October 2007 • In Production
Gearing Up
Giant’s new bike for the comfort-minded urbanite comes fully loaded.
By Belinda Lanks
City-dwelling bicyclists typically choose between two types of rides: the high-traction mountain bike (dependable but better for navigating dirt paths than concrete roads) and its skinny-wheeled cousin, the ten-speed racer (which, though nimble, requires a slumped riding posture unsuited to the morning commute). But with cycling gaining popularity in the United States, companies are increasingly rolling out a third option—the city bike, built primarily with style and ease of use in mind. Giant’s neo-retro Suede Coasting DX model, for instance, allows the rider to peddle in an ergonomic upright position on a wide padded seat while the bike automatically switches among three gears. “We focused on the creature comforts of this bike,” Ted Renwick, an industrial designer at Giant, says, “since nobody’s going to race with it.” In keeping with this amenity-friendly philosophy, the DX sports two bags for toting essentials and nonessentials alike. We caught up with Renwick and his collaborator Dean Bradley to detail the bike’s key features…
(see images)
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2. This isn’t a racing bike; it has a wider, more comfortable saddle. The memory foam in the seat is the same kind used in Posturepedic mattresses. Coil springs (on the men’s) and elastomer bumpers (on the women’s) were added for additional shock absorption.
3. This little box is a computer that responds to the speed of the front hub and determines which gear the bike should be in. The front wheel powers its battery. The system was devised by Shimano in conjunction with IDEO.
4. We wanted to integrate a small bag, specifically designed for this bike, for riders to put their mobile phone or MP3 player in. It’s also got a light built into it.
5. The frame has a lower seat height than a conventional bicycle, making it easy to mount and dismount. Combine this with a pedal position that is slightly forward, and the rider sits much more upright—the back is straight, the head is up, and the legs are at 90 degrees when bent at the hips. When coming to a stop, riders can easily put their feet flat on the ground to regain stability.
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