Since being announced during Eurobike 2019, the Argon 18 Krypton Pro has unarguably been one of the Canadian brand’s top models. With clever details, a unique carbon layup and a high level of integration, the Krypton Pro raises the bar for road bikes.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

For the Argon 18 Krypton Pro, the Canadian brand have made use of data gained during its collaboration with the Astana Pro Cycling Team in order to develop a better tuned carbon layup schedule. This is supposed to offer an optimised balance of stiffness and comfort while keeping the weight low – an endurance oriented concept with competitive aspirations.



The Argon 18 Krypton Pro in detail
The fully integrated, two-piece cockpit routes cables under the stem into the frame. Argon 18 also use their 3D+ system to optimise handling and riding position. Instead of traditional spacers, inserts can be fitted to cover the head tube, increasing the spacing of the headset bearings and acting as spacers at the same time. That makes it possible to adjust the bike with three different stack heights. This solution is also claimed to result in better stiffness in the cockpit compared to more traditional options. Alongside the aerodynamic details of the frame, the Krypton Pro features a direct mount derailleur mount, tire clearances for up to 700 x 32C tires, mounting bolts for a top tube bag and mudguards and a Di2 junction box integrated in the down tube. Our test bike, equipped with a Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 R8050 groupset, HED Vanquish GP V4 wheels and 700 x 28C Vittoria Rubino Pro tires weighs 7.55 kg in size M and costs € 8,340.

The Argon 18 3D+ system makes spacers superfluous and the integrated head tube cover keeps everything looking tidy. It’s both a technically and aesthetically successful solution.

With tire clearances for 700 x 32C tires there’s a lot of potential for additional comfort and gravel performance in the Krypton Pro

If you ever drop your chain, a guard stops it jamming or scratching the frame. Ready to rumble!
Argon 18 Krypton Pro
€ 8,340
Specifications
Seatpost Argon 18 TDS-C Race Light 20 mm
Brakes Shimano ULTEGRA R8050 160/140 mm
Drivetrain Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 R8050
Stem Argon 18 IST Carbon 110 mm
Handlebar FSA SL-K SCR Compact Carbon 420 mm
Wheelset HED Vanquish GP V4 tubeless
Tires Vittoria Rubino Pro 700 x 28C
Gearing 50/34 T und 10–32 T 2x11
Technical Data
Size XXS XS S M L XL
Weight 7.55 kg

If you want to carry food on board on longer tours, the bolts on the top tube will let you mount a top tube bag
The geometry of the Argon 18
Size | XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 420 mm | 450 mm | 485 mm | 520 mm | 555 mm | 590 mm |
Top tube | 496 mm | 516 mm | 537 mm | 558 mm | 580 mm | 604 mm |
Head tube (3D S) | 91 mm | 108 mm | 127 mm | 149 mm | 174 mm | 196 mm |
Head angle | 70.3° | 71.3° | 72.0° | 72.0° | 72.0° | 72.5° |
Seat angle | 75.5° | 74.9° | 74.3° | 73.7° | 73.1° | 72.5° |
Chinstays | 417 mm | 417 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm |
BB Drop | 80 mm | 80 mm | 78 mm | 78 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm |
Wheelbase | 981 mm | 989 mm | 997 mm | 1,013 mm | 1,030 mm | 1,043 mm |
Reach (S 3D) | 359 mm | 369 mm | 379 mm | 388 mm | 397 mm | 407 mm |
Stack (S 3D) | 519 mm | 539 mm | 559 mm | 580 mm | 601 mm | 624 mm |


Cross the finish line with a grin on your face, even if it’s just to the bakery. The Argon 18 is the fastest and most fun all-rounder in this test!

The Argon 18 Krypton Pro in review
The Argon 18 Krypton Pro reveals itself to be a capable and sprightly sprinter when accelerating from a standstill or out of corners. It doesn’t just inspire you to accelerate in every riding situation but, with its outstanding efficiency also maintains the speed that it has built up. The holistic approach to aerodynamic optimisation of the frame and perhaps even more importantly, the outstanding vibration damping, have both been very successful. While the comfort allows an aggressive position to be held for longer, the comparatively compact position makes attacking easier for any rider. In contrast to the pros, everyday riders who don’t earn their money with cycling usually don’t have 5% body fat and are often not as flexible. The 3D+ system helps here and makes it possible to achieve relatively upright positions, without having to stack a tower of spacers. Thanks to the 15 or 30 mm inserts, the look of the bike stays clean and handling remains consistent thanks to the increased spacing of the bearings. Argon 18 strike a superb balance between maneuverability and stability, which combined with the precision and good-natured handling results in a dependable and reliable ride. Being so consistent, everyone will be able to ride at their limit and beyond! Even when the road surface gets worse and you take a shortcut across gravel, you’re well served with the Krypton Pro. The mix of vibration damping and sprightliness set this bike apart from the rest.

Tuning tips: Tan wall tires would add the final little visual touch


Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Comfort
- firm
- comfortable
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
Conclusion
The Argon 18 Krypton Pro entered the test as an underdog and surprised the whole test team with its coherent and purposeful performance. Alongside with its predictable handling, sprightly acceleration and very good vibration damping, its biggest strength is that it doesn’t afford itself any weaknesses. At the end of this group test, the Krypton Pro ends up being the bike that we could recommend to anyone and everyone. As a result, it is the deserved winner of our Best in Test 2020!

Tops
- predictable handling
- balanced comfort
- light footed acceleration
- all-round performance

Flops
- 🤷🏼♂
For more info head to argon18.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review
All bikes in test: Argon 18 Krypton Pro | Bianchi Infinito CV Disc (Click for review) | BMC Roadmachine 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace (Click for review) | Cicli Bonanno Futomaki Disc (Click for review) | FOCUS IZALCO MAX DISC 9.9 (Click for review) | LOOK 795 BLADE RS DISC (Click for review) | OPEN U.P.P.E.R. (Click for review) | Pinarello Dogma F12 Team INEOS Edition (Click for review) | ROSE REVEAL SIX Dura Ace Di2 Custom (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Click for review) | Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap (Click for review) | VOTEC VRC PRO (Click for review)
No, it’s not about perfect race tracks, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along high-speed passages need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret “Smooth tarmac” bikes as follows: Hard efforts at high speeds with a maximum efficient bike on a consistently well-paved road. Effort-joy ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
… also known as bike riding. Broken-up roads in the hinterland, deadlocked gravel roads, loose surfaces – sometimes muddy, sometimes bone-dry. For this, it takes bikes with super all-round, handling and wearing qualities uphill and downhill. Effort-joy ratio: 50:50↩
If you want to use your bike almost every day, you usually do not need an extremely tuned racing machine. Solid components, which are able to cope with the rigours of continuous usage in any kind of weather, are part of the basic equipment. At the same time, the bike should have practicable details: integrated fenders/assembly options, luggage racks/attachment points and a light system or at least the option of installing bike lights. The position on the bike should be rather relaxed, the overall comfort high, so that the Afterwork Ride becomes a cure and not a curse. Effort-joy ratio: 30:70↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩
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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl