Test of the Time Scylon

Despite several changes of ownership in recent years, Time remains a benchmark brand. The Scylon is not new, but it remains one of the sure values ​​of the market, thanks to its impeccable behavior and finish.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Vincent Lyky

Time Sport has been owned for a year by Cardinal Cycling Group, a Franco-American investment and management group involved in the cycling industry. After many twists and turns, the French brand was sold by the Rossignol group, which did not hide its ambitions at the time of the acquisition of Time in 2016. In the end, the pedal business was sold to Sram, and the Vaulx-Milieu factory in Isère was permanently closed. Time frames are now entirely manufactured in Slovakia in a brand factory, but still with the RTM manufacturing process (Resin Transfer Molding), unique on the cycle market. The tubes are braided from carbon fibers, then positioned on a removable core, before epoxy resin is injected under pressure. Some complex parts, such as the fork legs or the stem, are made by a compression system (CMT – Carbon Matrix Technology).

Even though they lost their label Made in France, Time frames therefore retain their originality and a more than attractive behavior on the route. Obviously, today we can do lighter, and above all better integrated, but it is difficult to do more balanced. With its manufacturing process and its slightly old-fashioned charm, the Scylon remains attractive, especially for all those who remain insensitive to the sirens of marketing. Its style makes it almost timeless, and the finish is of a very high standard. For many, buying a Time is a long-term investment.

Available for both disc and rim brakes – it is important to point out – the Scylon frame is the brand's top-of-the-range model., and it is offered in two versions: the Scylon at €3999 and the Scylon Aktiv with its dynamic beater fork to reduce vibrations at €4399. Within the range, we also find the Alpe d'Huez model from €2499, the and the Alpe d'Huez 01 from €3699, frames with characteristics rather focused on lightness and comfort.

The Scylon is therefore the brand's pure competition bike, with aerodynamically shaped tubes, and a manufacturing mainly from high modulus carbon fibers, which ensure rigidity and lightness. Vectran fibers are also integrated in order to absorb vibrations. The Scylon is therefore a rigid bike, but also comfortable to maintain performance even over long distances.

A montagand high end

For this test, AlternativSport, the company that now distributes Time in France among others, sent us a bike with a montagand very high end : a 1×13 Rotor group, Enve SES 3.4 rims (38mm front, 42mm rear, weighing about 390g) mounted on Rotor Rvolver hubs, Pirelli P7 tires, a Repente Prime saddle (160g), a Time Ergodrive handlebar (230g) and a Time Monolink stem (130g), Supacaz carbon bar tape and bottle cages (26g each), a Close The Gap computer mount with integrated bell, and Suntour QLoc Thru Axle wheel locks (not very practical in use). All for a weight of 7,4 kg without pedals in size M.

While the frame kit in this version for disc brakes retains the routing of the brake hoses and the derailleur (since the Rotor group adopts a hydraulic transmission) on the front of the head tube, it does benefit from profiled shapes for the seat tube, the seat stays, the chainstays and the fork blades, and a Kamm Tail profile for the diagonal and upper tubes. The head tube remains relatively massive, as does its junction with the two main tubes. At the level of the rear triangle, we note the small space between the wheel and the frame, an option chosen to favor aerodynamics. The finish is of a very high standard, with an easy to clean satin varnish and superb holographic logos.

A bike that’s always in the game

The design of the Time Scylon is certainly a little dated, but it is clear that reconborn that its behavior has little to envy more modern productions. The frame is distinguished by an omnipresent rigidity, but not brittle. The bike is one of the so-called "demanding" models, in the sense that you have to be in good physical condition to get the most out of it, but if that's the case, what a treat! On the routeIn the hilly and windy areas of the Chevreuse Valley, the Scylon is at ease whatever the slope of the terrain.

On the flat, It shows a lot of stability when driving fast with a large development. On strong restarts, it never falls apart, and the Enve wheels even give it a hint of extra nervousness to quickly get back to cruising speed after a tight bend, for example. Well-settled in an aerodynamic position and exceeding 40 km/h, it is difficult to feel the difference with the very latest bikes of this type. The head tube is however a little high, and forces the most athletic riders to bend their elbows to find an aggressive position.

On the bumps, it allows you to climb efficiently with injection and gear ratio, or even with force with a low pedaling cadence, as long as your legs allow it. On the other hand, when fatigue sets in, you shouldn't count on a slight rebound effect from the frame to erase impaired gestural coordination. When you feel like you're at the end of your rope, it's better to adopt a small gear and climb on the train rather than trying to fight with the bike.

When going downhill, the holding of route Scylon is flawless, especially since it absorbs the irregularities of the bitumen very well. The vibrations felt are not excessive and contact with the route is rather silky. In the city, between roundabouts, speed bumps and other road features that require frequent restarts, the bike is precise and responsive, but on condition that you maintain a dynamic attitude.

You understand, The Time Scylon is a perfectly successful bike that does not usurp its reputation as a competition bike. Moreover, it is a machine that was still used by the pros on route in 2018 (with St-Michel-Auber 93) or even in triathlon on the Olympic distance events. It is comfortable on many terrains, but you have to be properly trained to appreciate its full potential. In this version with disc brakes, it does not suffer from an eliminatory overweight thanks to this montage high-end and with very high-performance wheels. It remains a relatively high price, for a product that is no longer manufactured in France and not really new, but which should be put into perspective by the fact that a Time owner generally remains one for a long time.

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