£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.
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2022-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2022-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike