Tour of ARGONAUT Cycles: Bespoke USA-Made Carbon Bikes

"WE ARE BICYCLE LOVERS, CRAFTSPEOPLE, AND INNOVATORS." - argonautcycles...
"We are in constant search of the edge of what is possible in custom bike design, it’s in our bones to open up the focus of our collective lens onto the composites industry as a whole. To see the immense benefits and ingenuity there, and pull it into our process for crafting carbon bikes from scratch. From brazing frames over a decade ago, to performing carbon wizardry one layer at a time today, we are the changemakers at the intersection of carbon and the bike world."
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew joins Alex Candelario (you may recognize him as a former professional cyclist), for a look inside Argonaut's impressively clean, Bend, Oregon, manufacturing facility.
"OUR STORY. Ben Farver started his custom bike building career working with steel in 2007. He built bikes out of steel because that’s the material he loved to ride, and felt had the best overall ride quality. However, the quest for more performance eventually led Ben to carbon, but not the sort of carbon you find on the racks of most bike shops. Carbon piqued Ben’s interest not so much because of the ideal strength to weight ratio, but instead because of the nearly limitless potential for customization."
"Nearly 10 years later, Ben and the team at Argonaut Cycles are building bikes that retain the feeling of the original steel bikes made in the early days, but lighter, stiffer where it counts, and with a ride quality that we feel is truly transcendent. Every Argonaut is unique to the individual owner. Every Argonaut rides like an Argonaut."
"OUR MANIFESTO, JOIN US. To forever push the boundaries of what’s possible in carbon bike building, and center customer experience and agency throughout the process. To ensure custom bike builds that last a lifetime by designing and manufacturing to the highest quality. And to handcraft the best carbon bicycles in the world. Period."
"PACIFIC NORTHWEST. WE DO IT ALL IN BEND,OREGON. Designed, tested, and built in Bend, Oregon, we’re proud to employ 18 dedicated, talented, and experienced individuals who bring endless creativity to the table and who inquire along with us: if it can be better why not make it better?"
Links of Interest:
Argonaut Cycles - argonautcycles...
Gravel Cyclist's Route Library - www.gravelcycl...
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No cost to you, but every purchase made helps keep Gravel Cyclist up and running! - www.amazon.com...
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[@saddleweary5760]

That was the best factory tour I've ever seen. They make me proud to be an American. Well it's time to save for a new bike.

[@GravelCyclist]

I was blown away by the quality of the carbon after extraction, almost perfect sans flashing. Argonaut's process is next-level.

[@saddleweary5760]

@@GravelCyclist By showing the carbon fiber alone spells quality. I have an old bike showing the fiber and not only Is it beautiful but I've crashed it several times and it doesn't show any cracks. Thanks for the reply Jom, I really enjoyed that video.

[@mgrant6607]

I have one of their bikes. You should start saving, proud to own it.

[@aaronedgeart]

As an Oregonian, I love Argonaut. As a custom bicycle owner, I love the brand as well. Awesome coverage!

[@alexrobles6492]

What an awesome video! More of these. Amazing company & bikes!

[@GravelCyclist]

Speedvagen / Vanilla Cycles tour is coming soon!

[@dcv9460]

AWESOME BRAND!!! 💯

[@katherinefrost5808]

Beautiful bikes made right here in the Northwest!!! I think I have found my next bike project… thanks for the tip!!!

[@walcottav]

Niiiiice. Been an Argonaut admirer since 👀's and hands-on at 2017 NAHBS. Just gorgeous craftsmanship. Thanks JOM.

[@fernandoriego]

Far out, mint. on ya, JOM.

[@fernfloyd]

What a nice facility! Everything looks clean and high tech. I just wish more bikes or frames were shown, like the one you briefly see at 10:23 by a door, or the one at 12:16 on the floor by some glass windows. Really enjoying these HQ/factory tours! :)

[@GHinWI]

Outstanding tour! Notice the layup guys using nitrile gloves when handling the prepreg-so often you’ll see factory tours where they use bare hands, which contaminates the prepreg with finger oil.

[@thedronescene7474]

We need a Hambini Seal of Approval before I consider another Carbon Bike lol! Happily riding Moots now.

[@Hunttherider]

Great to learn more about carbon frame production processes. Any intelligence on Argonaut’s pending gravel frame? - it’s coming soon I hear - maybe you saw a prototype just off camera?

[@GravelCyclist]

Sarah Von Max is riding the frame (at Unbound / Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder), I've seen it once, but didn't have time to grab any intel.

[@robertdewar1752]

I'd like to have seen how the mandrel is extracted.

[@GravelCyclist]

Some of their technology is proprietary, they are not going to show you everything.

[@robertdewar1752]

@@GravelCyclist No Sh!t!!!

[@GravelCyclist]

@@robertdewar1752 Breathe...