WELCOME, AND CONGRATUALTIONS Safety First. on your purchase of a new Giant bicycle; the fun of pedaling your new Giant bicycle is only moments away. We strongly encourage you to read through the owner's manual before you take your new Giant bicycle for a spin. By doing so you will have a greater understanding for the general operation of the various components found on your new bike. You will learn many of the components you once recognized as part of a bicycle have changed significantly. Safe riding instructions are equally important and shouldn't be overlooked. So even if you are an experienced cyclist, please take a moment to read through this manual before you ride. Sharing the Joy of the Ride. 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. And it's this commitment to sharing the joy of the ride that inspires us to continually offer the world's most innovative bicycles. Learn More. We encourage you to get connected and learn more about proper riding and safety through your local Authorized Giant Retailer. The independent bike shop retailers are the best in the nation at providing sales and service for any and all your bicycle related needs. It's the only place you'll find knowledgeable staff ready to assist you with everything you'll need to get the most out of your bike and your ride. Enjoy. 2 CONTENTS GENERAL WARNING A special note to parents p. 4 p. 5 p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 15 17 18 18 19 19 19 19 25 26 28 30 32 33 1. First A. Bike fit B. Safety first C. Mechanical Safety Check D. First ride A. The Basics B. Riding Safety C. Off Road Safety D. Wet Weather Riding E. Night Riding F. Extreme, stunt or competition riding G. Changing Components or Adding Accessories A. Standover height B. Saddle position C. Handlebar height and angle D. Control Position Adjustments E. Brake reach A. Wheels 1. Wheel Quick Release 2. Removing and Installing Quick Release Wheels 3. Removing and Installing Bolt-On Wheels B. Seatpost Quick Release C. Brakes D. Shifting gears E. Pedals F. Bicycle Suspension G. Tires and Tubes A. Service Intervals B. If your bycicle sustains an impact About Your Dealer Warranty Information 2. Safety 3.Fit 4. Tech 5. Service 6. Dealer / Warranty p. 36 p. 37 p. 38 p. 39 NOTE: This manual is not intended as a comprehensive use, service, repair or maintenance manual. Please see your dealer for all service, repairs or maintenance. Your dealer may also be able to refer you to classes, clinics or books on bicycle use, service, repair or maintenance. 3 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. Proper use and maintenance of your bicycle reduces risk of injury. This Manual contains many "Warnings" and "Cautions" concerning the consequences of failure to maintain or inspect your bicycle and of failure to follow safe cycling practices. · The combination of the safety alert symbol and the word WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in serious injury or death. · The combination of the safety alert symbol and the word CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury, or is an alert against unsafe practices. · The word CAUTION used without the safety alert symbol indicates a situation which, if not avoided, could result in serious damage to the bicycle or the voiding of your warranty. Many of the Warnings and Cautions say "you may lose control and fall". Because any fall can result in serious injury or even death, we do not always repeat the warning of possible injury or death. Because it is impossible to anticipate every situation or condition which can occur while riding, this Manual makes no representation about the safe use of the bicycle under all conditions. There are risks associated with the use of any bicycle which cannot be predicted or avoided, and which are the sole responsibility of the rider. 4 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; that you and your child have learned and understand the safe operation of the bicycle; and that you and your child have learned, understand and obey not only the applicable local motor vehicle, bicycle and traffic laws, but also the common sense rules of safe and responsible bicycling. As a parent, you should read this manual, as well as review its warnings and the bicycle's functions and operating procedures with your child, before letting your child ride the bicycle. WARNING: Make sure that your child always wears an approved bicycle helmet when riding; but also make sure that your child understands that a bicycle helmet is for bicycling only, and must be removed when not riding. A helmet must not be worn while playing, in play areas, on playground equipment, while climbing trees, or at any time while not riding a bicycle. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious injury or death. 5 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. Please note that not all bicycles have all of the features described in this Manual. Ask your dealer to point out the features of your bicycle. A. Bike fit 1. Is your bike the right size? To check, see Section 3.A. If your bicycle is too large or too small for you, you may lose control and fall. If your new bike is not the right size, ask your dealer to exchange it before you ride it. 2. Is the saddle at the right height? To check, see Section 3.B. If you adjust your saddle height, follow the Minimum Insertion instructions in Section 3.B. 3. Are saddle and seatpost securely clamped? A correctly tightened saddle will allow no saddle movement in any direction. See Section 3.B. 4. Are the stem and handlebars at the right height for you? If not, see Section 3.C. 5. Can you comfortably operate the brakes? If not, you may be able to adjust their angle and reach. See Section 3.D and 3.E. 6. Do you fully understand how to operate your new bicycle? If not, before your first ride, have your dealer explain any functions or features which you do not understand. B. Safety first 1. Always wear an approved helmet when riding your bike, and follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions for fit, use and care. 2. Do you have all the other required and recommended safety equipment? See Section 2. It's your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the areas where you ride, and to comply with all applicable laws. 3. Do you know how to correctly operate your wheel quick releases? Check Section 4.A.1 to make sure. Riding with an improperly adjusted wheel quick release can cause the wheel to wobble or disengage from the bicycle, and cause serious injury or death. 4. If your bike has toeclips and straps or clipless ("step-in") pedals, make sure you know how they work (see Section 4.E). These pedals require special techniques and skills. Follow the pedal manufacturer's instructions for use, adjustment and care. 6 5. Do you have "toe overlap"? On smaller framed bicycles your toe or toeclip may be able to contact the front wheel when a pedal is all the way forward and the wheel is turned. Read Section 4.E. if you have toeclip overlap. 6. Does your bike have suspension? If so, check Section 4.F. Suspension can change the way a bicycle performs. Follow the suspension manufacturer's instructions for use, adjustment and care. C. Mechanical Safety Check Routinely check the condition of your bicycle before every ride. Nuts, bolts & straps: Make sure nothing is loose. Lift the front wheel off the ground by two or three inches, then let it bounce on the ground. Anything sound, feel or look loose? Do a visual and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Any loose parts or accessories? If so, secure them. If you're not sure, ask someone with experience to check. Tires & Wheels: Make sure tires are correctly inflated (see Section 4.G.1). Check by putting one hand on the saddle, one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem, then bouncing your weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection. Compare what you see with how it looks when you know the tires are correctly inflated; and adjust if necessary. Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike. Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side even slightly, or rubs against or hits the brake pads, take the bike to a qualified bike shop to have the wheel trued. CAUTION: Wheels must be true for the brakes to work effectively. Wheel truing is a skill which requires special tools and experience. Do not attempt to true a wheel unless you have the knowledge, experience and tools needed to do the job correctly. Wheel rims clean and undamaged? Make sure the rims are clean and undamaged along the braking surface, and check for excess rim wear. Brakes: Check the brakes for proper operation (see Sections 4.C). Squeeze the brake levers. Are the brake quick-releases closed? All control cables seated and securely engaged? Do the brake pads contact the wheel rim squarely and make full contact with the rim? Do the brake pads touch the wheel rim within an inch of brake lever movement? Can you apply full braking force at the levers without having them touch the handlebar? If not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bike until the brakes are properly adjusted by a professional bicycle mechanic. 7 Quick Releases: Make sure the front wheel, rear wheel and seat post quick releases are properly adjusted and in the locked position. See Section 4.A and 4.B. 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. Make sure the handlebar ends and extensions are plugged. If not, plug them before you ride. If the handlebars have bar end extensions, make sure they are clamped tight enough so you can't twist them. WARNING: Loose or damaged handlebar grips or extensions can cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged handlebars or extensions can cut you and cause serious injury in an otherwise minor accident. D. First ride When you buckle on your helmet and go for your first familiarization ride on your new bicycle, be sure to pick a controlled environment, away from cars, other cyclists, obstacles or other hazards. Ride to become familiar with the controls, features and performance of your new bike. Familiarize yourself with the braking action of the bike (see Section 4.C). Test the brakes at slow speed, putting your weight toward the rear and gently applying the brakes, rear brake first. Sudden or excessive application of the front brake could pitch you over the handlebars. Applying brakes too hard can lock up a wheel, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Skidding is an example of what can happen when a wheel locks up. If your bicycle has toeclips or clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the pedals. See paragraph B.4 above and Section 4.E.4. If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how the suspension responds to brake application and rider weight shifts. See paragraph B.6 above and Section 4.F. Practice shifting the gears (see Section 4.D). Remember to never move the shifter while pedaling backward, nor pedal backwards immediately after having moved the shifter. This could jam the chain and cause serious damage to the bicycle. Check out the handling and response of the bike; and check the comfort. If you have any questions, or if you feel anything about the bike is not as it should be, consult your dealer before riding. 8 2. Safety A. The Basics WARNING: Many states require specific safety devices. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the laws of the state where you ride and to comply with all ...