Maelochs

HyRd brakes also use a mechanical/hydro hybrid as did Giant with its proprietary Conduct brake system---the difference being the Hy/Rd worked really well and Giant's system maybe not so much.

(https://trpcycling.com/product/hy-rd/) "Using an open hydraulic system it’s compatible with Shimano and SRAM 11 speed road shift levers. For compatibility questions contact us to ensure this caliper will work with your existing levers."

(https://www.giant-bicycles.com/global/showcase/conduct) "The key to the Conduct hydraulic brake system is its cable-actuated master cylinder. This unique design is integrated into the faceplate of the stem. It's a clean setup that combines the simplicity of mechanical disc brakes with the power and smooth feel of hydraulic. It's easy to install, too. There's no need to replace your mechanical brake lever or handlebar tape - simply shorten your current cable housing, then mount the new master cylinder on your Giant Contact SL or Contact stem."

Maybe Giant had a contract for a lot of Shimano mech STI levers but wanted to sell disc bikes? Still I wouldn't put Giant down for just that one choice.

At least with its prior (bike-shop level) offerings, Giant usually offered about the same level of features for a little less money than Trek/Spec/C'dale ... IMO.

PeteHski

Fortunately my Giant is post this brief era, which was just a bodge for use with cable brifters. My 2019 Defy just has fully hydraulic Shimano 105 R7000.

veganbikes

The Hy/Rds are excellent brakes, fully mechanical till you get to the caliper. Works a treat doesn't look atrocious but the Conduct just couldn't hang. It was just a goofy set up and not one that made sense. Hy/Rds came out in 2013 without all the faff and complication and if memory serves TRP/Tektro made the brakes for them anyway.

The return on their stuff for more service was greater than other bikes that we sold. That is not a good thing.

Maelochs

As far as I know ... Hy/Rd are TRP. I have them on an MTB and absolutely great.

I have never heard a good thing about the Conduct brakes. Or did you mean All Giant bikes, in general, had more failures.

Not arguing what you say, just seeking clarification. If it was all Giants, what was going so wrong?

(Never owned a Giant, just did research because they were in the running for an N+1 ... nearly bought @PeteHski 's Defy ...... Also looked at a Fastroad and (I think) an Allroad, which was sort of a gravel bike back then. Seemed like good stuff, but went with a Fuji instead.

veganbikes

Yes the Hy/Rd are TRP but I think TRP also made the Giant brakes.

All Giant bikes especially their lower end bikes had more problems then similarly spec'd bikes from other manufacturers. Plus their proprietary stuff is ridiculous, seat posts but racks were proprietary mounting back in the day and their rack didn't look great.

plumberroy

Dick's is dying here. When they pulled semi auto rifles and cancelled orders for both guns and ammo already ordered. They pissed off a lot of people, Then a lot of gun manufacturers quit selling to them. Two locations have went under . Their Field and Stream store is now a Sportsman's warehouse. In this area without hunting and fishing stuff they can't maintain

LesterOfPuppets

Maybe dying there, but I doubt the board cares...

DKS
$170.18 USD
+40.17 (30.90%) past year

TiHabanero

I worked with Giant bikes from 1992 to 2022 and never found them to be more susceptible to problems than the other brands we handled including Specialized and Trek, except for one specific model named Chinook, aka sh**hook. the brakes howled something fierce and we were able to quiet some of them, and not the others. As for proprietary parts, every brand has their collection of proprietary stuff (most of it unnecesary) and that is all I will say about that.

Ubie

Whenever I want to feel I old, I just remember when Dick's only had two stores...

At any rate, the only real worry I would have is Giants deciding any cost cutting methods they use on the bikes that get sold there would all of the sudden seem like a good idea to use on bikes that are more up-market. Keep the price the same, use cheaper methods, and boom, you just increased your profit margin! Overall negative for the consumer

Trakhak

That's a useful (and more believable) counterpoint.

LesterOfPuppets

A-ha! Now I see why Giant is going to be in Dick's Sporting Goods stores. The GT deal ended at the end of 2023!

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/indu...oots-ibd-brand

travbikeman

Almost purchased a Toughroad a few years ago. It had the Conduct brakes on it. While I thought that it was interesting how this was setup, I wondered about it's longevity. Shortly afterwards, Giant stopped producing the Toughroad and the Conduct brakes seemingly disappeared. I only guessed they were not that great of brakes or too expensive to produce. Sounds like they were a pain to repair and am betting parts are almost non existent now. Glad I passed.

Although, my current Giant is nice bike and haven't had anything real to complain about except the cheap wheelset it originally had.

wheelreason

If I get a couple of kids from Dick's, do I have to send them to school, or can I have them do chores all day every day? What about flipping them?...

ScottCommutes

I think we all need some perspective. Dick's has 797 locations. The deal we are discussing is to sell Giant bikes at 25 specialty shops owned by Dicks, but not even called "Dick's". Perhaps there are 25 local bike shops in the world that might lose a sale here or there over this, but the other 99% of the world simply doesn't care.

LesterOfPuppets

OH that's right the Giant deal is for Public Lands only. So I guess DSG stores will only have Nishiki and Schwinn after the remaining GT stock sells out.

Perhaps the Public Lands/Giant deal is sort of a trial run to see if they want Giant bikes in DSG stores.