An Unassuming Hero: the 2018 TIME Scylon Aktiv Disc
While the vast majority of the cycling industry zigs and zags in unison, TIME Sport has typically defied trend chasing. Nearly every other brand (outside of Giant) buys their carbon from a supplier, but TIME keeps their carbon fiber production in-house to specifically tune their frames to their exact characteristics. As companies pushed for lighter, stiffer, and consequentially less forgiving frames, TIME always considered that performance and comfort are inseparable, which lead to bikes that were more forgiving and comfortable. This 2018 TIME Scylon Aktiv Disc build, using the 2018 Hero colorway, exemplifies this very philosophy, a tour de force of aerodynamic efficiency, top-notch tech, and surprising ride comfort.
The TIME special sauce boils down to three ingredients: RTM, Aktiv fork technology, and time-tested geometry. Long story short, despite its positioning as an aero road bike, the Scylon is more comfortable than it has any right to be. The Scylon does a good job smoothing out a rough ride, and it absolutely performs over rough roads and disjointed surfaces. Big impacts are felt, to be sure, but the draining high-frequency bumps that fatigue over a long day are muted very well. It's a bike that is designed for a long day of racing or fast canyon carving, but it rides with a level of poise that few bikes come close to.
We think highly of the TIME Scylon, and this build accentuates this very nicely. Shimano Dura Ace Di2 is a popular choice with this bike for its faultless shifting. The ENVE Composites SES 3.4 Disc wheelset complements the Scylon's aero potential without sacrificing on-road efficiency, and it's matching ENVE cockpit keeps matters low-key and high-performance. We're particularly fond of the Pirelli P-Zero Velo road tires, which roll quickly and offer loads of grip in the corners.
What makes this Scylon a Hero? Besides the black and green Hero colorway, it features both the vaunted Aktiv Fork as well as disc brakes. This combination is new to TIME, but together it makes the Scylon the rest of the bike industry wants to make: a ruthlessly efficient road bike that stops as efficiently as it goes, but glides over road imperfections while maintaining an aero profile. Trend chasing may have benefits, but in the case of the 2018 TIME Scylon Aktiv Disc, it's clearly better to lead than to follow.
As always, if you have any questions, drop us a line at info@contenderbicycles.com, or call us during shop hours at 801.364.0344.
The TIME special sauce boils down to three ingredients: RTM, Aktiv fork technology, and time-tested geometry. Long story short, despite its positioning as an aero road bike, the Scylon is more comfortable than it has any right to be. The Scylon does a good job smoothing out a rough ride, and it absolutely performs over rough roads and disjointed surfaces. Big impacts are felt, to be sure, but the draining high-frequency bumps that fatigue over a long day are muted very well. It's a bike that is designed for a long day of racing or fast canyon carving, but it rides with a level of poise that few bikes come close to.
We think highly of the TIME Scylon, and this build accentuates this very nicely. Shimano Dura Ace Di2 is a popular choice with this bike for its faultless shifting. The ENVE Composites SES 3.4 Disc wheelset complements the Scylon's aero potential without sacrificing on-road efficiency, and it's matching ENVE cockpit keeps matters low-key and high-performance. We're particularly fond of the Pirelli P-Zero Velo road tires, which roll quickly and offer loads of grip in the corners.