BUILD YOUR DREAM BIKE
OUR PROCESS
1. CUSTOMER QUESTIONNAIRE
The first step in the Argonaut build process is for you to fill out this build questionnaire. This paints a picture of you as a cyclist and helps us design the layup pattern of your frame.
2. FRAME GEOMETRY
Next, we need to determine the geometry for your custom road bike. There are a number of ways to do this and can be accomplished by taking measurements from an existing bike, getting fit by a fitter in your area, or even flying to Bend for a full custom fitting at Argonaut HQ. We are happy to discuss your preferences here to find the best solution to determine your cockpit.
3. BUILD KIT
You’ll work with our head mechanic, on how best to build out your dream bike. The build kit descriptions on our site are intended to be vague, knowing that you probably have a favorite pedal or handlebar. If not, we certainly do and are happy to make recommendations.
4. PAINT DESIGN
Our in-house art director and will help lead you through the paint design process for your custom road bike. If you have a color combination in mind based on these website options Chris can create a mockup for you to verify. We’re also happy to come up with something completely new and unique. Here’s a link to what custom paint entails (link).
5. FRAME TOOLING
If your touchpoints on the bike happen to match up with one of our pre-designed geometries then we will pull the tooling for your bike from the shelf and begin prepping them for molding. If you need custom geometry, we’ll begin the design and machining process to cut your very own, one-off frame tooling
6. FRAME PART MOLDING
Your frame parts will be laid up and molded right here in our Bend facility with a carbon fiber layup pattern specific to your size and riding style. This is the coolest part of the Argonaut build process, and what makes our bikes so special.
7. FRAME BUILD
Our lead frame builder will prep and bond your molded frame pieces together. Fun fact, the same adhesive used to bond our frames together is used on SpaceX Rocket landing legs.
8. DESIGN REVIEW
Just to make sure we have everything 100% dialed we’ll reach out about 6 weeks before your target ship date to make sure all your paint details are correct.
9. SPRAY
Our painter’s job to make your frame look as good on the outside as it does on the inside, which is a tall order!
10. BUILD KIT CHECK-IN
We target to have all of your components on-site at least 4 weeks from your target ship date.
11. PHOTOSHOOT
Our photographer takes studio-quality photos of every bike we build for both our enjoyment and yours.
12. FINAL COMPLETE BUILD
There are many ways to build up a complete custom bicycle, but when it comes to our own bikes no one will take as much pride or care as we do. Our goal is for you to receive a race-ready bike. Our custom box makes it so that all you have to do to take off on your first ride is install the wheels and saddle, which is already adjusted to your specs with a marked insertion point on the seatpost.
Quality not Quantity
We build only a limited number of full custom bikes per year.
We start your bike entirely from scratch, it’s through our patented molding process, industry-defining carbon sourcing, and meticulous layups that we both redefine and fully embrace what it truly means to be custom. All our bikes start with a conversation as we work closely with you to create a perfect one-of-a-kind bike that is an extension of you as a rider. Select your build date and set the wheels into motion.
FAQs
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The target timeline for the above set of tasks is 4 weeks. Once you sign off on your paint design and build kit we ask for an additional deposit equaling the difference between your initial deposit and 50% of your complete bike cost. If you’re only purchasing a frameset from us then no additional deposit will be necessary.
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Depending on our backlog it can feel like you’re wasting away in no man’s land without any progress on your bike. We’re likely simply hard at work on other customer’s bikes, but please don’t hesitate to check in at any time during the period between design and build.
