Steel Argon 18 - what did I buy? and what is it worth?
01-14-22, 02:46 PM
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Steel Argon 18 - what did I buy? and what is it worth?
Hi All,
This was an impulse purchase... Lightweight, well-made, interesting and EL tubes. I can't find anything on this on-line. Anyone know anything about this bike? Does it have any value?
This was an impulse purchase... Lightweight, well-made, interesting and EL tubes. I can't find anything on this on-line. Anyone know anything about this bike? Does it have any value?
01-14-22, 03:10 PM
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I think it was a good impulse. Might be a bonus ELOS downtube. EL only bikes had a rep for being whippy I think.
...really nice build there.
...really nice build there.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
01-14-22, 03:19 PM
#3
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Argon 18 is a Canadian company since 1989, still cranking out bikes:
https://www.argon18.com/
I wonder if yours could be an early triathlon frame. It's possible the company has historical records of your particular frame.
https://www.argon18.com/
I wonder if yours could be an early triathlon frame. It's possible the company has historical records of your particular frame.
01-14-22, 04:28 PM
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First, I am very jealous. I am a huge argon fan, so yeah what a beauty.
Call up to Montreal, they will help you out. Great bike brand....I am a fan boy but yeah super nice find.
Call up to Montreal, they will help you out. Great bike brand....I am a fan boy but yeah super nice find.
01-14-22, 05:16 PM
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Did you get a fork with it? I didn’t know Argon 18 made a steel bike. They are a quality maker and I think you will enjoy that. Looks well made and has features of mid 90’s construction to my eye.
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01-14-22, 05:37 PM
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the forks are really nice, they have little "18" on the top of the forks. Nice quality craftsman.
01-14-22, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs
Did you get a fork with it? I didn’t know Argon 18 made a steel bike. They are a quality maker and I think you will enjoy that. Looks well made and has features of mid 90’s construction to my eye.
01-15-22, 10:41 AM
#8
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Nice bike
what you have is a Marinoni built Argon
they were very well made frames
a bit more attention to detail than a regular Marinoni
El is a bonus
what you have is a Marinoni built Argon
they were very well made frames
a bit more attention to detail than a regular Marinoni
El is a bonus
01-15-22, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by jdawginsc
I think it was a good impulse. Might be a bonus ELOS downtube. EL only bikes had a rep for being whippy I think.
...really nice build there.
...really nice build there.
01-16-22, 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
That's a Columbus EL OS tubeset with one of the optional Megatube down tubes. Late 1990s.
Much the better!
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
01-17-22, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Sahn
It came with a Time sprint CF fork and Shimano 105 triple crankset and components. The components didn't seem to match the frame - but I don't know what was original or not.
This was most likely sold as a frameset ---- The components are whatever the original owner wanted them to be.
Admittedly , a triple setup does not seem to match the intent of the bike , but then again ------
Pics of fast bikes with triples? - Bike Forums
01-17-22, 11:42 AM
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I got it for $200 as a complete bike. It was sitting for years and filthy/dusty. I was surprised at how well it cleaned up and the components showed minimal wear. If it were a size smaller, I'd be looking for an Argon 18 steel fork right now...
01-17-22, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Sahn
I got it for $200 as a complete bike. It was sitting for years and filthy/dusty. I was surprised at how well it cleaned up and the components showed minimal wear. If it were a size smaller, I'd be looking for an Argon 18 steel fork right now...
01-18-22, 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Sahn
I got it for $200 as a complete bike. It was sitting for years and filthy/dusty. I was surprised at how well it cleaned up and the components showed minimal wear. If it were a size smaller, I'd be looking for an Argon 18 steel fork right now...
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
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01-19-22, 09:37 AM
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I heard back immediately from both Argon 18 and Marinoni Cycles (why can't US companies be like this?). Marinoni did, indeed, build this bike. It was ordered in late '98 and completed in '99. The order was for a 56 cm EL/OS frame only - no fork.
I still haven't decided what to do with it - but THANKS all for the help.
I still haven't decided what to do with it - but THANKS all for the help.
01-19-22, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Sahn
I heard back immediately from both Argon 18 and Marinoni Cycles (why can't US companies be like this?). Marinoni did, indeed, build this bike. It was ordered in late '98 and completed in '99. The order was for a 56 cm EL/OS frame only - no fork.
I still haven't decided what to do with it - but THANKS all for the help.
I still haven't decided what to do with it - but THANKS all for the help.
01-19-22, 03:53 PM
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These where real nice Time Trial and Tri compitition level budget bikes when new, Great find can easily be built up with nearly any 90's to present components. As for value if good I would put the frame time fork at $200 and the whole bike at $400 and would say IMHO it's worth more as a rider if it fits good.
