Carbon Fiber Bicycle RTM Manufacturing at TIME Bicycles!

TIME Bicycles has developed a process that delivers perfection in every strand!
Their Braided Carbon Structures (BCS) involve the meticulous weaving of dry carbon fibers, while Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) securely bonds the fibers to form a resilient frame!
This cinematic masterpiece showcases the complete frame-building journey, highlighting the unmatched quality and expertise invested in every bike.

[@user-ny2bx8ez1c]

I'm 77 & worked in racing and aircraft composites for may years, but this video is awesome! Most people have no idea how complex this is.

[@thereignofthezero225]

True

[@thomaslutro5560]

Thanks. I have a few questions, hoping you'll take the time to teach me. Resin transfer looks (to me) to have advantages over pre preg in better control of orientation of the fibers, since they are locked in a weave with no risk of them shifting during moulding. Presumably also less risk of voids. But on the other hand, maybe requiring a lowe fiber to resin ratio? If Could it be an idea to combine the two methods with pre preg for simpler shapes (tubes) and resin transfer for the more complex ones (bottom bracket, headtube, seatstay/ seat tube/ top tube junction)?

[@Platypus_Warrior]

That's a commercial I'm happy to watch. Thank you Time bike company

[@Noname-rc8uc]

idk man, that painter with improperly worn medical masks instead of proper, purpose built respirators makes my throat hurt.

[@kwaaaa]

@@Noname-rc8uc lol yeah I was like, that's not a proper respirator.

[@benjaminloyer1293]

Another comment pointed it out already but they should really protect themselves against carbon fiber dust. Protégez vous des résidus de fibre de carbone. Surtout quand vous poncez !

[@onemanmob6756]

Surprised to see how much detail they allowed to be filmed! Some of the best quality and most accurate frames in the industry.

[@thomaslutro5560]

On the other hand. I don't expect any bicycle manufacturer (not even Time) to use tech so cutting edge it has to be protected. Not sure I can imagine any of the other brand potentially copying them either. It is so labour intensive, they'd have to fire most of their marketing staff to afford the necessary manufacturing staff.

[@timothyshearer1678]

sweet frames but everyone in that shop should be wearing respirators, carbon dust from trimming and sanding is carcinogenic, you really don't want to breath it or get it on your hands.

[@risesir]

Even the painters weren’t wearing the right equipment. Sad.

[@user-xl4et2qx2q]

very cool process but i was itching just watching this lol

[@rogersliu1200]

Good thing about eastern Europe is that their working condition is actually worse than Asian manufacturers

[@the6ig6adwolf]

If they don't care about their own health, then neither should you.

[@michaelalmasian4710]

@@the6ig6adwolfIs it that they don’t care or don’t know and if they do know, maybe they really need that job to, say, feed their child which is supremely important. Today. Not 20 years from today when his doctor gives him the bad news. The people who are paying his wages and control his world 40+ hours a week have the legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe workplace and the funds to do it. Beware of simple answers to complex questions. Peace. ✊🏻

[@pascalsteffanut8025]

The beauty of the technology is the mix with the vectran fibres and the reticulation process…it’s stiff, continuous and confortable where you need. Wonderful bikes…

[@gavic6462]

Great video, I've been working with composite materials for years and this video is impressive in the way the different processes for composites are used in the manufacturing of these bicycle frames.

[@fast-yi9js]

Feel like the paint does the core injustice, imagine how stunning a clearcoat would look

[@BenGoldNYC]

So beautiful, so expensive, but clearly worth it.

[@romainprevost3355]

Im so happy with my Time huez 24. Great frame, precise & comfortable & nervous

[@RorySeanWainer]

Great bikes, built to a quality few can match

[@valentinloginoff]

Absolutely perfect. Piece of tech art.

[@andrewcheung6942]

Definitely perfect, the brand of TIME the frame is very strong as army product.

[@alaindachelet4269]

Magnifique vidéo, les passionnés vont adorer 😍

[@masatsune3493]

I am so happy to own and ride one of these

[@akcalder92]

Wonderful video

[@dweyhrauch09]

Amazing thanks for sharing!

[@АлександрСелютин]

Great video!

[@fuelbasti]

Did not know this brand but their build looks impresive

[@ilVerista-yk5ck]

FANTASTIC WORKERS 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@big_bird8597]

And their management could care less about them pays them $20 hour supplies no protection or educates them on it very great workers terrible company sadly

[@Babba16]

Favourite bicycle brand, one day i will get a scylon

[@nottherealjk]

At the time it was built by Toyota, it was said that the LFA had parts built by one of only 2 carbon fiber looms in existence. I dont know if this is number 2, or if more have been made since then, but its always amazing to see them in action.

[@raya1981]

Don't crash your bicycle

[@vantrogh]

Incredible 👍👍👍❤😊

[@ta60015i]

Even if they are expensive passion is the driver here

[@BestKiteboardingOfficial]

Time and Look, best frames you can ride

[@djibey]

15 years ago, maybe.

[@FZ-TAS]

Owned Time, look 695, 795. Early Carrera steel, scandium , carbon. Legend queen Ti, 10.5 carbon. Zullo stainless etc. I personally have never ridden anything that compares to my WR Compositi bikes :) .

[@stfu6397]

excellent

[@V5mGpYp]

Very precise dimensional frame wall thickness control with lost mandrel technology. As a person who has been in over 20 carbon frame mfg facilities I can say that this one of the most unique methods in the industry and a strong difference between Time and any other Asian made carbon frame. IMPRESSIVE !!

[@jameswright4732]

Forget Asian made, I don't know of any carbon frame that isn't created using cut sheets of prepreg with overlap joints at mold lines. This kind of stuff is something I've always thought would be cool, but thought it'd be difficult to pull off in a proper production environment rather than just one-offs.

[@CatManDoSocial]

Sweet.

[@mkxair]

Wow... Makes me want to own a TIME bike. Spectacular....

[@waltv3984]

I legitimately thought that carbon frames were made using molds that would make the entire frame a single piece, like how they make boat hauls.

[@SuperDodoe]

Nice...just wondering if all that carbon fiber weave makes the bike heavier than it needs to be?

[@richardjonsson1745]

Short answer is "no". Simply because the fiber is applied in just the places where it needs to be and is left out where it can be, from a structural point of view. A modern frame like that, with modern components in, is likely to fall under the regulation minimum weight for competition.

[@Thefreakyfreek]

How do thay get the molds out

[@triathletecb]

Superbe !!!

[@General1Cal]

I wonder if they can do a double layer

[@d_mac3233]

Makes me want to go out and buy a few of these frames knowing just how much work, materials and craftsmanship go into them 😂

[@lt1eg6]

Only two brands I've never had to warranty. Time and LOOK.

[@Notmyfruit]

The only bike i would buy. There is no other brand cares this much of its product. 3T was producing similar like that but iguess they stalled a bit.

[@FZ-TAS]

You have obviously never seen or ridden a WR Compositi :)

[@patrickl9930]

I was listing after one for a while, but ended up getting a specialized Roubaix as I ride rough roads. Hard to beat the future shock for comfort

[@RICHARD.WRIGHT1]

The difference between a CARBON FIBRE frame and a "Carbon" frame.....Time = Timeless masterpieces.... 🙂

[@petermorocz5960]

I didn't know that we are having such a company in Slovakia

[@masatsune3493]

I think this shows the production in France, but it was moved to Slovakia. If thats true, you look at people who lost their jobs some time ago. You can hear french radio at 1:03. I bought my frame 2020 and it was already produced in Slovakia. But I am sure to the same high standard though.

[@jaysparc]

TIME is the only bike I would own today. They've never compromised quality. Seeing this video shows why they're the #1 design and manufacture.

[@Duckferd]

This reminds me very strongly of the Lexus LFA carbon fiber loom from.... 14 years ago now?

[@skoromoh_]

It's so fantastic and hardworking for road bike! . 3624

[@ElenaZelena]

where is your production situated? nice video btw

[@pato0036]

This is in Slovakia

[@yosserc]

Yup ... the only bike that I would prefer to the one I have. Not cheap though!

[@JohanAndersson78]

Dang, thats really a lot of high qualified manual work! No Wonder carbon frames cost an arm and a leg 😊

[@wtf.O_O]

I better understand now why the price tag is about ! ❤

[@big_bird8597]

If you can take the time or effort to properly protect your workers why should I trust you take the time and effort into making a bike frame?

[@tonymontana2983]

👏

[@flashback9966]

Wow, so labour intensive. No wonder they are so expensive.

[@peterdedes2460]

Time uses about 1/4 the labour hours that a chinese made carbon frame does. laying up prepreg results in far more finishing work. that's why it's not profitable to make conventional carbon frames in the west.

[@thereignofthezero225]

👍

[@joeynelson1609]

Hard casting wax. Of course. I always wondered how they rendered those molds. Beautiful process and craft. Great music as well. So many KZbin videos lack tasteful music.

[@user-ny2bx8ez1c]

I second that !

[@francescofoschi8941]

Do they use a wax core instead of a vacuum bag? Is that what melts out of the frame?

[@joeynelson1609]

@@francescofoschi8941 yeah, it seems to be a very hard wax, similar to some waxes used in jewelry and other metal casting.

[@runswithdogs6892]

Can't believe they're cutting and smoothing carbon fiber with bare hands. Carbon splinters are almost invisible and impossible to see to remove. Ouch, been there. Beautiful hand crafted production.

[@julianf2468]

I would be really worried about the levels of airborne particles coming off of those carbon fibre strands. Actually this video just got worse and worse as I watched. One single person was wearing an FFP2 mask, and even he had a beard, which greatly reduces the effectiveness. Medical masks are for stopping large particles on the order of spit, not aerosolized ultrafines, and I cannot believe that you guys don't know this after living through a pandemic. This video was tragic.

[@big_bird8597]

Watching this video did the opposite of sell me a bike 😂like if you can’t take basic safety precautions why should I trust you can make a bike

[@songbanksl]

Is the wax inside the frame??

[@AJackal]

No it's melted out

[@the_grand_tourer]

Yes it's melted out

[@SuperDodoe]

you can see in the video when it's melted out in the oven

[@ohnezuckerohnefett]

Uaah, please wear better protection, especially when applying paint or clearcoat!!!

[@AvocadoAfficionado]

Oceangate. "Write that down!!!!"

[@lilbrownSambo]

Just take my money!!!!!!

[@hydorah]

Knit me bicycle I'll be back for breakfast. Woof!

[@AABB-px8lc]

It remember me Pakistan cast iron workers videos. So eye pleasing but I am very doubt workers are happy of breathing all that vapor of epoxy compound every day.

[@tomadevil1]

Really cool technology but the employees should wear gloves and other PPE

[@big_bird8597]

Sure but that’d be less profit…

[@ezequielpiacenza3776]

👍👍👏👏😍

[@moriyama_daido]

Interesting video, but the music makes it sound like they are saving the world or coming up with a cure for cancer.

[@Poklonov]

Красивое

[@Hypersonicbiker]

Time is good brand

[@nekonichonmage]

すんごい・・・

[@kysucuibap684]

what is the material of the melted core at @2:33

[@riimit]

wax, they put carbon araund wax core and put it into the mould, after the hot melt the wax and make hard the carbon

[@bobpolanski5419]

milk

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

some say vegans wouldn't be so happy on TIME

[@HanMoP]

@@SonnyDarvishzadeh he's never happy anyway.

[@perthpongtt]

​@@SonnyDarvishzadehI'm guessing it's paraffin wax, nothing to do with animals

[@BR.]

How much money for one of these bikes?

[@adamweb]

These frames are a little over $3000

[@liewchengyeh]

wow.... this carbon tube weave looks way better than those using the older style carbon sheet layering method (that's used by most chinese manufacturer)..... Wish i can afford one though.....

[@big_bird8597]

3:45 hey if this is you use this against your employer when you get cancer in 10 years

[@DJNC.]

Isn't carbon fiber carcinogenic if you sand it?

[@pierrex3226]

That's an old video. None of the frames have integrated cables, some are rim brakes still. I also recognize the old Slovakian dude from another video. Can you post a newer video, now that ownership has changed?

[@soumafan]

The current line-up do have integrated cables, and while they've recently done a limited run of the ADH with rim brakes, the core line-up is all disc brakes now.

[@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589]

What were the skinny white tubes they were running through the frame tubes then? Frame mouse spaghetti?

[@charlesmansplaining]

Specialized, Colnago, and all the other brands don't have tooling like that. This was proof TIME bikes are made better and worth the asking price.

[@philipsimmonds1103]

Colnago/Specialized are made in China who comfortabley make the best bikes .. time are heavy and small tyre clearance.. like look and Lapierre they have a good marketing niche .. I'll take the colnago .

[@esshoul]

@@philipsimmonds1103 Cinelli

[@kennyg1358]

These are common tools of the composite manufacturing industry. Nothing proprietary.

[@user-sn8py4np2g]

1:50 罐

[@markifi]

holy shit balls

[@mnldgbD]

Cool but too labor intensive, hopefully this can be 3D Printed soon with the same toughness and specs and with customization possible.

[@deaf1030]

lungs rip

[@damirkolar5197]

Blokes are sanding carbon fiber frame with a surgeon mask? WTF?

[@kabobsyea9985]

"marketing"🃏

[@albertrozenfild2963]

В итоге вам продают пластик, обклеенный карбоном.

[@chuvvyyk]

В этом и смысл - прочность та же, а вес меньше

[@ds1003]

нет, карбон намотан на восковые ВЫПЛАВЛЯЕМЫЕ модели. и в ролике есть кадры как вытапливают воск.

[@albertrozenfild2963]

@@ds1003 раз так, то беру

[@e4300]

Most likely the people building these bikes cannot afford to purchase one.

[@shockingguy]

Too bad they don’t value worker protection more like another comment here. All that cutting and chopping and painting and coding and they’re just wearing cheap paper masks, that shit does not protect. You need to wear full face respirators.

[@pucuk1668]

looks like giant not the only one who knit their carbon fiber sheet form carbon string..

[@pierrex3226]

Giant makes their own prepreg, and then they makes frames like everybody else, by layering bits of pre preg. Time is the only one to infuse resin onto carbon fiber cloth weaved on a wax mandrel like that.

[@SuperDodoe]

@@pierrex3226 doesnt it increase the weight?

[@VasyPety11]

Дедушка должен уже отдыхать на пенсии, а он продолжает горбатиться и дышать всякой гадостью. Жаль дедушку.

[@aizatkashkimbayev114]

So basically they are sewing bikes 🤔

[@Y2Kvids]

Not Suitable for Under Water use

[@anonymously241]

I still love my iron frame 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️☝️

[@vamsi8669]

16th night Jagan Reddy ki kaalu benikiddi so assembly ki raaledu kaavuna munde minahaaimpu eevali maa Jagan Reddy Ki

[@JeongOhn]

Appreciate the craftsmanship here but it shows how manual and human error prone the products are. Wonder what kind of QC is being applied before shipping.

[@siriosstar4789]

very interesting but very poorly filmed . rapid fire images makes,it impossible to,linger and absorb more in-depth visual information . it's a pity so many video producers use this attention crushing technique . i suppose they think it's cool

[@tijnstarr]

I like it, you just have to see what the video wants to be. I think it should convey a feeling, a kind of work of art. It's not about showing you all the details. The video is just art

[@siriosstar4789]

Well that's a good point , hadn't thought of it that way . but still to rapid fire for me .

[@paolo11x11]

This is a health and safety nightmare - no one is wearing sufficient PPE for dealing with the microfine particles produced by sanding and cutting carbon fibre - and one employee is even wearing a paper mask below his nose for what I can only assume is comic effect. I'm sure they are nice frames, but exposing your employees to carcinogenic dust is not best practice.

[@Berkana]

4:01 All those dudes in the spray rooms with their masks on their faces but with their noses and mouths exposed kinda leave me wondering if they realize how bad spray paint inhalation is for their lungs. Why not just get rid of the mask altogether? Why wear it in a useless fashion?

[@BadHotPotato]

3:13 So they're just sticking chain stay and seat stay into other part of the frame, glue it together and somehow it's supposed to be stiff? Looks weird for sure like a toy meant to be assembled by a kid.

[@HanMoP]

As they all do.

[@AJackal]

The epoxy resin the inject into the fibers makes it way stiffer than your dull noddle

[@danieletognozzi7641]

I assume you would throw in the bin a Colnago C68 too. And btw, if you think that a monocoque made of prefabricated sheets, full of voids and plastic leftovers is stiffer or safer than a bike where the single individual carbon fibers are literally knitted like a grandma pullover, then think again.

[@BadHotPotato]

@@danieletognozzi7641 I literally know nothing about carbon frames manufacturing. I just own one and these TIME ones looks weird because of visible "seams" on chain and seat stays IMO

[@braveulysses2000]

they are bonding cured parts together which can be more than strong enough for this application. there are advantages and disadvantages to lugged vs monocoque bike frames. you can learn more about this type of assembly by searching for "lugged composite bicycles"

[@big_bird8597]

Gotta love the dude post Covid 0:11 and still can’t wear a mask correct 😂 like bruh just don’t wear it

[@SuperDodoe]

The Titanic would disagree

[@alexnice9847]

Made in Europe? probably Hungary but what's the point to spend so much in a Time frame when Mvdp showed that made in China Canyon frames are good enough to win pro races.

[@SuperDodoe]

Slovakia...I agree with China made frames when they can do em cheaper, lighter and better. Race proven all the rest is fluff and bragging rights

[@prowrench7989]

The factory was originally in France, but moved to Gagary, Slovakia. Cardinal Cycling Group (current owners) have announced their intentions to move production to South Carolina in the US.

[@Onigure]

Just imagine MVDP in a Time bicycle. The thought alone is speed inducing. 😊 Are you willing to burn your hands saying that the pros have the same bikes that you and me can buy? Really?

[@kris8165]

It's still "plastic" It will break or crack eventually And I dare you to ride it with the peace of mind, after a crash! Ride metal 😁 Greetings from Croatia 😎

[@te1ephraq]

Aluminium is stiff, so I am thinking about buying a new carbon bike... Still riding entry level aluminium bike 2x8 in mountains. Bike jumps like crazy on downhills.

[@kris8165]

@@te1ephraq I recommend buying a decent steel bike! It's all about the geometry,not the carbon fiber 😅 I can't afford one,but you probably can! Greetings from Croatia from Kris 😎

[@SuperDodoe]

@@kris8165 yeah carbon can break but so can steel if you you crash. Carbon is here to stay

[@kris8165]

@@SuperDodoe No,it really really can't! Definitely not as easily as the plastic tubes! Steel is elegant, carbon is ugly 😌

[@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589]

Metal never cracks . . .

[@esshoul]

Why you say its manufactured in Europe? Are you shy of saying in Slovakia? Sane ppl have no issue of that - maybe better than made in France (which would not happen as French are lazy and it would cost 2x more to manufacture in France).

[@xcg1234]

still mass profit. Expensive since the labor in western countries are much higher than Taiwan. Almost the same price as motorcycle but no where near the technology and precision to make the engine component. But again, it’s not about “worth it” or not when buying high end bikes anyway.

[@kas37tr55]

hello cancer

[@asifitmatters1]

In 1961 this would have been very impressive. In 2024 it’s quite simply mundane. Nothing cutting edge, impressive or amazing about the entire process, if anything looking at how far manufacturing has come, this is starting to look a little old and primitive. It’s a Nokia 6610 in the age of the 5mm iPad!

[@hugochen8797]

I agree with you, but just curious, what bike manufacturing process would you say would be impressive to see in 2024?

[@asifitmatters1]

@@hugochen8797 it would be impressive to see additive manufacturing brought up to scale and produced „locally“ so to be able to go to your local store and have a bike „printed“ in your size. No more shipping from China…

[@hugochen8797]

@@asifitmatters1 Interesting. Additive manufacturing would be cool to see, but not sure how the performance of additive manufacturing material compare to fiber composites. I thought TIME bike frames are all made in Europe.

[@semilog643]

@@hugochen8797 This and other composites are forms of additive manufacturing. Assuming you mean 3D printing.

[@hugochen8797]

@@semilog643 I have never thought of it that way, but it makes sense