ARGON18 DARK MATTER 282A User manual

DARK MATTER 282A: ASSEMBLY GUIDE
Revision 1.0 2018.07.22 - Valid for MY2019 Dark Matter

1. Tools Needed and First Aid Kit ..........................2
2. Frameset Inspection ...................................3
3. Frameset Parts ........................................4
4. Parts’ SKUs and descriptions..........................5-6
5. Troubleshooting / Tip / Specication ....................7
6. Seat Post Collar Assembly ..............................8
7. Seat Post Assembly ....................................9
8. Rear Derailleur Hanger Adjustment ....................10
9. Headset Installation ..................................11
10. Console .........................................12-16
11. Cable and Housing Routing........................17-26
12. Chain Catcher .......................................27
13. Fender bracket .....................................28
DARK MATTER 282A: Table of Contents
For the warranty to be valid, the bicycle must be fully assembled by an authorized Argon 18 dealer. High-end components,
particularly carbon parts, need extra care when assembled. These components must be installed using a torque wrench to
make sure every bolt is at the right torque setting to prevent damage.
My Dark Matter
Date of purchase:
Retailler:
Size:
Serial Number:
1

2
DARK MATTER 282A: 1. Tools Needed & First Aid Kit
Tools needed for assembly
1. Bearing Cup Press (Park Tool HHP-2)
2. Allen Key Set
3. Grease
4. Utility Pick Set (Park Tool Item #UP-SET)
5. Clean Rags
6. Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge (Park Tool Item #DAG-2)
7. Cables and Housing Cutter
8. Carbon Paste
9. Loctite #242
10. Torque Wrench
First Aid Kit: Essential parts to always have on hand
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…THIS MIGHT SAVE YOUR RIDE!
1. Spare rear derailleur hanger:
2. Seat clamp
SKU: 80801
SKU: 80832
(Direct mount option if utilize)
SKU: 80802

3
DARK MATTER 282A: 2. Frameset Inspection
BEFORE ASSEMBLING YOUR NEW DARK MATTER, MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE FOLLOWING:
1. Frameset parts checklist (see p.4-6)
2. Inspect the frame for cosmetic aspect (scratches, bumps, cracks, paint defect, etc.)
3. For reference, check serial number and write it on p.1
4. All the necessary bolts (refer to Frameset Parts, p.4-6)
5. For optimal shifting performance, use a derailleur alignment gauge to make sure that the derailleur hanger is straight
IMPORTANT:
The following parts are assembled on the frame. When assembling the bike, you will need to adjust these parts
according to their torque specications when necessary.
Parts installed on frame Description Screw type Torque Nm Detail
3 Seatpost Collar M5 Screw (1x) Socket head 4Nm Grease
4 Seatpost head M5 Screws (2x) Socket head 9.5Nm Grease
5 Water bottle cage screws M5 Screws (4x) Socket head 3Nm Grease
7 Rear derailleur hanger M4 Screw (1x) Flat head 2Nm Loctite
8 Chain catcher M5 Screw (1x) Socket head 3Nm Nylok
9 Headset cap screw M4 Screw (1x) Flat head 0.5-1.0Nm Dry
10 Console cap screw M4 Screws (2x) Flat head 0.5-1.0Nm Dry

4
80801
80802
80804 80805
8098580551
80807
80264
80989
80990
80986
80771
FK.DARKMT.M-XL.282A
FK.DARKMT.XXS-S.282A
SP.KRYCS.273B
80795
80796
8079780799
80800
80798
80832
80805
80806 80992
38446
81012
80812
80811
80981 80984
80983
DARK MATTER 282A: 3. Frameset Parts
80991
80987
80987
80813

5
DARK MATTER 282A: 4. Parts’ SKU and Description
No. Name Assembled on A18 SKU# Qty
# Parts
Dark Matter frame - - -
Dark Matter fork (M-L-XL) -OR- - FK.DARKMT.M-XL.282A 1
Dark Matter fork (XXS-XS-S) - FK.DARKMT.XXS-S.282A 1
Dark Matter seatpost (same as Krypton CS) - SP.KRYCS.273B 1
Seat post collar Frame 80801 1
RD Hanger kit (incl. Hanger, screw, DO DS) Frame 80802 1
Internal cable stopper Frame 81012 1
Chain catcher (incl. small / large, washer and screw) Frame 80806 1
Plastic plug M5 Frame 80264 10
Dark Matter headset cap - 0mm Frame 80989 1
Dark Matter headset cap - 15mm Frame 80990 1
Dark Matter headset cap - 30mm Frame 80986 1
No. 30 + 3D with TH-881-1, headset assembly Frame 80771 1
Dark Matter console cover mechanical Frame 80987 1
Dark Matter console cover electronical Frame 80991 1
Console insert for mechanical drivetrain Frame 80795 1
Console insert for internal junction A box Frame 80799 1
Console ring for internal junction A box Frame 80800 1
Console insert for wireless drivetrain Frame 80796 1
Console insert for 1x11 groupset Frame 80797 1
Console insert for external junction A box Frame 80798 1
Removable front derailleur hanger Frame 80981 1
Down tube frame protector Frame 80983 1
Front derailleur cable stopper Frame 80984 1
*Except for the frame itself, which is not sold as a spare part, all parts can be ordered by refering to their respective SKU number.

6
DARK MATTER 282A: 4. Parts’ SKU and Description
No. Name Assembled on A18 SKU# Qty
# Parts
Long grommet mech Frame 80985 2
Direct hanger Frame 80832 1
Long plug Frame 80804 3
Long grommet Di2 Frame 80805 2
Rear brake oblong cable guide Frame 80551 1
Fender bracket assembly Frame 80992 1 set
Front thru axle Fork 80812 1
Rear thru axle Frame 80813 1
Seatpost battery holder Seatpost 38446 1 set
Foam liner Frame 80811 1

DARK MATTER 282A: 5. Troubleshooting / Tip / Specication
Brakes
Use only at mount hydraulic disc brakes. The frame and fork are
compatible with either 140mm or 160mm disc rotors. Adapters might be
required, consult brake manufacturer.
• Rear mount thickness: 25mm
Tire Clearance
The biggest tires that can be installed must be no wider than 45mm for
the rear and front wheel. If fenders are installed, the tires must be no wider
than 40mm
Seat Post
27.2mm
Seat Post Clamp
31.8mm
Bottom Bracket
BB86 (Press-t)
Headset
FSA No 30 + 3D Press-t (Bearing 1 1/8”, 36°x45° top and 1 1/2” ,
36°x45° bottom + FSA TH-881-1 Compressor included)
No more than 30mm of spacer can be placed between the stem and
the top cap of the 3D system. And the use of more than 5mm spacer
on top of the stem could void the eciency of the compressor. These
practices will automatically cancel any warranty claim against the
manufacturer.
Headset cap:
When uninstalling the headset cap, you
need to rst loosen the headset cap,
remove the HS cap screw and remove
the fork from the frame. Then you need
to pinch the rear section the headset
cap and lift the rear section upward.
This will release the headset cap from
the frame.
7

8
DARK MATTER 282A: 6. Seat Post Collar Assembly
Assemble the seat post
collar with the seat post.
Apply carbon paste on
the inside of the frame
(seat tube). Tighten the bolt
at 4 Nm.
4 Nm
CARBON
PASTE

9
DARK MATTER 282A: 7. Seat Post Assembly
The seat post is supplied fully assembled.
Unscrew both bolts slightly until the top clamp (b) and the cradle (c) are
separated enough to insert the saddle rail. Do not unscrew the bolts completely.
• Screw both bolts in order to adjust the angle of the saddle and clamp the rail.
• Tighten the bolt at 9.5 Nm.
9.5 Nm
b
c

10
DARK MATTER 282A: 8. Rear Derailleur Hanger Adjustment
1. Select the correct rear derailleur hanger depending on the type of derailleur
that you have.
a. Direct mount
b. Regular mount
2. Make sure to align the rear derailleur hanger.
3. Use Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge like Park Tool Item #DAG-2.
For any assistance, visit Park Tool’s website:
www.parktool.com/product/derailleur-hanger-alignment-gauge-dag-2
a
b

11
DARK MATTER 282A: 9. Headset Installation
Like on almost all Argon 18 you will benet of the 3D system, on the Dark
Matter you can benet of 3 positions, 0mm, 15mm and 30mm
0mm 15mm 30mm
Step of assembly
1. Insert the headset plastic
sleeve into the top on the
headtube. (apply grease)
2. Insert the required headset
column, 0, 15 or 30mm, in the
headset plastic sleeve. (apply
grease)
3. Insert bottom bearing on the
fork.
4. Slide the fork in the head
tube of the frame.
5.
Install top bearing in the
headset column. (apply grease)
6. Install conical compressor
ring.
7. Install stack compressor.
8. Apply grease on the headset
seal to avoid any noise.
9. Install the corresponding
headset cap to complete the
assembly.
10. Fix the cap with the M4 at
head screw.

5
3
12
The console is the central point of the cable
and housing routing. Depending of the type
of assembly you will have to select the correct
assembly.
Tip: No mater the type of assembly you will
choose, always pass the brake housing rst
starting from the back of the bike to the front.
1. With the rear brake housing coming from the
back of the bike, guide the end of the housing
through the hole on the frame’s down tube.
2. Use the brake housing to insert the foam line
into the downtube.
3. Guide the end of the housing through the
right side of the rectangular opening of the Di2
console cap (3)
4. Guide the Di2 cable coming from the
shifters through the grommet (4) and into the
rectangular opening of the console.
5. Guide the bake housing to the bigger hole of
the grommet (4).
6. Fix the grommet on the console.
7. Place the Di2 O-Ring (5) around the Shimano
EW-RS910 junction box.
8. Connect the front and rear Di2 cable to the
Shimano EW-RS910 junction box.
9. Clip the Shimano EW-RS910 junction box on
the console cap (3).
10. Fix the console cap to the downtube of
the frame with the screws.
Rear brake
housing
Di2 wire
DARK MATTER 282A: 10. Console / A. Di2 internal junction box groupset
4

13
1. With the rear brake housing coming from
the back of the bike, guide the end of the
housing through the hole on the frame’s down
tube.
2. Use the brake housing to insert the foam
liner around the brake housing.
3. Guide the end of the housing through the
opening of the mechanical console cap (1).
4. Insert the Di2 wire from the external
junction box A through the hole in the
mechanical console cap.
5. Secure the Di2 wire into the Di2 external
insert.
6. Secure the brake housing into the Di2
external insert.
7. Secure the Di2 external insert into the
console cap.
8. Fix with the provided screws the console
cap on the frame.
8
1
DARK MATTER 282A: 10. Console / B. Di2 external junction box groupset
Rear brake housing
Di2 wire
9

14
1. With the rear brake housing coming from
the back of the bike, guide the end of the
housing through the hole on the frame’s
down tube.
2. Use the brake housing to insert the
foam liner around the brake housing in
the downtube.
3. Guide the end of the housing through the
opening of the mechanical console cap (1).
4. Guide the brake housing in the
wireless insert.
5. Secure the Wireless insert (6) on the
console cap (1) by pressing rmly on
the insert.
6. Fix with the provided screws the console
cap on the frame.
6
1
DARK MATTER 282A: 10. Console / C. Wireless groupset
Rear brake housing
9

15
1. With the rear brake housing coming from
the back of the bike, guide the end of the
housing through the hole on the frame’s
down tube.
2. Use the brake housing to insert the foam
liner around the brake housing.
3. Guide the end of the housing through the
opening of the mechanical console cap (1).
4. Secure the brake housing into the console
insert for mechanical drive train (8).
5. Secure the mechanical insert into the
console cap.
6. Fix with the provided screws the console
cap on the frame.
7. Wire the mechanical cables and housing
in the appropriate hole of the insert (8), see
image below.
8
1
DARK MATTER 282A: 10. Console / D. Mechanical groupset
Front derailleur
housing
9
Rear brake
housing
Rear derailleur
housing

16
7
1
DARK MATTER 282A: 10. Console / E. Mechanical Single chainring
9
Rear brake
housing
Rear derailleur housing
1. With the rear brake housing coming from
the back of the bike, guide the end of the
housing through the hole on the frame’s
down tube.
2. Use the brake housing to insert the foam
liner around the brake housing.
3. Guide the end of the housing through the
opening of the mechanical console cap (1).
4. Secure the brake housing into the console
insert for mechanical drive train (7).
5. Secure the mechanical insert into the
console cap.
6. Fix with the provided screws the console
cap on the frame.
7. Wire the mechanical cable and housing
in the appropriate hole of the insert (8), see
image below.

17
Rear derailleur cable and rear brake housing must be routed
on the right side in the inside of the downtube.
Rear brake housing need to routed above the bb carbon
sleeve.
DARK MATTER 282A: 11. Hydraulic & mechanical shifter routing
Red line: brake cable/housing / Yellow line: derailleur cable/housing

18
Enter derailleur housing through bottom bracket (BB) hole.
Once the housing is visible from the square downtube hole, Install the housing ferrule.
Pass the cable through the housing. Guide the housing in the Non drive side of the cable stop.
Install the housing ferrule supplied in the barrel adjuster with the rubber dust seal.
Pass the cable through the assembly.
Screw the barrel in place. Pull on the cable to fully place the housing in the housing ferrule.
Do not put the housing in the ferrule before screwing the barrel, his will cause dicult
thread engagement.
DC
DC = Derailleur Cable (mech.)
DARK MATTER 282A: 11. Hydraulic & mechanical shifter routing
Front cableRear cable

19
DARK MATTER 282A: 11. Hydraulic & mechanical shifter routing
Front cableRear cable
Without barrel adjuster
Housing length: depend on the chainring.
Enter derailleur housing through bottom bracket (BB) hole.
Once the housing is visible from the square downtube hole, Install the housing ferrule.
Pass the cable through the housing.
Guide the housing in the Non drive side of the cable stop.
Install the grommet