body{background-attachment: fixed ! important; }

Friday, March 25, 2016

Giant Bike Rental: Biking Taiwan on Borrowed Time

Untitled

How To Rent:

1. Choose the closest Giant rental location from the store locator or one of the shops listed at the bottom of this post. Only corporate stores may participate in the Giant rental program. You can contact the individual store via email or telephone to place your order. Giant will find someone on staff or someone's nephew who got his MBA overseas and understands some English, to take care of your request. Try to reserve a bicycle two weeks prior  to pick-up. Include your height in centimeters and you inseam. Giant bicycles use compact geometries and are sized by the general rule of Small, Medium or Large. 

2. The rental costs NT1500 for the first three days, and NT200 for each additional day

3. Pick up your bike on the requested retrieval date and pay with a major credit card. The rental agreement requires the rider be responsible for the safe return of all the equipment issued with each bicycle-- Giant values each bicycle at almost NT$30,000. 

Untitled

What You Get: 

1. Giant's multi-day touring bicycle for this trip was a Fastroad SLR- ALUXX, aluminum framed, flat-bar hybrid, coupled with 700c 28-30mm road tires, triple chainring and disc brakes. 

2. Each bicycle comes with a rear rack and waterproof panniers (You may not substitute with your own gear). 

3. Equipment includes: saddle, headlight, tail light, Cat Eye cycling computer, bike lock, platform pedals, 8-piece multitool and mini-pump. 

4. Giant does not include tire levers, inner tubes or patch kit. You must remember to purchase your own flat repair equipment. 

5. Each frame is marked with a Giant serial number for tracking. 


Untitled
Giant Serial Number
Untitled
Cockpit
Untitled
Rear
Untitled
Mini-Pump
Untitled
Lock
Untitled
Multi-Tool
Untitled
Frame


Review 


Pros: 
  • The best thing about the Giant rental program is that Giant has a nationwide network of stores that provide numerous return locations and some standard of service and accountability, as well as a roadside assistance service in case of mechanical or other roadside trouble. 
  • The bikes are reasonably priced and reasonably equipped for many riders. The waterproof panniers are an excellent choice for Taiwan. The bikes are relatively light for easy portage and the triple chainring should be ample for most conditions if riders stick to more moderate routes. 
  • Bikes are relatively well maintained. (Though we did have the alloy kickstand break off immediately. The bike was a little dirty and in need of some chain oil upon pickup.) 

Cons: 
  • I can imagine an experienced cyclist becoming frustrated with this program and I feel Giant hopes the more experienced riders will simply bring their own gear. Experienced riders tend to have finely honed preferences in regard to their interface with the bike--pedals, saddle, bars and position. The rider may want to swap out the pedals and saddle for their own, but they are then required to carry those items with them the rest of the journey. 
  • An experienced cyclist may also be uncomfortable on a hybrid, but Giant does not offer a drop-bar road bike for rental, nor do they even make a dedicated touring bicycle. The positioning of the hybrid would probably make an experienced cyclist feel slower and less coordinated on the road and throw off expected arrival times at intended locations. a hybrid bike is not exactly ideal for loaded touring.  
  • Giant does provide many excellent components and safety devices for a safe trip. Unfortunately, the location of the tail light makes the light partially obscured by the rear racks. This could be potentially dangerous, especially in some of those tunnels along the Highway 9. 
  • A major annoyance is Giant's unwillingness to provide tubes and a tire kit. I can imagine a novice cyclist taking off on a tour without thinking to ask, and getting stranded somewhere. This is a major oversight on Giant's part. 
  • Another major oversight is the exclusion of a bike bag for portage on trains and busses. The simple addition of a bike bag would give riders much added flexibility in planning their trips as the regulations only require the removal of the front wheel and a covering to stow the bike on any bus or train rather than being limited to the infrequent trains equipped with a bicycle car. The addition of a bike bag could be of great convenience for cyclists who decide they can't carry on and still want to make a hotel reservation further up the road.     

This blogger would recommend that any experienced cyclist try to bring their own bike if at all possible, to ensure a period of travel on a known commodity. You know your own bike like no other and bringing your own bike will remove a set of unknown variables so you can focus on enjoying your trip.

I feel Giant's bike rental program is really aimed toward the novice or casual cyclist who is simply looking for a different way to tour Taiwan.

The individual bicycle rental program seems to be a little undersold. It may be that Giant would like to direct international customers toward the more lucrative Personalized Tour package. This tour is for groups of fifteen or more riders and includes a support vehicle and a luggage vehicle, a guide and a mechanic.

Untitled


  Giant Rental Locations: 

Store Locator Map: Click "租賃服務" for rental locations. HERE

Taipei and New Taipei City:

跨越單車精品店
捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店可使用信用卡
台北市大同區民生西路432號1樓
TEL : 02-25567630
MAIL : kua.yue18@yahoo.com.tw

捷安特-十三行站
捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店環島租賃車可使用信用卡Liv 專區
新北市八里區博物館路159號
TEL : 02-86304585
MAIL : giant.d21090@msa.hinet.net










  • 定國自行車有限公司
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店可使用信用卡
    新北市三峽區民權街42號1樓
    TEL : 02-26713383
    MAIL :


    摩利斯其樂文化有限公司
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店可使用信用卡
    新竹市北區海濱里海濱路95號1樓
    TEL : 03-5367420
    MAIL : morrisliang829@yahoo.com.tw










  • 捷安特-興大站
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)認證車專賣店捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店環島租賃車可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    台中市南區積善里興大路200號1樓
    TEL : 04-22851540
    MAIL : giant.d21073@msa.hinet.net

    捷崴單車精品有限公司
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    台中市北屯區水景里東山路一段185號
    TEL : 04-24364690
    MAIL : giant.d21132@msa.hinet.net

    坦克單車有限公司
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡
    台中市北屯區松竹路2段669號
    TEL : 04-22464669
    MAIL : tank238247@gmail.com


    Taichung

    捷米樂單車有限公司
    捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    403台中市西區公平里忠明南路110號1樓 
    TEL : 04-23100913
    MAIL : jamiebicycle@gmail.com

    航家單車生活館
    捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡
    台中市西屯區何明里漢口路一段8號1樓
    TEL : 04-23112098
    MAIL : giant12233@gmail.com


    Changhua

    錸客單車生活館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    彰化縣彰化市茄南里金馬路二段301號
    TEL : 04-7332666
    MAIL : likebike6658@gmail.com

    翔安鐵馬生活館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡
    彰化縣鹿港鎮順興里建國路5號
    TEL : 04-7764282
    MAIL : lucky.me168@msa.hinet.net

    Nantou:

    捷安特-日月潭站
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店環島租賃車可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    南投縣魚池鄉水社村中山路163號1樓
    TEL : 049-2856713
    MAIL : giant.d21103@msa.hinet.net

    Yunlin

    玩家單車生活館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    雲林縣斗六市雲林路2段297號
    TEL : 05-5378283
    MAIL : giant12207@livemail.tw

    玩家單車專賣店
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店可使用信用卡
    雲林縣斗六市信義里民生路196號1樓
    TEL : 05-5339163
    MAIL : player@cltv.tinp.net


    Tainan

    瑞發車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店可使用信用卡
    台南市白河區中山路65號
    TEL : 06-6854527
    MAIL :

    牛仔文化店
    捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    台南市東區中華東路三段212、214號
    TEL : 06-2609388
    MAIL : salsa_4747@yahoo.com.tw

    永丞單車生活館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    710台南市永康區中華路320號
    TEL : 06-3121269
    MAIL : lan0980@hotmail.com

    豐榮車行(ㄚ傑單車)
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡
    台南市安平區華平里慶平路427號1F
    TEL : 06-2996469
    MAIL : giant.13162@gmail.com

    金牛單車生活館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    台南市善化區光文里大成路298、300號
    TEL : 06-5839188
    MAIL : giant_goldcow@yahoo.com.tw



    Kaohsiung


    太順自行車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店可使用信用卡
    高雄市左營區左營大路202號
    TEL : 07-5836935
    MAIL : yl2001@ms33.hinet.net



    歐亞單車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡
    高雄市三民區復興一路149號
    TEL : 07-2361071
    MAIL : oyabike@gmail.com

    華興單車館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店可使用信用卡
    高雄市楠梓區加昌路620號
    TEL : 07-3660843
    MAIL : giant618@gmail.com


    捷安特-高雄愛河店
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市環島租賃車可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    高雄市苓雅區青年二路238、240號1-2樓
    TEL : 07-2413040
    MAIL : giant.d21087@msa.hinet.net


    騎格車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    高雄市左營區華夏路769號
    TEL : 07-3416972
    MAIL : ride.style@msa.hinet.net



    Pingtung


    榮輪腳踏車店
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店可使用信用卡
    屏東縣恆春鎮中山路180號
    TEL : 08-8891029
    MAIL : prefactbike@yahoo.com.tw










  • 達陣單車館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店
    940屏東縣枋寮鄉枋寮村中興路5-1號(火車站前)
    TEL : 08-8780530
    MAIL : ylhung99@gmail.com


    Yilan:

    偉展車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店Right Ride System專業量測門市Liv 專區
    265宜蘭縣羅東鎮東安里光榮路330號一樓
    TEL : 03-9605504
    MAIL : wsmam@hotmail.com

    就是單車生活館
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店
    宜蘭縣蘇澳鎮蘇東里蘇花路5段112號一樓
    TEL : 03-9951595
    MAIL : joser.bike@gmail.comualien: 

    義宏車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店可使用信用卡
    花蓮縣玉里鎮中城里和平路47號
    TEL : 038-885669
    MAIL :


    名捷車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    花蓮縣花蓮市民生里明禮街7號1樓
    TEL : 038-357427
    MAIL : giant.a582@msa.hinet.net

    宗承車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店可使用信用卡
    花蓮縣吉安鄉北昌村建國路一段160號1樓
    TEL : 038-579148
    MAIL :



    名捷自行車有限公司
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    花蓮縣花蓮市主權里中華路491號
    TEL : 038-525717
    MAIL : giant.a491@msa.hinet.net

    珍成有限公司
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店Right Ride System專業量測門市可使用信用卡
    花蓮縣花蓮市林森路213號
    TEL : 038-323361
    MAIL : giant.jc@msa.hinet.net

    捷安特-花蓮站
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店好騎升級專案實施店環島租賃車可使用信用卡
    花蓮縣花蓮市國聯里國興一街35號
    TEL : 038-336761
    MAIL : giant.d21134@msa.hinet.net


    Taidong

    肆加貳單車專賣店
    電動車專賣店捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)租賃服務國旅卡授權店可使用信用卡
    台東縣台東市民族里更生路157號1樓
    TEL : 089-327866
    MAIL : lkc3299@ms25.hinet.net












  • 捷安特-關山站(每周五六日營業)
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店國旅卡授權店環島租賃車可使用信用卡Liv 專區
    台東縣關山鎮中福里博愛路6號
    TEL : 089-814391
    MAIL : giant.d21091@msa.hinet.net


    和益車行
    捷安特車系(售23,800元以下車種)租賃服務電動車專賣店
    台東縣關山鎮民生路51號
    TEL : 089-811362
    MAIL : 









  • 捷安特-台東新站
    捷安特車系(售10萬以下車種)捷安特車系(售全車種)租賃服務國旅卡授權店環島租賃車可使用信用卡
    台東縣台東市岩灣里岩灣路101巷602號
    TEL : 089-235879
    MAIL : giant.d21139@msa.hinet.net









  • 7 comments:

    1. Did they upgrade their bike offerings? Last time I used the bike rental, they only offered the "Great Journey" at that price point. The "Fastroad" looks to be an improvement over that. Though at 6'-6'1" Giant's geometry even the Large size still makes me feel a little bit cramped. It really made me appreciate my road bikes all the more. But it is fairly cheap and it makes for convenient transportation. Though if I were on a cycling holiday I would want a proper bike.

      The big drawbacks were as you mentioned, the lack of real multipurpose road bike (and considering the growing popularity with "gravel grinders" back here in the States, might point to a little shortsightedness in Giant's R&D department). The second drawback is that it is f'cknear impossible to find much information on the program, rates, bikes, etc. (short of me just going into a shop and getting the brochure on the rentals, while there it is quite easy to find their tour packages online). Admittedly I read chinese rather poorly and slowly, and English information is sadly lacking. Which is a shame because while I would not want to 環島 on the bikes they offer, they are fairly pleasant for tooling around the East Coast for week or two.

      ReplyDelete
    2. I think they have upgraded in some regards, but I think they used to offer higher end road bikes. They also stopped renting and receiving bikes at the highly touted Yoho Bike Hotel in Kenting.

      My guess is, the program is somewhat of a liability outside of a little PR and sales, so it puts added stress on retailers and logistics to really move bikes around. Not to mention the English language requirements if they went more international. They also seem afraid of customers touching the bikes by removing wheels and the like. It is possible that the support for the program is just more trouble than it is worth, but they donut because if they don't, someone else will.

      ReplyDelete
    3. Great post, thanks! I've been looking for exactly this information for some time as the last time I took my bike to Taiwan (from HK) it got messed up in transit, but the hard case alternative is so hard to transport around Taiwan.
      The posters above are right though - for anyone who doesn't speak Chinese it is very hard to get in touch with Giant. My emails have gone unanswered.
      Thanks again for excellent information!

      ReplyDelete
    4. Hi Andrew, the picture at the counter, which shop is it?

      ReplyDelete
    5. That is the flagship store

      https://maps.google.com.tw/maps?hl=en-tw&client=safari&yv=2&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=tw&entry=s&sa=X&ftid=0x3469162f6fa6ec87:0x24ecc11b9629c1d2&gmm=CgIgAQ%3D%3D

      ReplyDelete
    6. Is it possible to rent a bike in one city and return it in a different city?

      ReplyDelete
    7. Yes, that is the idea. The shops listed at the tail of the article are the return sites. If Giant is still running this program you can double check with the rental store.

      Giant seems to be underpromoting this rental scheme, so details are scant.

      ReplyDelete