I love seeing the comments that a few of you are leaving with regards to what I posted about Giant Bicycles. I would like to add that I personally believe that Giant is a great company that puts a great deal of emphasis on cycling for both racing, recreation and lifestyle. They make awesome bikes for racers, riders, commuters, kids and everything in between. Trek actually designs (and yes they do build some of their stuff in house) great quality bikes as well... Specialized designs great bikes too. Giant, in my eyes, puts out the best value and in many cases the best designs for the cycling industry. To claim that one is better than the other is strictly personal preference. The Tour, stage wins, Lance... all great stuff, but really only specific to a small category of cyling... road. Worldwide, Giant is the largest, produces the most, and been doing so for a very long time. That's no opinion. They have also pioneered innovations like Compact Geometry, Carbon Fiber Framesets, Carbon/ALuminum mixed frames and electric Hybrid bikes. As far as American vs. Taiwan... while I think it's very patriotic to ride a bike because it's made in the US, I also believe that you should buy whatever bike suits your style, fit, price and desires.. Most of what we use on daily basis comes from another country. It just so happens that most of the bikes in today's world are made in Taiwan and China... even Schwinn.
Keep the comments going, it's interesting to see how narrow minded some folks can be. Love the sport, not the brand.
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Just because you produce the most bikes for the longest does not necessarily mean your the best- look no further than General Motors- And just because their built in Tawain or the U.S. doesn't make them better either- so really both arguments are invaild- however,I have a problem with buying foreign products on the notion that everything is made in another country anyway- that's exactly why the U.S. economy is hurting is because of that mentality- everything being equal it's best for all of us to buy local. Go Rex Bikes!
Re-read my post and pay close attention to the part that says "I personally believe" or "in my eyes"... I also go on to give credit to many other great companies out there that make great products and it's hard to say what is best. If they suck, they won't be around for long. If they're known, they probably put out something decent. Just ride.
People would love to buy an American bike. They'd absolutely love to. So if given the choice, most customers would chose the American product, right? Well, I've found that isn't the case. Stand a Ventana, Rex, Innerlight or any other locally made (or American made) bike next to a quality bike built overseas, what do you notice? Excellent welds, top shelf components, cool design. What else do you notice? The price tag? Most people do. The Taiwanese/Chinese bike costs far less. I can't argue the appeal of a "Made in the USA" sticker, but my pocketbook can.
To some of the anonymous writers: Buy what you want and what works for you. For years I thought Giant sucked and their bikes were rubbish, all I saw was ugly bikes named Giant (not my favourite bike company name) that were made in Taiwan. The fact is that only a small minority of Giant’s bikes are actually made in Taiwan, and those made in Taiwan are actually the top end aluminium models. I used to buy nothing but handmade frames from places like here in the UK, Cannondale and GT in the US and Rocky in Canada, then last year I decided on a new bike, I spent a lot of time trying everything so I would choose the best (I missed out Giant for reasons above), I set my mind on a Trek Fuel EX made in the US but on my way to order one I stopped off at a Giant dealer as quite a few people had told me the Trance X was good, I bought it 10mins later not because it was better much better but because it was way better value. It was a little while latter I learned that both the Trance X and Fuel EX were made in the same factory. No bike is better because of where it’s made, if you take Giant’s FS bikes the reason they are the best is a matter of value, R&D and the fact they are very well made in one of the most advanced aluminium facilities in the world. I’d like to also point out that what bike wins a race has very little relevance when designs are different but so close in performance these days, it’s much more to do with the rider. I’ve never stuck to one manufacturer but Giant is simply the best and those who ride them know.
To the blog writer, I apologise for putting this on two of your posts. :-)
I support American made products as much as possible. But, you can't buy an all American mountain bike or road bike. It's impossible since you'd have to use Vee brakes instead of discs (name one American made disc brake, yeah just what I thought cause you can't). Name some shifters made in America...Yeah, not possible! Don't even try to buy American made tires!!
I do support helping the local guy (Ventana, Rex, White Industries etal) as much as possible but can only go so far.
Mad Cat is correct in saying that Giant is a good value in his eyes. I think each bike is built for different people and as individuals we need to find that bike that fits you. I have ridden various manufacturer bikes over the years and find some foreign built machines to be pretty nice.
So us American's shouldn't base our purchases on "if that is an American company" but what we are needing in our product and what our budget can handle. Back in the day (years ago) we'd have to purchase American made products but now with the "Global" economy that is all a pipedream.
I wish anyone the best to buy an all American bike if they can. Let us know what you find!
Hey Giant Whinners, If Giant is so great then why did Team Columbia drop them like a bad habit? Don't say economics because I think the largest Crappy Bike Manufacture can afford to keep a bike team. Good luck with team Rabobank - a team of 1st place loosers. Now watch as my team-Saxo Bank kicks your ass on their Specialized bikes. You couldn't pay me enough to sit on a Giant. When it comes to road- Giants are snickered at by real racers as being second rate and half hearted in soul and workmanship. But keep telling yourself their made by the largest bike manufacture in the world. That trek dude said it right- "Go cry in your expresso" after your race.
Sounds like maybe someone out there really loves their "Special-ed", but is grumpy because it's made by a company they despise. Therapists might help you cope with your internal conflict of interest.
I’ve never seen people drop bad habits all that fast. You’ll have to come up with better reasons to hate Giant than Columbia switching to another bike, I cant say I blame them as we’re talking about Scott, and racers snickering at them. While we’re flinging shit at each other I’ll mention that Giant absolutely flattens Specialized off road, I’ve had a Specialized Stumpy, it was the worst bike I ever bought and their customer service is awful.
just an update- Giant bicycle company just had a major recall on their line of 2009 road bikes- to their credit they are doing what they can to fix the problem- if you own a Giant contact the shope you bought it from to see if your frame is defective. This happens when companies push technology or when their on the leading edge of technology.
According to Giant: Giant did have a recall on the 2009 TCR Advanced SL Forks, not framesets. Apparently there was an incident where a consumer hit a large pothole and cracked the steerer at the crown. The rider was not injured, but Giant thought it's better to be safe than sorry and is recalling the forks from those bikes.
Mavic just recalled all the R-Sys wheels as well. Good designs push the envelope and sometimes that envelope will open. It simply allows us to find our boundaries.
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