gbedard

Hi there!

It's my first post on the forum and hopefully not the last!

I'm in possession of a splendid early Argon18. The bike is in mint conditions and after a few thoughts of selling it, I changed my mind and decided to go for the last parts to make it 100% period correct.

The bike was welded by Marinoni when he was building frames for Argon18 and this fact only make me wants to keep it, as it is a part of Quebec's bike history.

From the parts on the bike, I estimate the year to be 1993, but it could differ. Here is the actual part list:
• Shifter - Dura Ace ST-7400 8 speed
• Crank - Dura Ace FC-7402 172.5mm 53x39
• Bottom Bracket - Dura Ace BB-UN91
• Brakes - Dura Ace BR-7403
• Pedals - Dura Ace PD-7410
• Headset - Dura Ace HP-7400
• Front derailleur - Dura Ace FD-7403
• Rear derailleur - Dura Ace RD-7402
• Seatpost - Dura Ace SP 7400
• Rear hub - Dura Ace FH-7403
• Front hub - Dura Ace HB-7400
• Hanbdlebar - Mavic 42cm CC
• Stem - Mavic 100mm
• Rims - Mavic Open 4 CD
• Cassette Dura Ace CS-7401 12x23

And a picture of the bike (more at https://www.flickr.com/photos/guilla...7649772615266/)


So I'd like to buy a fewparts and I'd like to have input from a few connaisseur, I'm really not sure where to go for:

-Saddle (maybe a Ti Flite)
-Tires
-Bottle cage and bidons
-Stem (Maybe a DA, but the Mavic is really nice)

So what do you all think?

Cheers!

devinfan

That is one splendid bike. I had no idea argon 18s were evn being made then. Whatever small changes you want to make, it looks amazing just as it is. Congrats!

John E

Lookin' good, but then I am partial to red bikes.

gbedard

Thanks! I was also really surprised to see an italian steel Argon18 for sale a few years back. Didn't even know they made bike in something else than alu or carbon.

There's not much to change on it and it will be perfect!

mikemowbz

I'd echo devinfan on the notion that it looks just dandy as is!

And I have to agree that you've got a cool piece of Quιbec cycling history right there.

I've heard of the Marinoni connection with early Argon 18, but have only rarely seen these bikes (and I lived in Montrιal for 6 years).

Whatever small changes you might choose to make, of course, can only dial it in further to your tastes.

With regard to a saddle - something that suits your anatomy is more important than any other consideration, IMHO. Aesthetically speaking, and thinking period-correct, a Flite Ti or a Concor Light (the latter made in various versions since '89) might hold out some promise.

For cages...Elite Ciussi? They've been making these since 1992. A set in red or in stainless (or possibly black or yellow?) could certainly fit right in. I'd go with stainless.

With regard to stem...what's wrong with the Mavic on there now? If you wished to change length, and so were set on switching it out, Dura Ace would fit right in as a match with the group. Marinonis often came stock with 3T stems, so perhaps a period-correct 3T Record would be another option? An attractive, sleek, classic quill (not that different from you've got!) I've personally been put off by occasional creaking issues with the DA stems...and tend to think, if the current Mavic works fit-wise: why fix what ain't broken?

Thanks for sharing! Love that seat stay treatment (and pretty much everything else about this bike).

gbedard

Thanks for the input Mike, I'll look into those Elite bottle cages.

I maybe wanted to swap the stem to complete the DA group, but then like you said, the Mavic stem on the bike right now is perfect for me and fits right with the build so I think I won't touch it.

Now the tires will maybe be the harder parts to choose from.

Dfrost 

I'm a big fan of the tires that Compass sells:

Compass Bicycles: 700C Tires

reissue59

The bikes were made by Marinoni, fantastic machines
Check the fork, most have straight forks, no bends
Contact me if you want more info