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Ryan’s Argonaut Supernaut GR3

Build Kit

Frameset

Argonaut Supernaut GR3

Wheelset

Polymer Venture 38:38

Groupset

Shimano GRX Di2 + E*Thirteen 1X Carbon Crank

Tires

Vittoria Terreno Dry 700x38

Cockpit

ENVE IN-route Carbon Stem, Handlebar and Seatpost

This week’s Bike of the Week is a real showstopper from Oregon’s finest – and it’s something of an inside job, you might say, since Ryan is the Dealer Sales Manager for Argonaut.

But although Ryan is on the staff, he’s not just getting high on his own supply: the Supernaut GR3 was on his radar even before joining the company. We first met him last winter at our Meet the Maker event and we took Ryan and Ben – the founder of Argonaut – for a Saturday ride on a rainy, muddy morning. Perfect conditions for the GR3.

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Ryan is an experienced rider and having ridden the Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders routes, he had a clear idea of how his custom gravel bike should handle. The GR3 combines rowdy enduro-style descending with crit-like acceleration.

Ryan says: “For me, the Supernaut GR3 answered every question I had. I was looking for a no-nonsense, workhorse gravel bike to inspire adventures and encourage next-level performance. Gravel means something different to everyone, but for me, it's the closest thing to riding as a kid, when I didn't have a plan and just wanted the freedom to go anywhere I wanted. With the GR3, I can cover long road miles in comfort, smash out technical gravel and forest roads, and connect it all together with technical singletrack with confidence. It's the most fun someone can have on a bike, regardless of the surface.”

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The GR3 is designed to smash everything found on a typical gravel ride: a bit of smooth gravel, a bit of not-so-smooth gravel, a bit of singletrack and long days in the saddle. It has clearance for tires up to 50c and ultra-short 415mm chainstays, making it leap forward with every pedal stroke and carving every turn. It has a slacker front end than you’ll find on most gravel bikes – 68.5º – making it rocket downhill, fly over ruts and rip through everything in its path.

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Ryan’s experience and expectations were heavy help at the moment of designing the build of his GR3: “It’s a full workhorse,” he says. “I love the Shimano brakes, and crisp Di2 shifting with the GRX/XTR/e*thirteen hybrid groupset. The e*thirteen cranks are light and stiff, and the Polymer Workshop wheels provide the perfect compliance and traction, while carrying speed very well.”

We were very impressed with Ryan's bike and the style of the GR3, its geometry and the way it handled. We applaud Argonaut for creating something outside of the normal for gravel, something pas normal as a certain Danish apparel brand might say. If you are looking for a bike that is 100% made in the USA out of carbon-fibre and offers more than most, this is an amazing option.