Time (bicycles)
Encyclopedia
TIME Sport International is a French
manufacturer of bicycles and cycling equipment, including bicycle frame
s, cycling shoe
s, clipless bicycle pedal
s, crankset
s, and gloves
.
system designed to accommodate the biomechanical constraints of the rider.
In 1993, TIME began to diversify with carbon composite frames using Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) technology. TIME weaves its own custom tubular carbon layers in its RTM factory in Vaulx-Milieu France
, outside of Lyon
. This gives TIME’s engineers control of the technical characteristics of each carbon layer, as well as freedom of shape of the frame component parts.
TIME products gained fame in the early 1990s, when their pedals were used by multiple Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain
. This was a major change for the field, in which LOOK had been the most notable brand until then.
Today, TIME is one of the leading brands of carbon fiber racing bicycle frames and forks.
TIME's off-road pedals, use a concept TIME calls ATAC (Auto Tension Adjustment Concept). This concept allows release angle to be independent of spring tension.
Among the most widely used pedals by both recreational and professional cyclists, 120,000 pairs are manufactured annually. They have also become a favorite of inner-city bicycle couriers, because of their small cleat size, ease of entry and exit, light weight, and reliability.
TIME created the first automatic pedal to provide a freedom of lateral and angular float, TIME pedals claim to considerably reduce tendinitis, a problem that many riders and especially professionals face.
.
Tom Boonen, the 2005 Road Race World Champion used TIME bikes while he was with Quick Step-Innergetic. His successful 2005 season included the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris–Roubaix, the Tour of Belgium
and the 2005 World Road Race Championships in Madrid, Spain. The following season, TIME developed a special bike, the TIME VXS, for Boonen to ride in the 2006 spring classics. The VXS is similar to the VXRS Ulteam, but is a little more compliant as a result of a longer wheelbase and the vectran fibres that are used in the TIME manufactured carbon fibre.
In addition to Boonen's triumphs, TIME has been ridden to more victories at the Olympics and World Championships. Italian rider Paolo Bettini rode TIME bicycles during his gold medal-winning ride in the 2004 Athens Olympic Road Race and in the 2006 World Championship Road Race. Australian rider Michael Rogers rode TIME time trial bikes to victory in the 2003, 2004, and 2005 World Championship Time Trial.
The Giro d'Italia
, la Vuelta a España
, Paris–Roubaix, the Olympic games, World Championship and the Tour de France
(10 times winner) have been won using TIME products.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
manufacturer of bicycles and cycling equipment, including bicycle frame
Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
s, cycling shoe
Cycling shoe
Cycling shoes are shoes purpose-built for cycling. There are a variety of designs depending on the type and intensity of the cycling for which they are intended. Key features include rigidity, for more-efficient transfer of power from the cyclist to the pedals, weight, a method of attaching the...
s, clipless bicycle pedal
Bicycle pedal
A bicycle pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the bicycle. It provides the connection between the cyclist's foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket spindle and propel the bicycle's wheels...
s, crankset
Crankset
The crankset or chainset , is the component of a bicycle drivetrain that converts the reciprocating motion of the rider's legs into rotational motion used to drive the chain, which in turn drives the rear wheel...
s, and gloves
Cycling gloves
Cycling gloves are gloves designed for cycling. They fulfill three functions: warmth, comfort and protection.- Warmth :Gloves are frequently used to keep the hands warm, a function that is particularly necessary when cycling in cold weather...
.
History
Founded in 1987 by Roland Cattin, TIME creates, manufactures and distributes highly technical bicycle products. TIME history began with a clipless bicycle pedalBicycle pedal
A bicycle pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the bicycle. It provides the connection between the cyclist's foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket spindle and propel the bicycle's wheels...
system designed to accommodate the biomechanical constraints of the rider.
In 1993, TIME began to diversify with carbon composite frames using Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) technology. TIME weaves its own custom tubular carbon layers in its RTM factory in Vaulx-Milieu France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, outside of Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
. This gives TIME’s engineers control of the technical characteristics of each carbon layer, as well as freedom of shape of the frame component parts.
TIME products gained fame in the early 1990s, when their pedals were used by multiple Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain
Miguel Indurain
Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya is a retired Spanish road racing cyclist. He won five consecutive Tour de Frances from 1991 and 1995, the first to do so, and the fourth athlete to win five times. He won the Giro d'Italia twice, becoming one of only seven people in history to achieve the Giro Tour...
. This was a major change for the field, in which LOOK had been the most notable brand until then.
Today, TIME is one of the leading brands of carbon fiber racing bicycle frames and forks.
TIME's off-road pedals, use a concept TIME calls ATAC (Auto Tension Adjustment Concept). This concept allows release angle to be independent of spring tension.
Among the most widely used pedals by both recreational and professional cyclists, 120,000 pairs are manufactured annually. They have also become a favorite of inner-city bicycle couriers, because of their small cleat size, ease of entry and exit, light weight, and reliability.
TIME created the first automatic pedal to provide a freedom of lateral and angular float, TIME pedals claim to considerably reduce tendinitis, a problem that many riders and especially professionals face.
Professionals
TIME has sponsored several professional cycling teams, most recently ProTour teams Quick Step-Innergetic, Cofidis and Bouygues Telecom. Several other professionals and teams use TIME shoes and/or pedals, including Saunier-Duval, Ag2r, and 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist in Mountain Bike Julien AbsalonJulien Absalon
Julien Absalon is a French cross-country mountain biker. He won gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics and at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He rides for the Spanish mountain bike team Orbea. Absalon has 17 World Cup wins. Absalon won four consecutive Mountain Bike World Championships...
.
Tom Boonen, the 2005 Road Race World Champion used TIME bikes while he was with Quick Step-Innergetic. His successful 2005 season included the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris–Roubaix, the Tour of Belgium
Tour of Belgium
The Tour of Belgium is a four-day bicycle race which is held annually in Belgium.It was held annually between 1908 and 1981, except during both world wars. Between 1982 and 1990 several of races were not organised and none at all during the decade 1991 to 2001...
and the 2005 World Road Race Championships in Madrid, Spain. The following season, TIME developed a special bike, the TIME VXS, for Boonen to ride in the 2006 spring classics. The VXS is similar to the VXRS Ulteam, but is a little more compliant as a result of a longer wheelbase and the vectran fibres that are used in the TIME manufactured carbon fibre.
In addition to Boonen's triumphs, TIME has been ridden to more victories at the Olympics and World Championships. Italian rider Paolo Bettini rode TIME bicycles during his gold medal-winning ride in the 2004 Athens Olympic Road Race and in the 2006 World Championship Road Race. Australian rider Michael Rogers rode TIME time trial bikes to victory in the 2003, 2004, and 2005 World Championship Time Trial.
The Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
, la Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
, Paris–Roubaix, the Olympic games, World Championship and the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
(10 times winner) have been won using TIME products.