Genuine Argon 18 bike or not?

Triathlon Forum
1

Looking at a bike but not sure if its genuine or not as the seller claims a previous owner resprayed it to his team colours and then back prior to selling it to him. I’ve heard stories about resprays for various reasons before and have doubts if the serial numbers are no longer there or visible.

Claimed to be a genuine E-116, 2016 model.

What do you think guys and gals?
******
Here’s the tech card from Argon 18 on the web ;
https://www.argon18bike.com/uploads/files/tech-cards-2015.pdf

Cheers

ARGON 18 E-116 FB GRP 1.jpg

2

looks legit to me, I haven’t seen a clone of that frame.

3

I believe the bike is legit but I think its a 2012-2013. Here is a whole gallery of the things if you want to do a detailed comparison(https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Bring_out_your_Argon_18_E-118/E-116_P4212306/?page=-1)

I am basing my age estimate on the fact that t some point, and I am not sure when, Argon-18 cleaned up the drop out section. Here is a 2015 with the cleaned up drop out for reference (https://www.flickr.com/photos/glorycycles/16775191752). Your bike has the older style drop outs so I doubt its a 2016. Bikes with the older style dropouts may well have been sold over a number of years and the original owner may have purchased it in 2016 but it was old stock at that point.

4

it does look consistent with the 2015 E-116 that you linked to.

Although I have seen some Argon 18 knock offs on-line, there are a couple of features that help me believe that it’s legit.

  1. The 3D head tube. I have never seen knock off Argon 18 frames with a real 3D system.
  2. The seat post saddle clamp. That saddle clamp is fairly unique and most knock offs just go with something more typical.
5

Hi,

I m working at argon 18, I know that that some Chinese copies has been around. For sure, the 3D system on it is a good sign. Just give me a day so I can check if we were placing sn number on the steerer or others signs.

Thanks

6

Can anyone point me to where the frame numbers would be on an E-116 please?
Thanks

7

Sorry for the delay.

The SN should be under the brakes (under BB). The bike look legit with the 3D system but the only way to confirm it is to get the SN and got it approved by your local distributor. Maybe you can ask about the reason of the paint. For sure, it’s not from us.

8

The bar coded serial/frame number is not present there due to the resprays.

Anywhere else on the frame?

Thanks.

9

Hi,

It should be inside the fork. Unfortunately, at this time, it wasn’t on the steerer.

10

Thanks
Where abouts on the fork please?