Giant SUSPENSION - User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction....................................................................pg.4
Basic Terms & Shock Set-up Overview........................pg.6
General Maintenance.....................................................pg.9
Coil Shock Set-up...........................................................pg.10
Setting and adjusting sag................................pg.11
Suspension Settings
Faith.................................................................pg.13-14
DH....................................................................pg.14-15
AC.....................................................................pg.15-16
Warp DS/MTX 260 ............................................pg.17-18

Air Shock Set-up............................................................pg.19
Setting and adjusting sag................................pg.20
Suspension Settings
Trance..............................................................pg.20
Reign................................................................pg.20
NRS..................................................................pg.21
Setting and Adjusting Rebound Damping.....................pg.22
Front Suspension Travel & Sag Guide..........................pg.24
Suggested Front Suspension Sag Chart.........pg.26
Giant Bicycle Limited Lifetime Warranty.....................pg.27
Contact Info....................................................................pg.30

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INTRODUCTION
This booklet is intended as a quick-start reference guide to help familiarize you with your new
Giant full-suspension mountain bike. It is not meant to replace the general bicycle owner’s
manual or the shock and suspension fork manufacturer’s technical manuals that also came
with your bicycle. If you did not receive these manuals, please contact your Authorized Giant
Retailer. We encourage you to read all manuals relating to your bicycle and its suspension
components before your first ride. All manuals contain important information regarding the
safety and operation of your bicycle.
CAUTION Please refer to the manufacturer’s technical information that came with your
bicycle for specific details regarding shock function and set-up prior to riding your Giant bi-
cycle. If you did not receive these technical booklets, contact your Authorized Giant Retailer.
CAUTION If you do not understand the quick-start instructions or have difficulty with
set-up, please see your Authorized Giant Retailer before riding your Giant bicycle.

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WARNING Only Giant DH, Faith, and AC model bicycles are engineered for
use with dual crown suspension forks. Use of dual crown suspension forks
on any Giant bicycle other than these models will void the warranty and may
result in frame failure, which can cause injury or death. Giant Bicycle, Inc. is
not responsible for damages to the bike and rider resulting from the use of
dual crown forks.

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Basic Terms & Shock Set-Up Overview
TERMS
Bottomed Out: When a shock absorber or suspension fork (herein after referred to as “shock”)
is compressed completely and all the suspension travel has been used.
Compression Stroke: The motion of the shock in response to an impact.
Damping: Internal mechanism to control the speed of compression or rebound.
psi: Pounds per square inch
Rebound: The extension or return stroke of the shock.
Sag: Compression of the shock caused by the rider’s weight.
Spring Rate: The amount of force required to compress the spring.
Topped Out: When all the suspension travel is available (shock is fully extended).
SET-UP
Please refer to the individual shock manufacturer’s technical manuals for specific information
on how to adjust the shocks on your Giant dual suspension bicycle.

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The shocks on your Giant dual suspension bicycle can be adjusted to meet your riding style and
weight. This booklet is intended as a quick-start guide to help you get started. It may take a few
rides to find your preferred settings.
Platform Valve
On bikes equipped with a Stable Platform Valve (SPV) rear shock, you can adjust the bike’s
pedaling efficiency by increasing the air pressure in the SPV air cartridge. Increasing the air
pressure will resist pedal-induced bobbing. Decreasing the air pressure will make the suspen-
sion more sensitive to small bump forces. Please refer to the individual shock manufacturer’s
technical manual for specific information on how to adjust your SPV shock.
Sag
All Giant dual suspension bikes except the No Resonance System (NRS) rely on sag for their
suspensions to work efficiently. Please take a few moments to read through this guide to
understand sag as it applies to your bicycle (pgs. 11, 20). Setting your bike’s sag will greatly
enhance your riding experience and the performance of your bicycle.

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Rebound Damping
Rebound damping controls the rate of speed at which the shock returns to its original position
after responding to a bump force. Rebound damping prevents the shock from springing back
too quickly. This is desirable because it improves the rear suspension’s sensitivity to small
bumps and the tire’s ability to stay in contact with the ground. It also helps reduce the “pogo
stick” motion from the rear suspension when the bike encounters a bump while the rider is
seated. Typically, the heavier the rider, the more rebound damping is required. Please refer to
this guide for details on how to set rebound damping speed. You should also refer to the indi-
vidual shock manufacturer’s technical manual for specific information.

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GENERAL MAINTENANCE
1) Inspect all suspension bolts and tighten if necessary to required torque settings. If unsure,
take your bicycle to your Authorized Giant Retailer immediately for inspection.
2) Do not use high-pressure water sources to wash or rinse your bicycle. Doing so can displace
any lubricants that are present, as well as possibly forcing water and/or contaminants into the
bearing that can harm the pivot and bearing, reduce performance, and cause premature wear.
Use only water at low pressure, or fill a bucket with water and use a soft nylon bristle brush
and mild dish soap to clean the frame and components.

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COIL SHOCK SET-UP
Faith
Downhill (DH)
All Conditions (AC)
Warp DS
MTX 260 DS
All coil shock-equipped Giant bicycles use the same formula to determine “sag” and “rebound
damping” (see Basic Terms & Shock Set-Up Overview for definition of sag and rebound damp-
ing).
WARNING Please refer to the manufacturer’s technical information for specific details
regarding shock function and set-up prior to riding your Giant bicycle. If you have difficulty
with set-up, please see your Authorized Giant Retailer.