Argon 18 Dark Matter Rival 1 Bike

Argon 18 Dark Matter Rival 1 Bike Info

The Argon 18 Dark Matter allows you to ride off the beaten path without the need to compromise your speed. This gravel bike is built with inspiration from Argon 18 road bikes which are known for their speed and aerodynamics. The Dark Matter is stable and reliable on the most unpredictable terrain, perfectly balancing its class-leading speed with confidence and handling. It has outstanding power transfer and offers supreme confidence to control whatever lies ahead. The playful handling of the Dark Matter is like that of a race bike, but that responsiveness remains on dirt or gravel. This is the most affordable version of the Dark Matter, equipped with a SRAM Rival 1 groupset for gravel-specific 11-speed 1x shifting at an excellent price. It also features Hunt 4 Season Gravel wheels for off-road performance at a lower price. The Argon 18 Dark Matter refuses to slow down when the going gets tough.

The Dark Matter features a gravel-specific monocoque carbon frame. It utilizes the Argon 18 Elite Level Layup, which is the same carbon building process used on their professional tour bikes. This makes the frame as strong and lightweight as possible, leading to the road-like speed of the Dark Matter. The 3D+ System fully integrates the frame with three headtube extension heights for every frame size. It provides a proven stiffness gain of 5 percent at 15mm and 11 percent at 30mm, creating a faster frame with better handling. This integrated system also makes the Dark Matter more aerodynamic than your standard gravel bike. Every piece of the Argon 18 Dark Matter frame is designed to promote speed and stability.

The geometry of the Dark Matter is made to thrive on gravel and beyond. The front of the frame includes a carbon fork with clearance for 45c tires. This is the same clearance as typical gravel bikes, but the Dark Matter has a longer wheelbase than most, creating unrivaled stability. That fork contains hidden fender mounts to keep your wheels safe on any road. It also has a higher bottom bracket, adjusted headtube angle, and a raked fork to compensate for wider tires without affecting handling. With a more upright position, riders will be more comfortable and confident for long rides and unexpected terrain. The Argon Fit System is also implemented so riders of all sizes receive an accurate and proper fit.

To achieve optimal comfort, the Argon 18 Dark Matter is equipped with their Topological Compliance System. This system balances comfort with performance so riders can perform at a high level for miles on end. The system was validated through countless iterations and tests with FEA and CDF software which takes stiffness, aerodynamics, and resistance into account. Vertical compliance is better than ever on this version of the Dark Matter, but they also accounted for lateral movement to simultaneously assure maximum pedaling efficiency. With all of this technology taken into account, this bike is very effective in dampening the vibrations of tough terrain as you ride. The Argon 18 Dark Matter Rival 1 is ready to take on any terrain at an amazing price.