When a brand offers us the chance to test a new bike, we don’t always have the opportunity to do so for long enough. Most of the time, we have only a few days to get used to the bike and draw conclusions from our experience.

A few months ago we shared an initial article introducing the new Argon18 Anti Matter, and now, after many kilometers on it, we’re sharing an in-depth test.

Snapshot of the bike build

Before we begin sharing our impressions and evaluations of riding the Anti Matter across different terrains and in various situations, we’d like to give you a clear picture of the unit’s build.

The Argon18 Anti Matter frame with an Iridium Silver finish is size S; according to the brand, this is equivalent to a size 51-53. It comes with an aerodynamic fork with up to 55mm of tire clearance, which, viewed from a riding position, is truly impressive. The lines sculpted into the frame to reduce air resistance are spectacular. They are noticeable both at the front (head tube, fork, and down tube) and at the bottom bracket area, and, of course, at the rear, with chainstays in the purest track or time-trial style.

As we mentioned in the Anti Matter presentation article, the brand designed this bike as if it was an ecosystem; Therefore, the components have also been part of this creation process, specifically for this model. The result is a cockpit dubbed the Atten CHB-01, featuring an integrated handlebar and stem, a width of 360 mm, and an aerodynamic design to match the rest of the package. Along the same lines, we find a carbon seatpost, also aerodynamic, with a 20 mm setback, paired with a 129 g Repente Quasar CR 2.0 saddle.

The groupset is an SRAM Red XPLR with a 44t aero chainring, a 10-46 cassette, and an SRAM UDH derailleur hanger. It’s worth noting that the Anti Matter is specifically designed for a 1x setup and supports up to a 52t chainring, making it suitable only for the most powerful riders. The oversized bottom bracket houses a CeramicSpeed ​​T47, which we love and is a guarantee of success.

In terms of wheels, it comes with the well-known ZIPP 303 XPL SW carbon wheels, which offer excellent performance and are perfectly integrated with the rest of the bike. They came fitted with 45mm Schwalbe G-One RS PRO TLR tires, and although they initially seemed to lack grip, they pleasantly surprised us as we rode.

Last but not least, the Anti Matter comes with a custom frame bag, designed in collaboration with Apidura, that fits perfectly and allows you to ride at top speed without compromising the bike’s aerodynamics. The bottle cages, also designed to match the bike, are aerodynamic and 100% functional, especially the one positioned directly under the bag, allowing for lateral access. In addition to the standard mounts for the two bottle cages and the bag, it also features three additional mounting points.

The complete set, including Shimano SPD pedals, frame bag, and cycling computer mount, weighs 8.350 kg. Not bad considering it’s a gravel frame with remarkable aerodynamic features.

From paper into the terrain

Argon18’s commitment to this bike is, undoubtedly, immense. The development and engineering behind the Anti Matter, making it the fastest in its class, are colossal. Aesthetically, when you see it in person for the first time, you need a few seconds to take it all in. The massive fork, along with the bike’s aerodynamic features and seatstays, makes it a truly unique machine. Without exception, the brand has aimed to elevate competitive gravel riding, and we believe they’ve succeeded.

Most of the time, when you receive a bike for testing, it comes with an uncut fork and the handlebars in the highest position by default. One detail we appreciated when we received this bike at our facilities was that the handlebars were flush with the frame. No spacers anywhere, completely clean, and with only one possible position: maximum aerodynamics.

From the very first pedal stroke, you can appreciate its stiffness and the impressive acceleration it delivers. We felt very comfortable using the Anti Matter, and we acknowledge that the riding position is demanding. If you’re not used to being so close to the bike, you might need a little adjustment at first. In our case, this position encourages us to always be ready to give our all. In other words, it’s like always riding at full throttle.

On flat terrain, the bike flies, especially with the right tires and air pressure. On descents, with such a large, aerodynamic fork, you can really feel the air flowing through it. It reminds us of the first time we rode tires with a depth of over 50mm on the velodrome and needed a few seconds to get used to fighting the wind while also taking advantage of it. One curious thing about the fork is that, from the handlebars, it looks huge, which we like, but you should keep in mind that any tire that would seem wide enough on another bike will look small on the Anti Matter, which can accommodate up to 55mm.

Moving on to the bike’s performance on more technical terrain, we feel it pleasantly meets expectations, though that is always a relative assessment. It can depend heavily on the rider’s skill, the terrain, tire pressure and size, among other variables.

When it comes to climbs, the bike continues to perform very well on long ascents. Perhaps the most critical point is the gearing you choose for the drivetrain, which, being 1x, leaves no room for error, so you’ll have to choose very carefully based on your planned race strategy.

Our final thoughts

We’ll end as we began this article. Having the opportunity to test bikes like this is a true privilege, and we’re incredibly grateful. We believe the Argon18 Anti Matter was created with a clear purpose, which is evident from the very first moment. It takes high-performance gravel riding to another level, and we’re sure the Canadian brand can be more than satisfied with their work.

We avoid concluding a test with evaluations or assessments that include both positive and negative aspects; however, we do like to be objective and transparent with the brands we work with and, especially, with our readers. Therefore, even though the Argon18 struck us as a true powerhouse, we also noticed a few details to consider for future use. Obviously, our aim is always to contribute and be constructive with our opinion.

Riding this bike has been an absolute pleasure, and we’ve enjoyed it immensely from the very first minute. How it reacts when accelerating in a sprint or how well it handles descents are just some of the qualities we’d highlight about the Anti Matter, but if you’re looking for a relaxed, adventure-oriented bike, this might not be the ideal choice. It’s responsive, very stiff, and designed to fly over gravel tracks, which demands a certain level of physical and technical skill, making it unsuitable for everyone.

The collaboration with Apidura to integrate the bag into the frame seems like a very positive and well-thought-out feature. We firmly believe it offers more than just the basics and that during a race, having tools or food readily available can be very useful. Furthermore, it’s easily removable and can be taken off the bike with just two screws. On the other hand, if you’re not used to riding with a bag and don’t manage the load inside well, it might get in the way at times. It’s not a critical issue, but it’s something to keep in mind.

In line with the above, due to the size of the unit we tested, we found that the water bottle and the bladder didn’t always fit together as well as we’d hoped.

We’ve spent the last few months putting it through its paces: quick rides, impromptu adventures, long runs, and even a race. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed it in every instance. We hope the brand is starting to reap the rewards of all the hard work they’ve put in over these past months. We hope this article has been helpful in learning more about the Anti Matter, and we encourage you to see it in person or try it out if you have the chance.