Episode One of our carbon fiber deep dive explores how we engineer the Supernaut to deliver unmatched ride quality—not just through weight or stiffness, but through smarter carbon fiber design.

Picture this: You're deep into a long ride, miles from anywhere, when you hit a section of broken pavement that would rattle the fillings out of most bikes. But instead of bracing for impact, you find yourself smiling. The bike beneath you doesn't just absorb the chaos—it transforms it into forward momentum, keeping you comfortable, connected, and ready for whatever comes next.

That's not accident. That's engineering.

What Is Carbon Modulus—And Why It Matters for Ride Quality

You've probably heard terms like "high modulus carbon" tossed around in cycling, F1, or aerospace conversations. Marketing teams love these words. But what does that actually mean for your ride—and why should you care?

Let's cut through the noise:

Modulus is a measure of a material's stiffness—how much it resists bending when force is applied. Think of it as the material's personality under pressure.

High modulus carbon is very stiff and light, but also brittle and harsh. It's the overachiever that burns out.

Lower modulus carbon is more flexible, more durable, and better at absorbing impact. It's the athlete who goes the distance.

Here's the simplest way to understand it: Imagine hanging a weight from the end of two rulers—one metal, one rubber. The metal ruler stays perfectly straight under load but will eventually snap when pushed too far. The rubber ruler bends and survives, but offers little support for the weight. That's modulus in action—and in bike construction, the magic happens in finding the exact right equilibrium between these two realities. It's why the number on the spec sheet doesn't tell the whole story.

Why High Modulus Isn't the Answer

Many brands chase high modulus carbon because it delivers impressive numbers: lighter, stiffer, more "advanced." Sounds fast, right?

But here's where the ride story gets complicated:

Stiffness ≠ ride quality. A frame can be incredibly stiff and feel completely dead—wooden, harsh, disconnected from the road beneath it.

Brittle frames crack easier. A simple tip-over at the coffee stop shouldn't turn into a warranty claim that ruins your weekend.

Harshness adds fatigue. Every bump, crack, and surface imperfection gets delivered straight to your body—especially your lower back and hands. By mile 80, you're not just tired; you're beaten up.

Weight and stiffness are only part of the equation. The real goal? A bike that rides beautifully and holds up under real-world conditions, mile after mile, ride after ride.

How the Supernaut Is Engineered Differently

At Argonaut, we didn't design the Supernaut to hit spreadsheet targets or impress engineers at trade shows. We designed it to ride like nothing else on the road or trail—to be the bike you reach for when the ride matters most.

This starts with our proprietary High Pressure Silicone Molding (HPSM) process, which gives us unprecedented control over every aspect of the frame's construction:

Layup schedule — every single ply of carbon is placed with surgical precision, each one serving a specific purpose in the frame's overall performance.

Fiber orientation — we leverage carbon's inherent directional strength to create multiplanar compliance, meaning the bike flexes intelligently in multiple directions.

Material balance — we use intermediate or standard modulus carbon exactly where it performs best, not where it looks best on paper.

This level of control isn't just about manufacturing—it's about engineering a complete bike that delivers dynamic, responsive performance with long-haul durability baked into every tube, every junction, every ride.

Supernaut RM3: Responsive, Lively, Real-World Ready

The Supernaut RM3 represents everything we believe about intelligent carbon engineering. Made with intermediate modulus carbon—a conscious decision that lets us hit a true performance sweet spot:

Lightweight: Most builds roll out under 16 lbs, but that's just the beginning of the story.

Balanced stiffness for explosive power transfer without sacrificing the comfort that keeps you strong deep into long rides.

A responsive, lively ride that feels alive under you—not stiff and punishing, but eager and engaging.

Every ply in the RM3 flexes and rebounds in perfect harmony with your pedal stroke. The frame doesn't just transfer your power efficiently—it amplifies your effort, making every watt count. It doesn't just go fast—it feels fast, which is why you'll find yourself pushing harder, riding longer, and coming home with that satisfied exhaustion that only comes from a perfect ride.

Supernaut GR3: Built for More Abuse, Still Rides Like an Argonaut

When the terrain gets rowdy—when smooth tarmac gives way to chunky gravel, broken pavement, or those "shortcuts" that turn into adventures—the Supernaut GR3 picks up where the RM3 leaves off.

Built with standard modulus carbon, the GR3 embraces a different philosophy:

More durable, thanks to a more impact-resistant fiber that shrugs off the kind of abuse that would leave other frames cracked or compromised.

More damped, which translates to less fatigue on long, rough rides where every mile tests both bike and rider.

Still precise, still dialed, still infused with the ride spirit we obsess over at Argonaut.

Whether you're racing gravel, exploring chunky fire roads, or just getting lost for the weekend, the GR3 rides hard and holds up. It's the bike that says "yes" to every adventure, no matter how ambitious.

The Takeaway: It's Not About More Modulus—It's About More Intention

Here's what we've learned after years of building bikes for riders who demand more: The Supernaut isn't custom because it doesn't need to be. We've engineered it from the inside out to perform at the highest level—not through brute force or marketing buzzwords, but through smarter carbon, better processes, and a deep, almost obsessive understanding of how a bike should feel in motion.

Every decision we make comes back to one simple truth: Ride feel is our north star. And it starts with getting carbon fiber right—ply by ply, angle by angle, ride after ride.

This philosophy produces bikes that don't just meet the demands of serious riding—they redefine what's possible, delivering the kind of performance that makes every ride memorable, every mile enjoyable, and every climb just a little bit easier.

Come Ride with Us

Ready to see the engineering in action?

Join our Mt. Bachelor group ride this Friday at noon from Argonaut HQ. RSVP on Strava →

Swing by the Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium downtown Bend this Saturday. We'll be posted on the corner of Minnesota Ave & Bond St with the Argonaut Viewing Arena.

We'll talk bikes, watch the action, and celebrate the power of this community—under the lights, at full tilt, where every pedal stroke matters.