Tag: Time Bicycles

A common thread amongst bicycle builders is their passion for innovating and using unique materials to assemble their bikes. That might be aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon, or even a mix of these materials. Time Bicycles and its journey into the cycling world always has been about using carbon and resin molding with a focus on making “exceptional” bikes.

Brief History of Time Bicycles

Time Bicycles was founded by Roland Cattin in 1987. Its bikes have been (and continue to be) manufactured in Europe. On its website, the company states it has always been driven by the “challenge” to build the best bikes in the world.

Carbon fiber, specifically braided carbon and resin transfer molding, is at the center of every bike Time produces. These materials allow the company to create “immensely strong, light, and stable bikes.” The company also claims it is one of the few bicycle builders who make bikes in this way that has roots “in aerospace, elite motorsports and the automotive industry.”

While some bike manufacturers have their bikes assembled outside of their factories, Time Bicycle takes pride in the fact its bikes are designed and built at its European headquarters. That means every facet of the business is controlled in-house and leads to high-quality products.

Time Bicycles in the Pro Peloton

Early on in its inception, Time Bicycles were raced in the pro peloton. Cyclists like Greg Lemond, Miguel Indurian, and Tom Boonen all have victories using Time components and bikes.

Lemond and Indurian both won the Tour de France riding Time bikes. Boonen won the 2005 World Championships. In fact, Time Bicycles and products have been ridden to victory in the “Giro d’Italia, la Vuelta a España, Paris–Roubaix, the Olympic Games, the World Championships, and the Tour de France (10 Times winner)…“

Time Bicycles’ Innovative Aktiv Fork

With its focus on innovation and using the best technology available to the bicycle industry, Time Bicycles thinks about every aspect of the riding experience. That is what is behind its Aktiv Fork which is modelled from F1 and automotive designs.

Time states the fork has an “innovative tuned mass damper that neutralizes a measure of road noise before it travels to your hands and arms.” The company says that road vibration can reach 25 to 50 hertz. The Aktiv Fork, Time claims, has “a corresponding counter-movement of the small weight concealed inside the fork leg that cancels some of the input.”

Time’s Main Products: Road and Gravel Bikes

While most bike builders try to change with the times and consumer demand by offering road, gravel, Ebikes, and commuter bikes, Time’s focus is conservative. It makes three road bikes and a gravel bike.

The company also sells some apparel but not lots and offers replacement parts. That allows the company to be laser-focused on improving the road experience for pros and the everyday cyclist.

Last Thoughts

Time is a unique company that continues to use its own dynamic way of making bikes with braided carbon and resin molding. The fact it doesn’t try to suit every style of rider and, instead, improves upon certain areas of its road and gravel frames, such as with the Aktiv Fork.

That makes the company a unique player in the cycling world by using its unique formula to keep making exceptional bicycles for everyone. 37 years in, it will be interesting to see what Time will do as the years go on.