DUAL SUSPENSION QUICK-START GUIDE VERSION 3.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ………………………………………………………….………………………….… pg.4 Basic Terms & Shock Setup Overview ………………………………………………………. pg.6 General Maintenance ……………………………………………………………………………. pg.9 Coil Shock Setup ………………………………………………………………………………… pg.10 Setting and Adjusting Sag………………………………………………………….. pg.12 Suspension Settings Glory DH …………………………………………………………………………….. pg.13 Glory …………………………………………………………………………………. pg.13 Reign X (coil) ……………………………………………………………………….. pg.
Air Shock Setup ……………………………………………………………………………….…. pg.15 Using a shock pump ……………………………………………………………….. pg.16 Setting and Adjusting Sag ………………………………………………………… pg.17 Suspension Settings Reign/Reign X (air) ………………………….……………………………………… pg.18 Trance X / Cypher………………………………………………………………….. pg.18 Trance…..………………………………………………………………….. pg.18 Anthem ………………………………………………………………………………. pg.18 Yukon FX……………. ……………………………………………………………… pg.18 Setting and Adjusting Rebound Damping …………………………………………………... pg.
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.
Only Giant Glory and Glory DH 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.
Basic Terms & Shock Set-Up Overview TERMS Bottomed Out: When a rear shock 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 static weight Spring Rate: The amou
SETUP Please refer to the individual shock manufacturer’s technical manuals for specific information on how to adjust the shock on your Giant dual suspension bicycle. The shock 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. Sag All Giant dual suspension bikes rely on sag for it's suspension to work efficiently.
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.
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 bearings that can harm the pivot and bearing, reduce performance, and cause premature wear.
COIL SHOCK SETUP Glory DH Glory Reign X All coil shock-equipped Giant bicycles use the same formula to determine “sag” and “rebound damping” (see Basic Terms & Shock setup Overview for definition of sag and rebound damping). Please refer to the manufacturer’s technical information for specific details regarding shock function and setup prior to riding your Giant bicycle. If you have difficulty with setup, please see your Authorized Giant Retailer.
Maestro-equipped mountain bikes rely on rear suspension “sag”. Sag (see Basic Terms & Shock Setup Overview on page 6) is a critical performance component and is relative to the individual rider’s weight. See previous sag setting instructions on page 12 for details. Giant’s Glory DH and Glory frame designs and travel are intended for aggressive freeriding and recreational/competitive downhill riding. The sag range can accommodate a wide variety of riding styles and terrain.
SETTING AND ADJUSTING SAG (Coil Shocks) 1. Turn the spring tension collar counter clockwise until there is minimal tension on the spring (figure1). 2. With a felt-tip marker, place a dot on the edge of the collar and the shock body so you can measure full rotations of the shock collar.
3. Position your bicycle next to a wall so that you can sit on the bike with both feet on the pedals while steadying yourself with one arm. Gently sit on the saddle without bouncing. Have a partner measure the eye-to-eye distance while you are seated on the bike (figure 1). Dismount. 4. Subtract the weighted eye-to-eye distance from the un-weighted eye-to-eye distance to determine sag. See Sag Recommendations charts for sag distances.
6. If you sit on the bike with minimal tension on the spring and there is less than one quarter of the shock travel, a lighter weight spring is needed. If you turn the shock tension collar three complete turns and the shock compresses more than a quarter of the shock’s travel, a heavier spring is needed. Consult your Authorized Giant Retailer for replacement springs.
AIR SHOCK SETUP Suspension Settings and Recommendations (Air Shock-Equipped Bikes) Reign X Reign Trance X Cypher Trance Anthem Yukon FX (6.75” rear wheel travel) (6.0” rear wheel travel) (5.0” rear wheel travel) (5.0” rear wheel travel) (4.2” rear wheel travel) (3.5” rear wheel travel) (4.0” rear wheel travel) Giant cross-country, trail and all mountain bikes feature an air shock equipped Maestro suspension design. Maestro-equipped mountain bikes rely on rear suspension “sag”.
USING A SHOCK PUMP These simple steps will help you get the most accurate use of your shock pump and improve the life of your shock pump. 1. When screwing the pump onto the shock do not screw it on all the way until it stops. This will damage the seal on the pump and also allow too much air to escape when you remove the pump. 2. Watch the pressure gauge on the pump when you screw the pump onto the shock. Screw the pump on until the gauge registers a pressure and then another ¼ - ½ turn.
SETTING AND ADJUSTING SAG (Air Shocks) 1. Pump the main air chamber to a psi equal to 100% of rider weight in pounds (2.2lb = 1kg). 2. Push the rubber O-ring that is around the shock shaft all the way against the base of shaft (closest to shock body). 3. Position your bicycle next to a wall so that you can sit on the bike with both feet on the pedals while steadying yourself with one arm. Gently sit on the saddle without bouncing.
Air Shock Equipped Sag Recommendations: Wheel travel eye to eye shock lengths Recommend sag % Shock travel Sag measured by shock travel REIGN X 6.75” (171mm) 7.875"(200mm) 25%－30% 2.25” (57mm) 0.56－0.68” (14mm－17mm) REIGN 6.00” (152mm) 7.875"(200mm) 25%－30% 2.00” (51mm) 0.50”－0.60” (13mm－15mm) TRANCE X 5.00” (127mm) 7.25"(184.1mm) 25%－30% 1.75”(44mm) 0.44”－0.53”( 11mm－13mm) CYPHER 5.00” (127mm) 7.25"(184.1mm) 25%－30% 1.75”(44mm) 0.44”－0.53”( 11mm－13mm) TRANCE 4.20” (107mm) 6.
SETTING AND ADJUSTING REBOUND DAMPING (Both Coil and Air Shocks) (See Basic Terms and Shock Setup Overview for definition of rebound damping). 1. If you are unfamiliar with rebound damping, perform this procedure: With full body weight, push down on the saddle forcefully to compress the shock. Watch (and feel) how the shock rebounds from compression. 2. Next, turn the rebound damping knob clockwise until it stops and compress the shock under full body weight. Note that the shock rebounds very slowly.
FRONT SUSPENSION TRAVEL & SAG GUIDE To determine your bike’s specific front suspension travel adjustments and recommended settings, please refer to the fork manufacturer’s technical manual. A suspension fork is effective at both absorbing bump forces and helping the tire to track the ground for improved traction and braking control. When in active mode, a fork will rely on sag to keep the front tire in better contact with the ground during braking. The chart on page 21 should be used as a general guideline.
COIL SPRUNG FORKS Springs on these types of forks are set at the factory. Most have a simple preload adjuster that allows the rider to make the fork firmer or softer depending on rider weight. The heavier the rider, the firmer the spring setting should be. If with no preload you are not achieving the recommended sag then a softer spring is needed and if with maximum preload you are achieving too much sag then a harder spring is needed.
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