Giant bicycles: model range and operating rules

Cycling is undoubtedly a pleasure. Even a small bike ride can give a lot of pleasant emotions. A bicycle should be a reliable machine for years to come. A well-known manufacturer of such vehicles is Giant.

The Taiwanese company Giant is engaged not only in the production of bicycles, but also in their sale all over the world. In addition, more than half of all branded bicycles are assembled at the facilities of this company. The main production facilities are located in Taiwan and China, where the bicycle is a popular means of transport. There is also a plant in the Netherlands, where this type of transport has become popular.

When assembling bicycles, units and mechanisms of our own design are used. Some of the components are purchased from other well-known manufacturers such as KMC, Maxxis, Fox Racing, Shimano. The build quality is pretty good.

The feature of the product is in the price / quality ratio. The company produces bicycles in different price segments, but the main focus is on budget bicycles. This segment is represented by affordable, high quality and reliable models that are really pleasant to operate.

The lineup of this brand has products of various categories: mountain, sports, road, road and others. All options have their own markings. The models differ not only in design solutions, but also in attachments, for example, the presence of disc brakes, the use of a fork made of composite materials or the presence of a battery and an electric drive. All models of the company are strictly divided into male and female versions, the latter are sold under the Liv brand. Some models are shown below.

It is a lightweight, stylish and comfortable city bike. The aluminum frame ensures a low weight of the product, which is very important in urban conditions. The carbon fork absorbs small vibrations and shocks well on poor road surfaces. The low weight of the structure and high-quality components allow for good acceleration and confident movement in the stream.

This model belongs to the mountain bike class. The affordable entry-level category is suitable for cycling on road and rough terrain. The sturdy aluminum frame provides ample strength and light weight. The fork travel is 100 mm, which is a good indicator, because it allows you to comfortably move on roads with a wide variety of surfaces and overcome any obstacles.

This is a semi-professional model aimed at experienced riders. Features: Aluminum frame, 100mm travel hydraulic fork, hydraulic disc brakes. Such characteristics make the operation of transport pleasant in any conditions. On this bike, you can conquer urban spaces, as well as off-road terrain. The model will appeal to both novice amateur cyclists and experienced riders.

A professional-grade two-suspension bike will impress riders who love to conquer gravel roads. Large, grippy wheels (27.5 inches), a 20-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, up to 150mm travel forks and a Shimano rear derailleur let you conquer the space without noticing obstacles. The model will especially appeal to fans of extreme sports and conquerors of mountain trails.

It is a universal model. 28-inch wheels and 30-speed drivetrain help the cyclist to move confidently around the city. A soft forks with 63mm travel to tackle large bumps, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes make braking effective and comfortable. The construction provides a sporty fit. This is a great bike for riding around town and out of town.

This is a range of mid-range mountain bikes. The sturdy, lightweight frame comes with 27.5 or 29-inch knurled wheels that are great on gravel roads and city asphalt, but not mud. The frame and stem (70mm) make the bike comfortable for descents and ascents. The hydraulic fork has 100mm travel, which is adequate for rough terrain.

24-speed amateur bike of the hardtail type (frame without rear suspension) with 24-inch wheels, designed for cross-country riding. The robust, oil-spring fork with 100mm travel is excellent at neutralizing bumps and tackling obstacles like curbs. The lack of rear suspension does not contribute to the development of high speed on rough terrain, but on the asphalt the bike is stable, easy to maneuver and confidently picks up speed.

Hydraulic disc brakes perform their function effectively. The whole structure weighs 14.5 kg, which is very convenient in the city: a small and light bike is not difficult to climb up the stairs to an apartment, while such a structure does not take up much space.

It is not easy to understand the variety of models and choose the required option among the large number of complete sets, especially when it comes to the first serious bike. Some selection criteria are presented below:

• material of execution and size of the frame;
• material for the manufacture of components;
• wheel size;
• fork;
• brakes.

The size of the frame is selected individually based on tables called sizes. Giant manufactures aluminum and carbon frames. A carbon frame should absorb small vibrations, has a lower weight, but costs several times more than an aluminum one. It is believed that aluminum frames are in no way inferior to carbon ones, do not have much difference in weight, but are much cheaper.

Some components are made of carbon, for example, handlebars, stem. In some cases, this makes the structure stronger, more reliable, and helps to fight vibrations and shocks. The price for such components is higher.

26-, 27.5- and 29-inch double-rim wheels are the most popular. The double rim is a double-walled profile that makes the structure strong and rigid. Various types of tube and tubeless tires are installed on the wheels.

The fork can be rigid or shock absorbing. A rigid fork makes the model cheaper, the design is simpler, and provides better roll-off on asphalt. The hydraulic suspension fork is suitable for bicycles intended for use on rough terrain and on gravel roads. The forks differ in design, travel and dimensions.

These models are more likely to use hydraulically or mechanically actuated disc brakes. This system allows you to control the force of pressing the brake, road and weather conditions do not affect the braking efficiency so much, it allows you to stop the bike instantly. There are a number of disadvantages: high price, design complexity, difficulties in finding spare parts, heavy weight (in comparison with rim brakes).

There are also models with rim brakes. Rim systems are installed on simple models. They have such disadvantages as the inability to put wide tires, rim wear and low braking efficiency, which depends on the degree of contamination of the wheel rim and the presence of moisture on it.

Owner reviews are mostly unambiguous. Giant creates well-balanced bikes with components from global manufacturers... Owners praise the lightweight and durable frames with neat welds and high quality paintwork.

Usually such a bike is bought for a long period of time both for yourself and for the whole family. Giant is a design that will last for many years and will delight its owner with its unpretentiousness and high reliability.

For an overview of Giant bicycles, see the following video.