Bank Holiday Monday Opening Hours

21st May 2013 - filed under STORE NEWS

Just a quick note to let you know our stores Bank Holiday Monday 27th May opening hours - have a great long weekend and we look forward to seeing you in store!

Giant Store Bristol - 10am - 5pm
Giant Store Bromley - Closed
Giant Store Cambridge - 10am - 4pm
Giant Store Guildford - Closed
Giant Store Liverpool - 10am - 5pm
Giant Store Radlett - 10am - 4pm
Giant Store Rutland - 9am - 6:30pm
Giant Store Shoreham - 12pm - 5pm
Giant Store St. Paul's - 10am - 4pm
Giant Store Twickenham - 12pm - 5pm
Giant Store York - 9am - 6pm 

Maja Leads Giant Pro XC Team with Podium at World Cup opener!

19th May 2013 - filed under Teamsriders

Maja Wloszczowska led the women of the Giant Pro XC Team to a dominant showing Sunday at the first round of the UCI World Cup XC series in Albstadt, Germany. In her first World Cup race as a member of the Giant squad, the 2010 world champion from Poland finished a strong second, crossing the line just 8 seconds behind Italian race winner Eva Lechner.

Wloszczowska, riding the Giant XtC Advanced SL 29er, was part of a tight battle among five riders at the front in the second half of the elite women's six-lap race. Rain began to fall during the final lap, making the course slippery -- but Wloszczowska’s technical skills served her well as she hammered home for second place.

Wloszczowska’s podium finish topped a successful World Cup debut for the Giant Pro XC Team women. Under-23 world champ Jolanda Neff, racing up a category with the elites, finished eighth. Also representing Giant were Marianne Vos and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot. Both are splitting their time between the Rabobank-Liv/giant women’s road team and the Giant Pro XC Team this season.

Vos, the current Olympic and world champion in road racing, finished 11th, an impressive showing in her first World Cup XC race with the team. The Dutch superstar, who is also the defending cyclocross world champion, started at the back of the pack but steadily worked her way up through the field on her prototype Liv/giant 27.5 composite hardtail. And Ferrand-Prevot, a French Olympian, finished 16th, making it four Giant riders in the top-20.

In men’s racing, Michiel van der Heijden scored the team’s first podium of the weekend , finishing third in the men’s Under-23 race on Saturday. Like Vos, van der Heijden rode a prototype Giant with 27.5-inch wheels. 

Finally, in the elite men’s race -- held on a slick course after a rainstorm on Sunday -- Swiss rider Fabian Giger rode to a top-10 finish. After leading the race early on, Giger finished eighth. His Dutch teammate Henk Jaap Moorlag had an impressive ride, finishing 14th, and Swedish national champion Emil Lindgren finished 20th.

The UCI World Cup XC series continues with round 2 in the Czech Republic next weekend.

Giant in The City - Giant open their latest brand store in Central London

17th May 2013 - filed under Retail

The latest in Giant Brand Stores has landed right in the City of London - the Giant Store St Paul's is now open for business - offering a new and unique Giant cycling experience.

Covering two floors over a massive 950 square metres the store has much to explore including Giant UK's very first Liv/giant area for female cyclists, featuring the complete ladies bicycle offering from Liv/giant - as well as a huge selection of ladies clothing for all types of riding.

Collette Clensy Marketing Manager said "we're really excited to be opening our first of many to come liv/giant areas, covering 150 square metres the liv/giant store offers ladies an exciting and complete cycling experience."

The store located at 200 Aldersgate, opposite the Museum of London is Giant’s flagship store, offering a huge range of solutions for all cyclists and much more including Power Fit, Giant’s professional bike fitting system, that not only measures your riding position but also helps you maximise your power output.

The Giant Store St Paul's features a charity cycle cafe, whether popping in for a browse and drink or making the store a regular stop on your ride. It’s the perfect place to relax once you’ve loaded up with cycling must haves or waiting whilst your bike is repaired in the fully equipped workshop.

Independent bicycle dealer and founder of H2 Bike Run, Piers Slater said “the Giant store offers a unique retail experience, we believe our customers will love this new and exciting shopping environment."

The store open 7 days a week showcases everything from Giant the world’s largest bike manufacturer and also features products from leading cycling brands such as Oakley, Pearl Izumi, Shimano and Endura.

Ian Beasant, Managing Director of Giant UK commented "it's extremely important to us that consumers have great riding adventures, we believe that the experience starts in store, ensuring customers gets the right bike for fantastic cycling experiences..."

Beasant continued "this store is in a superb location, we believe this store is a statement of Giant the brand and will be inspiration to our customers."

Giant propose to roll out further brand stores in key target locations. Further potential stores are already being planned and Giant are in discussions with independent partners.

You can view a full gallery of images of our new store in the Giant UK Facebook Page.

Bos Sprints To Win in Norway!

17th May 2013 - filed under Teamsriders

Blanco sprinter Theo Bos returned to his winning ways on Friday with a victory in Stage 3 at the Glava Tour of Norway. The Dutchman won Friday’s 163km stage from Tonsbert to Drammen in convincing fashion, powering his Propel Advanced SL past Norwegian Alexander Kristoff in the final sprint.

The win was a return to form for Bos, who injured his knee in a crash at the Tour of Turkey a few weeks ago and was off his bike for two weeks. After two days of near misses in the opening days of the five-day Tour of Norway, he finally claimed the top step of the podium.

“Especially after my fall in Turkey, this is very satisfying,” Bos said. “I really wanted to win here and prepared well with the team.”

Bos’s teammate Lars Boom also returned to action in Norway, following a sinus operation in April. He raced aggressively in Stage 3, joining a four-man breakaway early that helped Blanco control the race and set Bos up for the win.

The Glava Tour of Norway continues through Sunday.

Lochinver House School Cyclathon

15th May 2013 - filed under Store

Giant Radlett supported the Lochinver House School Cylathon this weekend raising money for the Headboys' Charities - Mary’s Meals, Hertfordshire Young Homeless, Children with Cancer and Isobel Hospice.

Taking to the banked track at Golsing Stadium in Welwyn Garden City, 43 cyclists set off to ride as many 500m laps as possible in 25 minutes - following Giant Radlett riders Steph and Andrew who acted as pacers. From reception boys on stabilisers through to dads on serious race bikes everyone gave it their all and a total of 761 laps or 380.5 km were completed (similar to riding from the London Olympic Park to the Manchester Velodrome!).

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved - from participants and supporters through to sponsors.

For more details and a list of winners visit the Lochinver House School website.

Giant Store York Saturday ladies social rides!

14th May 2013 - filed under Store

Giant Store York are launching Liv/giant Saturday Morning Ladies Social Rides in June!

Led by York Breeze Champion Nicola Trotter who is also a qualified Ride Leader - the rides cater to all levels of confidence and ability and are well suited to ladies that perhaps haven't been on their bike for a while or lack a bit of riding confidence, or simply for those who enjoy the social side of cycling and want to meet some like minded riders for a Saturday morning spin.

More details will follow shortly - the first ride will take place on Saturday June 1st, you don't need to book but please contact Nicola at the store if you have any questions or to let her know you are planning to join the ride - info@giant-york.co.uk / 01904 622868.

Delightful aluminium loveliness - 4 stars for TCR SL

14th May 2013 - filed under Product

Giant's 'feathery light' new TCR SL features on Road.cc, the website for pedal powered people - with tester David Arthur awarding Giant's most advanced aluminium road frame a Road.cc 4 stars!

"..this isn't any ordinary aluminium frame: Giant have poured all their knowhow into producing a feathery light 1,050g frame. That's light enough to give many carbon frames a bloody nose."

The review points to Giant's wealth of experience gained through over 40 years working with aluminum - highlighting the incredible ride quality and weight of the new TCR SL that challenges and beats many competitors' carbon frames of equal and even greater price.

"It snaps and leaps down the road, launches out of corners and changes direction with accuracy. This would make a fantastic race bike, because it has all the ingredients you want in a racing bike: stiffness and second nature handling."

Pinned to the high quality frame at the heart of the build is an impressive kit of Shimano 105 groupset and Giant PR2 wheels and the Giant TCR SL shows not only that aluminium is a serious material for performance riders when handled with Giant expertise - but also that bikes of this price now offer better value than ever before - with more advanced frames and componentry.

Read the full review of the 2013 Giant TCR SL now on Road.cc.

RIDE LIFE: Triathlete Clayton Fettell

14th May 2013 - filed under Teamsriders

Australian triathlete Clayton Fettell has a saying: The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender. Two years ago Fettell joined forces with Giant and began focusing on Ironman distance events.

Last year Clayton had his best season yet racing on the Giant Trinity Advanced SL. He won three Ironman 70.3 races: Ironman 70.3 Kansas, the Mooseman (in New Hampshire), and Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie in Australia. In each of those races he had the fastest bike split.

In this video, Clayton talks about his background, his training philosophy, and why he rides Giant.

Thank you Cycletta Cheshire!

13th May 2013 - filed under Livgiant

Cycletta Cheshire saw over 600 ladies riding a choice of routes starting at Tatton Park, near Manchester this weekend. The ride, which was started by Olympic Gold Medalist Victoria Pendleton rasied a massive £60,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Riders were treated to a Liv/giant goodie bag and post ride treatment in the Cycletta Spa, as well as the opportunity to check out some of the latest Liv/giant line-up over at the Liv/giant stand.

Head over now to the brand new Liv/giant Facebook page where you can view all our photos from the Cycletta event in this gallery, and don't forget toenter our competition to win £300 of Liv/giant cycling gear in time for Summer.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and rode, along with everyone who supported and sponsored the riders - you were all great fun! Fancy a Cycletta ride yourself? You can find details of the whole Cycletta series in ourLiv/giant events section here.

Roll on Cycletta @ Wiggle Dragon Ride on 9th June!

Lindgren Podiums at Dutch XC Race

13th May 2013 - filed under Teamsriders

Giant Pro XC Team rider Emil Lindgren rode to a podium finish at the Rabobank MTB Trophy Race Sunday in The Netherlands. The Swedish National Champion rode a Giant prototype composite hardtail with 27.5-inch wheels to second place behind cyclocross world champion Sven Nys.

The race in Apeldoorn, part of the Dutch XC series, was held on a fast, flat course. The elite men did nine laps.

“These Dutch races are a bit like cyclocross with a lot of corners and high speeds,” Lindgren explained. “Not much climbing that can really make a difference. With about three laps to go Sven Nys attacked and I was the only one who was able to respond. He got a gap of about 10 seconds, which I was able to hold.”

Lindgren’s teammate Henk Jaap Moorlag had back luck with a flat tire. The 23-year-old Dutchman still managed to finish eighth and keep his overall lead in the series.

Next up for the team is the World Cup opener in Germany next week.