I'm intrigued by that square gusset on the downtube. On my AC that part is welded on, but yours seems to be a shaped tube. Or maybe they just cleaned up the welds?
I'm intrigued by that square gusset on the downtube. On my AC that part is welded on, but yours seems to be a shaped tube. Or maybe they just cleaned up the welds?
slowride, this gusset looks like that thanks to FluidForm technology. This technology was invented by taiwanese company named Kinetics. It uses (the technology) high pressured, hot (?) liquids (oil?) to change the shape of tubes. Tubes placed in special form are filled with the liquid and change shape. The are only few factories (or maybe Giant's only) which use FluidForm technology. You can see FluidForm on bikes of different brands, but majority of the come from Giant factory... e.g take a look at all new Santa Cruz bikes...
Hydroformed tubes are nothing new and nothing that giant does exclusively. The tubes are nice and not many major bike manufacturers use this process, but it's been around for a while.
slowride, this gusset looks like that thanks to FluidForm technology. This technology was invented by taiwanese company named Kinetics. It uses (the technology) high pressured, hot (?) liquids (oil?) to change the shape of tubes. Tubes placed in special form are filled with the liquid and change shape. The are only few factories (or maybe Giant's only) which use FluidForm technology. You can see FluidForm on bikes of different brands, but majority of the come from Giant factory... e.g take a look at all new Santa Cruz bikes...
it's silver; the photos are most likely edited (color) to make them look more artistic. you know, kinda like why some people take black-and-white photos instead of color, etc.
slowride, this gusset looks like that thanks to FluidForm technology. This technology was invented by taiwanese company named Kinetics. It uses (the technology) high pressured, hot (?) liquids (oil?) to change the shape of tubes. Tubes placed in special form are filled with the liquid and change shape. The are only few factories (or maybe Giant's only) which use FluidForm technology. You can see FluidForm on bikes of different brands, but majority of the come from Giant factory... e.g take a look at all new Santa Cruz bikes...
Downtube gusset is not hydroformed. The toptube is though. The other gusset is what they call "mechanical integration," basically just the tube forced over a die.
Looks pretty damn cool though...
Corvette C5 and up frames are hydroformed, I believe this was one of the first applications of that tech in the automotive business.
btw- I'm pretty sure those downtube gussets you see on the 03 and up Giants are hydroformed too, not just pushed over a die, I guess I could be wrong though?
you are wrong my friend... as far as I know VP-Free, new V10 and Jackal are fluidformed and come from Giant factory...
BikeNerd2453, downtube gusset is fluidformed... I have got VT2
the "mechanical integration" is calles PressForm at Giant. You can find it on low-end Giant bikes from China.
you are wrong my friend... as far as I know VP-Free, new V10 and Jackal are fluidformed and come from Giant factory...
BikeNerd2453, downtube gusset is fluidformed... I have got VT2
the "mechanical integration" is calles PressForm at Giant. You can find it on low-end Giant bikes from China.
Yes, mechanical integration, glad you know the name!
The DT gussets are MI though, TT is "fluid-formed." Not knocking it at all, it's still lighter/stronger than welding on a gusset...
I have had NRS alloy, XTC alloy, VT, AC, etc...the list goes on...
BikeNerd2453,
it seems I start a pointless discussion, again...
but, pls tell me why do you think VT downtube gusset is MI not FluidFormed?
all information about the bike I have in office says it's FF...
BikeNerd2453,
it seems I start a pointless discussion, again...
but, pls tell me why do you think VT downtube gusset is MI not FluidFormed?
all information about the bike I have in office says it's FF...
Which office?
Just curious.
Something I'd heard through the grapevine from someone reputable...
Not trying to argue at all, and if you're right, no biggie. No sweat off of my back...
you are wrong my friend... as far as I know VP-Free, new V10 and Jackal are fluidformed and come from Giant factory...
BikeNerd2453, downtube gusset is fluidformed... I have got VT2
the "mechanical integration" is calles PressForm at Giant. You can find it on low-end Giant bikes from China.
Your oh so very wrong. SC high end VPP bikes are built by Kinesis in OR. Trust me. But, there lower end single pivots and Cham is made in China, probably by Giant. I have no clue where the Jackal is made.
Your oh so very wrong. SC high end VPP bikes are built by Kinesis in OR. Trust me. But, there lower end single pivots and Cham is made in China, probably by Giant. I have no clue where the Jackal is made.
yeah, so many people on these forums who pose an argument, or claim info w/ out giving anything to back it up, please give us a link to where you got your info, otherwise we are relying on word (which we all naturally doubt on forums for some reason) and we are just swimming in rumors or "I heards.."
I'm not saying anybody is wrong, but I've seen this argument before, about Giant building many other brands bikes, but I never see solid evidence.
BikeNerd2453, I work for Giant in Central Europe
TheSherpa, I don't think any SC is made in China... as far as I know, there is no bicycle factory in China which would be able to produce high-end bikes
BikeSATORI, "I heard it" from employees of the Giant's factory
I wonder why so many people cannot believe that a lot of high-end bikes are not produced by owners of brands... there are so many reasons to do so...
BikeNerd2453, I work for Giant in Central Europe
TheSherpa, I don't think any SC is made in China... as far as I know, there is no bicycle factory in China which would be able to produce high-end bikes
BikeSATORI, "I heard it" from employees of the Giant's factory
I wonder why so many people cannot believe that a lot of high-end bikes are not produced by owners of brands... there are so many reasons to do so...
Ok, good for you. Guess I was off on the "TC's" info, I stand corrected, but you may want to make sure that folks in the North American offices are aware of that fact.
Anyway, right on bro.
Enjoy.
BN
*edit* Work for Giant, or a Giant distributer? Just curious...
BikeNerd2453, I work for Giant in Central Europe
TheSherpa, I don't think any SC is made in China... as far as I know, there is no bicycle factory in China which would be able to produce high-end bikes
BikeSATORI, "I heard it" from employees of the Giant's factory
I wonder why so many people cannot believe that a lot of high-end bikes are not produced by owners of brands... there are so many reasons to do so...
Well it's Santa Cruz's word vs. Giants word. I really don't care and i know SC V-10 is stamped from a sheet of metal so it's not fluidform. I'm REALLY hoping Giant comes out with a Maestro DH race bike next year.
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