On This Page
Build Overview
This is one of the custom builds we were most excited about this season. It’s a Time ADHX 45 built for a customer who wanted something fast, unique, and gravel-focused, and the final result turned out incredible. This frame is one of the last closeout versions without the UDH, but the newer ADHX 45 frames do include it.
The ADHX 45 is a performance-oriented gravel bike—not a bikepacking platform. It’s built for fast gravel, spirited group rides, and long days where efficiency matters. For this build, the customer wanted the Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed drivetrain paired with a full Whisky Components cockpit and wheel setup. It ended up being one of the most distinctive ADHX 45 builds we’ve done.
We’ve been riding and reviewing these Time frames ourselves, so it was fun seeing this one come together in a completely different configuration. It’s a one-of-a-kind build that rides as good as it looks.
Video
[Embed YouTube video here]
Full Build Specs
- Frame: Time ADHX 45 (large, pre-UDH closeout frame)
- Tire Clearance: Up to 45 mm
- Fork: Stock Time ADHX 45 fork
- Wheelset: Whisky carbon gravel wheels
- Tires: Challenge Strada Bianca gravel tires (40–45 mm range)
- Drivetrain: Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed
- Cassette: 10–44T Campagnolo Ekar
- Crankset: Campagnolo Ekar carbon crank
- Pedals: Shimano XTR
- Shifters / Hoods: Campagnolo Ekar mechanical levers (thumb shifter)
- Brakes: Campagnolo Ekar hydraulic disc brakes
- Cable Routing: Headset routing with standard stem (mechanical-friendly bends)
- Seatpost: Whisky carbon seatpost
- Handlebar: Whisky Spano carbon bar
- Stem: Standard shop stem for this build
- Bar Tape: Shimano Pro cork tape
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Test Saddle (customer to confirm after test period)
- Top Tube Mounts: Yes (bolt-on bag location)
- Other Frame Mounts: Two bottle cages only; no rack, fender, or fork mounts
Build Notes
This large Time ADHX 45 frame is one of the last closeout units without the UDH. The newer versions now include it, but this frame still fits the overall ADHX 45 profile—sporty geometry, 45 mm tire clearance, and a fast, responsive feel on gravel.
This build uses Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed. It’s a drivetrain that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, but the shifting is crisp, the ergonomics are unique, and once you get used to the thumb lever, it’s incredibly intuitive. When wrapping the bars on Ekar builds, I usually add a small piece of tape behind the hood transition to make that area smoother and more comfortable.
Routing mechanical Ekar through the headset is similar to running the hydraulic rear brake line. Because there are 13 gears driven by a cable, tighter bends can affect performance, so we intentionally kept the routing straightforward with a standard stem. Inside the frame there’s a housing stop in the bottom bracket shell, and from there the cable runs through the chainstay to the derailleur.
The wheels and tires make this bike feel incredible. The Whisky carbon gravel wheels paired with Challenge Strada Bianca tires create a very smooth and fast setup. Around here our gravel isn’t super chunky—it’s soft, rolling, and pretty tame—so these tires float over the top and feel great on pavement too. The customer loves red bikes, and the red ADHX 45 frame paired with the Whisky components gives it a very clean aesthetic.
The cockpit uses Whisky’s Spano carbon bar and their carbon seatpost. We call this our “Whisky build” because it runs Whisky wheels, Whisky bar, and Whisky post. It’s not a common combination, and it gives the bike a really distinct look and ride feel.
This build is one of my personal favorites. I’ve been riding a Time ADHX 45 myself and really enjoy how the frame responds. When you put power down, it feels like everything goes straight into the wheels, but it still has a smooth ride. It’s a high-quality frame for someone who wants a gravel bike that feels sporty without drifting into adventure-bike territory.
The customer had previously ridden my Cervelo Aspero that was set up with Ekar, liked how the drivetrain felt, and also liked this red Time frame. We had an Ekar group available, so the build all came together naturally. I doubt there’s another ADHX 45 out there built with Whisky wheels, Whisky bar, Whisky post, and a full Ekar drivetrain—this one is pretty unique.
We’ve already taken it down the bike path outside the shop to bed the brakes and verify shifting. It exceeded expectations, and I’m excited for the customer to pick it up and get it out on the gravel.
Photo Gallery
[Add gallery block in WordPress]
Work With Us On a Custom Build
If you’re thinking about a custom gravel, MTB, or road build, we can help you spec it out and build it the way you want.