Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (捷安特) is a Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer which bills itself as the world's largest bicycle manufacturer.[1] Giant has manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, Netherlands, and China.
History
Established 1972 in Tachia, Taichung, Giant started as an OEM, manufacturing bicycles to be sold under other company brand names (like Schwinn and Nishiki). In 1986, Giant, under new president Bill Austin, established its own brand of bicycles to compete in the rapidly expanding $200-and-above price range. Today Giant is well-known around the world as a manufacturer of quality bicycles and has sales in over 50 countries, in over 10,000 retail stores. In 2007, its global sales surpassed 5 million bicycles and $820 million USD in global revenues.
Timeline
- 1972 - Establishes Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in Taiwan
- 1980 - Becomes Taiwan's Largest Bicycle Manufacturer
- 1981 - Establishes Giant Sales Company, Taiwan
- 1986 - Establishes Giant Europe BV, Netherlands
- 1987 - Establishes Giant Bicycle Inc., USA
- 1989 - Establishes Giant Company Ltd., Japan
- 1991 - Establishes Giant Bicycle Co., Canada, Inc.
- 1991 - Establishes Giant Bicycles PTY Ltd., Australia
- 1992 - Establishes Giant Co. Ltd., China
- 1994 - Goes Public on Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 9921)
- 1996 - Establishes European Factory, Netherlands.
- 1997 - Establishes Chuansin Metal Products (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., China
- 1998 - Manufactures 2,840,000 bicycles in a single year
- 1998 - Acquires 30% share of Hodaka in Japan
- 2002 - Manufactures 4,730,000 bicycles in a single year
- 2006 - Giant released accessories into the UK such as pumps, little apparel and luggage.
- 2007 - Giant becomes the world's largest quality cycle manufacturer
Models
Giant currently categorises its bikes in seven groups:
- Road - Training, advanced and professional road bikes are included in this group.
- Mountain - Includes bikes for various riding styles. From casual single track to race specific downhill bikes.
- Comfort - A range of casual city bikes.
- Mode - Bikes designed for youth teens.
- Indoor Cycling - Indoor fitness bikes.
- Family Cycling - Bikes designed for children.
- Speciality - HALFWAY and the CLIP are the only bikes in this folding bike group.
In 2006, Giant introduced the TCR Advanced road bicycle frame, a high end carbon fiber racing design which integrates the seatpost and frame together as a single unit. Using this design the seatpost on a new frame must be cut precisely to fit the owner by a trained Giant dealer. Proponents of this design point to weight savings and increased rigidity, at the expense of being able to fit the bicycle to a different rider in the future. Giant introduced the compact geometry frame for racing bicycles. The Union Cycliste Internationale altered the specific requirements to allow for a sloping top tube. They also introduced its Maestro suspension in 2006. Maestro Suspension, according to Giant, is designed to deliver an efficient rear suspension power transfer. Maestro utilizes a set up of four pivot points and two linkages to create a floating pivot point which is designed to reduce pedal bob and enables the rear wheel to travel vertically.
2009 Bike Models
Road Bikes: Defy 1, Defy 1 W, Defy 2, Defy 3, Defy 3 W, Defy A0, Defy A0 W, Defy A1, Defy A1 W, Defy C1, Defy C2, Defy C3, Defy C3 Triple,FCR, FCR 1, FCR 1 W, FCR 2, FCR 2 W, FCR 3, FCR 3 W, Defy 1, Defy 1 W, Defy 2, Defy 3, Defy 3 W, Defy A0, Defy A0 W, Defy A1, Defy A1 W, Defy C1, Defy C2, Defy C3, Defy C3 Triple, TCR, TCR A0, TCR A1, TCR Advanced 0, TCR Advanced 1, TCR Advanced 2, TCR Advanced Team, TCR AW, TCR C1, TCR C2, TCR C3, TCR Composite W, TCR W, TCX 0, TCX 1, Trinity A0, Trinity A1, Trinity A2
Mountain Bikes: Anthem X0, Anthem X1, Anthem X2, Anthem X3, Anthem Advanced 0, Anthem Advanced 1, Boulder, Boulder SE, Boulder SE W, Boulder W, Glory 0, Glory 1, Glory DH, Reign 0, Reign 1, Reign 2, Reign X0, Reign X1, Reign X2, Rincon, Rincon W, STP, STP SS, Trance 1, Trance 2, Trance Advanced, Trance X0, Trance X1, Trance X2, XTC 1, XTC 2, XTC Alliance, XTC HB, Yukon, Yukon FX
Hybrid Bikes: Bowery, Tran Send DX, Tran Send DX W, Tran Send EX, Tran Send EX W, Tran Send LX, Tran Sport DX, Tran Sport LX
Comfort Bikes Cypress, Cypress DX, Cypress DX W, Cypress ST, Cypress ST W, Cypress W, Sedona, Sedona DX, Sedona DX W, Sedona ST, Sedona ST W, Sedona W Blue, Suede, Suede Coasting, Suede Coasting DX, Suede Coasting DX W, Suede Coasting W, Suede DX, Suede DX W, Suede GX, Suede GX W, Suede W
Cruiser Bikes: Simple 7, Simple 7 W, Simple Single, Simple Single W
BMX Bikes: GFR C/B, GFR F/W, GFR XL, Method 00, Method 01, Method 02, Method Team, Modem
Kids Bikes 12" Jr Animator, 12" Lil Puddin, 16" Animator, 16" Puddin, 20" Frantic, 20" Taffy, Lil Giant Tricycle Boys, Lil Giant Tricycle Girls, STP 125 20", STP 125 Girls 20", STP 225 24", STP 225 Girls 24", STP MTX 125 Boys 20", STP MTX 125 Girls 20"
Competitions
Giant currently sponsors three international cycling teams, the Global Giant Mountain Bike Team and Team Rabobank [2], as well as many national teams.
Top Competitors
References
External links
