Time Bicycles to make CF frames in USA
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Jersey near PHL
Posts: 593
Bikes: Frequently
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 158 Post(s)
Liked 253 Times
in
131 Posts
Time Bicycles to make CF frames in USA
According to Bicycle Retailer And Industry News, Time will make carbon fiber frames in South Carolina.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (BRAIN) — Time Bicycles will establish the nation's largest carbon fiber bicycle factory after acquiring a 140,000-square-foot building in Landrum. "This is a huge moment for the cycling industry," Time CEO Tony Karklins told BRAIN on Thursday morning. "This is what everybody needs to be doing right now. This is what people have been doing for the last three years in Europe. It makes complete sense to do it. And the moment's now. It's not getting easier to do business far away."
Carbon fiber bike detractors, please ignore. Thanks.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (BRAIN) — Time Bicycles will establish the nation's largest carbon fiber bicycle factory after acquiring a 140,000-square-foot building in Landrum. "This is a huge moment for the cycling industry," Time CEO Tony Karklins told BRAIN on Thursday morning. "This is what everybody needs to be doing right now. This is what people have been doing for the last three years in Europe. It makes complete sense to do it. And the moment's now. It's not getting easier to do business far away."
Carbon fiber bike detractors, please ignore. Thanks.
#2
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,616
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10967 Post(s)
Liked 7,494 Times
in
4,190 Posts
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/indu...h#.ZCGp9XbMKUk
Itll be interesting to see a few things...
- will bikes with these frames say 'Made in USA' or will it show elsewhere?
- where will finishing take place between end of '23 and end of '24 since it wont be in the US? The article says painting will be added, but thats a plan vs reality as of now.
- why will frames made in Slovakia be finished in the US facility instead of finished locally?
- will frames made in Slovakia and finished in the US facility say 'Made in USA'?
- how exactly will the partnership with Clemson play out? Will it be with new materials not already used?
- where is Time production moving from? The European facility will stay open per the article, so what closes?...I thought Time has always been manufactured in Europe, so no Asia.
- will this help get Time back onto the Pro Tour?
- will Time still be located in Little Rock AR, or is this factory a sign that Time will move east and HQ will be in SC?
Itll be interesting to see a few things...
- will bikes with these frames say 'Made in USA' or will it show elsewhere?
- where will finishing take place between end of '23 and end of '24 since it wont be in the US? The article says painting will be added, but thats a plan vs reality as of now.
- why will frames made in Slovakia be finished in the US facility instead of finished locally?
- will frames made in Slovakia and finished in the US facility say 'Made in USA'?
- how exactly will the partnership with Clemson play out? Will it be with new materials not already used?
- where is Time production moving from? The European facility will stay open per the article, so what closes?...I thought Time has always been manufactured in Europe, so no Asia.
- will this help get Time back onto the Pro Tour?
- will Time still be located in Little Rock AR, or is this factory a sign that Time will move east and HQ will be in SC?
#3
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,627
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1671 Post(s)
Liked 1,825 Times
in
1,062 Posts
I'm sure the bikes will be labeled in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission rules. (Understand there are ways to do this and still deceive/fool the customer.)
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidanc...ng/made-in-usa
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidanc...ng/made-in-usa
Likes For tcs:
#4
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,966
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 670 Post(s)
Liked 977 Times
in
648 Posts
Backin the old days,Time made everything in France kinda Look did.
Likes For FrozenBiker:
#6
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
I don't care where they're made. Time has a long history of making outstanding bikes, and I fully expect that to continue, regardless of factory location. I wish I could afford one of their new ones.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,254
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,579 Times
in
7,337 Posts
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/indu...h#.ZCGp9XbMKUk
Itll be interesting to see a few things...
- will bikes with these frames say 'Made in USA' or will it show elsewhere?
- where will finishing take place between end of '23 and end of '24 since it wont be in the US? The article says painting will be added, but thats a plan vs reality as of now.
- why will frames made in Slovakia be finished in the US facility instead of finished locally?
- will frames made in Slovakia and finished in the US facility say 'Made in USA'?
- how exactly will the partnership with Clemson play out? Will it be with new materials not already used?
- where is Time production moving from? The European facility will stay open per the article, so what closes?...I thought Time has always been manufactured in Europe, so no Asia.
- will this help get Time back onto the Pro Tour?
- will Time still be located in Little Rock AR, or is this factory a sign that Time will move east and HQ will be in SC?
Itll be interesting to see a few things...
- will bikes with these frames say 'Made in USA' or will it show elsewhere?
- where will finishing take place between end of '23 and end of '24 since it wont be in the US? The article says painting will be added, but thats a plan vs reality as of now.
- why will frames made in Slovakia be finished in the US facility instead of finished locally?
- will frames made in Slovakia and finished in the US facility say 'Made in USA'?
- how exactly will the partnership with Clemson play out? Will it be with new materials not already used?
- where is Time production moving from? The European facility will stay open per the article, so what closes?...I thought Time has always been manufactured in Europe, so no Asia.
- will this help get Time back onto the Pro Tour?
- will Time still be located in Little Rock AR, or is this factory a sign that Time will move east and HQ will be in SC?
Likes For indyfabz:
#8
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,330
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,837 Times
in
2,230 Posts
Good on S Carolina and Time for doing it in USA.
also being done (not sure of the size) in Arkansas.
and in 'small' quantities elsewhere.
Mine a N. Santa Cruz Calfee.
Heard Parlee is folded.
also being done (not sure of the size) in Arkansas.
and in 'small' quantities elsewhere.
Mine a N. Santa Cruz Calfee.
Heard Parlee is folded.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,451
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4416 Post(s)
Liked 4,871 Times
in
3,015 Posts
#10
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Pretty sure the quality won't be any better than if made in Taiwan or anywhere else.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: In the south but from North
Posts: 700
Bikes: Turner 5-Spot Burner converted; IBIS Ripley, Specialized Crave, Tommasini Sintesi, Cinelli Superstar, Tommasini X-Fire Gravel
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 406 Post(s)
Liked 389 Times
in
219 Posts
What is interesting is that Clemson and South Carolina have been investing a lot in composite engineering and are doing some really neat things in the automotive space. If they are open to new ideas this could really pay off for Time.
Likes For vespasianus:
#13
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,966
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 670 Post(s)
Liked 977 Times
in
648 Posts
Disagreed when Cannondale was made in the USA it showed a much better craftsmanship regarding the welds and qualitywise like on the CAAD OPTIMO 7-8 unlike the CAAD 10 which didn't have the made in the USA label. Also a Cannondale made in China isn't better than one which was made in the USA cheaper labor means cheaper quality of crafstmanship.Taiwan is known for its savoir faire regarding bike manufacturing with Giant, Merida and Specialized. I have two Taiwainese bikes one Merida and one Giant which are both30 years old approximately and who are reliable and bulletproof.
#14
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
My experience with Time bicycles showed me that there's more to their bikes than just the materials. My 20yo Time is still the best-handling bike I've ever ridden. Maybe it's a geometry thing. Maybe there's something in the way they use the CF material. Talking with other Time riders with bikes newer than mine - and with enough experience to recognize subtle differences between high-end bikes - it's a pretty common feeling. My newer Storck is lighter, and is my #1 road bike right now, but its handling is a bit twitchy and nervous compared to my Time, which is quick, but very predictable and sure-footed when leaned over at speed.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,395
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1562 Post(s)
Liked 1,734 Times
in
974 Posts
It's kind of romantic that Time has their own loom and produces their own carbon fiber cloth. But keep in mind that they are going up against Toray, an industrial giant that has been pushing carbon fiber technology for decades. It looks like Time is still using wet resin. I believe the rest of the industry has moved onto dry prepreg sheets. It's one thing to cheer for the underdog, but the overdog is overdog for a reason.
#16
Senior Member
- Top quality frames made using the (supposedly) superior RTM process and (apparently) tight tolerances.
- No-nonsense engineering: well-made BB386 (my favorite press-fit standard), simple seatpost clamps, reliable Quickset headset, good seatpost clamping mechanism etc.
- Great aesthetics. For example, to me the green ADHX is one of the best looking frames on the market.
- Relatively uncommon Euro brand that few in your group will have
- Surprisingly reasonable prices. Their top of the line road frameset (Alpe D'Huez Disc) costs about what a mid-tier Tarmac costs.
Now being made in the US? I think I found my next bike.
- No-nonsense engineering: well-made BB386 (my favorite press-fit standard), simple seatpost clamps, reliable Quickset headset, good seatpost clamping mechanism etc.
- Great aesthetics. For example, to me the green ADHX is one of the best looking frames on the market.
- Relatively uncommon Euro brand that few in your group will have
- Surprisingly reasonable prices. Their top of the line road frameset (Alpe D'Huez Disc) costs about what a mid-tier Tarmac costs.
Now being made in the US? I think I found my next bike.
Likes For Hiro11: