Magic Cycle Werks
Handcrafted Custom Bicycles
United States
Lake Balboa California 91001
Handcrafted Custom Bicycles… Built to your personal specifications. We at Magic Cycle Werks are interested in providing you with a Magical experience.
Why Steel?
One of the most often questions asked is: Â Why Steel? Â Why not Carbon Fibre, Aluminum, Titanium, Bamboo, etc…? Â The answer is very simple. Â There is really nothing that can match the ride quality, durability, and life of steel. Â We all remember the older heavy steel bikes of yesteryear. Â Well, today’s steel tubing is often much lighter than most of us think. Â Lets explore why…
​Weight: Modern Steels from True Temper, Columbus, Reynolds, and Dedeccai, etc..  often have very thin tubing walls.  This allows for less material which makes the tubing very light.  It is very possible to build a frame which comes close to the 3 pound mark.
​Strength: Tensile strength of quality steel is unrivaled by most other materials used in modern day bicycle frames. If anyone has seen a carbon fiber or aluminum frame fail it is a scary and ugly event.  Carbon fiber is a fabulous material in the right setting. It can help dampen the high frequency vibrations on the road that end up traveling up your spine and giving you a back ache.
Ride Compliance: Anyone who has ridden a good steel bike can attest that the ride quality of steel is truly a thing of beauty. No other material gives the compliant ride and “snap” of steel. Throw a leg over an aluminum bike and go for a spin. Now do the same ride on a steel bike and the difference in ride quality is immediately apparent.
Dependability: All Magic Cycle Werks frames are built under the assumption that this is the last frame you will ever buy.  With general and basic upkeep a steel frame will last for generations.
Rust: One of the biggest concerns that people express about steel is that it rusts. While it is true if you leave a steel frame out in the rain for a year or two you will probably have an issue on your hands. But, beyond those extreme examples you should have very little concern about rust. To help the process along, every Magic Cycle Werks frame is treated with J.P. Weigle Frame Saver.  Frame Saver is a rust preventative sprayed on the inside of all of the tubes to keep rust a distant concern.
Repair: Another wonderful aspect of steel is the ability to repair or even replace a tube in the event of crash or the mythical “JRA” (Just Riding Along) event. A lugged steel bike can have a tube replaced with relative ease without having to go out and purchase a new frame.
Aesthetics: Few joints (tig welded, carbon fiber wrap) can offer the sheer beauty of a fillet brazed or lugged steel joint. Take a peek at the photo album to get a sense of what fillet and/or lugged steel.