Test: The Magic Eight SL from Dynamics looks inconspicuous, but a closer look is worthwhile: With a coherent concept and good equipment, it proves to be the archetype of the everyday bike in the test and a good choice for all those who don't have any special requests, just reliable and want to move forward lightly.
There have been two opposing trends in everyday bicycles for decades. Some cyclists rely on bikes that can do more than "just" cover everyday routes for years without complaint. Your choice is the trekking bike with wide derailleur gears, suspension fork and a sporty look. Others, on the other hand, opt for a bike that can't do much more than what it was created for - but is then also optimally adapted to its intended use. Her favorite is the touring bike, almost the original classic of the everyday bicycle: mostly painted black for generations and equipped with low-maintenance, i.e. with hub gears, encapsulated brakes and chain case, as for example with the special form of the Dutch bike.
And this concept has proven itself to this day. Technical reduction in terms of maximum functionality; equipment that is limited to the essentials - this is how the Dynamics Magic Eight SL comes along, sold exclusively through the 21 locations of Zweirad Stadler. It's a bike for all those who don't plan anything special with it: the route to work, everyday commutes and leisure trips, whether you want to go to the cinema or plan a bike ride at the weekend. And it's a bike for everyone who doesn't really want to deal with technology. Unlike us, so let's take a look at what makes the Magic Eight so interesting.
Harmonious with a slim fork
It starts with the slim, simple design, which can only be realized on a bike with a rigid fork. The aluminum fork of the Dynamics manages without the classic bend and tapers thinly towards the dropouts - so it can cushion shocks and vibrations to a certain extent. The dimensions of the fork and frame are very consistent, resulting in a harmonious, thoroughly sporty whole. As far as the frame is concerned, you should of course not expect miracles in view of the very attractive price of just under 750 euros - the brake line and shifter cable are routed on the outside of the tubes, which saves time and money during assembly. Apart from this purely visual shortcoming, the tube structure is of course impeccable - Dynamics even thought of a chain tensioning device, which is missing even on some significantly more expensive bikes. The attachment of the luggage rack is also very successful: it is supported on the dropouts at the bottom and is attached to the frame at the top with a strut hidden under the mudguard. The elegant, slightly narrower strap is equipped with a spring flap; In addition, system accessories can be mounted using a clamping device.
Almost maintenance-free drive train
Of course, the gears are always at the center of bicycle technology. On touring bikes, the gear hub is practically set; Such an encapsulated gearbox can hardly be topped when it comes to low maintenance and solidity. Of course, Dynamics doesn't leave it at that, but also gives the Magic Eight a full chain protection - the Chainglider from Hebie, which completely and permanently protects the chain of links from dirt and moisture and thus extremely extends the life of the chain. Maintenance and care are virtually superfluous, making this the inexpensive alternative to the toothed belt drive. The eight gears of the transmission result in a wide range of gear ratios, with which everything can be managed well, except for extremely steep sections; Shifting is intuitive with the user-friendly twist grip. You hardly have to worry about the brake system either: the hydraulic disc brakes function permanently without adjustment work and decelerate perfectly even in the wet.
The current comes from the – hub
The hub dynamo is part of the modern everyday bike, which supplies electricity for the lighting system regardless of the weather and is practically fail-safe. Their headlights aren't exactly overly bright, but they're perfectly fine for the city; If you are often out and about in total darkness, you should retrofit an LED spotlight with 60 lux and more. The rear people are well protected and mounted on the luggage rack; your cable is routed through the frame and under the mudguard and is therefore also safely housed. The sheets from the quality supplier SKS are long enough and very solid; Especially at the back, the elegant assembly without additional struts is striking. The nice and wide Schwalbe tires don't sit too tight under the sheet metal; their profile is designed for smooth surfaces, but with enough grip for nature trails.
With the adjustable handlebar stem, a comfortable sitting position can be achieved on the Magic Eight SL - of course not as upright as on the Dutch bike mentioned at the beginning, but comfortable enough even for less experienced cyclists. Sporty frequent riders can of course also get by with the Dynamics, as the bike proves to be a snappy, handy pedestal with smooth running, which can be optimally adjusted with up to four sizes depending on the frame shape - diamond, trapezoidal or wave. And so the Stadler everyday bike leaves a strong impression despite its discreet matt black look: very attractively priced, high-quality and harmoniously equipped and a guarantee for years of everyday driving fun. Exactly what all those who don't actually plan anything special with their bike want...
