I recall another recently launched (or publicized) bikes made from mag. Are we seeing a revitalized material by smaller brands to differentiate themselves?
How would magnesium be if Cannondale, Specialized, Trek and/or Giant dumped serious resources into developing it?
About dozen years ago I road an amazing magnesium Pinarello.

JBikes
JBikes
4 years ago

Very cool. Will definitely keep an eye on these.

but, “The clear coat is tinted the same color as the paint so scratches are less likely to be visible”…
Am I crazy?

Involuntary Soul
Involuntary Soul
4 years ago

1200g is lighters then alot of carbon gravel frames

K-Pop is dangerous to your health
K-Pop is dangerous to your health
4 years ago

Any old schoolers have a count of how many magnesium frames have tried to break into the market over the years? The novelty of making frames from this material just doesn’t seem to pique enough interest to ever stay around for very long. But good luck I guess.

AcquiringMinds
AcquiringMinds
4 years ago

Who makes that bar tape in the lead photo?

Jeff
Jeff
4 years ago
Reply to  AcquiringMinds

looks like Guee.

Joe Bond
Joe Bond
4 years ago

Hopefully the various threaded fittings are something other than soft, corrosion friendly Mg.

Dustytires
4 years ago

I was thinking these were the best looking Magnesium welds I have seen yet. Up till now the Allite welded frames were WAY worse than these. Other than the tubes the other bits like dropouts and yokes looks clumsy, no doubt adding more weight than needed. probably an open mold from the Allite company in China?

Sezam
Sezam
4 years ago

Hmmm. I thought the headtube welds looked alright!
Forget magnesium, wish they would do more monostays!!

zigak
4 years ago

T47 bb

Gjm
Gjm
3 years ago

Looks good but sadly their distribution network seems limited. Certainly can’t buy one in Canada.

Don McKee
Don McKee
1 year ago

I have been riding one for the past 4 months. The ride is really outstanding and beats the heck out of any aluminum bike I have ridden. It does rival the dampening of carbon frames, but it feels different than carbon. Their gravel version is by far the best value you can get for a gravel bike under $2,000 (now $1899.00). It is the first bike I have ridden in a while that just disappears out from under you when you ride it so all you think about is enjoying the ride. My best description of riding it is that it feels like you are riding on top of one of those thick vinyl road line markers all of the time; just super quiet cush, but it is still stiff and responsive when you step on it. You just have to try one for yourself. It is not like anything else on the market. And it is very reasonably priced for what you get compared to the overpriced (and overly stiff) stuff we are seeing in aluminum frames from Trek, Specialized and Cannondale lately.

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