Argon 18

Founded in 1989, Argon 18 is a bike and components manufacturer which supplies bikes for some of the top triathletes and track athletes in the world.

History

Since being founded in Montréal, Canada, in 1989, Argon 18 has constantly been at the cutting-edge of cycling technology, combining a team of experts who work together to create high-performance bikes for a range of disciplines.

After just over 10 years of operations, the focus shifted to carbon road frames for the first time, with the company producing its first ones in 2001. By 2005 it had released the Gallium, its first monocoque carbon frame – a bike that is still one of its premium race options, although it’s undergone some changes over the last 15 years.

As has the company which has grown exponentially and now sells bikes in over 70 countries worldwide, across the full spectrum of disciplines, from track and gravel to triathlon and road.

That success has also been mirrored in professional cycling, with Argon 18’s bikes used by a number of triathletes, track stars and road teams. The watershed moment came in 2006 when three athletes using Argon bikes claimed triathlon world titles - Samantha McGlone (Ironman 70.3), Torbjørn Sindballe and Bella Comerford (both ITU long distance world championships) - and the Canadian brand has been making inroads in professional cycling ever since.

Many of its achievements have come on the track where the brand’s innovations have led to success with multiple national federations, including the Danish, Australian and Canadian teams - most of it aboard the Electron Pro TT bike which was released in 2016 after collaboration with the Danish team.

Other notable innovations include the first integrated cockpit available on the market, released alongside the E-114. It led to the ONEness concept that Argon 18 still follows today.

Did you know?

Pro cycling

• Team Novo Nordisk
• Project Echelon Racing
• Beltrami TSA-Tre Colli

• Australia national team
• Canada national team
• Ireland national team

Highlights

• In 2005 Argon 18 released its first monocoque carbon frame, the Gallium. An all-round race bike, Argon 18 was one of the earlier brands to adopt a one-bike for any terrain model.
• A year later the Canadian brand made its first inroads in professional sport as three athletes used Argon 18 bikes en route to triathlon world titles - Samantha McGlone (Ironman 70.3), Torbjørn Sindballe and Bella Comerford (both ITU long distance world championships). Many more would follow including another two in 2008.
• Argon released the E-118 TT bike in 2012, and it quickly became the bike of choice for many of the world’s top triathletes and time trialists.
• The brand’s success transferred to the track in 2018 where the Danish, Canadian and Australian teams all used Argon bikes. All three teams finished on the podium in the men’s individual pursuit final, completing an Argon 18 clean sweep.
• In 2020 Argon released its first gravel bike, the Subito. It was available in both road and gravel models.