What makes a TIME bike tick: Dispelling the bottom bracket myth

Getting to the bottom of precision engineering

Some people have likened TIME bikes to Swiss watches, and being involved in the process of our engineering, I can see why… whilst being extremely flattered and grateful for such praise. However, in pursuit of the perfect ride – and since Rolan Cattin first set out 40 years ago – every TIME frameset has shared one thing: the smoothest ride possible, delivered through the most exacting engineering. Every element of a TIME bike has to move in harmony with the rider and must deliver the ultimate in bicycle performance – TIME after TIME. That is the challenge we seek. That is ‘Le Defi’ and that is how Roland Cattin wanted his bikes to be defined – for their engineering excellence. 

Choosing a TIME bike means that you’re investing in top-tier performance, precision, and reliability. You’ll experience smoother rides with better power transfer, less maintenance hassle, and the confidence that your bike is built to the highest standards. Our press-fit bottom brackets, engineered with exacting tolerances, offer you the best of both worlds: modern design efficiency with expert craftsmanship's dependability. 

Simply put, you’ll ride further, faster, and more comfortably with a TIME. However, we understand the thoughts and comments from many cyclists around press-fit bottom brackets. We understand them, and we design and engineer our own bottom bracket housings to ensure that any issues you’ve experienced elsewhere, simply will not happen with a TIME bike. Why? Well because we engineer with precision and so let’s discuss this in detail with you. 

Common problems with bottom brackets

Firstly though, before we talk about how TIME engineer high-precision bottom bracket housings, let’s focus on the bottom bracket problems that you might have experienced yourself with other branded framesets. 

Most bottom bracket issues manifest themselves as a persistent creaking sound or a side-to-side wobble in the crank arms. The location of the bottom bracket housing makes it a magnet for dirt and water from the road surface, which is why the tolerances need to be exact. When they’re not, which frequently occurs with less well-engineered brands, you can experience a world filled with problems. 

The most common issues include:

• Creaking bottom bracket: The most frequent complaint. Creaks occur when bearing interfaces, threads, or when the bottom bracket pressed-fit cups rub against the frame under rider load.

• Bearing Wear and Contamination: Grime bypasses the bottom bracket seals, leading to rusted or pitted bearings. This results in a rough, crunchy feel when you spin the pedals.

• Frame Misalignment or Ovalization: This is especially common on press-fit frames where the bottom bracket housing shell was manufactured slightly out-of-round. This causes uneven bearing wear and a persistent creaking.

• Loosening (Play): Worn-out bearings or improperly installed cups will allow the crank axle to shift side-to-side. This can lead to dropped chains and also a damaged crankset. Add to this, the annoyance of having spent time and money on a bike frame, only to experience these persistent bottom bracket issues. 

Of course, there are several manuals and guides that will tell you how to fix each of the above problems. At TIME though, we’d prefer to go for the best option: to create world-leading carbon bike frames with an unequalled level of precision and tolerances, and a bottom bracket housing that is exact. Let’s talk about how we achieve this, because it’s important in understanding the difference between TIME and other manufacturers. It’s the difference between that Swiss watch and a $10-dollar timepiece from the drugstore.  

Dispelling the bottom bracket myth

At TIME, we understand that the bottom bracket is the heart of your bike’s drivetrain. It’s where the power you generate gets transferred to the wheels, so precision is vital. Our industry-leading carbon frames are crafted using our unique Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process, which allows for meticulous control over the manufacturing process. This precision ensures that our bottom bracket shells are built to exact tolerances, reducing any risk of misalignment or poor fit. That commitment to precision means that each bottom bracket shell that TIME create, is engineered to provide a perfect interface with the bottom bracket bearings. It’s how Roalnd Cattin wanted it to be done, and it’s how we’ve been doing it since 1987. This level of engineering excellence and precision results in a bottom bracket that fits perfectly, is correctly aligned and has no element of weakness. And that results in our goal: a smooth, efficient power transfer, reduced friction, and a better ride experience.

Press Fit Bottom Brackets

Press-fit bottom brackets have garnered a mixed reputation in the cycling community. Critics often point to issues like creaking and poor durability. However, as you can already see, these problems are usually a result of poor manufacturing tolerances, not inherent flaws in the press-fit system itself.

At TIME, we’ve addressed these concerns head-on. Our precise manufacturing process ensures that the press-fit bottom bracket shells on every TIME frameset are perfectly round and within tight tolerances. This eliminates the common issues associated with press-fit systems, such as creaking and bearing misalignment.

Here’s why press-fit bottom brackets, when done right, can be a great choice:

• Improved Stiffness: Press-fit bottom brackets allow for larger diameter shells, which can increase frame stiffness. This translates into better power transfer and more efficient riding.

• Weight Savings: Press-fit systems can reduce weight by eliminating the need for threaded metal inserts, making your bike lighter without sacrificing performance.

• Maintenance: Press-fit bottom brackets require minimal maintenance when installed correctly in a well-made frame like those from TIME. The tight tolerances ensure the components stay in place, reducing the risk of creaking or movement.

The TIME Advantage

What sets TIME apart from our competitors is our relentless focus on quality and precision. We’ve designed our bottom bracket shells to meet the highest standards, ensuring a perfect fit and exceptional performance.  Using our proprietary Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process, instead of making the bottom bracket as a separate piece to bond later, we insert a solid steel core into the frame mold and weave our own braided carbon directly around it to ensure a perfect and permanent alignment. We’ve developed this over 40 years, and it follows those guiding principles laid down by Roland Cattin – excellence in engineering innovation:

• Solid Steel Inserts: During the carbon lay-up stage, a solid, precision-machined steel insert is placed inside the mold at the critical bottom bracket shell location.

• Braiding: Using their proprietary Resin Transfer Molding machines, carbon and specialized materials are layered and braided directly around this steel shell.

• Resin Injection: The two halves of the mold are clamped together with the inserts in place, and high-quality liquid resin is injected under strict pressure.

• The Result: This process eliminates structural voids and provides a perfectly round, incredibly exact bottom bracket housing.