Sinclair to Distribute Argon 18 in U.S.

[admin]

VERDI, NV (BRAIN)—Sinclair Imports has entered into a long-term agreement with Argon 18 to exclusively distribute the Montreal-based high-end road brand in the United States. Argon 18, established in 1989, previously sold direct to U.S. retailers.

“We’ve been negotiating with numerous bike brands including Argon 18 for a long time now,” said Lance Donnell, president and chief executive officer of the 23-year-old Nevada distributor.

Sinclair Imports was actively looking for a bike brand after its distribution deal with Ridley came to an end earlier this year. Sinclair’s Mike Taylor, who was the brand manager for Ridley, will now handle Argon 18. The brand’s 2009 road and tri bikes are available through Sinclair now.

Donnell has known Gervais Rioux, former Canadian road champion, ex-Olympian, founder and owner of the company, since the ‘80s during his racing days. “I raced against him in Nevada City in 1987. He attacked immediately and dropped me like a rock,” Donnell recalled.

“They have an incredible road line,” Donnell added. “Thus far, their biggest success has been in triathlon. That market is in the West. I see us developing the tri side of Argon 18 in the West and East. And then I see us getting much deeper penetration with the road side.” Argon 18’s E-114 triathlon/time-trial bike has won the company two design awards.

“We knew down the road that it was important for us to have a U.S. distributor,” said Marc-Andre Perron. “We expect to grow because we only started putting energy into the U.S. market two years ago.”

Dealers stand to benefit from the deal with faster shipping times—particularly to the Western states, higher margins, better terms (up to Net 90 terms), better warranty service and deep inventory levels, Donnell said. Though shipping to the East Coast will still take a week, it’s still preferable to shipping across the Canadian border.

“Duty drawbacks with customs is fairly complicated and time consuming,” Donnell said. “We’ll be importing directly from the supplier so we will keep a deep stock and when they need deep stock, we can sell them stock. The proximity between Reno and Montreal will be nice to fill the holes.”

Donnell also said prices for 2010 Argon 18 bikes will not increase as a result of the deal and retailers will benefit from free freight from Sinclair.

Argon 18 is currently sold through 40 U.S. shops.

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[roseyscot]

that's a far cry from Ridley but at least they are staying in the frame game and bringing better US representation for a small brand.

[DarrenCT]

good score

atmo - these bikes look better than the ridleys plus the founder seems like an cool cat


grant - u know this canuck?

[hampco]

Bother Andy speaks highly of Gervais, frames are made by Martek iirc.

[acotts]

Martek is the factory that makes bikes for the big boys like Specialized, Scattante and Giant right?

[EDS]

Martek is the factory that makes bikes for the big boys like Specialized, Scattante and Giant right?

Giant makes their own bikes.

[Polyglot]

First De Rosa, then Ridley and now Argon-18. I hope the volume and margins are such that both Gervais and Lance can make a go of it. The Argon-18 bikes have always represented good value for money.

[crumpton]

First De Rosa, then Ridley and now Argon-18. I hope the volume and margins are such that both Gervais and Lance can make a go of it. The Argon-18 bikes have always represented good value for money.

i'm sure someone could correct the dates

lemond '91
C-4 '94
fondriest '97 or '98
derosa '00
ridley '05??
argon '09

i love sinclair but i miss glenn. i hope they find their way with argon.

[Polyglot]

i'm sure someone could correct the dates

lemond '91
C-4 '94
fondriest '97 or '98
derosa '00
ridley '05??
argon '09

i love sinclair but i miss glenn. i hope they find their way with argon.

I didn't want to be too hard...

[taylorj]

You sure know your stuff! We are adding more exclusives as well (even look for some old stuff to make a comeback into the USA and some new stuff which has not yet been available in the USA! cOMING SOON!) Keeping my mouth shut has never been my forte. Sigh...

Happy Birthday Mr. Crumpton! Come back to Reno and let's ride! That Rootbeer Crumpton in town and is a regular sighting!

P.S. Everyone misses Glen! He was here last week getting some bike stuff (off season for him as skiing is his thing!)

i'm sure someone could correct the dates

lemond '91
C-4 '94
fondriest '97 or '98
derosa '00
ridley '05??
argon '09

i love sinclair but i miss glenn. i hope they find their way with argon.

[jerk]

no one builds brands better than sinclair imports. were it not for lance and his crew, you'd never have heard of, much less had access to many of the brands we now view as leaders in their respective fieds like deda, vision tech and of course ridley.

this is going to be a great relationship for all concerned.

[El Chaba]

I think Sinclair did a great job with Carnac....

[swoop]

i rode with an argon guy today... bauer's cousin or some such.... they look like extremely solid gimmick free frames. i dig em.

[Booger]

Not familiar with the brand, I was hopeful until I saw the bland geometry. Can a homeboy please get a longer eff top tube?? A shorteer head tube maybe? You know, for racing and stuff.

[swoop]

Man, I want your schedule. Do you need a mid-thirties intern?

i don't want my schedule. the economy has knocked my practice down by 60% and i'll be going in at 4 today and be out at 9p. i'm prolly on the bike more than i'm at work these days...

which is great except for the making a living thing. low overhead is the key to happiness.

[El Chaba]

i don't want my schedule. the economy has knocked my practice down by 60% and i'll be going in at 4 today and be out at 9p. i'm prolly on the bike more than i'm at work these days...

which is great except for the making a living thing. low overhead is the key to happiness.

You seeing patients in a booth at Rubio's now?.....

[swoop]

if i were smart, i'd see them out on the bike.

[El Chaba]

if i were smart, i'd see them out on the bike.

I'll sign up...you take insurance?.....

[jerk]

Not familiar with the brand, I was hopeful until I saw the bland geometry. Can a homeboy please get a longer eff top tube?? A shorteer head tube maybe? You know, for racing and stuff.

how you figure?

57,5 tt with a 73' seat angle and a 177mm headtube works for me.

[Booger]

how you figure?

57,5 tt with a 73' seat angle and a 177mm headtube works for me.

I'm just mad cause I got no legs and too much torso. Shoulda been a swimmer. My 140mm newton pista stem looks way stupid and still doesn't get me where I need to be, drop or reach. I dream of custom, but I race with total idiots and am not of rockefeller status. So I click. And for a moment, hope.