As an avid cyclist my entire life, I was more than excited to have the opportunity to visit the headquarters and manufacturing plant of Giant Bicycles in Taichung, Taiwan. After a tour of the plant, I was also given the chance to do a couple hours of cycling around the nearby countryside on one of their latest bikes. It was quite amazing to see how meticulous each step of production was in terms of precision and accuracy. Although it generally would be categorized as assembly line fabrication, there was a sense of pride in the air that resonated throughout.
After my ride, which included an unexpected 6km climb at about a 12 degree gradient, I returned back to the plant and decided I need to know more about how one person’s dream of creating a business turned into being the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. Founder and President King Lui is still as passionate about cycling today as he was when his father gave him his first bike as a child. In 2007, he decided he was going to fulfill his dream of cycling around the entire Island of Taiwan, despite opposition from friends, family, and colleagues noting his senior level position in the company, his age (73), his ability to complete it, etc. However, he chose to follow his instincts and attempt the journey, completing the nearly 1,000km trek in 15 days.
I had the opportunity to chat with the legendary King Liu who shared with me some of his secrets to success, his love for his country, and his passion for cycling.
When did you first discover your passion for cycling?
When I was a student, of course I rode bikes to school, however that was just commuting not cycling. After Giant was established I only road bikes for new product testing and not for long distance. One day, a Taiwanese movie called “Island Etude” inspired me with the following line – “Some things, if you do not do it now, then you will never do it in your lifetime”, so I decided to cycle around the entire island of Taiwan, even at the age of 73. After the tour, I felt confident and passionate, and became even healthier. I fell in love with cycling all over again!
What was the first bike that you ever had and how did you obtain it?
My first bike in my life was a gift from my father. At that time bikes were affordable only for wealthier people. It has been quite some time ago, so I did not remember the details.
Can you explain your initial reasoning behind starting up Giant?
In the 1970’s there was a bike boom, because at that time there was a magazine that mentioned how cycling was good for health. At a dinner with some friends, we talked about what kind of business we could start to make some money, and then we thought a bike is just one frame and two wheels, very simple. We therefore established this company together, did an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) bike business plan, and found out the bike business is not as easy as we thought. Of course later on we made our commitment to consumers, especially after we had our own bike brand “Giant”.
Note: An OEM manufactures products or components that are purchased by another company and retailed under that purchasing company’s brand name.
Approximately how long did it take from your initial idea and concept until the day you completed and sold your first bike in the company? Can you describe that first bike, what made it special and unique, and who bought it?
In the beginning we were doing only OEM business without enough Research &Development capability. We were only able to produce bikes according to a customer’s request and design chart. The products were delivered to the customer via sea transportation directly for them to retail in the market, after the production. Today we have a completely streamlined process in place that’s much different.
From those initial days of start up to today, what do you see as the most improved and/or important advancements in the cycling world in terms of the types of bikes currently available in your product line?
We were the first company that made carbon frames at an affordable price. In the 1980s, there were only a few small companies that provided limited carbon frame bikes at very high prices. In 1985 we started the research with ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) in Taiwan on how we could make good quality carbon frames in mass production, and after two years we launched our first carbon bike. Compact Road Design introduced in 1997 has stood the test of time, winning countless pro races over the past 15 years and setting the performance benchmark for road riders of all levels. The concept is a top tube that slopes downward from the head tube to the seat tube, thereby reducing the size of the front and rear triangles, making the bike lighter, smoother, stiffer, and a better fit. Maestro Design is the full-suspension platform used on every Giant performance mountain bike. Ranging from 4 to 8 inches of travel, Maestro improves the ride on any type of trail, allowing pedaling efficiency, complete suspension activity, and total brake independence.
You recently decided to get back on your bike and discover your home country by riding around the circumference of the island. What was the inspiration behind this and can you briefly describe this experience in terms of high and low points along the way? What was the total distance covered and how long did it take to complete from start to finish?
Actually, the idea came into my mind quite a while back, however I always felt I was too busy with work to cycle around the Island. It has been more than 10 years since I first thought of doing it to the time of actually accomplishing it. One day, a Taiwanese movie “Island Etude” inspired me with one sentence standing out in my mind, “Some things if you do not do it now, you will not do it in your lifetime”, seemed to speak to me. In order to be well prepared, I spent half a year practicing cycling from my home in Taichung to the company, and even longer distances on holidays. Finally the time had come, and over the course of 15 days cycling around Taiwan, I pedaled 927 kilometers and completed a personal new record. On the way, I really saw that Taiwan is a beautiful Island with green mountains, blue seashores, and a diversified culture. I also received a big welcome everywhere, and the specialized local food was unforgettable. After the tour, I discovered cycling makes me still feel young with a healthy body, and that I am capable of challenging myself with new things. My mind is even more open and I feel that my life has changed. After I completed the ride, many Giant colleagues decided to do the ride as well!
This has since developed into an actual tour offering that your company provides. How often is this offered and what has the response been like? What are the demographics of the riders who have gone on this tour in terms of age, residents/foreigners, etc?
In 2012 we ran 60 tours of Round-the-Island, and 120 more regional or customized tours. For local Taiwanese residents, they are from companies (for team building), students (to increase physical activity), retirees (a new interest and also a new self), and people who just want to relax or complete their dream. We also have lots of cyclists from China and Japan because more and more people there are riding for pleasure instead of commuting. We have English speaking tour guides, so therefore we also have a few cyclists from Western countries as well.
You’ve also since gone on to do other long distance touring in China and have plans for future rides as well. Can you provide details on each that you have completed and intend to complete?
After I completed the circle tour of Taiwan, I journey on yet another longer ride in 2009 spanning over 20 days and 1668 kilometers in China, from Beijing to Shanghai, which was a well planned and promoted event. I did the entire journey with 28 other cyclists, however riders joined our group along the way and by the end we had more than 1,000 cyclists together. The following year, I rode five days in the “Green World on Wheels: Netherland 500”, which was much easier for me because the path was flat without big hills, and the distance was shorter. I also invited Taiwan transportation government officials along with me to see how the Netherlands provides a cycling friendly infrastructure for their citizens. In 2012, I did the six day “Green World on Wheels: Shimanami 266”, after being invited by Japan’s Ehime Mayor Nakamura. I discovered Japan Shikoku was a really good place to promote the cycling culture, and after that Japan organized the “2012 Formosa 900” cycling group to Taiwan for 9 days. I am 78 years old now, and I know the time will come when I won’t be able to cycle anymore, but until then I will continue cycling to keep my health, and to postpone that day from coming.
What one message do you have for both riders and non-riders that you’d like to put forth in relation to your own personal passion for cycling?
For riders you already know that cycling is really good for your health and for the environment. However there is still 85% of total population that never rides. I would encourage all of you to be a cycling missionary like myself, and invite more people to join our Giant Cycling World. For non-riders, cycling is a sport with little chance of injury and more interesting than others, as it brings you to the outdoors. It connects you with the earth, and combines travelling, sightseeing, and exercising together. Start with an entry level bike then keep improving, and you will discover that cycling will inspire you to find a different you. Come on and cycle with me!
What does the future hold for Giant in terms of new product development and future cycling tour options?
I think that aesthetics will lead to new product development, but the overall function won’t change much. As for cycling tours, we will keep developing more local bike paths and train more English speaking tour guides, so that we can introduce the cycling paradise of Taiwan to the entire world.
Read about the rest of my cycling adventures in Taiwan here.
