The "I need to brag about a gear purchase" thread--Cycling version

[Tony Storaro]

I mean…



Look what the cat just dragged in.

Wonder what might be inside….



Turns out it is this beauty right here…

Now I only need a new groupset and the list of changes to my bike for this year will be complete.

We”ll see about new wheels.

 

[Tony S]

I mean…

View attachment 230162

Look what the cat just dragged in.

Wonder what might be inside….

View attachment 230163

Turns out it is this beauty right here…

Now I only need a new groupset and the list of changes to my bike for this year will be complete.

We”ll see about new wheels.

Ooooh

 

[scott43]

Them Time frames are pretty well made. Nice job!

 

[Tony Storaro]

Them Time frames are pretty well made. Nice job!

Yeah looks good at a first glance, we”ll see how the build will go.

 

[Tom K.]

Them Time frames are pretty well made. Nice job!

Does Time still make their own carbon fiber sheets/tubes/whatever?

I know they used to do that, and it put them in a pretty small club.

 

[cantunamunch]

You reckon they might have Pivoted to outsourcing?

Edit: Too Soon?

 

[scott43]

Not sure. I'll investigate but yeah, they were unique and well made.

 

[scott43]

Interesting

Loading…

www.compositesworld.com

 

[Tony Storaro]

Does Time still make their own carbon fiber sheets/tubes/whatever?

I know they used to do that, and it put them in a pretty small club.

Yes, they made them in France in the past then when the new owners took over they moved all the machinery to Slovakia where they are presently made.
I have been a sucker for their carbon weaving process forever and dreamed about a Fluidity since basically they went extinct.
Fluidity is still not available so I went for the next best thing-the ADH.

Also, I wanted to buy an EU made frame before they moved the production to US. Not that I do not trust Americans but yeah….you know….Boeing and all…

Plus I fear they will go all fat and soft like a certain ski company that shall remain unnamed

Here:

The goal is to transform Time’s proven, albeit manual RTM technology into a high-pressure RTM (HP-RTM) process with a high degree of automation

This bit here worries me.

We are combining efficiency and price appeal with a product that historically has been handmade. For us, it is a wonderful endeavor to industrialize and automate this process without compromising Time’s commitment to quality.”

I don’t buy any of that BS.

Perhaps I should buy a couple more frames…

 

[Rudi Riet]

Yeah, I'm not thrilled with the move to try and "fix what ain't broke," so to speak.

I'm betting that Hambini is watching these changes very closely. He's a big fan of Time and anything that changes their formula is sure to raise red flags with him.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Yeah, I'm not thrilled with the move to try and "fix what ain't broke," so to speak.

Greed. Plain and simple. Like Stockli.

 

[scott43]

Greed. Plain and simple. Like Stockli.

Not sure it's that simple. If something is too expensive people don't buy it. Could be a survival story..

 

[Tony Storaro]

Not sure it's that simple. If something is too expensive people don't buy it. Could be a survival story..

Tarmac SL 8 frameset: 3500 eur and 5500 EUR SWorks
Roubaix SWorks frameset: EUR 5500

Emonda SLR: 4300-5300 EUR

Look Blade: EUR 5400

I mean it is not like Time totally priced themselves out of the market at 3200-4000 EUR per frame.

 

[scott43]

The cost of manufacture for those other frames is not apparent to me. Do you know where they're made?

 

[scott43]

Industry veteran Tony Karklins and partner buy Time Sport from Rossignol

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BRAIN) — The Rossignol Group has sold Time Sport's frame and bike business to the Cardinal Cycling Group, whose partners include French engineer Martial Trigeaud and American Tony Karklins, who is the founder of Allied Cycle Works and the former managing director of Orbea...

www.bicycleretailer.com

 

[cantunamunch]

Not sure it's that simple. If something is too expensive people don't buy it. Could be a survival story..

On a meta level, they are developing robotic assembly in Slovakia. I mean come on folks how is that not full circle???

 

[cantunamunch]

View attachment 230265


Tarmac SL 8 frameset: 3500 eur and 5500 EUR SWorks
Roubaix SWorks frameset: EUR 5500

Emonda SLR: 4300-5300 EUR

Look Blade: EUR 5400

I mean it is not like Time totally priced themselves out of the market at 3200-4000 EUR per frame.

That is the list prices now. In an industry where everyone is waiting for the price collapse shoe to really drop.

 

[Tony Storaro]

That is the list prices now. In an industry where everyone is waiting for the price collapse shoe to really drop.

Yea, that’s a good point. I have been waiting for SWorks prices to drop since….well quite some time now…

 

[Jersey Skier]

That is the list prices now. In an industry where everyone is waiting for the price collapse shoe to really drop.

Wait. That shoe hasn't dropped yet? Do you know how many bikes I've had to sell below my cost to match Specialized's sale prices?

 

[Tony Storaro]

The cost of manufacture for those other frames is not apparent to me. Do you know where they're made?

Of course. Everyone knows. We also have a pretty good idea about the manufacturing cost per frame.
I get your point and you are probably right that Time’s margins are most probably slimmer than those of Spesh and the others but they run the risk of becoming just one among many others and lose their appeal of “best frames in existence” which their manufacturing process gives them.

Hopefully not but we’ll see.