Contents:
1. Read this manual ! ..............................................................................................3
1.1 Trademarks ..............................................................................................3
1.2 Approval and conformity .............................................................................3
2. What it’s called....................................................................................................4
2.2 Battery and charger ...................................................................................5
2.3 Handlebar and stem ...................................................................................5
2.4 Position of the serial numbers......................................................................5
3. Fit and safety .....................................................................................................7
3.1 Fit ...........................................................................................................7
3.2 Saddle position..........................................................................................8
3.3 Handlebar height and angle .........................................................................9
3.4 Safety equipment ......................................................................................9
3.4.1 Lights............................................................................................9
3.4.2 Reflectors ....................................................................................10
3.4.3 Helmet ........................................................................................ 10
3.5 Mechanical safety checks .........................................................................10
3.5.1 Nuts & bolts .................................................................................10
3.5.2 Tyres & wheels .............................................................................10
3.5.3 Brakes ........................................................................................ 11
3.5.4 Quick-releases ............................................................................. 11
4. Riding safely and responsibly ..............................................................................12
5. Battery and charger operation.............................................................................. 13
6. How things work................................................................................................ 21
7. Transportation of Lafree Twist .............................................................................27
8. Service & maintenance ......................................................................................27
9. Precautions and procedures ................................................................................31
10. Comfort & performance accessories ................................................................... 32
11. Dealer service................................................................................................. 33
3.5.5 Handlebar and saddle alignment ......................................................11
4.1 The basics.............................................................................................. 12
4.2 Rules of the road .....................................................................................12
4.3 Wet weather riding ...................................................................................12
4.4 Night riding .............................................................................................12
5.1 Battery detachment, charging & installation.................................................. 13
5.1.1 General ....................................................................................... 13
5.1.2 Detachment, charging, installation ................................................... 13
5.1.3 Refresh charging........................................................................... 15
5.1.4 Energy indicator ........................................................................... 17
5.1.5 Battery capacity, range and charging time......................................... 18
5.1.6 Range .........................................................................................18
5.2 Storage & transportation ...........................................................................19
To store the battery ............................................................................... 19
Transportation of Lafree Twist................................................................. 19
5.3 Care & maintenance ................................................................................19
Battery ................................................................................................19
Charger............................................................................................... 20
5.4 Battery disposal: what to do with the battery when it’s useless ........................ 20
6.1 General ..................................................................................................21
6.2 Power control switch ................................................................................21
6.3 Front wheel quick release .........................................................................22
6.3.1 General ....................................................................................... 22
6.3.2 Adjusting the quick-release mechanism............................................ 22
6.3.3 Front wheel secondary retention devices .......................................... 23
6.3.4 Removing a quick-release front wheel .............................................. 23
6.3.5 Installing a quick-release front wheel ................................................24
6.4 Brakes ................................................................................................... 24
How brakes work .................................................................................. 24
6.5 Gear changing......................................................................................... 25
6.5.1 What the gears are for................................................................... 25
6.5.2 Shifting gears ...............................................................................25
6.6 Tyres and inner tubes .............................................................................. 25
6.6.1 Tyres .......................................................................................... 25
6.6.2 Tyre air valves ..............................................................................25
6.7 Lighting system ....................................................................................... 26
6.8 Lock ......................................................................................................26
6.9 Kick stand .............................................................................................. 26
6.10 Luggage carrier...................................................................................... 27
8.1 General ..................................................................................................27
8.2 Service & maintenance schedule. .............................................................. 28
8.3 Tightening torque .....................................................................................30
9.1 Emergency equipment and knowledge ........................................................ 31
9.2 If you get a flat tyre ..................................................................................31
9.3 If you break a spoke................................................................................. 32
9.4 If you crash ............................................................................................32
11.1 About your dealer................................................................................... 33
11.2 Guarantee regulations of Lafree Europe .................................................... 33
Pag. 2.
1. Read this manual !
Please read all information in this manual carefully to gain maximum performance, safety and enjoyment
from your Lafree Twist electric bicycle.
Congratulations! You have just pedalled into the exciting world of electric power assistance for bicycles. In
addition to being a full-featured bicycle, the Lafree Twist has an integrated on-board electric power assist
unit. The assisted pedal system is easy to use and understand. However, due to its sophisticated
technology, it is extremely important that you follow the directions for their operation carefully and
completely. Failure to do so could cause damage to the motor, energy set (battery pack/charger unit) or the
entire bicycle
Even though Lafree Twist functions as a standard bicycle, you should still review the chapters on bicycle
operation, especially if you haven’t ridden/owned a bicycle within the last 10 years. Component performance
and configuration has changed dramatically, and while they are easy to use and understand, they may not
look quite the same as what you are familiar with! Taking a few moments now to understand Lafree Twist’s
operating procedures will help you get the most out of every ride.
Please read section 5.1: “Battery detachment, charging and installation” before operating Lafree Twist’s
electric powered functions. Lafree Twist’s battery must be charged completely before the motor (power
assisted pedalling) can be operated.
1.1 Trademarks
The following trademarks are registered trademarks of Giant in Europe and other countries:
• Lafree
• Twist
1.2 Approval and conformity
This Lafree Twist bicycle fulfils the requirements of the following EC directive:
Electro Magnetic Compatibility directive (89/336/EEG).
Pag. 3.
2. What it’s called
26.
37.
29.
38.
33.
21.
4.
1.
2.
6.
5.
19.
18.
10.
11.
35.
28.
33.
34.
16.
17.
9.
13.
12.
15.
14.
2.1 General
1. Handlebar
2. Handlebar stem (2 versions: gents and ladies)
3. Power control switch - left side
4. 3-speed hub gear shifter - right side
5. Frame
6. Seat tube
7. Front fork
8. Wheel
9. Tyre
10. Tread
11. Side wall
12. Valve stem (part of inner tube)
13. Inner tube (inside tyre)
14. Rim
15. Spoke
16. Hub
17. Quick-release cam lever
18. Bottom bracket
19. Crank arm
31.
20. Chain ring (inside motor housing)
21. Chain
22. Pedal
23. 3-speed rear hub / sprocket
24. Seat post (2 versions: gents and ladies)
25. Saddle
26. Seat post binder
27. Linear pull front brake
28. Brake shoe
29. Linear pull rear brake
30. Reflector
31. Motor housing
32. Kick stand
33. Splash guard/fender (front and rear)
34. Dynamo
35. Front light
36. Rear light
37. Lock
38. Luggage carrier
8.
Pag. 4.
3.2 Saddle position
Correct saddle adjustment is important in getting the best performance and comfort from your bicycle.
a. Up and down adjustment .
Your leg length determines the correct saddle height. To check for correct saddle height:
− sit on the saddle
− place one heel on a pedal
− rotate the crank until the pedal with your heel on it is in the lowest position and the crank is parallel to
the seat tube.
− your leg should be almost straight. If not, your saddle height needs adjusting.
To adjust the saddle height, loosen the seat post fixing bolt (see fig. 11a) and move the seat post up or
down as required. Then, make sure that the saddle is parallel to the top tube of the bike, and retighten
the seat post fixing bolt tight enough so that you cannot twist the saddle out of alignment. Check the
adjustment as described above. The seat post shall NOT project from the frame beyond its Minimum
Insertion mark (see fig. 11b).
NOTE:
In order to guarantee the quality of the frame, Giant uses different types of seat posts for gents and
ladies bikes Lafree Twist. The difference between the 2 types seat posts is the position of the Minimum
Insertion marks.
The minimum insertion length of the seat post for the ladies bike is 15 cm.
The minimum insertion length of the seat post for the gents bike is 10 cm.
Keep this in mind when you need a new seat post. Be careful when you switch seat posts of ladies and
gents bikes.
b. Front and back adjustment .
To find the most comfortable position, loosen the saddle clamp and adjust the saddle forward or back to
suit you. Retighten the saddle clamp. (See fig. 12).
c. Saddle tilt adjustment .
Most people prefer a horizontal saddle, but some riders prefer to have the saddle tilted up or down a
little. Adjust the saddle tilt by loosening the saddle clamp, tilting the saddle to the desired position, and
re-tightening the saddle clamp.
Very small changes in saddle position will make a big difference. Make only one change at a time, and
only in small steps until you have found your most comfortable position.
WARNING:
After any saddle adjustment, be sure to tighten the saddle adjusting mechanism properly before riding.
Periodically check to make sure that the saddle adjusting mechanism is properly tightened.
Pag. 8.
3.3 Handlebar height and angle
a. Handlebar stem height.
You can raise or lower the handlebars. Loosen the
stem height adjuster bolt (see fig. 13) by turning it
anti-clockwise three or four turns . If the bolt rises but
the stem doesn’t move, tap the bolt carefully down,
using a plastic or wooden hammer. Set the handlebar
stem at the correct height and perpendicular to the
front wheel. Fasten the bolt to the correct torque, so
that you cannot twist the stem and handlebars (see
section 8.3 “Tightening torque”). The Minimum
Insertion mark must NOT be visible.
Note:
In order to guarantee the quality of frame and fork, Giant uses different types of handlebar stems for
gents and ladies bikes Lafree Twist. The difference between the 2 types stems is the position of the
Minimum Insertion marks.
The minimum insertion length of the stem for the ladies bike is 80 mm.
The minimum insertion length of the stem for the gents bike is 65 mm.
Keep this in mind when you need a new handlebar stem.
b. Handlebar angle.
By tilting the handlebar you can direct the grips more upward or downward. This is a matter of personal
taste. Loosen the bolt at the front side of the handlebar stem (handlebar clamp bolt). Tilt the handlebar
to the required position. Fasten the bolt to the correct torque (see section 8.3 “Tightening torque”).
Check and if required adjust the position of the brake levers.
c. Handlebar stem angle.
The adjustable handlebar stem allows you to adjust the angle of the handlebar stem extension. Loosen
the inclination bolt and set the extension to the required inclination.
Fasten the bolt to the correct torque (see section 8.3 “Tightening torque”).
Check and if needed adjust the angle of the handlebar and the position of the brake levers.
After changing the position of the handlebar or the stem, check to make sure that the handlebars can rotate
freely in both directions without the brake cables catching or binding on anything.
It is essential to thoroughly check that your bars and stem are tight and cannot be moved after you have
made any adjustments.
3.4 Safety equipment
3.4.1 Lights
Lights are important safety devices which are designed as an integral part of Lafree Twist. If you ride your
bike after dusk, you must turn on the lights so that you can see the road and avoid road hazards; and so that
others can see you.
Pag. 9.
3.4.2 Reflectors
Reflectors are important safety devices which are designed as an integral part of Lafree. The reflectors are
designed to pick up and reflect street lights and car lights in a way that helps you to be seen and recognised
as a moving bicyclist.
Caution: Check reflectors regularly to make sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely
mounted. Have your dealer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or tighten any that are bent or loose.
3.4.3 Helmet
Our advice is to wear a good quality helmet at all times whilst riding your bike.
3.5 Mechanical safety checks
3.5.1 Nuts & bolts
Inspect the bike closely from front to rear for any obvious signs of worn or broken components. Grasp the
handlebar with both hands and lift the front wheel off the ground 5-10 cm. (two or three inches), then let it
drop firmly on the ground while still holding the handlebar. If anything sounds, feels or looks loose, do a
quick visual and tactile inspection of the whole bike. Try to find the source of noise or any obvious loose
components, and secure them. If you’re not sure, ask someone with experience to check, or take your
Lafree Twist to your authorised Lafree dealer.
3.5.2 Tyres & wheels
Check proper tyre inflation by placing your hand directly on top of each tyre individually. With a straight arm
and direct downward pressure, push on the tyre with downward body weight and watch the spot where the
tyre is contacting the ground. There should be very little tyre compression. If your tyres need inflating, use a
standard bicycle floor pump (see section 6.6.1: “Tyres”). If you must use a high-volume compressor like
those found at automotive service stations, add air in small amounts as these compressors are designed to
fill auto tyres which have much larger volumes than bicycle tyres. Adding too much pressure all at once
could cause the inner tube to explode, which can cause severe damage to the tyre and serious injury.
Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the tyre’s tread and side wall. Replace damaged tyres before
riding the bike.
Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble of the rim. If a wheel wobbles side
to side or contacts the brake shoes, take the bike to a qualified bike shop to have the wheel aligned.
CAUTION:
Wheels must be “true” (aligned) 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 and tools
needed to do the job correctly.
Pag. 10.