Technology
Technology
SATISFACTION IN A JOB WELL DONE.
Unrivaled performance. Unparalleled stiffness. Responsiveness, innovation, aerodynamics, lightweight. There are a lot of buzzwords in cycling. But what do they mean? Do they mean anything anymore since they appear in some way or another in every single review and product page?
Well, yes they do. Every bike is intended to ride a certain way. Whether they all live up to expectations is up to the people who chose the materials, design the geometry, decide on production methods. There are a lot of variables, which is why there are so many bikes on the market with all sorts of different characteristics.
At TIME, we have the advantage of having more than 30 years of experience creating all our frames in-house using patented high tech processes that we have perfected over the course of decades. Our technicians pride themselves on the quality of the product and take great satisfaction in a job well done.
RTM AND TIME
RTM is not a magical process. It takes skill and know-how to get it right. That’s where ensuring our workforce is skilled in the process of weaving our own fiber and Resin Transfer Molding is essential.
Roland Cattin took a leap of faith by investing in the process instead of using prepeg carbon sheet production. He made this decision because he believed it created a better bike, especially since it allows the frame maker much more control over the process and the quality. It’s a method that offers a consistent approach to production and also allows for much tighter tolerances.
The multi-step process starts with the selection of the various fibers we will weave for each bike. For every bike, there is a mix of 17 different fibers, from various carbon fiber types, to Kevlar, Vectran, and Basalt. Each fiber is chosen for the specific qualities it will provide, and strategically woven in the precise places it will do the most good.
RTM Vs PREPREG
We use these different fibers according to the ride quality we want a bike to have. Since we have our own in-house braiding machines, we can combine the fibers into a single tubular woven piece destined to become one of the TIME bike’s tubes.
The tubular material is then stretched over a wax inner core in the shape of whichever part of the frame it corresponds to. This process allows our experts in the factory to ensure each layer is optimized in relation to tubing shape and diameter. By using the wax inner core with steel inserts, it assures the fiber orientation will be perfect and the inner surface of the frame will be flawless.
At this point, the Resin Transfer Molding takes center stage, when the resin is injected into the mold under high pressure and heat. It is a precisely controlled process that ensures each fiber is covered in the resin, avoiding all chance for voids to occur.
Making frames this way requires a high degree of expertise at every step of the process. It results in a race-proven, high-tech frame that we believe in so deeply that we offer a lifetime warranty on every frame.