Does the Giant ladies bike compete with the Antimatter bike?

It happens. Giant is the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, and it ultimately shifted the focus of the bicycle market to Asia. This is where most bicycles are made, and a huge amount of innovation is generated. Giant itself has made a huge contribution to the popularization of aluminum, carbon frames and wheels, and aero spokes. Today, however, we'll talk about something a little more down-to-earth – the Taiwanese manufacturer's women's bikes and how they compare to ours. Let's start by saying that Giant women's bikes are something you won't find in stores anymore. Because...

The Giant lady is the Liv lady

For several years now, Giant has been successfully promoting its Liv sub-brand, offering only bikes designed specifically for women. It's a rather unusual approach, but it's likely well-founded. In any case, women's bikes bearing the Giant logo are no longer available (unless you still have older models). I based this article on the current offerings available on the manufacturer's Polish website. And that offering isn't overly extensive.

Cross and trekking

We have two lines here: the trekking Allure and the cross-country Rove. The former competes only partially with us, but it's worth a closer look. There are no budget models here – prices start at PLN 3,999. A major advantage is the low weight for a trekking bike – less than 16 kg in the basic version. This is thanks to the lightweight frame made of a special Aluxx alloy, patented by the brand. We respect this, as well as the tires with puncture protection and the Satori stem. However, we don't appreciate the mixed components. There's an Altus derailleur up front, and an antique XT rear derailleur (from three generations ago – at least the gear count is correct). And a square-set crankset on a bike at this price is also somewhat unsettling. However, we really like the belt-driven version with the Carbon Drive drivetrain. The Rove line looks significantly lighter and more dynamic. Weighing 12.5-13.5 kg, it's a very good result in this segment. Price range: PLN 2,299-3,999. It's a shame that only the top-of-the-line version is equipped with Shimano brakes. Lower-end models (even the PLN 2,899 one) use Tektro brakes and have shoddy square-axle cranks. This is a sign of the problems with the availability of Japanese components. As with Romet's cross bikes, the Giant Rove isn't a ladies' bike in the truest sense of the word. The top tube drops only slightly, suggesting a dynamic ride and a slightly sporty edge. However, unlike the Polish manufacturer, the frames are meticulously crafted, and the paintwork is of a high standard. We have nothing to complain about here.

City Lady Giant

Only one model! This year hasn't been easy for the industry... The Giant (or rather, Liv) women's urban bike is called Flourish and costs 2299 PLN. Compared to the models discussed earlier, that's not much. The bike looks aesthetically pleasing and offers a classic upright position. We also have no doubts about the frame's quality. Unfortunately, the rest of the components are made up of low-quality, third-party components. Furthermore, it uses a freewheel instead of a cassette. Giant doesn't list the weight, which doesn't bode well either. We have the impression that someone didn't put much effort into this. If anyone, the world's largest bicycle brand should try harder, even in these difficult times.

How do our women's bikes fit into this?

First and foremost, they're much lighter than anything else featured here—weighing in at around 11 kg, making them agile and easy to carry. No Giant women's bike is made of steel either. Our frames offer not only an elegant, classic look but, above all, comfort over bumps. They're also shorter and significantly more agile, especially compared to the Flourish and Allure models. They're better for maneuvering in tight spaces, and riding them is more enjoyable. They won't be as good for long trips as trekking and cross bikes due to their reduced gear count (three), but they'll easily handle short rides. We'll also pay attention to the wheels—we hand-brace ours, which translates to high durability. And we know from our workshop that Giant spokes are prone to broken spokes. Importantly, we're operating in a similar price range. Our women's bike can be yours for just 3,199, and it's a hand-built, custom-made bike. It can be exactly how you want it, in a unique color and with components tailored to your needs. That's a pretty good deal compared to mass-produced bikes, isn't it?