News: Giant's 2003 Bikes
In the past four years, Giant Bicycles has seen an across-the-board increase in the performance of its bike line. According to company president Skip Hess, that's been the plan all along: to gradually bring up the status of the company by focusing on brand identity. To do this, Hess has a mantra of four ideals that the company follows: performance, innovation, quality, value.
Hess is also trying to create a culture, an identifiable personality for Giant and its employees. One way to do this is by putting all the creative staff on one side of the building in open offices, where they can interact with one another at all times. It could be working because, according to Hess, Giant is a $120 million company with less than 90 employees in its California office. This year, Giant has 140-plus models in its range. But don't think all that volume has been produced at the expense of any of the aforementioned "ideals." According to Hess, "We can deliver product within 16 days of order." This ability also lets Giant be more market responsive with its stock, but, as Hess points out, "This also allows us to have lower inventory. That makes everything less costly in the long run." He continues with a smile, "Other companies have now been forced to compete with Giant rather than the other way around."
Below is a look at the highlights of Giant's 2003 off-road line.
Fluid Form
Giant has begun using technology called Fluid Form on its upper-level bikes. This process uses heated and pressurized oil to shape and strengthen frame tubes: A round tube is put into the mold while hot oil is pressurized to form it. The grains are compacted for increased strength from a lighter, thinner-walled tube. It also results in a very smooth tube surface and the ability to incorporate intricate designs, gussets and flowing lines. Giant frames will also have a thick, Diamond Shield clear coat (the same clear coat that BMW uses on its 5- and 7-Series cars) to resist paint chipping and give the bike a higher-gloss finish.
The new Giant platform: VT.
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VT
Giant was looking to bridge the gap between the heavy, downhill-oriented AC bikes and the decidedly more cross-country NRS bikes. What it came up with is the VT. The bike utilizes a four-bar-linkage suspension with short rocker arms to minimize rear-triangle flex. Other big news here is the introduction of Manitou's new Swinger 4-Way adjustable air shock with internals developed by Progressive Suspension. Giant worked with Manitou to set the valving of the shock and will be the only large factory to spec the shocks on the showroom floor. The bike has adjustable, 5- to 5.75-inch travel and will weigh around 30 pounds. Geometry is in the cross-country vein (70-degree head- and 72.5 seat-tube angles based around a 4-inch-travel fork and 30-percent rear suspension sag). By using the rear shock with its "Platform Valving," Giant hopes to have a do-anything bike that pedals like an NRS and descends like an AC. Prices will be $2,000 for the VT 2 and $2,700 for the VT 1; they will be available at the end of December.
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