Time’s VXRs Bettini Frameset is akin to pulling a platinum record out of the archives, setting it on the turntable, and rediscovering that the music made then has a beauty that it totally relevant today.
The basic frameset, a lugged carbon-fiber gem, was incredibly successful, raced to victories in the Olympics, the Worlds (twice!), Milan-San Remo, Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Giro di Lombardia, and many more. It competed in all events, at all distances, and won everywhere it went. Pilots included: Tom Boonen, Filippo Pozzato, and, of course, Paolo Bettini.
Bettini, il grillo (the cricket), is responsible for one of the Worlds victories, the Olympics, and Lombardy. He also won the Italian national championship This Limited Edition frameset celebrates the winningest racer of the VXRs. Only 300 are available. They are numbered on the fork blades, are dressed in a carbon finish that is accented with white logos, white paint on the inside of the stays and fork, and world champion stripes. Bettini’s signature appears on the fork crown, just above the number. Included is a personally-signed poster of il grillo.
The reason this frameset is worth bringing back is the ride. The slim frame tubes add comfort and control to the ride. While the bike still feels plenty stiff thanks to the integrated seamast, of which Time was an innovator. Steering is still predictable and precise thanks to the tapered 1 1/8” to 1 1/4” steerer tube-something the Time was doing before anyone else. The geometry is a bit more aggressive than what Time currently builds, with a shorter head tube and steeper head angle. The result is a quicker-handling ride that can dart between riders, between cars, almost hop its way through potholes, a perfect bike for a cricket.
The bike is almost identical to what you found the Quick-Step cycling team riding in Bettini’s day. Carbon lugs attached to carbon tubes. The design was easily adaptable and customizable thanks to the lugged construction. The front derailleur hanger keeps a clamp from squeezing the carbon. The slender wishbone seat stays do a great job maximizing vertical comfort while the bulky chain stays fight mashing. Vectran, the amazing fiber Time weaves into their carbon tubes, is present for its vibration-damping qualities as well.
The bike comes with an English-threaded bottom bracket. The headset is Time’s patented version with the top cap that holds the steerer in place without need for a stem to lock it down. The cable runs are external. If you want to travel with the bike, or just prefer another seatpost, the mast can be cut down, and the clamp, which allows for 3cm of adjustment as a mast, then does double-duty as the seatpost clamp. A 27.2mm seatpost can be installed in its place.
The Time VXRs Bettini Frameset has a retro ride that is positively magnificent.

MSRP	$5,150
Where to Buy	— $1 At
Category	General Road

Frame	Carbon
	Carbon
Wheels
Wheel Size	700c




Drivetrain
Brand Site
Summary	The Time VXRs Bettini Frameset is a carbon frame general road frameset.

Frame	Vectran Carbon BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded
Fork	Integral RTM Carbon
Bottom Bracket	BSA 68mm, English Threaded
Headset	1 1/8" - 1 1/4"
Seatpost	Time Carbon Integrated, 27.2mm Type: Rigid