Case Study: Argon 18 achieves 16% higher frame rigidity and 6% reduction in aerodynamic drag with Altair HyperWorks

Using HyperWorks® to Optimize Structural Strength for Argon 18 High-performance Bikes

Argon 18, a Montreal-based high-performance bike manufacturer, needed a lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic track bike (including a new additively manufactured aluminum stem) for elite competition. To tackle this challenge Argon 18 partnered with Altair, leveraging the HyperWorks suite—notably OptiStruct, AcuSolve and the Altair Virtual Wind Tunnel—to evaluate and refine structural and aerodynamic performance.

Altair implemented an iterative FEA/CFD workflow (OptiStruct for structural analysis and AcuSolve/Virtual Wind Tunnel for aerodynamics) to optimize tube profiles, fork and stem geometry. The work delivered measurable gains: a 16% increase in mean frame rigidity, a reduction in drag area from 0.0199 to 0.01864 (~6% CdA improvement), a stem roughly 9% stiffer than typical carbon-fiber designs, and successful fatigue testing validating durability.

Argon 18

Martin Faubert

R&D Manager