The Vision

Our longtime client came to us in search of a bike that excels on the road yet remains ready for adventure when the route veers off the beaten path. The Dark Matter frame delivers exactly that. With its gravel-specific geometry, it provides the comfort and stability needed for long hours in the saddle, while retaining a responsive, snappy feel that keeps road rides lively and fun. It's the perfect balance of performance and versatility—ideal for riders who want one bike that can do it all.

The Build

Drivetrain: SRAM Rival AXS

At the heart of this build is the SRAM Rival AXS groupset, featuring a 46/30 chainring, and a 165mm crankset. This setup offers plenty of gears for efficient road riding, while still giving the option to climb the punchy gravel hills of Gatineau park. SRAM’s Electronic shifting ensures smooth, quick changes no matter the terrain.

Wheels & Hubs: Woven Carbon

The Woven Carbon wheels are lightweight, fast, and perfectly suited to road riding. They offer the smooth rolling efficiency you expect on tarmac, but they’re durable enough to handle a bit of gravel when the path turns less predictable. Also not to mention, they’re based in Ottawa!

Handlebar & Stem: Zipp

For the cockpit, it was a simple choice, a Zipp bar and stem combo. Zipp’s road-focused ergonomics ensure you’re dialed in for a fast, comfy, & efficient ride. 

Tires: Panaracer Gravel Kings

We decided to go with Panaracer Gravel Kings for the tires, they’re light, fast-rolling, and give just a touch more grip than a traditional road tire. Quick on the road and tough enough for gravel or dirt paths. 

Result: The Best of Both Worlds

When you want the best of both worlds - comfort and performance on the road with the versatility to handle gravel - the Argon 18 Dark Matter is a prime choice. Originally designed as a gravel bike, we’ve built this ride into a smooth, road-friendly machine with a whole-lotta hidden off-road capability.

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