1972
GIANT MANUFACTURING FOUNDED
The Giant Manufacturing Company is founded by King Liu (above right, with Giant CEO Tony Lo) in Taiwan. Led by King’s manufacturing expertise, the company starts producing bicycles for some of the world’s top cycling brands.
1981
THE BRAND IS BORN
The Giant brand is born. Giant-branded bikes hit the market, first in Taiwan followed by Europe, North America and other nations.
1987
CARBON FIBER PIONEERS
Giant introduced the CADEX carbon fiber road bike in 1987, becoming the first bicycle maker to apply computer-aided design and volume production techniques to the production of carbon fiber road bikes.
1995
MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM
Giant sponsors its first World Cup mountain bike team, which features legendary American racer John Tomac and Norwegian cross-country star Rune Hoydahl.
1997
COMPACT ROAD DESIGN
The world’s first Compact Road frame is introduced and ridden by the ONCE Pro Tour team. With a dramatically sloping top tube and a compact rear triangle, the new design increases rigidity, improves handling and reduces weight. ONCE rider Joseba Beloki will ride the Giant TCR (Total Compact Road) to two Tour de France podiums.
2004
MAESTRO SUSPENSION
Giant introduces Maestro Suspension Technology. This innovative off-road design features four pivot points to neutralize pedaling and braking forces and allow suspension to remain fully active in all types of terrain.
2007
RIDE LIKE KING
King Liu leads a 15-day cycling tour of Taiwan to share Giant’s message about the healthy, environmentally friendly virtues of the new cycling lifestyle. King will continue this mission in 2009 with a 1,668-kilometer ride from Beijing to Shanghai, and in 2010 with the five-day “Green World on Wheels” tour of the Netherlands.
2008
LIV/GIANT IS LAUNCHED
Liv/giant, a new cycling brand dedicated solely to female riders, is established with new bikes, gear and stores worldwide.
2009
RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM
Giant partners with the Rabobank ProTour team. Rabobank rider Denis Menchov wins the Giro d’Italia on the Giant TCR Advanced SL.
2010
AWARD-WINNING DESIGNS
Giant wins a Eurobike Award for the fourth consecutive year. CityStorm (2007), CitySpeed (2008), Accend (2009), and MIO and Twist Esprit (2010) are all recognized by the International Forum Design group for their innovative designs.
2012
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
Four decades after it was established as a manufacturing business, Giant continues its mission to inspire passion for cycling by creating the most innovative, highest quality bikes and gear.
2013
27.5 WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
Giant becomes the first major manufacturer to introduce a full lineup of off-road bikes with innovative 27.5 wheel technology.
2017
GRAND TOUR SUCCESS!
Team Sunweb had its best season ever racing on Giant bikes and gear. Tom Dumoulin won the overall title at the Giro d’Italia, giving the team its first ever grand tour victory. Later that season at the Tour de France, Warren Barguil won the King of the Mountains classification and Michael Matthews won the points classification, giving the team two of the Tour’s most coveted prizes, the polka dot climber’s jersey and the green sprinter’s jersey.
2018
A NEW REVOLT
Following a yearlong development phase with Giant Factory Off-Road Team racers, the all-new Revolt Advanced high-performance gravel bike is introduced. With a purpose-built, lightweight composite frameset and several key innovations including a D-Fuse seatpost and handlebar to help smooth out rough terrain, it’s the go-to bike for Giant racers targeting the most prestigious races including Dirty Kanza, Gravel Worlds and other events in the fast-growing world of gravel racing.
2020
A LEGEND REBORN
Developed in partnership with CCC Team riders including Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet, the 9th generation TCR is unveiled. After a year of testing and refining, which included a WorldTour win on a prototype by Van Avermaet at the 2019 Grand Prix Cycliste Montréal, the new TCR Advanced SL Disc marks the latest iteration of a bike that has been pushing the limits of road racing performance since 1998. Lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic than the previous generation, it features new engineering and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to give competitive road racers an edge over the competition.