It seems like a nice frameset with a lot of good features, e.g. 3D headset and the seatpost. Does anyone here have personal experience with the Argon 18 Gallium Pro? I am looking at it right now, and comparison shopping with a Cervelo R3 and Cannondale SS EVO Hi-mod. My intended use of this bike is an all-rounder, and like to use it for climbing.
Nothing?
I bought a new 2015 Gallium Pro a few months ago and just started riding it after IM Louisville. I’ve done 3 centuries on it in the last 4 weeks. It is built with 100% DA mech on a mid-compact, 11-28, DA pedals, DA C35 wheels, Enve SES Aero Road bar, and Enve stem. I bought the bike specifically for climbing and its ability to dampen road vibrations. I have 3 other 10 speed bikes including a 2008 Trek Madone 6.9 but this is my first 11 speed. All my other bikes have CC wheels but I went back to aluminum rims for this because I hope to use this in the Alps, and the DA C35 was rated the best climbing wheel by one reviewer. I also wanted a top end bike with all traditional build - aka no proprietary brakes, standard brake positioning, standard headset and seat post. Red Shift will have a carbon version of their switchable seatpost out next year and I am going to put that on plus Enve clip ons for some mountainous riding. The redshift seat post won’t work on any bikes with the aero posts. I shied away from aero road bikes due to their lesser ride quality compared to a traditional build, but my Enve road bar gives me some of that back. I also shied away from “endurance” bikes as I prefer the more aggressive fit. It climbs great and despite being stiff I can feel the softer ride compared to my Trek. I have no experience with the Cervelo or Cannondale though. The Argon 18 would be a great choice.
Your bike sounds awesome as a climbing and all around bike. Happen to know the weight after all know?
I’ve already forgotten the exact weight but think it is around 14 lbs all inclusive. I bought it from Wrench Science in CA. If you go to their website, you can build up any frame in their inventory based on a large selection of components and their website will show you the exact weight based on manufacturer claimed weights for each piece. So you can watch the weight change for each selection and see the impact right down to your choice of bar tape.
I’m a big fan of the latest Argon 18’s. They make good bikes. Can’t go wrong with a Gallium Pro.
I can’t speak for the Gallium, but I’ve had two Kryptons (2011 and 2015) and loved them both.
Also can’t speak for the Gallium Pro, but after getting last years 118 NEXT… IF I was in the market for a new road bike, I would highly consider Argon 18! Really sweet ride. And its unique, which I like. Did IM Louisville last month, and did not see a single other NEXT.
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro is a fantastic all round bike and the people behind it are just as good! I used the GP for all of 2014 and a chunk of the 2015 season it was by far my favorite bike until I got to play around on the new Nitrogen Pro. You can’t go wrong with either one honestly, as you can build both below the UCI weight limit and the ride quality is downright impressive on both.
In all fairness you should know that I spent the last two seasons on a team which was sponsored by Argon 18. Also I will be switching to another team for next year and I am quite concerned by the team’s bike choice. The only downside to falling in love with the Argon gear is that I think they have set my expectations of a bike a little too high for my current liking.
I built up a 2010 Gallium Pro frame and rode it for a little bit. I can’t comment too much on how similar it is to recent models, but I would imagine that there are a few commonalities.
-
The stack and reach numbers are very different from an R3. Compared to the R3, the Gallium has a much longer TT and I found that I was looking at riding a smaller frame (one-size smaller) for the Gallium vs. the R3.
-
The 3D extendable head tube seems like much more of a ‘gimmick’ than anything else. It just seems like a fancy, proprietary replacement for spacers. I think it’s argued that the 3D head tube is stiffer, but I’m not sure that it’s of much relevance, or offers a significant advantage.
-
The difference between an R3, SS EVO and Gallium Pro fit is fairly different. While I’m sure you could ‘make’ any of these work, it might be best to consider what fit characteristics you want from the frame and make a choice based on that.
-
Maybe it’s just my mediocre climbing abilities, but I have yet to notice any drastic differences in climbing characteristics between frames. So I wouldn’t factor that in to my choice of frames.
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro is a fantastic all round bike and the people behind it are just as good! I used the GP for all of 2014 and a chunk of the 2015 season it was by far my favorite bike until I got to play around on the new Nitrogen Pro. You can’t go wrong with either one honestly, as you can build both below the UCI weight limit and the ride quality is downright impressive on both.
In all fairness you should know that I spent the last two seasons on a team which was sponsored by Argon 18. Also I will be switching to another team for next year and I am quite concerned by the team’s bike choice. The only downside to falling in love with the Argon gear is that I think they have set my expectations of a bike a little too high for my current liking.
What did you find different between the Gallium Pro and Nitrogen Pro? Would you say the GP is a better bike for climbing? Is this Argon 18’s rendition of Cervelo’s R series vs S series?
Thanks!