£2,299.99 | 8.93kg
At this point, most of us are aware of what the selling points are for each of the big four materials from which most bike frames are made. Aluminium makes for a bike that’s reasonably robust, reasonably light and reasonably priced. Carbon tends to be lighter, more expensive and more delicate. Steel promises a ‘springy’ ride and ranks highly for both its durability and repairability. And titanium boasts a similar ride and longevity to steel, while also succeeding in being lighter.
So, what to make of VA AST’s R /1 road bike made from magnesium? Of course, there is a precedent for magnesium frames: who can forget the iconic Kirk Precision? But that doesn’t really tell us what to expect from magnesium today. Is VA AST planning on pitching its magnesium frames against steel and titanium? Or is it going after the other end of the market and challenging those made from aluminium?
Well, the word from VA AST is that it is taking a shot at all three: boasting of the lightness, ride quality and affordability of its magnesium alloy. But how does it really stack up?
Weight and spec
VAAST claims that the frame of the R /1 comes to 1,250 grams. This might not sound overly impressive when compared with the WorldTour framesets that limbo under the 700g mark, but when you bear in mind that the lightest aluminium frames tend to come in at around 1,500 grams, to knock about 17% off that is impressive.
The VAAST R /1’s list price of £2,299.99 is towards the cheaper end of high-performance alloy bikes. With a weight of 8.93kg the weight-toprice ratio is really quite impressive.
This story is from the September 01, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 01, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Claud Butler Criterium
A classic British brand ridden by beginners and Olympians alike
Dr Hutch
At what point does a bold show of strength become brazen showboating? The Doc ponders the etiquette of the long solo break
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT...CBD
From reducing pain to promoting relaxation and sleep, myriad are the claims made for cannabidiol but do they stack up? Rob Kemp finds out
Van Rysel D900
Andy Turner discovers whether Decathlon's high-spec, low-price smart trainer can compete with the likes of Wahoo, Tacx and Elite
What prep does my bike need for summer?
Pro bike mechanic Glen Whittington shares his tips for the successful de-hibernation of your bike
2024 GIRO D'ITALIA
Attention turns to Italy and 21 days of Grand Tour action
Pogačar's dominance at the Giro could be dull
While I may have been a little young to understand the full romance of the Tour de France during the Armstrong era, I never understood the sentiment that it was boring just because of Lance's dominance.
Team GB's Paris Olympics track bike launched
BC reveals the bike that it hopes will power riders to medals in Paris this summer
Romandie victory marks Ineos return to stage race success
Carlos Rodríguez wins British team's first WorldTour stage race since 2022, writes Adam Becket
Is pro racing getting more dangerous?
There are many factors that contribute to the perceived greater risks. One that does not get any attention is the greater importance of UCI points and the need to constantly collect them to avoid relegation.