Welcome back to our Myth of Modulus series, where we pull back the curtain on carbon fiber bike manufacturing and reveal why most "premium" bikes fall short of their promise. Missed our first episode? Catch up here to understand what modulus really means and why we've completely reimagined how carbon bikes should be built.
Today, we're diving deep into "The Cook," the critical moment where carbon fiber transforms from sheets into your dream bike. We'll explore our game-changing High Pressure Silicone Molding (HPSM) process and reveal why most Tour de France bikes are actually terrible choices for everyday riders like you and me.
The Cook: Where Magic Happens (Or Doesn't)
Picture this: You've just dropped $8,000 on a carbon bike that promises Tour de France performance. Twenty miles in, your lower back aches. By mile 40, you're wondering if you made a mistake. By mile 60, you're done. Not because your legs gave out, but because the bike beat you up.
This isn't your fault. It's the manufacturing process.
The Industry Standard: Good Enough Isn't Good Enough
Most manufacturers rely on latex inflatable bladders to compress their carbon during the cook. Think of it like trying to shape clay with a balloon. You get the general form, but precision? Forget about it.
This method has obvious advantages for mass production. If you're cranking out thousands of carbon bikes annually, you're going to cut corners somewhere. Unfortunately, that "somewhere" is usually ride quality and the final user experience.
The problem runs deeper than just convenience. When manufacturers use low-pressure latex bladders, the carbon fibers literally wander during the cooking process. Picture trying to keep spaghetti noodles perfectly aligned while stirring a pot. That's what happens to your bike's carbon structure.
To compensate for this chaos, manufacturers pack in extra "sacrificial" carbon layers that don't actually contribute to performance. They're just there to fill gaps and ensure the frame doesn't fall apart. You're paying premium prices for filler material.
Our Revolution: High Pressure Silicone Molding (HPSM)
At Argonaut, we refused to accept "good enough" marketed as "the best." So we developed our own path: High Pressure Silicone Molding.
The Rigid Mandrel Difference
Instead of inflatable bladders, we use rigid mandrels (think of them as precise internal molds). For complex parts like bottom brackets and dropouts, we use silicone. For longer tubes like the top and downtube, we switch to delrin.
Here's where the magic happens: Our technicians lay up individual plies of carbon fiber one by one, at exactly the same angles and fiber direction they'll maintain in the final part. No guesswork. No wandering fibers. Just precision.
Because we're working with rigid mandrels, we can invert the traditional layup process. Instead of laying carbon onto an exterior mold and hoping for the best, we build from the inside out with complete control over fiber orientation.
Three Times the Pressure, Infinite Times the Control
When our parts go into their metal molds, there are no gaps or filler layers. The precision of our mandrels means every bit of expansion during the cook works to lock those layers exactly where they belong.
With approximately three times the pressure of a latex bladder, our mandrels create flawless interior surfaces. When you peer inside an Argonaut frame, you'll see perfectly placed layers of carbon without any fiber distortion. This is a stark contrast to the chaotic mess inside mass-produced frames.
This isn't just about aesthetics. Every precisely placed fiber contributes to your bike's performance, creating the perfect balance of stiffness where you need it and compliance where you want it.
Why Tour de France Bikes Miss the Mark for Real Riders
Here's a hard truth: The fastest bike isn't necessarily the stiffest bike. It's the one that delivers you freshest to the challenges ahead.
The UCI and Mass Production
Professional racing bikes are restricted by UCI regulations requiring them to be production models. So companies like Cervelo and Specialized build all their bikes to match the flex and stiffness that riders like Wout van Aert and Lotte Kopecky demand.
As inspiring as those athletes are, and don't get us wrong, we love World Tour cycling, the reality for the rest of us is different. You're not putting out 1,500 watts in a sprint. You're not racing 180 miles in a day, for weeks in a row, with a team car following you. You're a real rider with real limitations, and you deserve a bike built for your actual needs.
Built for You, Not the Peloton
While pro bikes are optimized for brief moments of explosive power, our bikes are engineered for the long haul. We want you feeling as fresh at mile 80 as you did at mile 8, whether you're on day five of a cycling vacation riding the stages of the Tour or tackling your first century out your back door.
This is where our custom layup process shines. Even if you and your riding buddies all choose the same RM3 model, you'll each be riding completely different machines. Each bike is built one ply at a time, for one rider at a time, completely personalized for your body, your riding style, and your goals.
The result? You'll go faster not because you're riding a wind tunnel superstar, but because you're riding a bike that works with you instead of against you. Check out David Arthur's review of our RM3 Supernaut to see what this feels like in practice.
Meet Us at MADE Show Portland
We're heading back to Portland this August for the MADE Show! While we won't have a dedicated booth, we'll have a stunning special edition bike featured at the entrance of MADE HQ. This is a perfect showcase of our HPSM process in action.
Since we don't have a booth to staff, we're using this as an opportunity to connect directly with riders like you. Want to learn more about our process? Curious what it's like to ride an Argonaut? Ready to take the first step in building your dream bike?
Reach out to Ryan ([email protected]) or Joe ([email protected]) and we'll coordinate a meeting during the show weekend of August 22-24.
Where in the World: Our Racing Calendar
We're not just heading to MADE. We're also diving into the second half of the racing circuit with our Factory Racing crew:
- August 22-24: Gravel Worlds in Nebraska (same weekend as MADE!)
- September 18-20: Gravel Nationals in La Crosse, Wisconsin
- October 16-18: Big Sugar in Bentonville, Arkansas (Lifetime Grand Prix Series finale)
Whether you're racing, riding, or just want to say hi, drop us a line. Come find us at the expos or try to hold our wheel in the peloton. We'd love to meet you.
Ready to experience the difference that precision manufacturing makes? Our custom carbon fiber bikes aren't just built differently. They ride differently. Contact us today to start your journey toward the world's best riding bike.