Argon 18 is a Canadian

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 cycle manufacturer started in 1989 by Gervais Rioux in Montreal

Montreal

Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...

, Quebec

Quebec

Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....

. The name is derived from the element, which is number 18 on the periodic table of elements; it's also one of six natural noble gas

Noble gas

The noble gases are a group of chemical elements with very similar properties: under standard conditions, they are all odorless, colorless, monatomic gases, with very low chemical reactivity...

es. The company's bikes use names derived from other elements. Designed by ex-Olympian Gervais Rioux using carbon fiber

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...

 or aluminum frames, they are distributed in 31 countries. Argon 18 is sponsoring the new Canadian pro cycling team, SpiderTech beginning with the 2010 season on the UCI

UCI

UCI usually refers to the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for the sport of cycling.UCI may also refer to:* United Cinemas International* United Kennel Clubs International...

Continental America Tour.

Cycle technology

Oneness Concept
ONEness concept is used on the front end of the e-114, a completely integrated aero and stemless fork/aerobar combination that is designed to be aerodynamic and ergonomic. The design extends to the frame, fork, headset, bullhorn and aero bars, brakes and levers as well as a reversible carbon seatpost which can be(76/78°).
3D Headtube
This is found on the 2009/2010 Gallium and the Gallium Pro. This consists of interchangeable structural spacers that extend the headtube’s height.
Nano-Tech Carbon
Narno-Tech is Argon 18s own carbon fibre,they use several different variants of this carbon,high-modulus (hm) or high-Tensile (ht) each one does a specific job

• 6600HM - Light weight and comfort
• 6006HM - Very stiff for power transfer
• 6003HM - maximize resistance to torsional stresses and vibration
• 5606HM - Rigidity & comfort
• 5600HM - Rigidity
• 5000HM - Vibration absorption & rigidity
• 4005HT - Vibration absorption
• 3050HT - Lightweight & stiffness

Products

Time-Trial/Tri

• Mercury
• E-80
• E-112
• E-114

Road

• Gallium Pro
• Gallium
• Krypton
• Radon
• Plutonium

Cyclo-Cross

• Arsenic

Track

• Electron

Hybrid

• Cobalt Lux
• Cobalt

External links

• Argon 18 official site
• http://www.bikerumor.com/2008/10/10/interbike-2008-argon-18-bicycles/
• http://www.roadbikereview.com/