• A Dream of Silver Bicycles
• Formulation Specificity with Vacuum Metallised Pigments - Part 1

Silver - The Color of Speed

An interview with Honda Cheng, Technical Manager, Giant Bicycles

By Michael Kaplan

Giant lives up to its name, selling its products in more than fifty countries across seven continents. It is known for its commitment, not just to making and selling a wide range of models, but to promoting cycling culture as a key part of a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. Its product range extends from the feather-light yet ultra-strong cycles of the champion T-Mobile racing team to fun first bikes for kids, by way of a broad spectrum of road, mountain, fitness and compact urban bicycles. Throughout its range, Giant strives to bring the most advanced technology to the market: new designs, ingenious suspension systems, world-first hybrid carbon/aluminum frames. And for getting that authentic, chrome-like silver finish, Giant chose Ciba^® XYMARA^TM METASHEEN^®. Honda Cheng, Technical Manager for Giant, tells us more.

Mr. Cheng, what was the process by which Giant came to choose Ciba^® METASHEEN^®?

HC:  Well, our stylists knew that the market trend was for metal-effect coatings – you see that in the automotive industry as well – and that the most popular color was silver. The challenge was to achieve a silver that looked really metallic, not just like metallic paint. The reflective, mirror-effect chrome appearance of METASHEEN^e exactly matched the trend. Our overseas sales managers and stylists were very impressed.

Were there alternative methods for achieving the same effect?

HC:  We could have produced a bright surface by polishing the aluminum itself, but that would involve major costs and extra production time. We could also use vacuum metallization – but, again:  it would cost more and take longer for the same visual effect. METASHEEN^® was the right choice.

What models of Giant bicycles currently use the METASHEEN^® effect?

HC:  The Escape R2 and CS 3200, which are comfort sports models; the Spin Fit Mini, which is a compact fitness bike; and the RK 4500, which is a comfort road model. These are available on the Japanese market. Consumers like the visual effect because it is both elegant and high-tech looking. Functionally, it saves weight compared to other metallization processes – and less weight means less pedaling effort. That’s something we are always looking for.

Do you only use METASHEEN^® for frames?

HC:  No, we also use it for parts.

What is the production procedure for using METASHEEN^® correctly?

HC:  If you want to achieve a bright, highly reflective chrome finish, you need to spray a gloss black undercoat between the primer and the METASHEEN^® layer; after that, you apply a standard clear or tinted coating. The super bright surface effect depends on perfect pigment orientation – which requires good painting technique and a well-managed overall process. We did a pilot run before we went into mass production, so we could define the best production parameters for an evenly distributed METASHEEN^® surface.

What has been the feedback from the market?

HC:  Feedback has been positive. METASHEEN^® definitely fits the color trend and our stylists continue to use it for frame colors. We are looking forward to the new generation of pigments so we can excite our salespeople and customers all over again!