Giant bicycle Citystorm by Michael Young
GIANT, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, challenged UK interior, industrial and product designer Michael Young to create a fresh concept for two-wheeled transport to anticipate the needs of savvy city lifestyle consumers. ‘One important factor is that as a "named" designer I did not want to produce a design bike that looked good but would not perform well, like so many design bikes created recently’, Young emphasizes. ‘The point was to create a bike that should be respected by the historical bike fraternity, and, more than that, to design a bike that was destined for a specific target market’. GIANT president and CEO says: ‘For 34 years, Giant has been known for technology and quality, becoming the number one bike company in the world. Our future challenge is to blend design and art together, to create beautiful premium bikes for discerning LOHAS, to bring health, freedom, happiness and love for mother nature into their lifestyle. When master meets master … Masterpiece. When Michael Young meets Giant Citystorm
‘The starting point of the project was to study bicycles that riders we considered not to be sportsmen chose to ride in cities’, Young explains. ‘We looked at the basic frame constructions and attributes, and then made a study of what we could do not only to make a more functional city bike but also one that could be emotionally compelling and communicate to consumers who might demand a more fashion or design-related option’. Young worked with Giant Techno Centre based in Taichung, Taiwan, which has a wealth of experience in design and engineering of bicycles. Their team created a working structure with which to build on. ‘From the outset of the project, the approach was very much a team effort between both parties drawing on each other’s skills and experiences.’ Young adds. ‘The interesting philosophy for me on this project is that Giant were interested in design coming from the mind of someone with no previous bike experience so that we might bring a fresh approach to the industry.’
‘In design terms I decided that in order to please a global market and broad age group we needed to maintain a classical frame construction and use that to build in fresh design aspects’, explains Young. ‘These design aspects, or shall we say things we considered "demands", we listed very clearly to understand what might be needed in the city. I then calculated how these could be integrated into real working details.’
Four aspects of Citystorm distinguish it from other city bicycles: integrated design elements, the touch points, its functionality and of course the Michael Young design flavor.
• The Lock – The wire on the lock is made of Kevlar, the same material that is utilized on bullet-proof vests, and steel wire that ensures the wire is rigid enough to avoid being cut. The lock is housed inside the tube frame and can be easily pulled out and latched, either as the primary security system or for quick-stop theft prevention.
• The Headlight – The neat headlight is a result of Giant’s advanced hydro forming technology. Hydro forming, or ‘fluid forming’, encases the regular aluminum tube in a desired shape mould. With the injection of high-pressure liquid, the tube is then pressed into a new shape. The benefit is a smooth, new shaped tube which is stronger and better reinforced. The battery holder for the headlight is hidden within the tube frame and slips out for quick replacement when needed.
• The Rear Light
– The integrated rear light can be
attached beneath the saddle seat, as well as reattached on the rear rack
for flexibility and increased safety.
• The Clock – The carefully forged stem features a built-in custom-made clock, with timer and stopwatch functions.
Citystorm has several added value ‘Touch Points’ that also distinguish it from other city bicycles.
• The Angled Pedal – The plastic pedal has a gradual 2mm incline that descends from inside to out. This helps to correct the posture of the rider’s legs and significantly reduces soreness in the legs often experience after riding long distances
• The Saddle
Seat and Handlebar Grips – The Double Density D2 materials applied
on the saddle seat and hand grips provides both support where needed and
also increased comfort for the riders.
Citystorm also demonstrates key aspects of improved functionality.
• The Enclosed Chain Device – Citystorm also is equipped with a new design for an enclosed chain device that protects the rider’s trouser legs from being drawn into the chain as well as significantly reducing the maintenance needed on the chain itself.
• Anti-Rust Treatment – The entire frame has been treated with Anti-Rust technology and most of the bolts are hidden. The entire bikes remains clean and stylish just as it was when new.
• The Saddle Bag – An optional easy attach and remove saddle bag is handy and trendy. The graphics featured on the Saddle Bag match those of the colour options available. These motifs were drawn especially for Citystorm by Katrin Olina, Young’s wife and occasional collaborator.
And finally, Citystorm has Young’s design flair, especially noticeable in four points. ‘In order to create a level of design communication appreciated by more demanding consumer all the metal finishes and small fixings are finished to a level that you might imagine an Apple Mac consumer expects’, Young concludes. ‘We understand that design is on the coffee table now and that these small details have become important’.
• The Front Forks – ‘I immediately decided that curved front forks looked too antiquated and thus developed a form vocabulary that could be used though out the design,’ Young says.
• The Handlebars – The handle bars go from a highly complex curvature in the centre to round at the end, crossing the traditional with sport and creating a new visual iconism that pushes the bike into the modern age of design.
• The Mud Guards – Design aficionados will immediately notice the classic Michael Young detail in the mudguards , a wonderful lozenge shaped transparent window.
There are five versions of . The standard is white and unisex with a high
performance 8-speed gear system that can the hills and vales of any urban
terrain. For women, there is a flower motif in blue and green, while for
men there is a geometrical graphic motif in grey and brown.