The Gallium Pro – Proven on the Cobbles
The Gallium Pro wins the first cobbled Classic of 2018 thanks to Michael Valgren of Astana Pro Team. Victorious at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Valgren takes his biggest career win on his Argon 18.
“I’m super happy with the new Argon 18 Gallium Pro. This Gallium Pro has improved stiffness and the bike responds to every pedal stroke. With this bike, we can be even more competitive in the races. I like the stiffness and the weight, you can feel it on the climbs as well as the cobbles. Argon 18 has developed a really good all-around bike for riding on flat terrain, short or long climbs and quick accelerations. During my training, I feel super safe in the descents. It’s good to have a bike you can trust.
For the classics this means I can deliver maximum power on normal roads and on cobblestones and short climbs as well. I feel confident during the race, knowing that I can deliver whatever it takes because of my Argon 18 Gallium Pro.”
–Michael Valgren
Light and stiff bikes make better climbers
The Astana Riders still had legs to attack after the Muur, due in part to having the right bike for the climbs. While we kept the Gallium Pro’s geometry intact, its tube shapes have been refined to shave some extra weight from our frame, making it our lightest bike ever! Thanks to a new carbon layup, we were also able to make it even stiffer.
Our R&D team worked on every possible weight savings for the frame, from new and optimized cable routing parts, seat collar, all the way to frame specific riveted front derailleur hanger.
Comfort on cobbles takes you to the finish line
While a light and stiff bike is right for the climbs, the Classics also call for comfort. Astana Rider Michael Vagren really put the Gallium Pro to the test on the 196km of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Staying fresh and focused after numerous miles of cobbled road is not an easy task, but the Gallium Pro offers compliance that was up for the task.
Note that while Valgren rode to victory on 25 mm tyres, the Gallium Pro now allows for 28 mm tyres, giving riders extra comfort options on long rides.
Valgren’s Gallium Pro Full Specifications
Frame: Argon 18 Gallium Pro
Fork: Argon 18 Gallium Pro
Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra, 11-28
Crankset: FSA Powerbox, 53/39
Wheels: Corima 32 WS
Tires: FMB Paris-Roubaix, 25mm handmade tubulars used for the event // Astana riders usually race Shwalbe tyres
Handlebars: FSA Energy alloy
Stem: FSA K-Force Light
Tape/grips: Prologo
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon
Saddle: Prologo Dimension Nack
Seat post: FSA K-Force Light
Bottle cages: Tacx Deva"
