THE BEST GRAVEL BIKE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN?

[@l2p58]

I have both Dark matter and a Krypton from Argon 18 and I love them both. I use my Krypton for road only.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Same with my krypton although it’s so versatile

[@petersouthernboy6327]

I have really gotten hooked on gravel. I love the vistas, the changes in scenery and the general lack of automotive traffic.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Same here!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

@@ChrisHallRides Enjoying a long bike ride without traffic is key. On the short road sectors we ride getting to the gravel, we are constantly close passed. Anyway, great video, thanks.

[@CycleXplorer]

Lack of cars and traffic is one of the best bits, sense of freedom too. Like being a kid again!

[@emdgfx]

Loving my Dark Matter! Had mine for almost a year now and it's still a joy to throw a leg over everytime! And yes your suggested additions would be very welcome in the next revision i'd say :)

[@ChrisHallRides]

It’s a fantastic bike isn’t it? Really is so much fun to ride!

[@richardclark5255]

I got my new krypton because of you! Now I wish I could afford to get one of these too.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Hope you are loving the Krypton though! It's an awesome bike!

[@CycleXplorer]

A friend has one and he seems to love it. It will be on my future list!

[@ChrisHallRides]

🙌

[@lazlo2511]

Thanks man, I was unaware of all the extra details that have been designed for this frame. It seems this goes far beyond what other manufacturers are doing. I feel they’ve taken into account what others have just forgotten. The drawback for me of course is the outdated Cannondale BB disaster of the century PF. The fork is definitely more forgiving with that curve. There is a reason they design stayed around for so long and interesting that they’ve incorporated it. All the things you mentioned with frame storage etc is a must on the revise model which no doubt is in development and can be named Dirt Particles 🤭. Glad you did a breakdown on this green machine. Keep riding and stay upright.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Thanks for watching! to be fair I have never had any issues with the BB in this bike but for me and home maintenance I just find a threaded one easier.

[@davidlincoln4475]

A great & balanced review of the bike. Have been looking for a new bike this year and went down today and got a bike fit for the Dark Matter. It’s now on order and should have it next week ( went high end) Thanks for your review!

[@ChrisHallRides]

Awesome! I'm glad I could help! What colour did you go for!?

[@isds6310]

Great quality video and interesting too. We need to get you more subscribers! Also appreciating the Royal Blood album cover 🤘

[@ChrisHallRides]

Thank you I appreciate it! I’ve only been doing KZbin for maybe a year and a half now but trying hard to produce good and useful content

[@redauwg911]

Thank you for the video Chris, Really nice bike, And perfect gearing choice.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Thank you!

[@lostnomads2285]

Going for a Dark Matter bike fit on Friday… thanks for the review.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@lostnomads2285]

@@ChrisHallRides ordered. 👍

[@lostnomads2285]

Love it. Just signed up for The Gralloch ‘25. First proper race I’ve entered.

[@rickbeckner9906]

Thanks. Nice review. I have a DM (prior generation). A few additional thoughts fwiw for anyone looking to buy one: They run large (a medium is about a 55); they have a high stand over height (you feel like you are riding on and not in); with the 3D system you can really run it either racy slammed or very tall.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Thanks for sharing!

[@rickbeckner9906]

No problem. A18 is a bit of an under the radar brand (at least outside of their tri bikes). Glad you are giving them a bit more exposure. They have a compelling range of bikes. Unfortunately, at least in the USA, their dealer network seems to really have shrunk over the last few years.

[@TobrookPhotography]

Just got one with the SRAM Rival Axs… crazy fun bike! Rediscovering the joy of riding. Got the stock Hunt 4 season/ Vittoria terreno 38c on it. Good set up, but might keep it for road and will get maybe your setup for off road! Maybe I should just keep the stock setup for everything! What do you think? Thanks!

[@cb6866]

Thanks Chris.....so , mud ? Be well , safe travels !

[@ChrisHallRides]

Mud

[@kimwalton2873]

Thanks for the unbiased review. What cassette are you using on this Argon 18?

[@ChrisHallRides]

Shimano 11-40

[@JJ-yh1iw]

Loved My dark matter, now i moved on to the krypton!

[@ChrisHallRides]

The krypton is fantastic too

[@Chris_Rides_Bikes]

do you use the Krypton on gravel? Do you find you miss the DM when on gravel?

[@mikekim6374]

great review- what is the weight in size 56?

[@ChrisHallRides]

They are listed as sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL. I ride a Medium. The stock version according to Gran Fondo Magazine in a medium weighs 8.78 kg, although personally I have never cared much about weight, more about how it feels to ride.

[@Nick-cs5yc]

Beautiful rig👍👍👍

[@ChrisHallRides]

It sure is!

[@stevemullin1195]

Can you use flat bars on this bike...cant ride drops due to hand/wrist issues.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Yep or course you could, would probably just need to decide on what groupset you had on it but totally doable

[@stevemullin1195]

What is the weight limit on this bike...would it be up to bikepacking or loaded touring on tarmac?

[@ChrisHallRides]

I’m not sure what the weight limit is but I’ve used it all loaded up for a few bikepacking events and it’s been absolutely fine

[@johnjosephryan3846]

When your purchase do you get a couple 3D spacers to adjust the stack height or do you have to request them separately from argon18 ?

[@ChrisHallRides]

Yes you get the 0mm option and 25mm option when you purchase one

[@johnjosephryan3846]

@@ChrisHallRides thanks thats awesome!

[@Average_cycling]

How did you attach the exposure light , when I used that model it didn’t last long, just wore the attachment out when vibrations on gravel.

[@ChrisHallRides]

Using exposure’s mount. Have never had any issue s

[@ohmps01]

About the front chainrings: 49? Which chainrings are you using? I do love the info about the smaller small chainring actually working, that is also easily available since it's from the grx 600 chainset, but I haven't seen a shimano 49 big chainring

[@ChrisHallRides]

It’s a GRX chainring too, think I got a special one from Shimano

[@ohmps01]

@@ChrisHallRides but definitely 49? So you are running 49 30? 2 more compared to official for tge front derailleur. Just want to make sure that I didn't mishear anything, since I am also currently running 11-42 two-by, just with standard mechanical 810 front chainrings. Would honestly really like having that bit more top end speed though. And since I already run a 42, I might just stay with 31 and go with a 50 tooth big ring? If you say 19 teeth difference worked on the front derailleur.

[@chrisoconnellUK]

Hi Chris - thanks for the vid. What's your preference running two different wheel sets, ie. do you swap the cassette out each time and re-fit on the other wheels, or just buy a second cassette? Cheers

[@ChrisHallRides]

I normally would have another set of wheels which always have rotors and cassettes on them at the same ratios

[@surferdan23]

How do you rate the Argon 18 vs the Cervelo Aspero 5 you had?

[@ChrisHallRides]

Both are great bikes but also very different. The Argon 18 feels more comfortable and confidence giving when it gets really rough. The Cervélo is much more of a race bike which means it’s fast but also quite stiff and a harsher ride.

[@EirianPrice-o9t]

If you could choose one bike, the Dark Matter or the Krypton Pro, which one would you recomend? I ride with a road club at the weekend, do 50 mile commutes and have just completed my first 500 miles ultra, I'm torn between these two bikes...

[@ChrisHallRides]

It really depends on if you are more road or off road focused. I would probably say the krypton as it can take a lot off road apart from some pretty gnarly rough stuff. Tyre clearance is close. 40 on the krypton and 45 on the dark matter but the dark matter feels a bit like a hardtail with drop bars

[@hkp9257]

I like the look of integrated cables but I hate the concept of these all in one cockpits. Thats a really nice solution :) btw, what tire width do you drive on your road bike?

[@ChrisHallRides]

Yep it’s really neat! I ride either 30s or 32s at the moment on my road bike

[@hkp9257]

@@ChrisHallRides Thank you, keep up the great work!

[@lufo5]

did you just use the shimano GRX 600 for the inner chainring (30T)?

[@ChrisHallRides]

@@lufo5 yep!

[@lufo5]

@@ChrisHallRides thanks. Good to know that's compatible with the 800 outer. I also use the di2 derailleur with the wolftooth extender and I use a Shimano xt8000 cassette 11-42 without any problem.👍

[@92kolega]

Do you experience toe overlap in this bike with your tire size ?

[@ChrisHallRides]

Nope not at all. I have on other brand bikes but never been an issue with this one and I have large feet too

[@Enidub]

What's the weight of your build?

[@ChrisHallRides]

I’ve not weighed it yet. Let me get back to you

[@szagii_9447]

is it possible to install a mono cockpit on this bike? also do you happen to know how much does it weigh in size medium, I can't find it anywhere

[@ChrisHallRides]

I never really weigh my bikes being totally honest so I’m not sure. Will try and weigh it next time I film some stuff with it. Although personally I’m never fussed on a bikes weight, more with how it feels to ride. When you say mono cockpit you mean full integration? I’ve seen people have done it before.

[@Nick-cs5yc]

All Hail Gravel Bike Gods😁😁😁

[@ChrisHallRides]

Heck yes!

[@jimpeyton1459]

I can dream

[@DIY-DaddyO]

That's a bit saucy, maybe I'd loose a few kg first...

[@ChrisHallRides]

You don’t need to loose any weight, be happy with who you are and weight isn’t a thing to worry about, being a healthy person is more important.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

@@ChrisHallRides Kind supportive words Chris, Thanks Bro. I've been told by the Doc I need to drop 20kg to lower the old blood pressure, but more importantly, I would also be able to run some sweet carbon rims that recommend a 110kg limit. 🤭 Priorities and Goals, Enjoy the beast.

[@garybrown5769]

Is it illegal to say colours in this day and age? Why do we have to say colour way everything is colour way….Why can’t we just say, It comes in two colours one is black and one is red…. nothing more cringe than a colour way

[@ChrisHallRides]

Colour way

[@jimpeyton1459]

​@ChrisHall😂Rides