How Argonaut Cycles Perfected the Art of Carbon Bikes

Founded in 2007 by Ben Farver, Argonaut Cycles began with a deep appreciation for steel bicycles—valued for their stiff yet springy, firm yet compliant ride quality. By 2010, Farver had discovered he could replicate much of steel’s emotive feel in carbon fiber, while gaining the benefits of lighter weight and tunable performance through fiber type and lay-up variations.

A Revolutionary Approach to Carbon Construction

Unlike many contemporary carbon bikes that relied on traditional tube-to-tube construction, Farver developed a modular monocoque system comprising nine separately molded parts. Highlights of this innovative design include:

• Head tube assembly: Incorporates most of the top tube and upper down tube

• Seat tube upper half: Includes stubs for top tube and seatstays

• Down tube and bottom bracket: Molded together with lower seat tube, with stubs for chainstays

• Independent seatstays and chainstays: Molded separately for tailored stiffness and geometry

• Pivoting two-piece carbon dropouts: Accommodate a variety of rear triangle configurations

This unique modular design allows for custom geometry and highly tunable ride characteristics, setting Argonaut apart in the high-performance carbon bike market.

From Mold to Masterpiece

All parts are molded by Innovative Composite Engineering in White Salmon, Oregon, three hours north of Bend, and then final assembly takes place at Argonaut HQ in Bend, Oregon. This process ensures that every Argonaut bike delivers precision, performance, and ride quality that reflects the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship.

Explore more about how Argonaut Cycles blends innovation with tradition to create some of the world’s finest carbon bicycles.