The all-new Dark Matter bike features a more relaxed geometry, a slacker head tube angle, a lower bottom bracket, and is lighter with improved aerodynamics. It was already impressive, but is it now the best gravel bike from the brand?
Argon18 has been around for a while, and with its original Dark Matter bike, it was one of the early adopters of the lightweight gravel bike concept. I had the opportunity to test it, and at that time, it was undoubtedly one of the best gravel bikes I had ever ridden, combining lightweight, responsive handling, and excellent off-road performance, making it a fantastic all-rounder.
However, times are changing, and the gravel bike market has evolved faster than any other segment in recent years, so it’s no surprise that an upgraded version of this model has been released. Nevertheless, Argon18 remains committed to its original design philosophy, creating a more versatile bike suitable for long-distance rides and racing. With its diverse mounting options, it should also be an excellent bikepacking travel bike.
Longer, Slacker, Lower
For mountain bikers, terms like “longer, slacker, lower” are all too familiar, but in the gravel bike realm, the adoption of these concepts may not be as widespread. The latest “Dark Matter” follows this trend with a longer reach and wheelbase, and a head tube angle that is slacker by 1 degree. This should make it more stable to ride, easier to handle on rough terrain and technical descents, improving speed and reducing fatigue on long rides.It also keeps up with the trend for wider tires, accommodating tires up to 57mm wide, with a standard setup of 50mm wide tires. Its aerodynamic performance has been enhanced, and due to improvements in layering and the downturned upper fork, comfort has also increased, while the frame weight has been reduced by 150 grams. Argon has also included storage space in the down tube, which is ideal for those who prefer a clean bike appearance without a bag during daily rides.The Canadian brand did not mention suspension compatibility, but yesterday, Chris Hall, riding an Argon18, posted some photos on his Instagram story showing the “Dark Matter” model equipped with the latest Fox front fork, ready to participate in the Traka event in Girona, which features a technically challenging course (at least for gravel riding), showcasing the bike’s performance for those looking to blur the lines between off-road mountain bikes and gravel bikes.
Availability and Pricing
The Argon 18 “Dark Matter” model will be available in three configurations, with prices ranging from £3,500 to £6,500.
The GRX version will be released first, followed by two SRAM versions. All models come with a single chainring setup, which I’m pleased to see, as my main criticism of the original model was its retro style and the dual chainring setup limiting tire width.
However, if you still prefer a dual chainring setup, this frame can accommodate it, but as of now, there is no information available regarding purchasing just the frame.Specifications are as follows.Dark Matter SRAM Force XPLR AXSFrame / Fork:Dark Matter CarbonGroupset: SRAM Force XPLR AXS wide ratio 40T, 10 – 44TWheels: Zipp 303 XPLR STires: Schwalbe G-One RX Pro TLR 50mmHandlebar: FSA A-Wing Pro AGXStem: FSA SMR-IISaddle: Repente Quasar 2.0Seatpost: Argon 18 TDS-C CarbonPrice: £6,500 / $6,650 / €7,395Dark Matter SRAM Rival AXSFrame / Fork:Dark Matter CarbonGroupset: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS wide ratio 40T, 10 – 44TWheels: DT Swiss G1800 AluminumTires: Schwalbe G-One RX Pro TLR 50mmHandlebar: FSA A-Wing Pro AGXStem: FSA SMR-IISaddle: Repente Quasar 2.0Seatpost: Argon 18 TDS-C CarbonPrice: £4,500 / $4,650 / €5,095Dark Matter Shimano GRXFrame / Fork:Dark Matter CarbonGroupset: Shimano GRX RX822/610 40T, 10 – 51TWheels: DT Swiss G1800 AluminumTires: Vittoria Terreno T50 Mixed 50mmHandlebar: FSA A-Wing Pro AGXStem: FSA SMR-IISaddle: Repente Quasar S 2.0Seatpost: Argon 18 TDS-C CarbonPrice: £3,500 / $3,650 / €3,995