As reviews are not my forte, there’s need for a backstory, too…
So there I was, minding my own business in the LBS the other day (Cycles Passieu in Nimes, France), chatting with the owner (ex-pro David Gautier), and I casually asked him about the Time Alpe d’Huez, since he had a big poster of it a while back at the entrance that caught my eye. It just so happened that it was my lucky day, and the model he had in the window over there was my size. The next thing I knew it had my wheels and pedals on it (I was there with the Colnago for some maintenance) in the back of my car. Like all good sales pitches, I didn’t know what hit me.
But I didn’t (or ‘haven’t’) buy the bike; David generously loaned it to me for the weekend. The first thing I did at home was to check this thing out and find out how much money I’d need to pay if I wiped out with it (there was no price tag on it at the shop). That was probably a mistake because it turns out that I had in my possession the top of the line Alpe d’Huez 01 (there is also a lower-model ’21’, each number corresponding to a hairpin of Alpe d’Huez, i.e. ‘top’ and ‘bottom’), with all the upgrade boxes ticked (Aktiv fork, Time’s proprietary stem and handlebar, Dura-ace Di2, etc.) I would easily be riding a €10,000 machine.
So, with great trepidation (till around the 3rd pedal stroke) I took off for a 100 km run up north to see how the bike lived up to its name.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2185931588
The first thing I noticed was how perfectly it fit me. This was actually a little depressing because you’d think the bike I’ve been fiddling endlessly with for 5 years would be the benchmark for ‘comfort’. Well, it ain’t anymore I guess – whatever magic David worked up when doing his measurements the shop, it worked. The bike felt great.
The cockpit is a dream, too, with nice, wide bars that you can see are flat on top and bald carbon. I never once thought this was a problem, although I did find myself on the (very generous) hoods most of the time.
The next thing that hit me was on the climb out of Nimes when I stood on the pedals for a few strokes. The Alpe d’Huez is far more responsive than my Colnago, which I’m not sure what to chalk up to: it could be that it’s a stiffer bike, or it might be that it’s lighter, or both. It definitely feels like it wants to climb, anyway.
By now I was mentally counting how much dough I had in the bank and how I’d justify buying this bike to myself and my wife. Then I descended the backside of the Nimes hill and thankfully I noticed that it didn’t go down as nicely as the Colnago. It was a bitter-sweet descent, but as I made my way down those 2 km I realized that it felt a little like my Bianchi – ‘throwable’. I could maneuver the bike well on the descent, even if it didn’t feel quite as stable as my C59 (which sort of descends on its own – you just follow along). So overall, I decided it was an unfair comparison – the Alpe d’Huez is a good descender.
By the end of my 4+ hours I still felt good on the bike, so the Time artisans (this bike is still made by hand in France) have got something right, I believe, especially for such a stiff ‘climbing bike’. One thing that could be the reason for such a nice ride is the Activ fork, which is a pretty technical piece of equipment. Essentially, there is a metal doohicky on a stick inside there that vibrates when you go over rough road, damping up the badness so that your body doesn’t have to. From my nearly 7 hours (I’ve ridden again since writing the above) on the bike, I can say with growing confidence that it works.
Here’s my 2nd ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/2188691365
Not related to Time’s craftsmanship, but a novelty for me; my test bike came with Dura-ace Di2, which I’d purposely never tried out before. Obviously, now I have to have it. I’ll miss not being able to change gears with my pinky.
This is a serious bike and comes with an equally no-nonsense price-tag, but if you do have the bread for this French-made beauty you can order it completely custom (lead time – 5 weeks) from their online configurateur. As for me, I’m going to take my loaner back to Passieu on Tuesday and hope to hell I have the strength to resist telling David to order me one. Wish me luck.
The Vicious Cycle 
Electronic shifting is one of those things, like disc breaks, that you really don’t “need.” But once you’ve tried it … :). Gotta keep the economy going, Gerry!
I’ll try and do my bit, Jan!
I totally agree with Jan. I resisted electronic shifting for years and now that I have SRAM eTap HDR I’ll never go back to mechanical shifting or rim brakes. The down side is I have three bikes that need to be replaced, or maybe that’s actually a good thing.
And one more comment. If you’re considering electronic shifting, skip Shimano and go straight to SRAM eTap wireless. It’s superior in every category. There’s a reason why all unsponsored pros ride it. And if you have really, really deep pockets, the new SRAM eTap AXS is in a league if it’s own. Shimano has a lot of catching up to do.
I couldn’t imagine anything smoother than the Dura-Ace, but I am sure it exists. I did see the price tap for one of those SRAMs on the TIME website and it wasn’t pretty. Could be a top-line frameset for the same price.
I laughed out loud… this is specifically why I won’t ride anything better than what I’ve got in the bike room… I have no “no” button I can push. I’m powerless.
I have the same problem at bike shops and pubs. Probably best to stay away from both.
Amen, brother. Not so much for pubs in my case. 😉
I might be joining you in your sobriety someday, Jim…someday!
Done correctly (which isn’t all that hard), it’s an excellent, rewarding, and happy way to live. The happiness has to be the best part for me. That’s what keeps me on the right track. I don’t want my misery back. If you ever need someone to talk to, brother, just let me know. I’ll be here for you.
It has to be a sign. Was just fondling this bike – albeit with more modest componentry – in MY LBS and thinking I must try. So I Googled and this review pops to the top. Got a few sentences in before I realized this choice sounded awfully familiar. Thoughts on sizing?
It’s a sign, T! I don’t really recall the size of the bike I tried. Maybe it was 54? I’m now looking at Canyon, yet again, mainly because I could buy a bike set-up similar to the AdH for half the price. Hope all is well over there.
Hahaha! You’ve been had! Good thing it didn’t come with disc brakes. Otherwise, that would have been a full on call from the Dark Side! 😆
No kidding. There’s so much out there I don’t have, Chikashi!
This *voice*, not this “choice”. Doh.
I’m surprised it didn’t come with disc brakes too. Well there’s your excuse “I’d buy it but it doesn’t have disc brakes”. Then run like hell out of the store before he throws that option in. 😎
It might be last year’s model. Apparently they only came ready for rim brakes. I still haven’t tried disk. I’m safe.
I’ve had my Kuota KOM Dura Ace Di2 now going on to 4 years. I’m starting to think about my next bike and I have I tell you that it has to be DA Di2 again. There is no reason to order DA anymore as Ultegra Di2 is just as good except for a little weight and without the heavier price tag. That being said , in my case, its just a status thing as getting Ultegra psychologically would feel inferior. I think I’m sick!
You’re not sick, Pierre. You’re just a cyclist!
David is quite obviously a born salesman. You haven’t a hope in hell!
In the long run, Sheree, I’m sure you’re right.