Time Fluidity Carbon Size L (Height Chart: 175 - 183cm) - Excellent Condition

I loved riding with this frame but unfortunately I had to purchase a smaller frame for my height (173cm).

TIME are an iconic French cycling brand with a rich history and some unique technologies at the heart of their construction.
Founded in 1987 by Rolland Cattin as the manufacturer of a clipless pedal (hot on the heels of another French innovator – LOOK), TIME moved into producing Carbon Forks which were swiftly adopted by the Pro peloton and from there into Carbon Frame production.

TIME frames have had huge success and have been ridden to World and Olympic titles by Paolo Bettini and to World & Classics wins by Tom Boonen.

The Fluidity is woven from a carefully managed arrangement of Carbon, Elastane (for compliance) Vectran and Kevlar (for strength) fibres and it is using these various fibres at specific angles and in particular areas that gives the Fluidity its incredible ride characteristics. The Elastane and Vectran are woven in various amounts throughout the frame but are concentrated in areas like the rear triangle to offer greater flex and compliance which in turn offers a greater level of comfort. Similarly, Kevlar is woven into the structure for strength and impact resistence - the easiest place to see this is in the un-cut fork steerer before the frames are built up.
Though out of the pro peloton in recent years (a decision made by TIME themselves), TIME continue to produce world class carbon framesets using innovative and often secretive manufacturing processes.

So what is it that would make you consider TIME over any equally prestigious brand? RTM and CMT.
RTM or Resin Transfer Moulding is TIME’s first claim for quality. Unlike the tubes of most of the competition that are mass produced in the Far East using Pre-Preg – sheets of carbon already impregnated with resin - TIME’s frames are woven. The enormous looms used in the process are fed from reels containing carbon, vectran, elastane and Kevlar depending on the frame or tube being fabricated. These fibres are intertwined with one another in a specific schedule and spun together into a ‘sock’.
The various looms and the weaves they produce are intrinsic in the ride characteristics of the frames they eventually form. Varying the angles at which the fibres are thread creates a specific characteristic, larger angles offer greater compliance while tighter angles lend higher torsional rigidity.

The carbon ‘socks’ are trimmed by hand (each area of the frame has a specialist responsible for the task) and then placed over a wax mould which will be melted away leaving the hardened carbon form. Once lay-up is complete each area is then tightly woven over with a single carbon strand which ‘ties’ the carefully arranged layers together.

The injection moulding process is equally impressive and important. Operating at pressures far higher than those used in frame construction over bladders, resin is injected without the ingress of air through a single point and there is far less risk of voids which create weak spots – a more frequent problem with pre-preg construction.

For the manufacture of smaller parts such as dropouts and stem faceplates TIME use a process called Compressed Moulding Technology (CMT) and this is unique in the cycle industry. The process involves compressing, freezing and heating short strands of carbon fibre and not allowing them to expand or contract once formed and cooling. CMT is a strictly controlled process and the slightest imperfection in the moulding results in the product being scrapped – CMT is an expensive process but yields incredibly strong but lightweight products.

Once the frame is complete it is hand-sanded for 45 minutes and once again, any imperfections discovered results in the frame being scrapped. TIME’s quality control and testing is extremely stringent and that means that their finished products are superb – peace of mind indeed. One of the greatest benefits - we feel - of the RMT construction is not only it's ability to withstand impact for a material with such low weight; but should you crash and make a hole in the frame, in most cases it should still be safe to ride it - at least back home or to the repair shop!

The Fluidity is a superb ride, with a taller head tube, the rider loses none of the direct handling characteristics but simply benefits from a more elevated front end and the more 'plush' weave of the Carbon / Vectran / Elastane / Kevlar blend used in its construction. The sweeping rear stays provide an additional element of flex to soak up the bumps on the longer rides and keep the rider fresh. All told it is quite possible that this is the best Sportive frame out there.