Was the Giant Excursion Touring Bike Sold in the USA?
12-05-19, 09:08 AM
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Was the Giant Excursion Touring Bike Sold in the USA?
I recently acquired an early 90s Giant Excursion & was wondering if this was a "Euro" bike, or were they sold in the states? It has a built in lock for securing the back wheel, internal wiring & a bottom bracket Generator (generator is made by Union) for powering the lights, & a triple crank w/ a chain guard. A very well thought-out touring ride.
Last edited by OutnBack; 12-05-19 at 09:29 AM.
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12-05-19, 09:25 AM
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That’s a beauty, and in amazing condition!
12-05-19, 09:27 AM
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12-05-19, 05:59 PM
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I love the braze-on for the shifter that actuates the dynamo!
It certainly does look like an EU market bike. That style of ring-lock is pretty common in Scandinavia, but Trelock is German. I had a Finnish city bike that had a swinging arm for the same purpose with brackets welded on each seatstay.
It certainly does look like an EU market bike. That style of ring-lock is pretty common in Scandinavia, but Trelock is German. I had a Finnish city bike that had a swinging arm for the same purpose with brackets welded on each seatstay.
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12-05-19, 06:17 PM
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Ah! I didn't know you were in NW GA. I saw this one on CL and thought about buying it for the racks to swap onto my new Claud Butler, then resell the bike, but ask price was too rich for me to risk it. Seller still has multiple ads up for it.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/searc...rsion&sort=rel
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/searc...rsion&sort=rel
12-05-19, 07:35 PM
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12-06-19, 07:49 AM
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It was a Euro-style "trekking" bike that was also sold here during the early '90s. Came with straight bars, riser stem and RapidFire shifters. Looks better with drops.
12-06-19, 07:55 AM
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Giant Excursion
I sold them when they were new around 1990 during my bike shop days back in central PA. I remember them having drop bars out of the box, but I could be mistaken. Cool bikes and way off the radar when I was selling them, which was when you couldn't give a road bike away, and everybody wanted a mountain bike.
12-06-19, 08:52 AM
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The Giant Excursion was introduced in the USA for the 1991 model year, as a flat bar touring bicycle for $749 US. It included the Euro-style wheel lock (see scan). It had been selling well in Europe for the previous 2 years, so the decision was made to market it in the USA. However, for 1992 it was replaced by the lower grade Alondra with Shimano 300LX at $450 US. The serial number will provide the manufacture date.
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12-06-19, 08:56 AM
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It reminds me a lot of the 92/93 Specialized Sequioa frameset I've got sitting in my basement. The shifter mount high on the seattube to control the lights is a neat thing. I keep meaning to build that frame up (I think it was marketed as a city bike with flat bars, but it has the hallmarks of a tourer - I think it might be a rockhopper frame with the canti mounts moved for 700c wheels and that extra mount added for the light control), but it's a 58 and I need at least a 60. I could make it work with a longer/taller stem and high seatpost, but I have other things to build first.
05-17-20, 12:59 PM
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Yes, I can confirm they were sold in the US as I have TWO of them! Actually, they are for sale too. As mentioned, these were completely equipped from the factory for touring. Just needed panniers and you were ready to see the world on pedal power! The unique lighting system was a winner! A built-in generator that was activated with a lever. All wiring was internal to the frame and fenders! Worked brilliantly and never had to worry about dead batteries if you were caught rolling into your campground late. The lock system mentioned worked well for the casual thief with hopes of just riding off with your bike. With panniers loaded for self-contained bike camping (water and food) it was unlikely someone would carry it off. Still had a cable lock as well.
My wife and I used them as touring bikes. Took two tours on these fantastic bikes. One down the coast of Washington after touring the San Juan Islands. The second down the coast of California. Bikes are complete and fully operational (even the generator and lights work). Other than a few expected scratches here and there they are in remarkable condition. We are a bit fanatical about caring for our equipment and also, shortly after the second tour we switched to a tandem for touring. So, they never saw any additional tours. Been in the garage ever since. I swapped out the straight bars on my for more grip positions. My wife liked and kept her straight bar and added bar end grips. Still have the Madden "bomb-proof" panniers. It was a great combo and neither the bikes or the panniers ever let us down. Tried to add photo attachments without success. Anyways, great bike and was our first entry into bike touring. So many great memories and experiences! Actually, this thread got me motivated to pass them on, hopefully to a couple, so they can have similar experiences and adventures.
My wife and I used them as touring bikes. Took two tours on these fantastic bikes. One down the coast of Washington after touring the San Juan Islands. The second down the coast of California. Bikes are complete and fully operational (even the generator and lights work). Other than a few expected scratches here and there they are in remarkable condition. We are a bit fanatical about caring for our equipment and also, shortly after the second tour we switched to a tandem for touring. So, they never saw any additional tours. Been in the garage ever since. I swapped out the straight bars on my for more grip positions. My wife liked and kept her straight bar and added bar end grips. Still have the Madden "bomb-proof" panniers. It was a great combo and neither the bikes or the panniers ever let us down. Tried to add photo attachments without success. Anyways, great bike and was our first entry into bike touring. So many great memories and experiences! Actually, this thread got me motivated to pass them on, hopefully to a couple, so they can have similar experiences and adventures.
