Bicycle Mechanics - Giant Cypress - adjusting front suspension

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bagel007
04-01-09, 04:11 PM
Is it possible to adjust front suspension on Giant Cypress? The suspension is too soft for my taste. I guess suspension also deminishes the bike performance, but not sure about that.

Another question -- is it possible to lower the handle bar stem on Giant Cypress? I know it's possible to turn the handle bar and so to lower the position of the hands, but that has been done. It still feels to high for me.

joejack951
04-01-09, 05:50 PM
If the fork has no external adjustment knobs, any adjustment you might be able to make won't be worth your while. If this bike is mainly used on the road, you should really consider replacing the suspension fork a rigid fork as it greatly improve the bike's performance (the bike won't "bob" during hard pedalling) with a slight decrease in comfort on smooth to slightly rough roads.

Lowering the handlebars can definitely be done. What it will take depends on what you are starting out with. Do you have any pictures of your current handlebar/stem set up? Or a link to the exact model of your bike (bikes change from year to year).
bagel007
04-02-09, 07:30 AM
If the fork has no external adjustment knobs, any adjustment you might be able to make won't be worth your while. If this bike is mainly used on the road, you should really consider replacing the suspension fork a rigid fork as it greatly improve the bike's performance (the bike won't "bob" during hard pedalling) with a slight decrease in comfort on smooth to slightly rough roads.

Lowering the handlebars can definitely be done. What it will take depends on what you are starting out with. Do you have any pictures of your current handlebar/stem set up? Or a link to the exact model of your bike (bikes change from year to year).

Thanks for your reply.

The Giant Cypress I have is the 2009 model:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/lifestyle/2303/32209/

CCrew
04-02-09, 07:42 AM
low end non-adjustable suspension fork. Joejack951 is right, switch to a rigid if it mainly sees pavement/gravel usage.
AndrewP
04-02-09, 08:32 AM
Your bike has an adjustable quill stem. This can be lowered into the head tube and you can also adjust the angle of the forward extension. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html
You could also replace the handlebar with a straight one without the rise.
bagel007
04-02-09, 11:37 AM
low end non-adjustable suspension fork. Joejack951 is right, switch to a rigid if it mainly sees pavement/gravel usage.

Are you saying that the front suspension on Giant Cypress is not adjustable at all??
Largegiant04
04-02-09, 09:08 PM
Your bike has an adjustable quill stem. This can be lowered into the head tube and you can also adjust the angle of the forward extension. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html
You could also replace the handlebar with a straight one without the rise.


Huh? the OP is asking a question about his fork...
Mondoman
04-02-09, 10:34 PM
Bagel, it may not be adjustable. However, I know that some lower-end FS forks (e.g. Dart) can have their suspension softness changed by swapping in a different spring. I'd try to contact Giant or your LBS.
z415
04-02-09, 11:59 PM
It is not adjustable at all. All you can do is what Mondoman said by swapping springs and they might not be cost effective. Forks generally aren't adjustable until they get past the $100 range and the adjustments don't actually do anything until you get in the $200 range.

Most sus forks on comfort/cruiser bikes will be the former.