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ARGON GX

    1.599,00 €
    incl. 19% VAT , plus shipping costs (Rahmen)
    • Available immediately
KONFIGURIEREN
 Easy assembly  5 year warranty  Testride Technical Data  Custom Gallery

ARGON GX

GRAVEL AND CROSS

A gravel bike’s potential should shine on asphalt as well as on gravel and in light off-road terrain. The decisive factor here is correctly placing the bike along the wide spectrum from road performance to off-road capability, the bike wants to set the pace and the range that it can optimally cover. A gain in off-road performance through wider tires and a more upright riding position goes hand in hand with a loss of road speed and range due to higher air volume and rolling resistance. If, on the other hand, the focus is set more towards the road, narrower tires quickly reach their limits off-road and a front-heavy riding position makes handling more difficult. A classic conflict of objectives, in which NICOLAI’s Argon GX shows new and very interesting solutions. The Argon GX is a new addition to the Argon family, which includes lightweight NICOLAI hardtails and classics such as the Argon CC, Argon FR and Argon Road. The name comes from the gas argon, which is used as an inert protective atmosphere when welding the frames. GX stands for Gravel plus Cross.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENGINEERING

A NICOLAI bike is instantly recognizable even if it is not branded. Its characteristic flat-scaled welds and machined aesthetics of the milled parts are unique. Nothing is sanded down or concealed. The industrial design language is not a goal in itself. It reflects the product's development process, makes our design logic transparent and displays its properties and functions. This not only creates trust in the product, in its quality and durability, but also ensures a memorable brand within a constantly growing community. Handmade methods are not chosen for style and CNC machining is not used for mass production. We use each manufacturing technique in a specific manner so that the end result is always the best possible: a product into which we have poured all our resources, skills and passion and of which we are proud.

HOLLOW MILLED TECHNOLOGY

LOAD- AND WEIGHT-OPTIMIZED, HOLLOW-MILLED VOLUME COMPONENTS

Hollow Milled Technology is a design and manufacturing process that maximizes material and weight savings without weakening the structure in high-stress areas. E.g. the large volume components of the seat and chainstay yokes of our new Argon Generation. For this purpose, the stress zones in the material are determined by computer simulation during the design phase. Highly stressed areas can be strengthened while material can be saved in areas subject to low stress. This method is called topology optimization. The use of state-of-the-art 5-axis milling machines allows us to manufacture highly complex, hollow-milled frame components from a single block and to create an optimized design with the highest attention to detail.

As a result, the new Argon Yokes are not only lightweight and durable, they also look damn good.

TIRE WIDTH IS A CORE FACTOR

MORE GRIP, MORE SAFETY

The frame of the Argon GX is made of 7020-T6 aircraft aluminum not only for comfort through absorption and self-damping, especially considering the off-road capability of a gravel bike, the tires are an important core factor. The wider the tires, the lower the air pressure that can be run without risking a puncture, lower pressure means a larger contact patch for the tire off-road increasing grip and safety. The Argon GX can accommodate tires up to 45mm wide on 28 inch wheels or 50mm wide on 27.5 inch wheels, putting it at the upper end of the scale compared to other gravel bikes.

BOTTLE CAGE

ATTACHMENT POINTS FOR WATER BOTTLES AND ACCESSORIES

Even though many riders now rely on hydration or hip packs, few want to do without the option of a bottle cage within the front triangle. For a clean look, we offer our customised magnetic FIDLOCK mount together with a NICOLAI 0.6L Twist bottle. The FIDLOCK mount allows intuitive release and engagement of the water bottle in both directions even while riding, plus it’s secured in the frame even on the wildest rides and hardest hits. For further mounting options, for example to attach small toolboxes, pumps or bags, the NICOLAI frame clamps from our accessories line are ideal.

PINION

The innovative gear shifting solution from Stuttgart-based manufacturer, PINION, sets the bar for bicycle gearboxes. The resourceful Swabians have been close development partners of our company since 2012. Integrated into the heart of the frame, the PINION gearbox ensures a low center of gravity and outstanding riding dynamics. All sensitive moving parts of the gearbox are protected from moisture, dirt and damage inside a sealed housing. Service and maintenance requirements are minimal. Lightning-fast precise gear changes, shifting at any time, and instant multiple-shifts are among the strengths of the PINION transmission, as are its smooth and quiet operation, wide gear ratio range and identical gradation between all gears.

CABLE HOUSING AND ROUTING

TECHNICAL AESTHETICS

The cables and lines on the Argon GX are routed via minimalist, screwed guide clips in the down tube so the bike appears clean and tidy, which further emphasizes the technical aesthetics of the frame. There are multiple options at the front of the down tube on both sides. This allows for a variety of routing options including routing for a Shimano Di2 electronic shifting system and for a dropper seatpost.

BRAKES

FLAT MOUNT 140

Like mountain bikes, gravel bikes are equipped with disc brakes. This ensures a sensitive dosage of braking force with a constant pressure point regardless of dirt and weather. The Argon GX uses the new Flat Mount 140 standard, which allows a particularly compact, lighter brake design.

7020 ALUMINUM

We manufacture all NICOLAI frames from 7020-T6 aircraft aluminum and are convinced that this alloy is the superior material for mountain bike construction. Compared to the 6061-T6 (AlMg1SiCu) alloy normally used in bicycle construction, 7020-T6 (AlZn4.5Mg1) has about 30% higher tensile strength and about 20% higher elastic limit. Where carbon frames can spontaneously fail in the event of an overload, NICOLAI bikes are calculated and designed to deform in a safely defined area of the frame in the event of an overload, significantly reducing the risk of serious crashes and injuries. A NICOLAI aluminum frame is designed to withstand many years even under severe competition conditions.

6 FRAME SIZES

Most NICOLAI models are offered in 5 or even in 6 frame sizes, from XS to XXL. This provides customers between 1.55m and 2.10m with their perfect fit, a range that few other brands provide. A sizing chart for body and frame sizes can be found in our detailed Tech Sheets for each model. Building a perfectly fitting frame means much more than just extending it for each size. We take various factors into account here with regard to body proportions and rider weights, for example adapting tube cross-sections and thicknesses, modified geometry and particularly low standover heights for smaller sizes, or frame reinforcements that take into account higher weight and greater strength of XXL frame riders. Saddle position, stem height and shape, handlebar width and height serve to fine-tune geometry - albeit within a relatively limited range.

Rado

Rear Aligning Dropout

Our RADO dropouts guarantee perfect alignment between the front and rear wheels of the bike. Finalising the toe and camber of the rear wheel and fixing the RADO in an exact position means that every NICOLAI is always one hundred percent straight. Despite precise preparatory work, construction methods and the utmost care, any aluminum frame is subject to a certain amount of heat distortion during the welding process. Of course, after welding, each frame is straightened, precisely measured and the final alignment ensured. Instead of forcing the frame into alignment, the RADO can be precisely fixed in place with guided grooves and the choice of 5 different camber heights.

After locating the correct toe position along the guided grooves, the frame is drilled and the RADO is pinned by a dowel. The chosen RADO for each frame has the correct camber dimension milled into the RADO. This means that the original alignment is retained when the dropout needs replacing.

COLOR SELECTION

EXTRA LOVE

Thanks to our own powder coating facility, local anodisers, and our in-house production line, every NICOLAI frame can be customized to meet your individual needs. We process over 50 powder coat colors applied in high-gloss or semi-gloss finish, as well as fades and our classic ‘camo’ options. Customers can even choose a separate color for each welded frame component. Our frames can also be anodized with a glass-peened and durable black, bronze or titanium finish. For turned or milled components such as rocker linkages, bearing covers, or cable guides, we offer an extended ‘Extra Love’ range of anodized colors that allow color matching with your favorite branded components. We also offer an uncoated aluminum finish as "factory raw". To finish, add your choice of decal style, location, size and color to guarantee a unique, personalized and truly custom bike.

GET INSPIRED

Adventure Bike Packing

Rack & Fender

Multi day bike tours through remote areas are very much in vogue, and more and more bikers would prefer to experience their adventure on a fast, lightweight gravel bike instead of a classic touring bike. The Argon GX has all the mounting points for mounting mudguards and pannier racks. NICOLAI has succeeded in hiding these so discreetly that the look of a purebred gravel sports bike is not affected. The mounting threads for mudguards on the dropouts and inside of the yokes you discover only with a closer look.

TAILOR MADE

With our regular frame sizes, we cover a very wide range of body sizes and can offer the vast majority of bikers a perfectly fitting bike. However, there are also people who cannot find their optimal geometry within the range of standard sizes and adjustment options because, for example, they are particularly short, have exceptionally long legs or have a medical restriction. Our complete in-house production means we can offer frames specifically to measure and anything up to custom electric-assist tandems, for example.

MANUFACTURING QUALITY

Made in Germany

The manufacturing quality itself is not yet an added value for a customer. The following two added values “durability & precise driving characteristics”result from production quality. Only if the welds are welded deep into the root and have no notches, a bike frame can withstand the impacts from the ground for many years without breaking. Precise riding characteristics are achieved when the rear wheel is precisely straight to the front wheel and even a layman notices that an oblique bike rides strangely (but usually he thinks it’s because of his riding ability).

WARRANTY AND SPARE PARTS

All NICOLAI frame models come with a 5-year warranty against breakage and material failure, even when used in extreme conditions like racing or jumping. The prerequisites are that the respective models are used within the scope of their designated purpose and have only been equipped with approved components. In addition, we guarantee supply of spare parts for all models for at least 10 years. Since we manufacture all frame components ourselves on our own machines, it is even possible to reproduce sold-out spare parts beyond the 10-year period in certain cases.

BIKE CONFIGURATOR

NICOLAI offers the Argon GX as a custom build, where you can choose from various components and finish options via an online configurator to assemble a bike according to your own requirements and dreams.

CONFIGURE NOW

TRADE AND DISTRIBUTION

NICOLAI frame kits and complete bikes are offered in Germany through our direct sales channel. We offer off the shelf models, or completely customized dream builds with a wide choice of components via our online configurator. Personal discussions and direct contact with customers are our top priority.