FluidForm technology uses a special process called “hydroforming”, which utilizes heated oil to pressure-form our aluminum frame tubes. The result is a product that is stronger and more beautiful than standard round tubes or formed sheet aluminum. FluidForm technology is a new manufacturing technique used to produce complex shapes in one process. The flowing lines of FluidForm tubing can not be duplicated with traditional forming techniques. Giant is the first company to introduce this advanced forming process to high volume bicycle production. FluidForm technology allows Giant's design engineers unlimited design possibilities to reshape bicycle tubing. HOW IT WORKS Although costly and time consuming, FluidForming is actually quite a simple process—once the equipment has been purchased and set up. Aluminum tubing is placed inside a clamshell mold that has a pressure threshold of 1000 tons. The mold is then closed and sealed, and heated oil is pumped into the mold and hydraulically pressurized to a maximum of 58,000 pounds per square inch, thus forming the aluminum tube into the desired shape. The area of a tube that has been FluidFormed is actually stronger than a tube that has not been FluidFormed. The forming process compresses the alumimum, which compacts the grain structure into an elongated shape more resistant to fatigue. This lets Giant’s engineers design tubing shapes to better match the specific needs of each bicycle. Since Giant’s ALUXX SL Super Light aluminum is already up to 30% stronger than standard 6061 series aluminum, Giant’s FluidForm tubing is even more resistant to cracks and fatigue.