Are Magna Bikes Good?
The difference between high-end carbon fiber and low-cost consumer bikes sold in large stores is very apparent. Starting with the lower weight of expensive bikes through to durability and quality of finish, the differences are noticeable; however, in defense of consumer bikes, they have a place in the market and fulfill a need.
As a low-cost retail bicycle sold through large chain stores, Magna bikes serve the purpose they were designed and built. The largest part of the range is aimed at children between four and ten, while the balance of the range are lower-cost mountain bikes that can be used in semi-offroad conditions.
Magna bikes compare well against other similarly priced consumer bikes and fulfill the needs of a select part of the market. They should never be compared with high-end carbon fiber framed bicycles because each is designed to serve a particular function.
Magna Bikes Do Not Have A Good Reputation
Magna bikes are a mass-produced range of bikes aimed at the lower end of the market where weight and dynamic ability are less important.
The bicycles are imported from China by the USA-based distributor Dynacraft BS.
Magna bikes are sold in large retail stores such as Walmart and Target.
The bicycles are not targeted at serious and professional cyclists and fill a market space where the price is a very important consideration.
The main part of the Magna bicycle range distributed by Dynacraft BS is those frames aimed at very young infant children through to the years old.
Magna also sells mountain bikes aimed at young adults and adults.
Prices of Magna bike range from $80.00 for bikes built for toddlers to $440.00 for 28-inch wheeled mountain bikes aimed at adults.
How Reliable Are Magna Bikes?
The answer you this question depends largely on who you talk to.
A cycling enthusiast who is invested heavily in the sport will generally dismiss Magna bikes. The detractors point to the following features on many Magna bikes, which result in them being heavy and less durable.
- Steel Frame.
- Single Wall Steel Rims.
- Stamped Steel Hubs With Pressed In Races.
- Single Piece Steel Cranks With Up To 3 Steel Chainrings.
- The Cheapest Plastic Pedals In The World.
- 100% Plastic Brake Levers.
- Stamped Steel Brake Calipers.
- Steel Seatpost (Always Too Short) With Steel Seatpost Clamp.
- 100% Steel Derailers.
- 6 Speed Freewheels.
From a customer review site, the following negative reviews were made.
- Bent forks seemed to be an ongoing issue on new bicycles, and the result was that the standard wheels would not fit.
- When opening the packaging to assemble the bikes, it was found that they had missing parts, including pedals, seat clamps, nuts, and screws.
- Many parents of children who rode the infant bikes advised that training wheels were not durable and broke easily.
- Some new bikes were delivered “out of the box” with warped, untrue wheel rims.
- In some instances, drive mechanisms were found to be seized, with overtightened bearings that lacked sufficient grease.
- Some owners reported strong plastic and rubber smelling odor
- Several children battled to pedal some of the bicycle models.
- Despite being age-appropriate, some bicycles proved too heavy for the children to push.
- The plastic grips sometimes fell off handlebars.
- Some owner parents reported that the tires wore too quickly and had bald spots after only here weeks.
The Magna Bike Range Sold In The USA
The present range includes the following list of models, which range from children’s bikes (from age four up) with twelve-inch wheels through to twenty-eight-inch wheel bicycles aimed at young adults and adults. The Magna range covers a wide variety of bicycle types and categories.
All the prices listed below were sourced from the respective sellers’ websites on 19 September 2022.
12 Inch Wheel Children’s Bikes For Ages Three To Five Years
The range of 12-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- Lil Dreamer – 3 to 5 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Just For Me – 3 to 5 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Gravel Blaster – 3 to 5 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Wheelie – 3 to 5 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Bare Bones – 3 to 5 years old (Recommended retail $80.00)
- Major Damage – 3 to 5 years old (Available on Amazon below)
16 Inch Wheel Bicycle For Ages Four To Eight Years
The range of 16-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- Stardom – 4 to 8 years old
- Firefly – 4 to 8 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Starburst – 4 to 8 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Major Damage – 4 to 8 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Rattlesnake – 4 to 8 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Suspect – 4 to 8 years old (Walmart price $98.00)
18-Inch Wheel Bicycle For Ages Six To Nine Years
The range of 18-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- Rip Tide – 6 to 9 years old (Recommended price $112.99)
- Surge – 6 to 9 years old (Walmart price $98.00)
20 Inch Wheel Bicycle For Ages Six To Ten Years
The range of 20-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- Throttle – 6 to 10 years old (Walmart price $113.99)
- Sapphire – 6 to 10 years old (Walmart price $108.00)
- Cliff Runner – 6 to 10 years old (Walmart price $200.00)
- Precious Pearls – 6 to 10 years old (Available on Amazon below)
- Rip Claw – 6 to 10 years old (Recommended price $90.00)
- Wipeout – 6 to 10 years old (Walmart price $98.00)
- Invader – 6 to 10 years old (Walmart price $128.00)
24-Inch Wheel Bicycle For Young Adults
The range of 24-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- Great Divide – Young Adults (Recommended price $145.00)
- Outreach – Young Adults (Recommended price $152.55)
- Northern Ridge – Young Adults (Recommended price $149.99)
28 Inch Wheel Bicycle For Young Adults And Adults
The range of 24-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- Echo Ridge – Young Adults and Adults (Walmart price $169.00)
- Invader – Young Adults and Adults (Walmart price $128.00)
- Beaver Cruiser – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Wash Cruiser – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Cliff Runner – Young Adults and Adults (Walmart price $349.00)
- Rip Curl – Young Adults and Adults (Recommended price $440.00)
- Nantucket – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Waikiki – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Northern Ridge – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Washst – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Duck Cruiser – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Great Divide – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Boisests – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Outreach – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
- Oasis – Young Adults and Adults (price not found)
28 Inch Wheel Bicycle For Young Adults And Adults
The range of 24-inch wheel bicycles includes the following models.
- 700C – Young Adults and Adults (Walmart price $349.99)
Conclusion
Magna bikes are the perfect example of the adage, “You get what you pay for.” It is doubtful that an adult riding a Magna could keep up with the rest of the pack racing high-end carbon fiber framed bicycles.
There is also a greater potential that the Magna will suffer Damage compared to an expensive specialized bike. Despite this, a Magna will serve the purpose for everyday use where no undue stress is placed on the frame and competitive times are not needed.
