It’s Time For Carbon

First impressions
When the box was opened the first thing to hit your eye is the extended seat post, where it would normally stop at the top tube, it carries on about 40 centimeters more, with a clamp and a short seat pin.
The module comes with a nice tool to help make a nice clean cut at the right length; this same tool is also used to measure the stem height to get the steering column to the correct length. Basically it’s a round chunk of metal with a slot cut in it, once you have worked out the correct height you cut through the slot, either the seat tube or the steering column, of course you have to make sure all your measurements are correct because you only get one chance.

Other obvious impressions
The next most obvious thing about this frame are the chainstays, they are different, the chainstay is normal on the crank side and is twisted on the other side, this is called Asymmetrical Chain stays, these are carbon chainstays of different shapes and types and quantities of fibers, this is to resist flex on the left stay and the compression on the right stay, making for a stiffer back end along with the help of the Wishbone seat stays, also this shape takes your heels away from the chainstays so they don’t rub.
At first glance all the frame tubes look round, but all have different shapes and profiles, I expect for strength, this is accentuated by the colored sections of red and white, which also breaks up all that black carbon. Also you will notice plastic protectors on the top of the chainstay and either side of the head tube, these stop any damage by the chain or the gear cables rubbing on the frame, nice touch.

Other innovations

The hidden headset is an engineering masterpiece, it comes fitted and adjusted from the TIME factory, it differs from other internal A-Head sets as it is not held in place by the stem, but is threaded to itself, you can still adjust it with small bars (supplied) that screw into the top headset cup, this allows you to tighten or loosen the headset, you also don’t need to tension down the stem to hold it tight, so you also don’t need a star washer or expander and tension bolt, so that’s a weight saving, it does come with a flat cap with a sleeve that you push down strengthening the steering column and giving a smooth finish to the carbon oversize Time monolink stem which is big, and its carbon and it takes an oversize handlebar, at first it seems too much, but after a while you get used to it and for sure it’s strong and stiff.

The forks are fairly straight then splay out near the hub, nice touch is the lettering on the inside of the fork “FLUID RIDE” don’t know who is going to be able to read it, but it still looks nice. The forks are SAFE+, which means they use a multidiameter carbon steerer; this is stronger, lighter and safer, which is reassuring to know.

Can there be more?
Yes, this frame also has all carbon lugs and bottom bracket shell, a lot of frames in this price range would have more alloy to keep the price down, this is a full carbon frame with alloy inserts, these being the fork ends, the bottom bracket threads and I expect the bearing surfaces for the headset, but I wasn’t going to strip down such a well assembled headset just to find out.

The sizes start at XXS, which is not so small, with a 51.5 cm top tube and sloping geometry it can fit many people, looking at the sizes and geometry they are very similar to the Giant frames, which were the first to introduce the sloping style.

Anything bad?
So far I have got three criticisms, but as I have not built the frame and ridden it yet they’re maybe more:

• The first is why did they not fit a braze on for the front gear mechanism, TIME fit them on there more expensive frames, the tube must be strong enough so it must be a price factor.
• The second is something I’ve noticed on all the TIME modules, why do they use old fashioned gear lever bosses on the down tube, bolt on cable guides are OK, but built-in guides would be lighter and also I’m sure no one still uses down tube gear levers, well not on a frame like this.
• The third is on the carbon stem, the bolts to tighten it to the steering column have an Allen key on one side and on the other the inside of the bolt is ridged to grip the inside of the stem, but after only two or three uses the gripping side doesn’t hold, wouldn’t it have been a good idea to have put Allen keys on both sides.

The overall opinion

This is a very smart frame, beautifully made and finished, the sizes and geometry seem to be spot on for handling in all conditions, basically this is a perfect riding machine without any surprises. When you look at what you get for your money, frame, forks, head-set, stem and seat-pin its not expensive, this is the best of the Edge range and is much better than the others and is lighter than the next more expensive module, the TIME VXS non-Translink. All I need to do now is to build it up and ride it; I’ll let you know how I get on soon.
http://www.thebicycleworks.co.uk