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Nothing makes us happier than seeing people out riding bikes. For over thirty years Giant has manufactured quality bicycles for every type of terrain and rider imaginable. Giant bicycles have allowed millions of cyclists just like you the opportunity to live happier, healthier lives because of the joy, exercise, and sheer exhilaration riding a bicycle brings.
Contents GENERAL WARNING p. 4 A special note to parents p. 5 1. First A. Bike fit p. 6 B. Safety first p. 6 C. Mechanical Safety Check p. 7 D. First ride p. 8 2. Safety A. The Basics p.
GENERAL WARNING: Like any sport, bicycling involves risk of injury and damage. By choosing to ride a bicycle, you assume the responsibility for that risk, so you need to know — and to practice — the rules of safe and responsible riding and of proper use and maintenance.
A special note for parents: As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for the activities and safety of your minor child, and that includes making sure that the bicycle is properly fitted to the child; that it is in good repair and safe operating condition;...
1. First NOTE: We strongly urge you to read this Manual in its entirety before your first ride. At the very least, read and make sure that you understand each point in this section, and refer to the cited sections on any issue which you don’t completely understand.
C. Mechanical Safety Check Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before every ride. Nuts, bolts screws & other fasteners: Because manufacturers use a wide variety of fastener sizes and shapes made in a variety of materials, often differing by model and component, it is not possible for this Manual to specify correct torque (tightening force) for the fasteners on your bicycle.
Handlebar and saddle alignment: Make sure the saddle and handlebar stem are parallel to the bike’s center line and clamped tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment. See Sections 3.B and 3.C. Handlebar ends: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in good condition. If not, have your dealer replace them.
2. Safety A. The Basics WARNING: Many provinces or territories require specific safety devices. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the provinces or territories where you ride and to comply with all applicable laws, including properly equipping yourself and your bike as the law requires.
B. Riding Safety 1. You are sharing the road or the path with others — motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists. Respect their rights. 2. Ride defensively. Always assume that others do not see you. 3. Look ahead, and be ready to avoid: •...
C. Off Road Safety We recommend that children not ride on rough terrain unless they are accompanied by an adult. 1. The variable conditions and hazards of off-road riding require close attention and specific skills. Start slowly on easier terrain and build up your skills. If your bike has suspension, the increased speed you may develop also increases your risk of losing control and falling.
E. Night Riding Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous than riding during the day. A cyclist is very difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see. Therefore, children should never ride at dawn, at dusk or at night. Adults who chose to accept the greatly increased risk of riding at dawn, at dusk or at night need to take extra care both riding and choosing specialized equipment which helps reduce that risk.
F. Extreme, stunt or competition riding Whether you call it Hucking, Freeride, North Shore, Downhill, Jumping, Stunt Riding, Racing or something else: by engaging in this sort of extreme, aggressive riding you voluntarily assume an increased risk of injury or death. Not all bicycles are designed for these types of riding, and those that are may not be suitable for all types of aggressive riding.
G. Changing Components or Adding Accessories There are many components and accessories available to enhance the comfort, performance and appearance of your bicycle. However, if you change components or add accessories, you do so at your own risk. The bicycle’s manufacturer may not have tested that component or accessory for compatibility, reliability or safety on your bicycle.
3. Fit NOTE: Correct fit is an essential element of bicycling safety, performance and comfort. Making the adjustments to your bicycle which result in correct fit for your body and riding conditions requires experience, skill and special tools. Always have your dealer make the adjustments on your bicycle; or, if you have the experience, skill and tools, have your dealer check your work before riding.
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Once the saddle is at the correct height, make sure that the seatpost does not project from the frame beyond he seatpost should always be inserted in the its “Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum Extension” mark. T frame at least 80mm .
C. Handlebar height and angle Your bike is equipped either with a “threadless” stem, which clamps on to the outside of the steerer tube, or with a “quill” stem, which clamps inside the steerer tube by way of an expanding binder bolt. If you aren’t absolutely sure which type of stem your bike has, ask your dealer.
4. Tech It’s important to your safety, performance and enjoyment to understand how things work on your bicycle. We urge you to ask your dealer how to do the things described in this section before you attempt them yourself, and that you have your dealer check your work before you ride the bike. If you have even the slightest doubt as to whether you understand something in this section of the Manual, talk to your dealer.
a. Adjusting the quick release mechanism The wheel hub is clamped in place by the force of the quick release cam pushing against one dropout and pulling the tension adjusting nut, by way of the skewer, against the other dropout. The amount of clamping force is controlled by the tension adjusting nut.
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b. Installing a Quick Release Front Wheel CAUTION: If your bike is equipped with disk brakes, be careful not to damage the disk, caliper or brake pads when re-inserting the disk into the caliper. Never activate a disk brake’s control lever unless the disk is correctly inserted in the caliper. See also Section 4.C. (1) Move the quick-release lever so that it curves away from the wheel (fig.
d. Installing a Quick Release Rear Wheel NOTE: If your bike is equipped with disk brakes, be careful not to damage the disk, caliper or brake pads when re-inserting the disk into the caliper. Never activate a disk brake’s control lever unless the disk is correctly inserted in the caliper.
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(4) Raise the front wheel a few inches off the ground and tap the top of the wheel with the palm of your hand to knock the wheel out of the fork ends. b. Installing a Bolt-On Front Wheel (1) With the steering fork facing forward, insert the wheel between the fork blades so that the axle seats firmly at the top of the slots which are at the tips of the fork blades.
B. Seatpost Quick Release Some bikes are equipped with a quick-release seat post binder. The seatpost quick-release binder works exactly like the wheel quick-release (Section 4.A.1) While a quick release looks like a long bolt with a lever on one end and a nut on the other, the quick release uses a cam action to firmly clamp the seat post (see fig. WARNING: Riding with an improperly tightened seat post can allow the saddle to turn or move and cause you to lose control and fall.
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4. Disc brakes can get extremely hot with extended use. Be careful not to touch a disc brake until it has had plenty of time to cool. 5. See the brake manufacturer’s instructions for operation and care of your brakes. If you do not have the manufacturer’s instructions, see your dealer or contact the brake manufacturer.
Everything changes when you ride on loose surfaces or in wet weather. Tire adhesion is reduced, so the wheels have less cornering and braking traction and can lock up with less brake force. Moisture or dirt on the brake pads reduces their ability to grip. The way to maintain control on loose or wet surfaces is to go more slowly to begin with.
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b. Shifting the Rear Derailleur The rear derailleur is controlled by the right shifter. The function of the rear derailleur is to move the drive chain from one gear sprocket to another. The smaller sprockets on the gear cluster produce higher gear ratios. Pedaling in the higher gears requires greater pedaling effort, but takes you a greater distance with each revolution of the pedal cranks.
b. Which gear should I be in? The numerically lowest gear (1) is for the steepest hills. The numerically largest gear (3, 5, 7 or 12, depending on the number of speeds of your hub) is for the greatest speed. Shifting from an easier, “slower”...
Many clipless pedals are designed to allow the rider to adjust the amount of force needed to engage or disengage the foot. Follow the pedal manufacturer’s instructions, or ask your dealer to show you how to make this adjustment. Use the easiest setting until engaging and disengaging becomes a reflex action, but always make sure that there is sufficient tension to prevent unintended release of your foot from the pedal.
G. Tires and Tubes 1. Tires Bicycle tires are available in many designs and specifications, ranging from general-purpose designs to tires designed to perform best under very specific weather or terrain conditions. If, once you’ve gained experience with your new bike, you feel that a different tire might better suit your riding needs, your dealer can help you select the most appropriate design.
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2. Tire Valves There are primarily three kinds of bicycle tube valves: The Schraeder Valve, the Presta Valve and the Woods/Dunlop valve. The bicycle pump you use must have the fitting appropriate to the valve stems on your bicycle. The Schraeder valve (fig. 16) is like the valve on a car tire. To inflate a Schraeder valve tube, remove the valve cap and clamp the pump fitting onto the end of the valve stem.
5. Service WARNING: Technological advances have made bicycles and bicycle components more complex, and the pace of innovation is increasing. It is impossible for this manual to provide all the information required to properly repair and/or maintain your bicycle. In order to help minimize the chances of an accident and possible injury, it is critical that you have any repair or maintenance which is not specifically described in this manual performed by your dealer.
• Lift the front wheel off the ground and swing it from side to side. Feel smooth? If you feel any binding or roughness in the steering, you may have a tight headset. Have your dealer check it. • Grab one pedal and rock it toward and away from the centerline of the bike; then do the same with the other pedal.
Appendix A The lifespan of your bike and its components 1. Nothing Lasts Forever, Including Your Bike. When the useful life of your bike or its components is over, continued use is hazardous. Every bicycle and its component parts have a finite, limited useful life. The length of that life will vary with the construction and materials used in the frame and components;...
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A. Understanding metals Steel is the traditional material for building bicycle frames. It has good characteristics, but in high performance bicycles, steel has been largely replaced by aluminum and some titanium. The main factor driving this change is interest by cycling enthusiasts in lighter bicycles. Properties of Metals Please understand that there is no simple statement that can be made that characterizes the use of different metals for bicycles.
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The basics of metal fatigue Common sense tells us that nothing that is used lasts forever. The more you use something, and the harder you use it, and the worse the conditions you use it in, the shorter its life. Fatigue is the term used to describe accumulated damage to a part caused by repeated loading.
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In most cases a fatigue crack is not a defect. It is a sign that the part has been worn out, a sign the part has reached the end of its useful life. When your car tires wear down to the point that the tread bars are contacting the road, those tires are not defective.
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Why Are Composites Used? Unlike metals, which have uniform properties in all directions (engineers call this isotropic), carbon fibers can be placed in specific orientations to optimize the structure for particular loads. The choice of where to place the carbon fibers gives engineers a powerful tool to create strong, light bicycles. Engineers may also orient fibers to suit other goals such as comfort and vibration damping.
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Delamination: Delamination is serious damage. Composites are made from layers of fabric. Delamination means that the layers of fabric are no longer bonded together. Do not ride any bicycle or component that has any delamination. These are some delamination clues: •...
ABOUT YOUR DEALER Whether you’re new to cycling or an experienced pro, Giant’s extensive and knowledgeable network of Independent Bicycle Retailers ensures you’re never far from expert repair and service to help keep your Giant bike running smoothly. And when you need accessories, you can be sure your local Giant Authorized Dealer will have just what you’re looking for in the right size and for your type of riding.
WARRANTY INFORMATION IMPORTANT: Write down your Giant bicycle model and serial number for your records. Check with your Authorized Giant Dealer to determine the serial number location. Put your bill-of-sale in this manual for reference. This record will also help you with any police investigation or insurance claim. Model Number:______________________________ Serial Number:______________________________ Color:_______________________________...
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Giant Guarantee Programme Article 1 Guarantee 1.1 Giant guarantees that every new Giant bicycle is free of constructional defects, defective materials and rustiness, for as far as the conditions as set out in this Giant Guarantee Programme are being met. 1.2 Only the first owner of a new Giant bicycle can eventually lay a claim to the guarantee, in the event and for as far as this first owner has obtained the new Giant bicycle from a dealer that has been approved by Giant.
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Article 4 Procedure 4.1 On delivery of the bike to the first owner, a guarantee registration card and a duplicate guarantee registration card are being issued. After delivery of the bike, the guarantee registration card is to be completed by the first owner of the bike and sent to Giant Europe B.V. A claim on the guarantee will no sooner be discussed than after receipt of a guarantee registration card by Giant Europe B.V.
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