Don’t worry about the bike comments. I’m an avid rider so I don’t mind talking bikes if they relate to the conversation . I know Giant win price wise over here but I just wish there was a bit more variety. Too many people seem to just buy their bike on price alone rather then functionality or purpose.

I’ve been meaning to try Oolong but can’t seem to tear myself away from milk tea. I’ve kinda gone off the gentou (pearls) for now and just enjoy it straight (easier to drink).

And argh aquariums, everytime I see one I get massive pangs of, well I dunno. It’s not homesickness I guess it’s more like pet sickness. I really miss having pets around. I’ll be seriously considering getting a dog and restarting an aquarium once I’ve moved to a bigger more permanent place.

Thanks again for the comments, it’s great to get feedback from people who have been through/are going through the Taiwan experience!

Personally I have lived outside of UK 15 years in HK and SG. My wife is Taiwanese and I ride a giant so I claim to relate to what you are saying and certainly am not gonna get precious about what a know my bike to be…great for the money…but not a niche market player with novelty appeal (surley, parlee etc).

I bought my bike in Taipei and the Willier’s and Pinarello’s were no cheaper than back home so of course Giant stood out being 25% cheaper or so….TCR SL 1 w/ Dura Ace + Fulcrum R0′s at NTD170,000 (US$5.4k)…nay bad!

Oh god, i’m at it now…turning yr thread into a bike one. Okay…fresh tack…

You take it easy…get into tea..definatley Taiwan does Oolong best in the world (2400m Li Shan … And aquariums…I am a self-confessed aquarium saddo and planted gardens was inveted pretty much in Taiwan…perfected by Amano…and picked up eagerly in HK and SG and MY. I never did find a good store in Taipei mind you.

Enjoy the good parts, learn from the frustrating and laugh at the ridiculous!

Cheers

PS i laughed at the observation at randoms! Just ensure you give em something unexpct…and if u have a grump-on, make out you are french…spanish..whatever…bu t you dont speak english

I did see some guy in shorts and thongs riding around on an expensive looking bright blue Bianchi the other day… that was a bit random.

Out on the roads though nearly every bike you pass is a Giant and if the rider is wearing lycra you can bet it’ll be Giant branded.

if so, I’m moving to Taiwan and becoming a bag-lady.

Even the grandma who lives in a cardboard box and collects recyclable garbage for a living rides around on a TCR Advanced SL O.

TCR Advanced SL O.

WAT

For example I know of 4 Giant dealers within 5k’s of where I live, and only one ‘independant’ who still stocks Giant but has some other brands too. If I want to buy Surly there’s one retail store up in Taipei, that’s it.

Well ok maybe before Toyota stopped supplying brakes with their cars and offering sticky accelerator pedals as factory standard.

Seriously Giants are like everywhere here. Even the grandma who lives in a cardboard box and collects recyclable garbage for a living rides around on a TCR Advanced SL O.

We need more Surlys on the roads!