How to Adjust Front Suspension on a Giant Mountain Bike

Giant Mountain bikes are available in front or dual suspension models. Both styles use front forks with either an air-oil chamber or a air-coil suspension. Adjusting the front forks requires knowing your weight when fully outfitted and what type of terrain and trail you are going to ride. Giant uses forks you can adjust while on the trail so you can adjust your suspension as the terrain changes.

Things You'll Need

  • Weight scale
  • Suspension air pump
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Instructions

  1. Air Shocks

    • 1

      Take your weight wearing all your mountain biking gear.

    • 2

      Remove the air nozzle cap on the top of the front suspension fork and screw the pump nozzle to the air valve on the fork.

    • 3

      Pump the fork with the pump to a PSI equal to 70 percent of your weight taken from the scale. This is Giant's recommended suspension setting for air shocks.

    Air/Oil Shocks

    • 4

      Sit on the bike and hop off a small curb or bump. Notice the front fork as it compresses then rebounds. If there is too much rebound -- when the shock goes back to its original position after compression, turn the barrel knob on the tip of the fork one half turn to the right.

    • 5

      Hop off the bump again and test the compression and rebound. Turn in one half barrel adjustments until you get the desired rebound.

    • 6

      Ride your trail. When you encounter sections on the trail with large drops and big obstacles, turn the barrel adjuster to the left by one-half turn increments. When you encounter washboard like trails, tighten the barrels up so the rebound is tight and firm.