Among Giant's most successful new designs in its line of racing machines is the ATX-ONE mountain racing bike. The model took two years to develop and was already in its third generation of design when it went into production, says Aloi Chen, general manager of product planning for the Taichung-based company, Taiwan's leading bicycle maker. During the design phase, Taiwanese engineers worked closely with U.S. companies Alcoa Aluminum, for structural materials, and Rockshox, for the bike's suspension system. They sent sample designs to Britain for testing by downhill racer Rob Warner. Closer to many consumers' needs is Giant's FLExX bike for children aged 8-15 years old.
Labour costs are high at their Taiwan plants, but quality control is better.
So far the company has resisted the idea of reducing costs by moving production of these higher-technology products offshore to mainland China, where Giant builds many of its street bikes. Review Publishing Company Limited, Hong Kong. All rights reserved.