I got my base model Krypton in late 2021 and have been loving my cycling ever since. The extra stack height available makes for a really comfortable postion for a long-bodied oldie. The bike weighs over a Kg more that my old carbon racer, but on the first ride I smashed my PB on the local 10% hill without trying. It definitely has some climbing magic.
And there’s something I’ve said for ages. Bike weight isn’t the be all and end all for most people. Power transfer, comfort and handling are so important
This is the best geo endurance/allroad carbon frame ive come across, for my tall inseam. A couple years back you were able to purchase some argon18 framesets here in Aust. I hope they come back with this Pro model, or frameset availability.
An honest, detailed review Chris. 2 qus: can you run the Enve 4.5's with a tpu inner tube? And the top tube bag, does the front of the bag, catch the back of the stem when turning the handlebars? The downtube concealed "saddle pack" is a a superb idea.........arguably for most bikes? Good design Argon, Chapeau !
You can run enve hookless rims with any tube. The "tubeless only" rule means that you can only use tubeless or tubeless ready tires, whether they're set up tubeless or with tubes. Air pressure is always perpendicular to the surface its pushing against, whether there's a tube or not. Source: I'm a pro mechanic with REI
Heya mate. You can run Enve rims with inner tubes. The top tube bag doesn’t cause any issues catching on the stem. No issues at all with steering. You can actually position it back further if you like but I think it looks cleaner nice and close. I absolutely love the frame storage too. It makes so much sense and looks so clean too.
@ChrisHallRides Brill, thanks for the reply Chris, all points duly noted & scribbled down ( for future reference - quite possibly a new argon frameset this year🙂👍)
Great video. As for PF BB, I believe they’re equally as good as threaded BB, with the caveats of: good quality frameset from reliable manufacturers & more careful installation (in which one can be ‘less careful’ with threaded BB) (?). I like the fact that you chose Shimano gears they are extremely reliable (as with many traditional Japanese brands philosophy that put reliability & durability equally important to performance). Again, it’s a great video. Keep it up 👍
Is there enough slack in the front end hose / cable routing to allow ease of headset service, such as a clean and re grease? Im assuming that disconnection and re bleed are required if new bearings are needed?
Yep there is indeed if needed. Yes you would probably have to disconnect the hoses if you need to replace the bearings but I’ve always found headset bearings last well
Neither is better really, they’re very different bikes. The SUM is much more of an all round road racing bike which the krypton can pretty much do whatever you throw at it. The SUM is more aggressive and responsive whilst the Krypton is more of an all day geometry, so slightly longer wheelbase and higher front end. Really depends what it is you wanted to do. If you want a bike that covers everything, a bit or road, gravel, that kind of thing the krypton is the bike to choose. If you want a bike which is more aggressive and a perfect crit/ road racer but is only for the road, I’d pick the SUM. The SUM is still surprisingly comfortable compared to other race focused bikes I’ve ridden
I got my base model Krypton in late 2021 and have been loving my cycling ever since. The extra stack height available makes for a really comfortable postion for a long-bodied oldie. The bike weighs over a Kg more that my old carbon racer, but on the first ride I smashed my PB on the local 10% hill without trying. It definitely has some climbing magic.
And there’s something I’ve said for ages. Bike weight isn’t the be all and end all for most people. Power transfer, comfort and handling are so important
Awesome breakdown of your set-up, specs, and thoughts on the A18 Chris! Can't wait to see you ride it in 2024 🔥
Thank you! Absolutely loving it so far!
This is the best geo endurance/allroad carbon frame ive come across, for my tall inseam. A couple years back you were able to purchase some argon18 framesets here in Aust. I hope they come back with this Pro model, or frameset availability.
I believe that they’re working hard to grow their availability globally
I still have a 2014 Krypton, back when it was an out and out road bike. Argon 18 is a legit bike company, best kept secret in Canada!
You are SO RIGHT! I'm so impressed with everything I have ridden so far.
An honest, detailed review Chris. 2 qus: can you run the Enve 4.5's with a tpu inner tube? And the top tube bag, does the front of the bag, catch the back of the stem when turning the handlebars? The downtube concealed "saddle pack" is a a superb idea.........arguably for most bikes? Good design Argon, Chapeau !
You can run enve hookless rims with any tube. The "tubeless only" rule means that you can only use tubeless or tubeless ready tires, whether they're set up tubeless or with tubes. Air pressure is always perpendicular to the surface its pushing against, whether there's a tube or not.
Source: I'm a pro mechanic with REI
Heya mate. You can run Enve rims with inner tubes. The top tube bag doesn’t cause any issues catching on the stem. No issues at all with steering. You can actually position it back further if you like but I think it looks cleaner nice and close. I absolutely love the frame storage too. It makes so much sense and looks so clean too.
Thank you for answering that too @poorworksmanship!
@ChrisHallRides Brill, thanks for the reply Chris, all points duly noted & scribbled down ( for future reference - quite possibly a new argon frameset this year🙂👍)
@PoorWorksmanship thanks for info supplied, it's appreciated 👍
Great video. As for PF BB, I believe they’re equally as good as threaded BB, with the caveats of: good quality frameset from reliable manufacturers & more careful installation (in which one can be ‘less careful’ with threaded BB) (?). I like the fact that you chose Shimano gears they are extremely reliable (as with many traditional Japanese brands philosophy that put reliability & durability equally important to performance). Again, it’s a great video. Keep it up 👍
You’re completely right. As long as the frameset is a good quality and the BB is good quality and installed correctly and carefully they can be great.
Is there enough slack in the front end hose / cable routing to allow ease of headset service, such as a clean and re grease? Im assuming that disconnection and re bleed are required if new bearings are needed?
Yep there is indeed if needed. Yes you would probably have to disconnect the hoses if you need to replace the bearings but I’ve always found headset bearings last well
Hi Chris can you use additional spacers along with the larger 3D headset?
Yea you can if you need yo
thanks for the video! how long is the warranty on the frame?
Up to 5 years. You can read about it here: www.argon18.com/en/support/warranty
@@ChrisHallRides Thanks!
No problem!
Will a Badlands video be coming out soon?
It came out in December
@@ChrisHallRides Great! I'll look for it. Beautiful bike. I'm glad to see you getting sponsors. I really enjoy your channel.
Thank you!
What brand headlight do you have on the bike?
Exposure
How do you feel about this cycle compared to the Sum Pro? Which one would you say is better/prefer and why? Thanks
Neither is better really, they’re very different bikes. The SUM is much more of an all round road racing bike which the krypton can pretty much do whatever you throw at it. The SUM is more aggressive and responsive whilst the Krypton is more of an all day geometry, so slightly longer wheelbase and higher front end. Really depends what it is you wanted to do. If you want a bike that covers everything, a bit or road, gravel, that kind of thing the krypton is the bike to choose. If you want a bike which is more aggressive and a perfect crit/ road racer but is only for the road, I’d pick the SUM. The SUM is still surprisingly comfortable compared to other race focused bikes I’ve ridden
@@ChrisHallRides Thank you!
I guess this is not a new question: what about your Cervelo ZHT-5 MTB build? Do you still use it or do you have an alternative in mind?
I have an alternative in mind.
Well explained - now I get it
Thank you!
Enve stopped making wheels with CK R45 hubs. Deal breaker
You can still get them in the UK with chris king hubs
nice!
Thanks!
👍👍👍👍👍
The one thing it is not for is my wallet :D
They’re expanding the range greatly to have more price conscious versions down to mechanical Shimano 105 12 speed options
The amount of goop EVERYWHERE during that bottom bracket install makes me sad.
Use more and wipe away after. So often people done use enough
BATMAN
🖤
You can’t do everything with 40c max 😂
You can definitely do a heck of a lot