If you’ve ever looked closely at a Time bicycle, you know it’s not just another carbon frame. The precision, finish, and ride quality feel different—because they are. So, where are Time bicycles manufactured? The answer reveals why these bikes have earned a reputation as some of the finest carbon machines in the world.
Where Are Time Bicycles Manufactured?
Time bicycles are manufactured in Gajary, Slovakia, at the brand’s state-of-the-art carbon production facility. While the company’s headquarters and R&D center are located in Voreppe, France, all frame production, carbon weaving, and molding take place in Europe—specifically at their dedicated factory in Slovakia.
This makes Time one of the very few cycling brands that still produces its own carbon fiber frames in-house, rather than outsourcing manufacturing to Asia. Every Time frame is built under strict European standards, combining innovation, performance, and craftsmanship in every step of production.
A Brief Look at Time’s Manufacturing Evolution
Founded in 1987 by Roland Cattin in France, Time originally produced pedals and cycling accessories before expanding into full carbon frames. From the very beginning, the company stood out for doing something few others dared—developing its own carbon fiber technology.
Over the years, Time’s manufacturing has evolved but never left Europe. When Cardinal Cycling Group acquired the brand in 2021, it doubled down on maintaining this European production model to preserve Time’s legacy of quality and engineering excellence.
How Time Frames Are Manufactured
Unlike most carbon frame manufacturers who rely on pre-made carbon sheets from suppliers, Time controls every step of the process—from raw fiber to finished frame. Here’s how it happens inside their European facility:
1. Braided Carbon Structure (BCS)
Time’s unique Braided Carbon Structure (BCS) involves weaving continuous carbon fibers into tubular shapes. This method allows for precise control over stiffness, compliance, and ride feel. Instead of stacking flat layers of carbon, the braided approach ensures consistent strength and flexibility in all directions.
2. Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)
Once the carbon tubes are braided, they undergo Resin Transfer Molding (RTM). During this process, liquid resin is injected into the carbon structure under pressure, ensuring perfect resin distribution and eliminating air pockets. The result is a lighter, stronger, and more uniform frame.
3. European Hand Finishing
After molding, each frame is hand-finished and painted by skilled technicians in Slovakia. Every detail—from alignment to surface finish—is meticulously checked before the frames are sent to France for final inspection and distribution.
Why Manufacturing Location Matters
When cyclists ask where Time bicycles are manufactured, they’re often asking something deeper: “Can I trust the quality?” With Time, the answer is an unequivocal yes. Producing bikes in Europe allows the company to:
- Maintain total quality control: Every stage of production happens under one roof.
- Preserve craftsmanship: Skilled European technicians assemble and inspect each frame by hand.
- Ensure environmental responsibility: Time uses cleaner, regulated manufacturing processes that meet EU sustainability standards.
Time’s European Advantage
In a market where many high-end brands outsource to Asia, Time’s European-made approach gives it a rare edge. By controlling its own carbon production, the company can innovate faster and deliver performance that riders can feel on every climb, sprint, and descent.
It’s not just marketing—Time’s bikes are genuinely crafted differently. The precision of their carbon layup, combined with in-house R&D, results in frames that balance power transfer, comfort, and durability unlike anything else on the market.
Verdict: Where Are Time Bicycles Manufactured?
Time bicycles are manufactured in Gajary, Slovakia, and designed in France. The brand’s unique European production model allows it to maintain full control over the carbon process—from fiber weaving to molding—ensuring every frame meets Time’s legendary performance and quality standards.
When you ride a Time bike, you’re not just riding a product—you’re experiencing European engineering at its finest, shaped by decades of innovation and a passion for perfection.
FAQs
1. Are Time bikes made in France or Slovakia?
Time bikes are designed and engineered in France but manufactured in Gajary, Slovakia, at the brand’s proprietary carbon production facility.
2. Does Time produce its own carbon frames?
Yes. Time is one of the few companies in the world that weaves its own carbon fiber and uses Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) to produce frames in-house.
3. Who owns Time Bicycles today?
Time is owned by Cardinal Cycling Group, a U.S.-based company that continues to manufacture all bicycles in Europe to preserve the brand’s French heritage and quality standards.
