Giant Halfway considering purchasing anyone have one?

[wardie]

I am about to pull the trigger on a Giant Halfway. I like my Giant dealer and my other bike is an OCR 3 with upgrades. The Halfway has modern technology with single sided swingarm and single sided front fork. I like the geared hub and wouldn't make any gearing or rim upgrades but maybe different tires. Has anyone in the states purchased a Halfway and if they have what can they report on durability, ride and items they may have changed? Thanks wardie

[wardie]

Come on guys ... someone has to have a Giant Halfway? I just want to know what you like or dislike about them and if you've done any upgrades etc. Need some input on the Halway especially how it compares to other folers. Thanks Wardie

[14R]

I had both Halfways (hard tail and RS, rear suspension only available in the eastern hemisphere). For US$500.00 I would rather have an upgraded downtube or a dahon.

The bike is difficult to upgrade, difficult to fix, difficult to pack and feels really hard even on paved roads.

Unless you take the fenders out, the "modern technology" does not make your life any easier to fix a flat or anything.

On top of that, Giant Costumer service is a JOKE if you have any concerns about a folder model. They don't even know what to tell you if you call and ask what parts are upgradeable.

I had a great time with my Giants, but I had a greater time after I sold them.

R14.

[Leisesturm]

There is no comparison between the folded dimensions of the 1/2way and a Downtube or Dahon. The single sided stays and fork make for a folded width that has to be seen to be believed. My 1/2way with rack, fenders and bag is lighter than my Downtube with none of those things. Thats right I own both. I have no intentions of selling my 1/2way even though I also have the full suspension 9sp Downtube. Both bikes stop traffic but the 1/2way does because it is way cuter and sexier than the DT which is unusual and/or interesting to look at. I have ridden the hell out of my 1/2way for two years with nada a mechanical problem, nada! The DT is currently down because the shift cable suddenly parted ways with the shifter after about four months of fairly frequent use. It's too close to call for me.

H

[Northshore Man]

Wardie-For what it is worth I have a Halfway and have loved it. It is perfect transportaion when combined with the commuter train. I get complements all the time on its good looks. Changing tires is not a problem. Fits me well also as I am about 6'1" and it feels like a near perfect fit. The bike is rugged and good quality. No problems in a year and half of commuting in Boston including through the Winter.

[14R]

There is no comparison between the folded dimensions of the 1/2way and a Downtube or Dahon. The single sided stays and fork make for a folded width that has to be seen to be believed.

You still cannot fit a 1/2way into an internationally accepted luggage without 40+ minutes of disassembly. I believe the best thing to do is to ride one and get into your own conclusions. I gave a Halfway to my girlfriend, she was happy with it for over one year. But after riding my Downtube FS she wanted one, and I don't blame her. My opinion: if you have US$500,00, you are way better off with a Dahon than with a halfway, UNLESS what you want is to impress people with an exotic design. I have to agree that the single fork (front and back) looks really good, but that's about it for me.

[Dahon.Steve]

I have to agree that the single fork (front and back) looks really good, but that's about it for me.

I don't understand why more folding bike companies don't have this feature. You can repair the front wheel without having to take it off the rim. A very nice feature.

I also don't understand why more folders don't come with the front carrier the Brompton has either.

[14R]

I don't understand why more folding bike companies don't have this feature. You can repair the front wheel without having to take it off the rim. A very nice feature.

I also don't understand why more folders don't come with the front carrier the Brompton has either.

It's even better than that Steve: on the Giant Halfway available in the USA, both front AND rear wheels are using cantilever technology, so you can (in theory) change a flat without a lot of hasle. In practice though, the fenders make things more difficult than a quick release wheel removal...

R.

[nurgles]

I have had a single speed halfway for a few years now and have been using it in Hong Kong where I live and have been on short tours in China.Its a great bike and I love the Mike Burrows single side design.
I am a folder freak as I have an Airnimal Chameleon and Brompton S2L-X as well.Bothe obviously cost much more than the Halfway but a better for different uses.
Most of my friends have Dahons...great value and componenets but if its foldability that is required there is absolutely no comparison..Brompton is miles ahead of any current models.

However the thread is about the Halfway and I love mine!!!

[catatonic]

I own a Halfway and currently use it as a commuter.

I did do some upgrades though

MKS folding pedals (the stock ones work well, but the rubberized tread wears off quickly)
Dia-Compe Bulldog BMX caliper brake on the front (Explain below)
Serfas RX Saddle (I needed something that didn't jab my butt like the stock seat did)
Shimano 105 derailleur (hold-over until I get a short-cage Tiagra...I just don't trust RDs with that much plastic in them)
Twofish velco bottle cage (mounted on handlebar stem, very practical and very reccomended)

As for the front brake....I feel the front brake ont hese are dangerously weak....there is not enough stopping power, and IMO the bike shouldn't even be on the shelves while it has that oddball caliper it comes with on it. The Bulldog took some serious work to even get to install at all, but I can tell you with that caliper (with the pads dia-compe pre-installed on them), it grips better than the stock "alhonga" caliper with MTB Kool-Stops.

By not enough stopping power i mean over half a block to stop. The rear brake was the primary stopping force, which means I had only 40% of the stopping power I should have. The "you don't need strong brakes up front because you'll flip" story is just that, a story...if you know how to use a front brake properly, it can provide MASSIVE stopping power. It's that stopping power that can very well save someone's life if the need for it arises. That's why to me a front brake is crucial, and should never be compromised.

I'm not done with mounting that caliper though...right now it's a pretty crude mount....secure, but crude. I plan on cutting out an insert for the inside of the fork crown that will assure that the mount is even more secure...I just need to figure out where to get a new digital caliper to measure it all out...my old one seems to be broken :(

As for the rear brake remining stock on the bike....it's a matter of performance and fit. The caliper is the only one that will fit without obstruction, and when fitted with salmon kool-stops, it has more than enough power to lock the back wheel up....which is plenty. It's that the braking load on the front wheel is so much greater that the flaws int hat caliper design start to show up (too many flex points).

Overall it's a really nice folder, but Giant really must do something about that front brake.

[Northshore Man]

I just had the drivetrain replaced by a LBS and my Halfway is better than new. It has better gearing as well as a crankset with a bolt on chainring in case I ever need to have it replaced. If I had replaced the worn chain earlier I would not have had such an expensive repair now. I am very pleased with the improvements and the service from the LBS I received. I really like my Giant Halfway!

[Shilun]

Catatonic: Any chance of seeing a picture of your brake mods? I too ride a Halfway (RS) and have never given much thought to braking power. Perhaps it's time I did! By the way, my Halfway came with a sticker on the handlebar telling me to apply the rear brake first.

Also, do you get any creaking from the handlebar stem? Mine seems to start making a noise after a longish ride (40km or so). I've also had some trouble with the stem tightening plastic wing nut. Two have come off in my hand, so now I just tighten the bolt with a wrench and forget the nut. Less convenient, but at least I can get the stem nice and tight.