A Going-to-Patagonia Time ADHX 45

At the birth of competitive cycling in the late 19th century, the French showed the world how to randonnée, departing in droves for long, arduous expeditions up, down and across France. This distinctly all-terrain activity was called randonneuring, and its participants, known as ‘randonneurs’, were the earliest exponents of the endurance bikepacking and fast gravel movements we know today.

It follows then that a French cycling company, like Time, might have a unique take on the trail and what modern gravel requires. That bike is the Time ADHX 45, a European-made machine that boasts Bio-Based Dyneema®, the World’s Strongest Fiber®, BCS (Braided Carbon Structure) and RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding).

Recently, we had the pleasure of creating a Regroup Custom project around a Time ADHX 45 frameset, and we were impressed. In fact, we were so enamored with the bike that we inked a deal to become a Time Bikes partner and an official dealer for the brand.

Our client chose a paint-free finish for his Time ADHX 45, which only the very best in the business can pull off without a hitch. Other bare bottom brackets we’ve seen of late include sterling examples from both Sarto and Parlee.

On the ADHX 45, Time’s unique carbon weave screams sophistication. With updates to allow for wider tires, the addition of UDH, and a RockShox Rudy gravel fork for extra chattery terrain, this bike is ready to take on the trails of Patagonia, AZ, where our client plans to put the bike through its paces.

To bring the build to the road, we turned to SRAM and a de rigueur Red AXS E1 groupset, complete with a Quarq power meter, complemented by Zipp 303 XPLR wheels running Pirelli XC RC 45mm tires. A Zipp cockpit comprising an SL Speed Carbon stem, an SL80 Race Carbon handlebar, and an SL Speed seat post keeps the bike on track, topped off with a Fizik Antares Versus Evo R1 saddle.

Post-build update: On final delivery to our client, we switched out the RockShox fork for Time’s stock offering. During a test ride, we found a risk of the fork touching the frame in extreme scenarios. We’ll report back on the viability of using suspension forks with the ADHX45 as soon as we have more information.