Argon 18 Bicycles – Driven To Make Every Ride You Take Memorable

If you think the best bicycle brands are based in Europe or America, you would be mistaken. Bicycle building, much like the sport of cycling itself, is an international pursuit. And while Canada is probably not known for producing bikes or champion bicyclists, it has both.

For 36 years, in fact, Argon 18 has been innovating in bicycle design for both everyday cyclists and professional teams, supporting its mission to make every ride memorable.

About Argon 18 Bicycles

Argon 18 was founded in 1989 by Gervais Rioux, a former Canadian road racer in the 1980s. Rioux had over 150 victories during his career, notably at the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and 1986 and the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. The Name Argon 18 stems from the element Argon. It is the 18th element on the periodic table.

Based in Montreal, Canada, Argon 18 began producing carbon bicycle frames in 2001. The Gallium, produced in 2005, was Argon 18’s first carbon monocoque frame. AS Rioux states about Argon 18’s mission, “we don’t just make bikes – we make rides. The ones you remember long after you’ve forgotten the pain and how often you re-calibrated your breaking point. Long after your new best friends gave you their last tube. Long after the beer is gone and the grit washed off.”

Innovation and International Awards and Recognition

For many years, the stem and handlebar were treated as separate components by bike builders. Argon 18 changed all that with its E-114 bicycle. It had an integrated cockpit, which won the company the Eurobike Design Award and The Montreal Institute of Design Award. And, as a result, Argon 18’s innovation influenced bicycle builders throughout the cycling industry to incorporate the same thing.

But Argon 18 didn’t stop there. It created its 3D system that allows a cyclist to adjust the headtube on the fly without the need for headset spacers. That bike was followed by the E-118 for time trialists and triathletes by offering dynamic fit options and precise handlebar height adjustment.

Argon 18’s Sponsorship of Triathletes and Pro Teams

Nothing adds credibility to a bike brand more than the people who ride its bikes. Argon 18 has worked with triathletes like Samantha McGlone (Ironman 70.3), Torbjørn Sindballe (ITU long distance world championships), and Bella Comerford (ITU long distance world championships).

Then, in 2015, Argon 18 made its first appearance at the Tour de France by sponsoring Team Bora–Argon 18. The next pro team it worked with was the German team Astana. In its first season riding Argon 18 bicycles, the team won the following events:

• Criterium du Dauphiné: GC + 2 stages (Jakob Fuglsang)
• Tour de France: Stage 12 win + Yellow Jersey for 2 days (Fabio Aru)
• Vuelta: 3 stage wins (Miguel Angel Lopez [2] + Alexey Lutsenko)

Another specialty Argon 18 supported with bikes was track cycling. It sponsored Cycling Australia, which won several events riding what was considered, at the time, the fastest track bike available. Argon 18 riders also topped the medal stand at the 2020 Olympics. Today, the company sponsors the pro team Novo Nordisk and continues to work with triathletes.

Last Thoughts

36 years is a relatively short history for a bike builder while many of the well-known brands have been around for over 50 years. In that time, though, the company garnered international recognition for its sponsorship of winning riders and its advancements in bicycle design.

Today, Argon 18 makes road, gravel, triathlon, and track bikes as well as sells its own brand of merchandise, apparel, and parts. Argon 18 is also still innovating with its partnership with Notio where cyclists can more easily understand the effects of wind drag without the need for a wind tunnel. Argon 18 feels like it is just getting started and has a lot more to do and prove.