TIME founded, by Roland CATTIN in December 1986, claims that its mission is designing and marketing very advanced bicycle components, prompted by competitors.

From an original technical concept thought up by Jean BEYL, the company launched out into the "clipless" pedal market in 1987. He granted the licence for making use of his patents to Roland CATTIN who founded TIME in Nevers (Nièvre). That year, the first TIME road racing shoe was launched.

The TIME pedal was original in that it follows natural foot movements and the constraints of biomechanics linked to pedalling techniques unlike other automatic pedalling systems.

This is how the new TIME pedal, the first automatic pedal allowing angular and lateral freedom, significantly lessened tendinitis risks to which cyclists and more specifically racing cyclists were frequently exposed.

A lot of people were sceptical about the validity of this design called BIOPERFORMANCE in those days.

That was when TIME pedals carried off their first victories with Pedro DELGADO (TIME shoes+ TIME pedals) and Jeannie LONGO (TIME pedals) in particular who won the 1988 male and female TOUR de FRANCE with TIME.

TIME was represented on over 120 podiums that year of 1988. So the BIOPERFORMANCE concept became obvious.

Winning like this gave TIME confidence and it has been able to take advantage of a prestigious unrivalled list of prize winners since then.

To increase business and make the company stronger, others products were then developed.

TIME launched out into the automatic pedal market intended for the VTT during the 1990s. These VTT pedals, based on the ATAC technical concept (Auto Tension Adjustment Concept), are now adopted by most high level participants and are maintained as a worldwide reference.

According to its design, the ATAC concept in fact is the only gear existing that can free itself from hardness adjustment that makes it possible for this discipline to be undertaken in all confidence and safety like this without risk of untimely stripping regardless of the type of terrain (mud, sand, gravel, etc.,).

TIME launched out into design and production of carbon products, forks, frames and fittings still in the 1990s, so as to continue diversifying its "products" offers.

As regards carbon, TIME is the only one to master RTM technology (Resin Transfer Moulding), that consists of producing its own plaits from preselected fibres: carbon, kevlar, vectran etc., unlike all other manufacturers.

From carbon wire, this technology consists of producing plaits in tubular form and placing them in a closed mould which is then housed in an injection moulding press. Resin is then directly injected into the mould to polymerize the product.

Some of the secrets of RTM technology are being able to select each fibre used, place it and point it extremely accurately in accordance with the sought after properties, and increase safety. Better than others, this method has the advantages of:

-making it possible to produce parts with complex shapes.

-customizing fibres used in accordance with the sought after features.

-minimising delaminating risks due to different strata formed by successive carbon layers.

In the carbon products field Time most certainly has an undeniable technological lead. A great many professional racing cyclists use forks and frames produced by our company with the Time trademark or constructors’ trademark.

Indeed, Time framesets were used by both road-race & time-trial winners at the UCI World Championships at Madrid in 2005. Tom Boonen rode a Time VXRS Ulteam model & Michael Rogers used the new RXR aerodynamic model. Also, the reigning Olymic road-race champion, Paolo Bettini of Italia, used a Time VXR frameset in Athens 2004.

TIME has two work sites:

One at Varennes Vauzelles where the head office and pedal assembly works are located. The other at Charancieu where the whole Design Office and carbon products manufacture are located. Under his brand, Time is the only company which equipped 2 professional teams selected for the UCI Pro Tour!

From a product standpoint:

Time is now advancing in three main lines of business, having started business with the only road pedals:

- Road and VTT pedals - Road and VTT shoes - Carbon Modules (frame + fork + stem + seatpost) - Carbon components (crankset, bottle cage)

Carbon products make up 45 % of its turnover with shoes and pedals comprising 55 %. Time has significant growth rates in each of these lines of business.

From an international standpoint:

Time represented in over 25 countries, exports about 65 % of its turnover. It is particularly strong in a market like the United States where it has an outstanding reputation and image.

From a market standpoint :

Bicycle components that form most of Time's products, are aimed at two different markets, following the example of products like car tyres:

-The first mount market or the "OEM" that is to say components sales to bicycle constructors. -The spare parts or "Aftermarket" market that is to say components sales to stores selling bicycles. It is Time's duty to be a key supplier in each of these two markets. -With products like shoes and also pedals and carbon frames in the "Aftermarket " market. -With products like pedals or even carbon forks in the "OEM" market.

This strategy has the advantage of making the company less sensitive to cyclical ups and downs that can affect the bicycle market at times.

From a consumer standpoint:

It does not necessarily mean that Time should neglect it through the leisure sport niche where it should offer products easier to use, with comfort and safety features especially appreciated by non-competitive users, if Time specifically participates in the competitive sports field where efficiency or performance research is vital.