TIME are an iconic French cycling brand with a rich history and some unique technologies at the heart of their construction.
Founded in 1987 by Rolland Cattin as the manufacturer of a clipless pedal (hot on the heels of another French innovator – LOOK), TIME moved into producing Carbon Forks which were swiftly adopted by the Pro peloton and from there into Carbon Frame production.
TIME frames have had huge success and have been ridden to World and Olympic titles by Paolo Bettini and to World & Classics wins by Tom Boonen.
Though out of the pro peloton in recent years (a decision made by TIME themselves), TIME continue to produce world class carbon framesets using innovative and often secretive manufacturing processes. The intention is to bring the brand back into the limelight with a new focus, moving back to a Bricks & Mortar approach whereby the value inherent in their frames is better understood and explained.
So what is it that would make you consider TIME over any equally prestigious brand?
RTM and CMT.
RTM or Resin Transfer Moulding is TIME’s first claim for quality. Unlike the tubes of most of the competition that are mass produced in the Far East using Pre-Preg – sheets of carbon already impregnated with resin - TIME’s frames are woven. The enormous looms used in the process are fed from reels containing carbon, vectran, elastane and Kevlar depending on the frame or tube being fabricated. These fibres are intertwined with one another in a specific schedule and spun together into a ‘sock’.
The various looms and the weaves they produce are intrinsic in the ride characteristics of the frames they eventually form. Varying the angles at which the fibres are thread creates a specific characteristic, larger angles offer greater compliance while tighter angles lend higher torsional rigidity.
The carbon ‘socks’ are trimmed by hand (each area of the frame has a specialist responsible for the task) and then placed over a wax mould which will be melted away leaving the hardened carbon form. Once lay-up is complete each area is then tightly woven over with a single carbon strand which ‘ties’ the carefully arranged layers together.
The injection moulding process is equally impressive and important. Operating at pressures far higher than those used in frame construction over bladders, resin is injected without the ingress of air through a single point and there is far less risk of voids which create weak spots – a more frequent problem with pre-preg construction.
For the manufacture of smaller parts such as dropouts and stem faceplates TIME use a process called Compressed Moulding Technology (CMT) and this is unique in the cycle industry. The process involves compressing, freezing and heating short strands of carbon fibre and not allowing them to expand or contract once formed and cooling. CMT is a strictly controlled process and the slightest imperfection in the moulding results in the product being scrapped – CMT is an expensive process but yields incredibly strong but lightweight products.
Once the frame is complete it is hand-sanded for 45 minutes and once again, any imperfections discovered results in the frame being scrapped. TIME’s quality control and testing is extremely stringent and that means that their finished products are superb – peace of mind indeed. One of the greatest benefits - we feel - of the RMT construction is not only it's ability to withstand impact for a material with such low weight; but should you crash and make a hole in the frame, in most cases it should still be safe to ride it - at least back home or to the repair shop!
The SKYLON is a completely new frame for 2015. Produced as an aerodynamic road machine with a penchant for speed, the SKYLON is super stiff, yet unlike many aero road frames and largely thanks to clever RTM technology, exceptionally comfortable and responsive bike. 100% new design with new forms and tube shapes, the SKYLON is designed for cheating the wind and will suit solo riders and breakaway hopefuls or simply the rider wishing to maximise their performance advantage. Time have taken the step (somewhat later than others) to create a dual-routed frame and this brings them up to speed with their industry counterparts. The SKYLON features internal cable routing for both mechanical and electronic groupsets (though it does require an additional kit for electronic set-ups).
The SKYLON utilizes a BB386 bottom bracket - an evolution of the highly lauded BB30 but with a longer axle to allow a broader range of crank and bottom bracket options whilst still delivering excellent power transfer without a significant weight penalty. Thusly, the SKYLON is quick to respond to the input of the rider; with the superb power transfer coupled with it's aero shape results in a lightening quick response and speed that just holds on.
There are two versions available. The standard SKYLON comes with TIME's Integral RTM fork with lightweight CMT drop-outs and adjustable, aerodynamic seatpost. The other version - the SKYLON AKTIV - has come about through Time's recognition of the need to reduce energy-sapping vibrations and from a desire to solve the problem in a new an innovative way. To this end all TIME's AKTIV models rely on a pure-engineering solution and one that has been employed in fields from architecture to Formula 1: Tuned-Mass Damper technology.
Time studied the resonant frequencies of their frames (the Fluidity, Skylon and Izon) with a view to eliminating the micro-vibrations that they produce. As anyone who has ever ridden a bike on a rough surface will attest to, micro-vibrations can become tedious and tiring very quickly and serve to sap the rider of energy. The idea behind a Tuned-Mass Damper is to eliminate vibrations of a specific frequency / frequency range. Sky-scrapers employ large scale Tuned-Mass Dampers to avoid vibration damage for example.
So it is then with the SKYLON AKTIV, the newly designed RTM AKTIV fork behaves as the Tuned-Mass Damper helping to reduce the micro-vibrations transmitted from the road to the rider by up to 30% - a significant reduction and one that will see a rider stay fresher for far longer.
The SKYLON, like the SKYLON AKTIV features asymmetric Powerlink chain-stays which offer excellent balance and poise to the bike and the 30% increase in torsional rigidity and 45% increase in Bottom Bracket stiffness lend great response and speed.