Pre rCarbon
The all-new Pre rCarbon balance bike represents a step in Giant’s ongoing efforts to integrate recycled materials and lower-impact manufacturing practices into its bikes, components, and gear. The frame, fork, wheels, handlebar/stem unit, and seatpost are made using carbon fiber that incorporates recycled content through proprietary processes. In addition, selected components such as tires, grips, and saddle use recycled materials, including nylon derived from recovered ocean plastics. This product reflects Giant’s continued work to explore more responsible material sourcing and production methods within the cycling industry.
Carbon fiber is prized for its high strength and light weight, but the production of virgin carbon fiber is energy intensive. One way to lessen a product’s carbon footprint is to use recycled carbon fibers.
In the past, these recycled carbon fibers have primarily been used for simpler parts such as bottle cages, but Giant has now developed a groundbreaking innovation that uses recycled long-strand carbon fibers to produce frames.
This process features a proprietary resin formula and 3D fusion compound with high-pressure, low-void molding.
As a result, the Pre rCarbon benefits from the same increased strength and light weight as traditional carbon fiber products, while reducing its carbon emissions.
Recycled Materials
The Pre rCarbon incorporates recycled materials in major components as part of Giant’s efforts to explore lower-impact material solutions.
recycled material ball
Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) is a material with excellent wear resistance, elasticity, and chemical resistance. Discarded TPR can be recycled from post-consumer or post-industrial waste into a material that acts like both a thermoplastic and a rubber compound.
recycled material ball
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer with impressive heat resistance and strength, so it can be recycled and used many times. We source discarded PP from everyday products and industrial applications to turn it into saddles and other components made with recycled plastic.
recycled material ball
EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is a soft and flexible plastic that is not biodegradable. But recycling this material can significantly reduce the amount of waste entering landfills.
recycled plastic fishing line
Made from discarded ocean plastics that get recycled into new, usable materials, Seawastex nylon helps reduce marine plastic waste. Once it’s reprocessed, the material retains the strength characteristics of the original plastic and offers excellent chemical resistance and weatherability, ensuring durability that makes them ideal for products such as the tire casings used on the Pre rCarbon push bike.