Allite super magnesium. Source: Allite Inc.

The heart of a high-performance bicycle is the frame. There are several materials options in today’s bicycle frame market including aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium and the age-old classic, Reynolds 531 steel tube frame. For now, carbon fiber and titanium have cornered the market for high-performance cycling, but a new option may reach the market in 2019.

The New Material

"Wonder materials" like carbon nanotubes, graphene and associated nanomaterials have been hindered by high production costs. As new viable methods for producing these materials come to light, Allite has brought to market their own wonder material: super magnesium.

Allite’s super magnesium is similar to Elektron’s advanced magnesium alloys marketed to military and aerospace industries. At its debut at Interbike this past September, Allite described it as a super-light, super-strong, earth-friendly super-metal.

The material is more durable, stiffer and 33% lighter than aluminum. It is also much cheaper to produce than carbon fiber or aluminum. It is recyclable and has incredible potential in the field of high-performance cycling products as it is easy to fabricate.

Allite has branded and positioned their magnesium alloys for commercial applications. They offer several grades for welding, casting and forging. Their alloys are flame retardant and melt instead of burn like other magnesium alloys when subjected to critical temperatures above 1130° F.

Conclusion

Use of magnesium as a base metal isn’t a completely new idea. Magnesium alloys have existed since the early 20^th century and were marketed under the trade name Elektron.

What is new is the advanced research of wrought magnesium alloys like the work Allite has done on their alloys since 2006. The future is bright for magnesium, and Allite super magnesium could become the new standard for excellence in the biking community.