Argon 18 unveils Gallium Pro Disc race bike at Eurobike

Argon 18 has given its top-end Gallium Pro a disc brake makeover for 2017, unveiling the new model at Eurobike. The new bike aims to maintain the handling of the regular Gallium Pro, very much a race bike, while adding disc brakes and dropping a bit of weight.

The Canadian company will be sponsoring the Astana World Tour team in 2017 and if the UCI does restart the disc brake trial, this is the bike the team would be racing. 

The new Gallium Pro uses thru-axles, but rather than the more conventional systems we’re seeing on most other road bikes, Argon 18 has adopted the unique Naild thru-axle. 

It features a safety device that prevents the lever being accidentally opened, you have to depress the red tab to release the lever. The system also makes closing the thru-axle quicker with a tab that locates into position and is rotated through 90-degrees to close. We’ve seen it before on the Marin Gestalt gravel bike. 

In redesigning the frameset for disc brakes the tyre clearance has been increased to 30mm. There’s a 27.2mm seatpost to provide more comfort, as the narrower diameter seatpost can deflect more. There’s a chainsuck protector on the chainstay, flat mount disc mounts and a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket. 

Geometry is based on the regular Gallium Pro, with a size medium frame having 415mm chainstays, the minimum recommended by Shimano to avoid the potential for chainline issues that can occur with the wider 142mm rear axle needed to accommodate the disc brake.

There’s the same 3D System in the head tube for easy height adjustment, with three head tube heights available on each frame size. 

“True innovation begins where others settle for status quo. Argon 18 keeps pushing forward. Always. Cycling is our passion, and Argon 18 makes bikes for people who share our love of riding,” said Gervais Rioux, Argon 18 CEO and Founder. “That focus and commitment has taken our brand to a stronger place in the market.”