If you’ve ever seen a Time bicycle, you know it’s not just another high-end bike—it’s a masterpiece of precision, technology, and craftsmanship. But many riders ask the same question before buying: who makes Time bicycles? The answer reveals a brand deeply rooted in innovation and a commitment to European manufacturing that few companies can match.
Let’s take a closer look at who makes Time bicycles, where they’re built, and why their unique production process makes them some of the most advanced bikes in the world.
Who Makes Time Bicycles?
Time bicycles are made by Cardinal Cycling Group, an American company that owns and manages the Time brand. The bikes themselves are designed and engineered in France and handcrafted in Gajary, Slovakia, at Time’s proprietary carbon fiber production facility.
This means that while the brand is managed under U.S. leadership, Time bikes remain 100% European-made, continuing the legacy of craftsmanship and carbon fiber expertise that started in France more than three decades ago.
A Brief History of Time Bicycles
Time was founded in 1987 by French engineer Roland Cattin, who set out to create the most technologically advanced bicycles and pedals in the world. The company gained fame for inventing clipless pedals used by professional cyclists and for pioneering the use of carbon fiber in frame construction long before it became an industry standard.
After several ownership changes—including a period under the Rossignol Group (best known for skis)—Time was acquired in 2021 by Cardinal Cycling Group. This marked a new chapter in the brand’s story, bringing fresh investment while preserving its commitment to European production.
How Time Makes Its Bicycles
Time stands apart from nearly every other bike manufacturer because it produces its own carbon fiber frames in-house. Most brands buy pre-made carbon sheets, but Time controls the entire process—from weaving the fibers to molding the final frame. This level of control results in exceptional strength, precision, and ride quality.
1. In-House Carbon Weaving
Time uses its own Braided Carbon Structure (BCS) technology. Instead of stacking flat carbon sheets, they braid fibers together in multiple directions, allowing for precise control over stiffness and vibration absorption. This gives Time bikes their signature combination of performance and comfort.
2. Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)
Once the carbon weave is ready, Time uses a process called Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) to inject resin evenly throughout the frame. This eliminates voids or imperfections and ensures consistent frame density—something rarely achieved in mass production.
3. Hand Finishing and Assembly
Every Time frame is hand-finished and inspected by skilled technicians in Europe. Paint, graphics, and assembly are completed with the same attention to detail you’d expect from a luxury car or Swiss watch.
Where Time Bicycles Are Made
While ownership is based in the United States, all Time bicycles are made in Europe. The brand operates two main facilities:
- Voreppe, France: Time’s design, research, and development center, where frames are engineered and tested.
- Gajary, Slovakia: Time’s carbon production and assembly facility, where each frame is molded, cured, and finished.
This combination ensures that Time remains one of the only bicycle brands still fully manufacturing its carbon frames in Europe.
Why Knowing Who Makes Time Bicycles Matters
Understanding who makes Time bicycles helps explain their value. These bikes are not mass-produced—they’re crafted by a team of engineers and artisans who treat frame building as a science and an art. For riders, this translates into:
- Superior ride quality: Balanced stiffness, comfort, and precision.
- Long-term durability: Meticulous construction means frames last for years without degradation.
- Exclusive technology: No other brand uses the same BCS and RTM combination.
Verdict: Who Makes Time Bicycles?
Time bicycles are made by Cardinal Cycling Group, but every frame is crafted in Europe using the brand’s proprietary carbon weaving and molding technologies. This rare mix of innovation, craftsmanship, and in-house production makes Time one of the few brands still delivering true handmade performance bikes in the modern cycling world.
FAQs
1. Where are Time bicycles manufactured?
All Time bicycles are designed in France and manufactured in Gajary, Slovakia, at Time’s in-house carbon fiber facility.
2. Who owns Time bicycles?
Time is owned by Cardinal Cycling Group, a U.S.-based company founded by cycling industry veterans Tony Karklins and Patrice Lemieux.
3. Are Time bikes still made in Europe?
Yes. Even under American ownership, Time bikes continue to be fully made in Europe, maintaining the brand’s French heritage and European craftsmanship.
