A gravel bike to shred trails with: a review of the new Argonaut Cycles GR3

The Argonaut GR3: A Gravel Bike to Shred Trails With

At Argonaut Cycles in Bend, Oregon, we’re on a quest—not for the Golden Fleece, but for the pinnacle of custom carbon bike design. Our latest achievement, the Argonaut GR3, has been recognized by Cycling Weekly as a gravel bike that “shreds trails” and offers a perfect blend of capability and responsiveness.

Designed for the Modern Gravel Racer

The GR3 is the result of three years of design, research, and testing. Founder Ben Farver envisioned a bike that combines the agility of a road bike with the ruggedness required for gravel racing. As Farver explains, the GR3 is “the perfect bike for riding and racing we like to do around here,” which includes fast roads, smooth and rough gravel, sandy cinder trails, and plenty of singletrack.

Key Features of the GR3

  • Slack Front End: A 68.5° head tube angle paired with a 57mm rake fork provides stability and control when descending at speed.

  • Short Chainstays: At 415mm, the short rear triangle keeps the bike lively and responsive, ideal for sprints and climbs.

  • Lower Bottom Bracket: A 75mm drop allows for more stability and tire clearance up to 50c tires.

  • Custom Carbon Layup: Utilizing standard modulus carbon for durability, the layup is tailored to each rider's specifications.

  • Integrated Cockpit: The frameset includes an Argonaut stem designed in-house for stiffness, durability, and fully internal cable routing.

  • Lightweight Build: The test bike, built with Campagnolo Ekar, Zipp 303 wheels, and Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge tires, weighed a claimed 16.8 lbs.

  • Pricing: Framesets (frame, fork, stem) are priced at $6,500, with complete builds available at higher price points.

A Gravel Bike That Does It All

Cycling Weekly praises the GR3 for its versatility, noting it as a “capable featherweight race machine” that impresses with its performance across various terrains. The GR3's design allows it to excel on fast roads, rough gravel, and technical singletrack, making it a top choice for gravel enthusiasts seeking a high-performance bike. 

Explore the GR3

Discover how the Argonaut GR3 can elevate your gravel riding experience. With its custom design, high-performance features, and versatility, it's built to handle whatever the trail throws at you. Visit our website to learn more about the GR3 and how it can be tailored to your riding style.

Join the Argonaut community .

Get the latest news, builds, tech, adventures, and exclusive offers straight to your inbox.