![]() ![]() Convenient and rareīosses for a third bottle cage on the down tube are rare on all-road bikes. The bright paint job makes the Krypton seem like a real star, but that can’t hide the less-than-premium build spec. Nevertheless, the total weight of this mid-range build of the Argon 18 Krypton is fine, albeit 200 g above the analogue test field average, tipping the scales at 8.5 kg. While these components are robust and confidence-inspiring on an all-road bike, they don’t offer such great value for money. The 30 mm Vittoria Rubino Pro tires aren’t exactly high-end either. You get an FSA Energy stem, FSA Energy Compact handlebar, and HUNT 4 Season Disc wheelset, all made of aluminium, which seems out of place on a € 6,175 bike, especially compared to the likes of the MERIDA SCULTURA ENDURANCE 9000. ![]() The 140/160 mm brake rotor combination, on the other hand, is slightly undersized, and the remaining components are something you would find on a mid-range build. The 2×12 SRAM Force AXS groupset consists of a 10–33 t cassette paired with a 48/32 t crankset, offering a wide enough gear range even for loaded touring in mountainous terrain. The drivetrain has also been configured with versatility in mind. A wealth of mounting points promise easy installation of mudguards, luggage racks, a top tube bag, and third bottle cage under the down tube. These include the oversized headset cap and the roomy storage compartment in the down tube. However, the specced components on the Argon 18 Krypton are somewhat contradictory: you’ve got some standard bits like the round, 27.2 mm Argon 18 seat post and a classic two-piece handlebar and stem, juxtaposed with custom, in-house solutions. The low-slung chainstays don’t look out of place either. The tapered rear section of the top tube echoes the design language of the slender fork, widening towards the front. The down tube is relatively wide, housing the integrated storage compartment under the bottle cage bosses, big enough to accommodate all sorts of accessories such as tools, a pump, etc. The tube shapes and proportions look coherent too. That said, the branding is in no way intrusive. The frame has a lot going on besides the colour: a chemical formula on the down tube, the model name and the Argon 18 logo on the top tube, to name just some of the many decals. Both finishes boast equally beautiful details and workmanship. If you prefer flying under the radar, you can choose the significantly more discreet Iridescent Charcoal (black/grey). Love it or hate it, the colour undoubtedly makes it stand out from the test field. ![]() The paintjob of the Argon 18 Krypton is very in-your-face, at least in the sparkling Frostbite Blue option. Shine bright like a diamond – What is the Argon 18 Krypton capable of? Can the Argon 18 Krypton outshine the competition in our group test with more than just the paint job? Therefore, it should cater to a variety of different use cases. The Argon 18 Krypton is said to be the Canadian brand’s “most versatile bike”, setting it apart from their other bikes. But it’s not just radiance, but also versatility that’s relevant. Considering this, the brand and model name go together like cookies and cream. As such, it represents light, brightness, and radiance. Krypton falls into the same class of gases, typically used in fluorescent lamps. ![]() This bike was tested as part of our 2023 all-road group test – you can find an overview of the group test and the featured bikes over here: The best all-road bike of 2023 – 10 all-road bikes in review Argon 18 Krypton | 8.56 kg in size M | Manufacturer’s websiteĪrgon, as you might remember from physics or chemistry class, is a noble gas with the atomic number 18 – who would have thought. But aren’t these mutually exclusive disciplines for an all-road bike? We put it to the test to find out how this colourful character fares against the rest of our test field. Bright in colour and feature rich: the Argon 18 Krypton promises to stand out from the crowd with its “Race, Ride, Explore” tagline. ![]()
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