It’s an incredible era in cycling. Never before have bikes been so light, strong, reliable, and versatile, offering options for every kind of rider and terrain. TIME Bicycles covers the modern cycling spectrum with models including the high performance Alpe d’Huez road bike, the ADHX, a versatile all-road machine, and our ultra-capable gravel beast, the ADHX 45. While tire width might seem like the only noticeable distinction—ranging from 28mm on the ADH to 45mm on the ADHX 45—the real differences go far deeper than that 20mm of rubber might imply.
Wide Tires Change Everything
The advent of disc brakes for drop bar bikes instantly made wider tires viable, and tire width significantly impacts a bike's geometry and performance, influencing fork trail, wheelbase, and bottom bracket height. Due to its size, a 700x40c gravel tire will increase fork trail for greater stability but requires a longer wheelbase and adjustments to bottom bracket height to maintain balance and handling. Compare that to even a relatively wide by traditional standard 700x28c road tire, and you’d need to again adjust frame design and geometry to optimize handling.
And it’s not just geometry. Longer wheelbases and chainstays flex differently, and gravel bikes and road bikes see very different kinds of surfaces and impacts. Frame designers factor this when defining tube diameters, wall thicknesses, and in the case of pre-preg carbon fiber frames, the layup of various, often additional layers. TIME has an advantage here, as TIME’s proprietary Braided Carbon Structure (BCS) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) processes enable us to dynamically tune the ride characteristics of each model. By controlling fiber type, orientation and resin distribution within the three-dimensional braided carbon structure, TIME creates frames that deliver uncompromising performance, whether for the agility of a road bike, the versatility of an all-road bike, or the compliance and stability of a gravel bike.
Pure Road: Alpe d’Huez
The Alpe d’Huez (ADH) is a no-compromise road machine, engineered for speed and precision on paved surfaces. Its short wheelbase and tight angles make it highly responsive, while its lightweight frame is designed to excel on challenging climbs like its namesake, the iconic Alpe d’Huez in France. Optimized for 700x28c tires, it handles rough roads and dirt connectors just fine, but shines brightest on the tarmac.
Our BCS and RTM construction process incorporates 16 types of fibers, including Vectran™, Kevlar™, and Dyneema®, and for the ADH our engineers selected a model-specific mix that mutes road buzz and moderately rough pavement while remaining explosively responsive for instant power transfer—ideal for closing gaps, sprinting and punching up steep pitches.
Bottom Line: If your rides are primarily paved and you covet pure performance above all else, the ADH is your ultimate companion for Strava KOM hunts and fast group rides.
Modern Multi Surface Versatility: Alpe d’Huez X
The TIME Alpe d'Huez is the epitome of a modern, multi-surface road bike. With a 16mm longer wheelbase, 7mm more fork offset, a half degree slacker heat tube (size medium) and clearance for tires up to 700x38c, it balances road-centric nimbleness with all-road versatility. It’s nearly as fast and responsive on paved roads as the ADH, while offering much of the capability of the gravel-focused ADHX 45.
This bike is perfect for riders who don’t like to be limited by the road surface. Logging roads, double-track and light trails are in play, and there are pro gravel racers who select similarly narrow tires for certain courses. Many of the most popular gravel treads are available in a 700x38c size, while swapping to narrower road tires transforms the ADHX into a capable road bike. We adjust the BCS fiber mix and orientation for a ride quality that’s plush and silky yet lively, optimized around 700x35c tires for the best balance of road manners and all-road confidence.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a do-it-all bike that handles everything from fast group rides to rugged backroads, the ADHX is your quiver killer.
Gravel Specialist: ADHX 45
When riding off road, tire volume is king. The TIME ADHX 45 is designed to run a 700x45c tire which has roughly three times the volume of the ADH’s 28 tire and 65% more than the Alpe d'Huez X’s 38c. Between the added volume and availability of more aggressive tread patterns, the ADHX 45 is the ultimate gravel slayer for riders seeking maximum adventure and the roughest terrain this side of mountain biking. To handle that rubber, the ADHX 45’s wheelbase grows by 17mm over the ADHX, along with an additional 3 mm of fork offset and slacker head and seat tube angles (size medium).
While it’s capable on pavement, the ADHX 45 is definitely dialed for rougher routes, where its increased rolling resistance and weight (mostly due the bigger tires) fade into insignificance compared to its ability to tackle technical terrain. You can always toss slicks on an ADHX 45 but you’ll want to stay with rubber that’s at least 700x32c or bigger, as anything smaller may reduce BB height to the point where pedal strikes might become an issue while cornering.
As you’d expect, TIME engineers sharpened their virtual pencils for the ADHX 45 and adjusted it to the unique forces experienced while riding bigger tires on much rougher surfaces. Along with a different BCS fiber selection and orientation, additional Dyneema® fibers are included for enhanced vibration management and impact resistance to ensure strength durability required of demanding environments.
Bottom Line: If your routes include rough country and as little pavement as possible and you often bump into mountain bikes on rides, this is your no-compromise, mega capable gravel companion.
Choices and Considerations: Two Different Perspectives The cycling media generally steers riders to the ‘right’ bike based on a set of abstract circumstances and industry-wide trends, but as a rider, you can take a personalized approach based on your specific scenario.
Who do you ride with and what do they ride? It might make sense to aim for a similar bike as the rest of your crew so you’re all evenly matched and having a similar experience regardless of routes and surfaces. Alternately, if you excel on the uphills but struggle with the descents, going with a bike that can handle wider tires (knobby or otherwise) might be a great equalizer.
What’s your dream ride? Not everyone gets to live someplace with endless epic gravel roads in their backyard, and maybe your regular routes are straight road rides. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider an aggressive gravel bike like the ADHX 45. You might be hauling around more rubber than you need on some rides, but you’ll be ready for that big gravel event come Summer.
Choosing a bike is a commitment. If you’ve made it this far and you still have questions, hit up your local TIME Dealer or reach out directly.
