Giant VT SERIES User manual

VT SERIES
Owners Manual
VARIABLE TRAVEL MOUNTAIN BIKE
•Multi purpose, Enduro, Trail ride, Light Freeride mountain bike
•Single pivot, linkage operated rear shock rear suspension
•Manitou Swinger SPV Air rear shock unit (included)
•Sealed bearings on all pivots
•2 rear shock positions
•Front wheel travel: 3.5 ~ 4.7 inches (90 ~ 120 mm).
•Rear wheel travel: 5.0 ~ 5.6 inches (approx. 125 ~ 140 mm).

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Contents.
1. Introduction......................................................................................................4
2. Sizing...............................................................................................................5
3. Exploded view..................................................................................................6
4. Rear suspension..............................................................................................8
4-1 Adjusting travel. .......................................................................................8
4-2 Manitou Swinger SPV air shock. .............................................................9
4-3 Removing the rear shock assembly or pivots........................................10
5. Tightening torque...........................................................................................11
6. Cleaning and maintenance............................................................................12

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1. Introduction.
Giant’s products are designed to provide years of recreation and enjoyment. The GIANT VT have
been designed primarily as Enduro, Trail ride, Light Freeride bikes, but can be used for allround
cross country riding as well.
However, in order to fully understand all the bicycle features, you must read this bicycle manual, the
suspension fork and rear shock manuals provided by Giant and parts suppliers. If you do not
understand any information in the manuals or if you misplace any of them, please contact your
authorised Giant dealer immediately.
Please take the time to read and understand this material to help limit the possibility of serious injury.
ALWAYS read and follow all instructions in this manual.
It is very important that your dealer carries out any repair or maintenance, which is not described in
this manual.

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2. Sizing.
The actual frame measurements and geometries are listed below.
Size S - 16.5” M - 18.5” L - 20.5” XL - 22.5”
A.
Top tube [mm.]
(measured horizontally) 570 590 613 630
B.
Seat tube [mm.] 420 470 520 570
C.
Effective seat tube angle (*1) 74.3 degrees
D.
Head tube angle 70 degrees
E.
B.B. drop [mm.] -12
F. Chain stays [mm.] 429
Center B.B. axle - center front wheel
[mm.] 635 658 683 702
G.
Fork rake [mm.] 39
H.
Trail [mm.] 86
I. Wheel base [mm.] 1065 1085 1110 1130
Front wheel travel (VT bikes) 90~120 mm.
Rear wheel travel 5.0~5.6” or 125~140 mm.
(*1) Effective seat tube angle:
Angle of centerline bottom bracket - saddle
(top of saddle 25cm above top seat tube, measured along the seatpost).
Figure 1.

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3. Exploded view.
Figure 2.

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NR. DESCRIPTION REMARKS Q’TY PER BIKE
1 Front triangle 1
2 Rear triangle 1
3 Pivot parts set Seat tube - linkage plates 1
3-1 Fixing nut 1 pc. per set
3-2 Fixing bolt 1 pc. per set,
same as 6-4.
3-3 Washer 1 pc. per set,
same as 5-3 and 6-5.
3-4 Bearing 2 pcs per set,
same as 4-2.
4 Pivot parts set Linkage plates 4
4-1 Fixing bolt 1 pc. per set
4-2 Bearing 1 pc. per set,
same as 3-4.
4-3 Aluminium spacer 1 pc. per set
4-4 Teflon™ washer 1 pc. per set
5 Fixing set rear shock 1
5-1 Fixing nut upper shock mount 1 pc. per set
5-2 Fixing bolt upper shock mount 1 pc. per set
5-3 Washer 1 pc. per set,
same as 3-3 and 6-5.
5-4 Fixing bolt lower shock mount 1 pc. per set
6 Pivot parts set Chain stays - bottom
bracket
1
6-1 Fixing nut 1 pc. per set
6-2 Bearing 2 pcs per set
6-3 Spacer 2 pcs per set
6-4 Fixing bolt 1 pc. per set,
same as 3-2.
6-5 Washer 1 pc. per set,
same as 3-3 and 5-3.
7 Replaceable dropout Incl. bolt and nut 1
8 Linkage plates, straight Set L and R 1
9 Linkage plate LH, triangle 1
10 Linkage plate RH, triangle 1
11 Rear shock Incl. hardware 1

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4. Rear suspension.
The rear suspension for your Giant VT bicycle / frame kit is provided by a Manitou Swinger SPV
3-way adjustable air shock.
For a description of the coil spring shock, see http://www.answerproducts.com or the Manitou
owner’s manual that comes with your bike or frame kit.
WARNING:
Improper adjustment of rear suspension shock can result in unstable conditions or loss of
control.
4-1 Adjusting travel.
Your Giant VT bicycle gives you the ability to change the rear wheel travel with minimal effort. This
is accomplished by multiple positions for the lower shock pivot bolt (see figure 3 below).
To change the travel:
1. Using a 6 mm. Allen-key, remove the lower shock mounting bolt.
2. Pivot the shock backward or forward to align the eyelet with one of the holes.
- The most forward position is for 5.6” travel.
- The most backward position is for 5.0” travel.
3. The threads of fixing bolt should be cleaned and re-set using LoctiteTM Primer (#7649) and
LoctiteTM blue Removable Threadlock (#242) or similar material.
Install the bolt and tighten to the proper torque of 10-12 Nm.
4. After any adjustment is made to travel, you will need to readjust all pre-load settings.
WARNING:
Improper (dis-)assembly may result in damage to the bicycle or in an accident which can
cause serious injury or death.

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4-2 Manitou Swinger SPV air shock.
SPV SET-UP QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE.
This quick reference guide is to be used for setting up the Swinger air shock. Follow this order to
ensure the best possible tuning.
Air Shock Initial Set Up:
1. Adjust Sag: Sag is the amount the shock compresses under normal body weight.
Cross country: 25-30% Sag
Freeriding: 30-40% Sag.
2. Set SPV Pressure: range should be between 50 and 175 psi. Pressure should be between
50-70% of body weight. More pressure will create more compression damping, hold the bike
up more and pedal better. Less pressure will create less compression damping, allow more
sag, and be more responsive and supple.
3. Rebound Damping: Turn the blue knob located on the eyelet mount clockwise to increase
rebound damping.
Figure 3.

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Main Spring air pressure
Rider Weight
[kg] / [lb] Short Travel
Sag 25-30%
[psi]
Long Travel
Sag 30-35%
[psi]
55 kg / 120 lb or less 90-130
55-60 kg / 130 lb 130-135
60-65 kg / 140 lb 135-140
65-70 kg / 150 lb 140-145
70-75 kg / 160 lb 145-150
75-80 kg / 170 lb 150-155
80-85 kg / 180 lb 155-160
85-90 kg / 190 lb 165-170
90-95 kg / 200 lb 175-180
95-100 kg / 209 lb 185-190
100 kg / 220 lb or more
195-250
The rear shocks are serviceable and must be returned for maintenance, repair or service, only to an
authorised Manitou dealer (or the Manitou distributor in your country) once a year or more often if
the bike is used in extreme conditions.
This service is not necessarily free of charge!
WARNING:
All service and maintenance of the rear shocks should only be performed with proper tools
by an authorised Manitou dealer or by the Manitou distributor in your country.
4-3 Removing the rear shock assembly or pivots.
It is necessary to periodically check the rear shock unit and the suspensions’ pivot points for
damage or wear. The rear shock unit should be returned to an authorised Manitou dealer or to the
Manitou distributor in your country to inspect and repair.
(Note: this is not covered under the terms of the warranty).
WARNING:
Do not try to disassemble or to replace the rear shock or a pivot by yourself !
Improper (dis-)assembly may result in damage to the bicycle or in an accident which can
cause serious injury or death. Only an authorised Giant dealer should disassemble the rear
shock or pivots.

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5. Tightening torque.
The bolts used for the rear suspension (rear shock and pivots) are high-grade products and have
been tightened in the factory with specific torque. If it is necessary to remove or tighten the bolts,
extreme care should be taken when re-tightening them.
All bolts should be cleaned and re-set using LoctiteTM primer (#7649) and LoctiteTM blue Removable
Threadlock (#242).
For the location and tightening torque of all bolts please refer to the illustration below (fig. 4).
Location Tools needed Recommended tightening torque
Main pivot (BB - chain stays) 5 mm. Allen-keys, 2x 9~11 Nm.
Linkage plates pivots 5 mm. Allen-key 9~11 Nm.
Linkage plates - seat tube pivot 5 mm. Allen-keys, 2x 9~11 Nm.
Upper shock mount 5 mm. Allen-key,
10 mm. wrench 9~11 Nm.
Lower shock mount 6 mm. Allen-key 10~12 Nm.
Figure 4.

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6. Cleaning and maintenance.
Proper maintenance of a Giant VT bicycle is important to insure years of trouble free safe riding and
enjoyment.
We recommend taking this bike to your authorised Giant dealer for periodic service and inspection
of suspension systems. Parts such as seals, elastomer bumpers and bearings can be adversely
affected by use, dirt and ultraviolet radiation. The bike should be returned to an authorised Giant
dealer for front fork and rear shock inspection and adjustment once a year or more often if the bike
is used in extreme conditions.
Note: this is not covered under the terms of the warranty and is not necessarily free of charge!
DO NOT use high-pressure water or air hoses to clean bike. This can force dirt into areas that may
cause damage.
DO NOT lubricate any of the pivot points. These are high quality self lubricating TeflonTM or similar
surfaced pivots.
See also the manuals of the suppliers of the suspension fork, rear shock, and other parts that come
with this Giant VT bike / frame.
Bicycles and bicycle components are more complex than ever before. It is very important that your
dealer carries out any repair or maintenance, which is not described in this manual. Consult your
dealer for help in determining your maintenance needs.
How much of your bike’s service and maintenance you can do depends on your skill and
experience, and whether you have the special tools required. If you want to learn how to work on
your bicycle ask your dealer for advice on a suitable book and local bicycle repair courses.
Warning.
Many bicycle service and repair tasks require special knowledge and tools. Do not begin
any adjustments or service on your bicycle if you have the slightest doubt about your
ability to properly complete them. Improper adjustment or service may result in damage to
the bicycle or in an accident which can cause serious injury or death.