Giant Bikes Serial Numbers

[Scott-S]

Lots of searching and no definite results, but lots and lots of ambiguity on ideas but lacking substance or proof of concept

I have a newly acquired Giant Halfway the Serial number is GA870438

From the information and guesswork I have read online:
1st letter G = Brand mark (Giant) [However this has also been suggested as a year 2015??]
2nd letter A = the fortnight of manufacture (my thoughts being first fortnight of the month?)
3rd number 8 = the year of manufacture (possibly 2008? defo not 2018
4th number 7 = the month of manufacture (July?)
last 4 numbers are sequential frame numbers for that month or even that fortnight.

Im not convinced of my suppositions as it seems far too easy to assume this is frame 438 produced in the first 2 weeks of July 2008
Its definitely an earlier model as the Halfway name is embossed onto the frame rather than the decals that I normally saw.

Can anyone throw some thoughts good or bad on what I have found and think might be possible or just utter rubbish?

Many Thanks
Scott

 

[bikeworkshop]

Not sure about newer Giants, but the third digit of the serial number used to be the last digit of the production year. (The first digit being a 'G' for Giant, the second a letter to indicate the production fortnight.)

@non-fixie may shine a light @Scott-S

 

[bikeworkshop]

Iirc the hubs have push-button qrs under the rubber cover?
But of course you don't need to take the wheels off, you can change tyres and tubes fully assembled

 

[non-fixie]

@non-fixie may shine a light @Scott-S

The format Giant has used since '87 is GFyxxxxx, where xxxxx is a sequential serial number. So yes, a Giant from the first two weeks of January of a year ending with an 8, according to my decoder ring.

Disclaimer: I am not familiar with bikes from this century, when things, including serial numbering systems, may have changed.

 

[Scott-S]

Thanks for taking the time to explain and confirm this @non-fixie very much appreciated

 

[sam_white]

I've taken a note of this one as I've only a limited number of Giants recorded, despite their ubiquity. The Asian serial number guide is useful but not infallible. It says this scheme was '1987-1989: GFyxxxxx' whereas the OP's bike is definitely newer and seems to follow the scheme. I have also seen a couple of Giant's with a 'C' serial number.

 

[non-fixie]

I've taken a note of this one as I've only a limited number of Giants recorded, despite their ubiquity. The Asian serial number guide is useful but not infallible. It says this scheme was '1987-1989: GFyxxxxx' whereas the OP's bike is definitely newer and seems to follow the scheme. I have also seen a couple of Giant's with a 'C' serial number.

Good point. I have also seen later Giants with that number format, and it was used beyond 1989, at least well into the nineties. However, those may not yet be regarded as either classic or vintage ...

 

[bikeworkshop]

However, those may not yet be regarded as either classic or vintage ...

"Anything with rim brakes" imo

 

[originally901]

I have 2 bikes that appear to be Giants. The first serial no is GA0400089, if your thoughts are correct that makes it, Giant, first fortnight, 2000 or 1990?, April, 00089 the remainder of serial number. The second frame is G72600795, So Giant, 7? 2002, or 1992? June, then 00795 the remainder of serial the number. Its the second digit that is puzzling, A and 7, could these be different factories? Both frames/bikes are aluminium, with 1 inch steerers, Aprebic alloy forks. They could be from 1992 as they have 1 inch steerers. Your number was 8 digits, both of mine are 9! both were originally either polished alloy or anodized, one still is. Did Cannondale use Giant frames, someone believed the latter frame G72600795 was a Cannondale LS.

 

[sam_white]

The first serial no is GA0400089, if your thoughts are correct that makes it, Giant, first fortnight, 2000 or 1990?, April, 00089 the remainder of serial number.

You're right, this is either 1990 or 2000. A pic of the bike might help. It's also possible that the numbering scheme changed in 2000 (as a single digit year marker can only be used for 10 years....) Have you got a photo of the bike?
I'm guessing it's 1990 due to the 1" steerer.

The second bike, I don't think that's a Giant. A photo might help. Bikes with similar serial numbers include Kona, Rock Lobster, Saracen, Orange and Univega...