{"id":65012,"date":"2024-06-07T15:14:20","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T13:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/?p=65012&preview=true&preview_id=65012"},"modified":"2024-06-07T17:56:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T15:56:38","slug":"argon-18-dark-matter-force-axs-xplr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/2024\/06\/07\/argon-18-dark-matter-force-axs-xplr\/","title":{"rendered":"Argon 18 Dark Matter Force AXS XPLR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
FAST GRAVEL BIKES<\/h5>\n\n

Argon 18 Dark Matter Force AXS XPLR<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

\u00a35,500<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span> | Rugged racer from Canada<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Weight <\/strong>8.54kg (L) Frame <\/strong>Carbon Fork <\/strong>Carbon Gears <\/strong>SRAM Force AXS XPLR (10-44, 42) Brakes <\/strong>SRAM Force Hydraulic Wheels <\/strong>Hunt 42 Limitless Gravel Disc XDR Finishing kit <\/strong>Argon 18 TDS seatpost, Prologo Scratch-M5 AGX saddle, FSA OS-99 stem, FSA A-Wing Pro AGX handlebar, Vittoria Terreno Mix TLR G2.0 40c tyres<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Argon 18 describes the Dark Matter as a performance gravel bike that\u2019s as at home racing as it is being a rough, rugged adventurer. That\u2019s quite a bold claim, though the frame and fork do combine elements of both sub-disciplines of gravel riding. For the racer, the steep seat angle and race-adept head angle will be welcome. For the bikepacking adventurer, the myriad of mounts and taller stack will appeal. <\/p>\n\n

The chassis uses Argon\u2019s TCS design method, which combines frame design and tube shaping with the physical properties of the carbon fibre to maximise stiffness where needed and introduce more compliance where vibration damping is a must. If you draw a line from the top of the head-tube to the rear axle, everything below is maximised for stiffness, and for accurate steering and optimal power transfer. Above that line, the top-tube, seat-tube and seatstays are all designed for compliance to absorb vibrations. The tapering fork with its forward sweep is also designed to absorb chatter while maintaining steering accuracy. <\/p>\n\n

There are lots of fittings: front and rear mudguard mounts, top-tube mounts, twin bottle mounts on the seat-tube and six bottle bosses on the down-tube, plus triple anything mounts on the forks. And the down-tube has armour to protect it from rock strikes. The bike still weighs within a few grams of the other test bikes though.<\/p>\n\n

Dropped chainstays and a broad fork bring a generous 45mm tyre clearance, while Argon\u2019s 3D head-tube system integrates the headset top into the frame and allows internal brake hose routing. I chose the 0mm 3D top piece, but the 25mm option heightens the stack without compromising stiffness with spacers. <\/p>\n\n

The steep seat and head angles are similar to road endurance geometry, and the stack is the tallest here, but the bike also has a generous reach (the reach shortens with the 25mm 3D headset topper). The long chainstays and wheelbase help with stability in the rough. <\/p>\n\n

  • \"\"
    The 3D head-tube system offers two stack heights <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
  • \"\"
    You can have confidence in the SRAM Force brakes <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
  • \"\"
    Its Scratch-M5 AGX gravel saddle is well padded <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
  • \"\"
    The bike features loads of fittings to suit longer outings <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n

    Built to last <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    This is the range-topping model, and the build reflects that. At its heart is SRAM\u2019s latest Force AXS XPLR groupset, a step up from the Cerv\u00e9lo\u2019s Rival AXS and an update over the Riverside. The gearing is the most performance orientated of our trio, mixing a 42t chainring and 10-44t XPLR cassette, for speed on and off-road. <\/p>\n\n

    The bike rolls on Hunt\u2019s hugely broad 42 Limitless gravel wheels, with rims 42mm deep and 25mm internally. Hunt says these give aero advantages optimised for 38-40mm gravel tyres. Vittoria\u2019s Terreno Mix 40c tyre are good all-rounders and they come set-up tubeless here. <\/p>\n\n

    \u201cIts comfort and practicality make the Dark Matter a star performer for long, multi-day events\u201d <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n

    FSA\u2019s cleverly shaped A-Wing Pro AGX alloy bar combines a flattened, ovalised top section with a subtly flared compact drop and is wrapped in excellent cushioning bar tape. At the back, Argon 18\u2019s compliant carbon seatpost is topped with ProLogo\u2019s brilliant gravel-specific Scratch-M5 AGX saddle with slightly beefed-up padding. <\/p>\n\n

    A solid partner <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    The Dark Matter is fast and smooth on mixed surfaces; it feels like a great endurance bike but its tall gearing helps it maintain road-bike pace on tarmac. <\/p>\n\n

    In its natural habitat it excels too, with a subtly compliant feel that\u2019s superior to the Riverside GCR, especially when things get rough. But the \u00c1spero beats it in that regard: rear comfort is a match, but the front feels a little harder, so it would be worth upgrading to a high-quality carbon bar like the Cerv\u00e9lo has, at some point. <\/p>\n\n

    Similarly, while the Dark Matter handles technical terrain and chunky gravel very well and it takes a lot to unsettle the bike, it\u2019s not quite the flickable funster that the \u00c1spero is. The Hunt wheels are fast yet forgiving with a quick freehub pick-up, and the Terreno Mix tyres are brilliant in damp conditions but don\u2019t feel compromised in the dry or on tarmac. <\/p>\n\n

    With its slightly relaxed ride position and impressive contact points, the Dark Matter is more endurance bike than racer, its comfort and practicality making it a star performer for long, multi-day events. Its geometry and stable handling wouldn\u2019t disadvantage anyone but the fastest riders in the heat of competition, though. <\/p>\n\n

    <\/div>
    \n

    The Good <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Great all-round handling; endurance-biased ride position<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Bad <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May not be racy enough for some<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

    <\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/svg>\n \n <\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
    Verdict <\/strong>A high-quality package that\u2019s more versatile than most<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    <\/p>\n\n

    \n\n

    Also consider…<\/h3>\n\n
    \n
    \n
    A little less<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Argon 18 Dark Matter Rival AXS XPLR<\/strong><\/em> \u00a34,000<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em>
    The same rugged frame but with SRAM\u2019s more affordable Rival AXS groupset and Hunt\u2019s 4-Season all-road alloy wheelset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    A lot less<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Argon 18 Dark Matter Apex AXS XPLR<\/strong><\/em> \u00a33,500<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em>
    The frame and fork are paired here with SRAM\u2019s wireless electronic Apex AXS XPLR group and Hunt\u2019s 4-Season all-road alloy wheelset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    Photography<\/strong> Russell Burton<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Rugged racer from Canada<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":64476,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"32","purple_seq_number":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"","purple_source_article":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"","purple_source_issue":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"Summer-2024","purple_external_id":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"Summer-2024-92629418-ab2c-4acc-b53b-72245be25556","purple_issue_code":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000116816||","purple_android_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.420","purple_ios_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.420","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2024-06-07T13:21:21Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"7fb4635e-5b92-41a1-baed-21c4aa52ae7d","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2024-06-07T15:56:44Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/Af7RjXluSQaG67SHEqlKufQ","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\""},"categories":[140],"tags":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad.jpg",2048,1523,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad-300x223.jpg",300,223,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad-768x571.jpg",768,571,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad-1024x762.jpg",800,595,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad-1536x1142.jpg",1536,1142,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4328fa93-e68c-4700-9e4c-9d34690a0bad.jpg",2048,1523,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Rugged racer from Canada","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65012"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65012"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65075,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65012\/revisions\/65075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}