BIKE OF THE WEEK – TIME ALPE D’HUEZ DISC

Having only been in existence since 1987, Time Bicycles is not as old as some of their national competitors. However, in that relatively short amount of time, the frame and pedal brand has still made quite a name for itself with many a top Pro rider racing and winning with the brand.  Unfortunately, following the passing of it’s enigmatic founder, Roland Cattin, for the past few years Time has been mired in a series of different owners.

But that was then.

Thankfully, after a brief and useless stint under the Rossignol tent, Time Bicycles has been returned to new (bike oriented) owners with a history and penchant for producing performance-oriented drop bar bikes. We just got our hands on the new Alpe d’Huez Disc road bike that not only arrived in a sensational coat of Chromo Pink paint, but with a frameset price point of just $3799! That’s a solid price for a bike that is handmade in Europe (Slovakia to be exact) and exudes some authentic Euro panache. In fact,  if you have less than five minutes to spare, we’d say to watch this impressive  video that shows a  Time frame made by hand with their fancy looms, Dyneema carbon and lots of human handiwork.

TIME ALPE D’ HUEZ O1

There are three Alpe d’Huez models that have minor details that separate each of them. Our test bike is the the latest Alpe d’ Huez Disc that stands apart by virtue of it’s internal cable routing and universal 27.2 mm seatpost. Harkening back to  “classic” road racing frame geometry, the ADH Disc has parallel 73-degree seat and head angles and a short 97.6 cm wheelbase. Five frame sizes are available.

The plug and play frame construction mates the carbon rear triangle to the front triangle and construction is first rate.  Wheel clearance is decidedly “old school” with room for up to a 28mm tire. The ADH uses a press-fit bottom bracket. The naked Toray carbon rear end is covered with a high luster clear coat.

 

While the Chromo Pink color would stand out in any group ride, Time also makes the frame available in stunning Chromo red and blue versions and a Gloss Carbon. Complete bikes are spec’d with Hed Vanquish wheels mounted with Goodyear tires, Deda stem and seatpost and the beautifully crafted Selle Repente saddles out of Italy.

Time ADH Disc w/ SRAM Red AXS – $ 9500
Time ADH Disc w/ SRAM Force – $7699
Time ADH Disc w/ SRAM Rival – $5999
Frameset – $3799

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