COMPETITION IMPROVES THE BREED

The making of the world’s fastest TT/Tri bike

The minute Giant’s radical prototype time trial bike hit the pro peloton last year, the competitive cycling world began buzzing about its distinctive design. Then came the wins. National titles, Tour de France podiums, world championships—the wind-cheating prototype has accomplished a lot in a very short time.

The latest version has incorporated the input of Team Rabobank as well as Ironman triathlete Timo Bracht. Subtle refinements from those first generation models have improved performance and enhanced the bike’s competitive advantages.

Those high-profile race wins brought plenty of attention to Giant’s hyper-engineered TT/Tri bike, leading many to ask the question of how it came to be. The answer can be found in a textbook case of blending theory, technology, advanced construction techniques and professional racer input.

After exhaustive research and analysis of computerized data on aerodynamics, the first physical model that Giant constructed resembled a LEGO project. The plastic mock-up frame featured interchangeable segments that could be swapped to determine which frame and component combinations provided optimal aerodynamic function.

Once the ideal aerodynamic design was finally determined, the first rideable prototype frame was constructed and taken to a wind-tunnel in Germany to fine-tune efficiency and rider positioning.

“This whole project started with two guiding principles,” said Dennis Lane, Giant’s global product development director. “One, the bike would be built solely for function, without concern about design aesthetics. And two, it has to be approved by the UCI, the world governing body of competitive cycling. These two principles served the end goal of providing professional riders the tools to win the most important races in the world.”

When the public got its first real look at the original prototypes last summer, it was clear that Giant had created more than just a redesigned frameset. The entire bike—including the stem, handlebar, seatpost and even the brakes—were purposefully crafted to shave seconds off the clock.

Besides the frame shape, one of the bike’s most distinctive features is the innovative Aerodrive handlebar-and-stem unit. This unique structure improves aerodynamics and helps riders attain the perfect fit and position with its wide range of adjustability. It also complies with stricter enforcement of technical limitations that have been introduced by the UCI, cycling’s world governing body.

With Rabobank’s input, fifth-generation versions of the Giant TT/Tri bike are currently being prepared for the 2009 season’s grand tours. The team’s top talents—three-time world champion Oscar Freire, former Vuelta a España winner Denis Menchov and 22-year-old Dutch sensation Robert Gesink—will enter the heart of the season knowing that, when it comes time to racing against the clock, they are backed by a dedicated team of Giant engineers who are just as hell-bent on performance as the racers themselves.