Giant Launches Faith Youth Mountain Bikes and Crest Lite Youth-Specific Suspension

Parents of current and future shredders rejoice as Giant announces entry into the youth full-suspension mountain bike game. Their new Faith bikes come in a dual-24-inch wheel or 27.5/26-inch mixed wheel configuration. Not only are frames and wheels fitting for pint-sized punting, but suspension kinematics have been developed with lightweight riders in mind. They feature a new short-travel adjustable dropper post and even wheels tuned for up-and-coming rippers. We have a Faith 24 in-house for testing and we're initially impressed with the attention to spec detail. The raw alloy frame and the matching orange ano bits round out the aesthetics for some flash and should make most forum critics happy. Prices are in the premium range at $2,500 for the 24" while the 27.5/26 slots in for $100 more at $2,600. Stay tuned for a full review in the future and dig into the official press release for the Faith, Crest Lite suspension, TRA wheels and Contact Switch dropper below.

GIANT INTRODUCES FAITH, AN ALL-NEW RANGE OF FULL-SUSPENSION

MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR ASPIRING YOUNG TRAIL RIDERS

Designed specifically for developing young riders, the new Faith range features purpose-built suspension, frame geometry and components for smaller, lighter bodies

Giant, the world leader in cycling technology, introduced its new Faith range of youth-specific trail bikes featuring purpose-built front and rear suspension setups, variable wheel sizes, and components designed for smaller, lighter riders.

The new Faith range is the first of its kind from Giant — a collection of high-performance, full-suspension trail bikes right on par with adult mountain bikes yet designed and engineered specifically for kids. From the lightweight aluminum frames with youth-specific geometries to all-new proprietary suspension setups, optimized WheelSystems, and ergonomic touchpoints for smaller bodies, every detail has been carefully considered for developing young riders.

Kids face unique challenges on the trail. These bikes target those challenges with variable wheel sizes and suspension that are tuned specifically for them. Giant’s proven FlexPoint rear suspension system with a Crest FloTrac Lite shock delivers a smooth, active feel on the trail. Up front, new Crest Lite suspension forks with FloTune Lite dampers help kids tackle technical terrain with more confidence and control.

The new range includes two models. The Faith features a new Giant TRA WheelSystem with a 27.5-inch front wheel and 26-inch rear. The wheels borrow key features and technologies from race-proven adult TRA WheelSystems including WideGuard technology to improve rim strength and reduce the risk of flats. The smaller Faith 24 is equipped with 24-inch TRA wheels front and rear for lighter weight and easier handling.

All Faith models have youth-specific cranks and brake levers, along with new Contact Switch AT Lite dropper seatposts that help younger riders find their optimal climbing and descending positions with easy-to-use, handlebar-mounted levers.

YOUTH-TUNED SUSPENSION

Both Faith models feature FlexPoint rear suspension systems with a Crest FloTrac Lite shock. This linkage-driven, single-pivot system creates consistent damping and spring performance throughout its travel, isolating the rear shock to provide small bump sensitivity through the entire wheel path. The result is a smooth, active feel through the entire shock stroke with no harsh bottom-outs.

The Crest FloTrac Lite Shock is designed and built in-house to complement Giant’s suspension platform kinematics for lightweight riders. Custom tuning creates a responsive damping and spring that requires less force input. Paired with Triple Flow Path technology that actively stabilizes the motion of the shock, Crest FloTrac Lite gives smaller riders increased traction and control without compromise.

The Crest TR Elite Lite and Crest SL FloTune Lite forks are made to bring high-performance suspension to lighter-weight riders. Low-friction action and the latest Giant FloTune Lite damper combine for responsive control on rugged terrain. In addition, all Faith models feature Unified Suspension Setup, a guide that’s displayed on the forks indicating optimal air pressure and damper setting recommendations for both the rear shock and the fork based on rider weight.

The Faith series has 135mm of smooth rear travel paired with a 140mm Crest SL FloTune Lite fork, both tuned specifically for riders weighing under 62kg. The Faith 24 series has 130mm of rear travel and is paired with a 140mm Crest TR Elite Lite Fork, both tuned for riders weighing under 46kg.

AGILE AND EFFICIENT

A high-performance ALUXX SL aluminum frameset with youth-specific trail geometry is combined with quality lightweight components to minimize weight and give kids greater control. The result is a bike that’s easier to maneuver on technical terrain.

New youth-specific TRA WheelSystems borrow key technologies from the proven adult TRA WheelSystem for improved climbing capabilities and quicker acceleration. Alloy rims with hollow construction 5mm rim walls bolster impact protection while minimizing weight, allowing for better maneuverability and suspension performance. On the rear wheel, a durable 72-tooth freehub helps maximize power transfer for quicker acceleration.

OFF-ROAD CONTROL

WideGuard technology on the TRA WheelSystems is used to create lighter, stronger rims that allow for lower tire pressures and better traction without the risk of tire punctures or rim damage.

The mixed-wheel setup on the Faith combines the agile handling of the 26-inch rear wheel with the improved rollover capabilities of the 27.5-inch front, while smaller-diameter wheels on the Faith 24 reduce weight, improve handling, and make it easier for young riders to maneuver and ride with confidence.

The Contact Switch AT Lite dropper seatpost has a lower-pressure cartridge that makes it easier to engage the lever and requires less weight to lower the saddle in steep, technical trail conditions. With adjustable travel settings and an innovative rotating cable actuator for installation on smaller frames, it's an easy-to-use setup that gives young riders maximum control on variable terrain.

Geometry

Pricing

CREST LITE SUSPENSION Details

EFFORTLESS CONTROL

Responsive action, lightweight performance and intuitive setup – Crest Lite suspension helps younger riders reach their potential with unmatched confidence and control.

Crest Lite suspension is purpose-built for lighter weight riders. Ultra-sensitive and responsive to a lighter touch, these forks and rear shocks are easy to set up and adjust with precision. The result is a higher level of performance to help young riders expand their capabilities.

TAILOR-MADE

Custom travel, air pressure and adjustment controls made specifically for lighter weight riders to deliver maximum confidence and control.

SENSITIVE

Designed to function with minimal activating force and smooth performance over rugged terrain, giving lighter weight riders the same high-performance feel as adult suspension setups.

INTUITIVE SETUP

Fork and shock setup and adjustment made easy. With clear instructions including pressure and rebound recommendations printed on the fork, Crest Lite gets young rippers out on the trail with just a few clicks.

LITE SUPPORT AIR SPRING

Tailored for smaller riders weighing 26-46kg for the 24” fork and 35-62kg for the 27.5” fork, delivering low-friction action and optimal support, even at the minimum 15psi air pressure setting.

RESPONSIVE DAMPING

Easy-to-adjust knobs accurately control rebound to deliver active damping for lighter-weight riders.

UNIFIED SUSPENSION SETUP

A guide on the Crest Lite fork indicates optimal support levels for the fork and shock according to body weight, making suspension setup quick and easy.

Six steps to get young shredders on the trail quickly and efficiently:

STEP 1

Weigh the rider.

Step2

Locate the setup guide on the fork leg for the optimal air pressure setting for both fork and shock according to rider weight.

STEP 3

Get the rider on the bike. Holding the bike in place, bounce up and down on the suspension a few times. Reset the rubber O-rings on the fork and shock back to the fork lower and shock air canister. Again holding the bike in place, have the rider sit down gently on the saddle in a natural riding position to check sag (the amount of space on the shock from the air canister to the rubber O-ring and on the fork from the lower to the rubber O-ring) according to the air pressure setting from step 2. To begin, sag should generally sit at about 25% of the travel of the shock and fork, as measured by the position of the rubber O-ring relative to the shock air canister and fork lower. Continue adjusting air pressure in both fork and shock until sag reaches about 25% of travel.

STEP 4

Adjust fork and shock rebound by the number of clicks referenced in the setup guide on the fork. Always use the slowest rebound position as the base, then click out from there.

STEP 5

Refine sag and rebound depending on the rider’s feel or riding style and the terrain.

STEP 6

Go shred!

CREST TR ELITE LITE

This trail fork is purpose-built to produce a smooth, active feel for lighter weight riders. The lightweight hollow-bridge design, low-friction chassis and FloTune damper combine for lightweight feel, sensitive compression and controlled rebound to help young trail riders progress and expand their capabilities.

SENSITIVE

Made for lighter riders (26-46kg for the 24” fork and 35-62kg for the 27.5” fork), a low-friction chassis and FloTune damper enable the fork to compress and rebound under smaller force loads.

CONTROLLED

A lightweight and stiff chassis delivers precise handling, while the FloTune damper accurately tailors damping force to smooth out impacts and provide optimal traction.

INTUITIVE

Optimal air pressure and damping adjustment levels for lighter-weight riders are precalculated and printed on the fork, making it quick and easy to fine-tune performance.

FEATURES

• Lowers offer superior stiffness and best-in-class weight.
• Ultra-precise assembly delivers smooth action and exceptional spring and damping performance.
• Twin air system with negative air spring is lightweight and self-equalizing.
• Token adjustable air-spring progression curve.
• Lite-support Air Spring provides ample suspension support even at minimum 15 psi.
• Lite tuning delivers lower damping force for active motion control under smaller impacts.
• FloTune Damper with floating compression valve (FCV) improves control in all conditions.
• Unified setup identifies the recommended air pressure and knob position for optimal performance between fork, damper and shock.
• Rubber top-out spring and updated internals reduce noise and top-out impact.
• Fluid lubrication system ensures confident and long-lasting performance.
• Glove-friendly ergonomic caps and controls.
• 15 x 110mm Boost thru axle.
• Easily attached brake cable mount.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Wheel compatibility: 24"
• Travel: 140mm
• Spring: Twin-air
• Damper: Crest FloTune Lite
• Rebound adjustments: 16-18 clicks
• Compression adjustment: 2-position (open and locked)
• Steerer: 1-1/8" to 1.5" alloy, tapered
• Crown: Forged, hollow 6061 aluminum
• Stanchions: 34mm aluminum
• Lower leg: Thixomolded magnesium with arch bridge
• Axle: 15x110mm Boost
• Offset: 30mm
• Weight: 1800g

CREST SL FLOTUNE LITE

Precise, highly sensitive and durable, this lightweight trail fork brings improved performance and control to smaller riders. An arch-bridge lower increases stiffness and lowers fork weight. The air spring works with the Crest FloTune Lite damper to give lighter weight riders better control over bumps, drops and varied terrain.

SENSITIVE

A low-friction chassis and FloTune damper enable the fork to compress and rebound under smaller force loads. Lighter riders from 35-62kg can now experience fully activated suspension, elevating their rides to the next level.

CONTROLLED

A new arch lower and redesigned controls combine for greater torsional stiffness, lightweight performance, and glove-friendly touch points, creating a new standard for lighter-weight riders.

INTUITIVE

Optimal air pressure and damping adjustment levels for lighter-weight riders are precalculated and printed on the fork, making it quick and easy to fine-tune performance.

FEATURES

• Lowers offer superior stiffness and low weight.
• Ultra-precise assembly delivers smooth action and exceptional spring and damping performance.
• Twin air system with negative air spring is lightweight and self-equalizing.
• Token adjustable air-spring progression curve.
• Lite-support Air Spring provides ample suspension support even at minimum 15 psi.
• Lite tuning delivers lower damping force for active motion control under smaller impacts.
• FloTune Damper features a floating compression valve (FCV) to improve control in all conditions.
• Unified setup identifies the recommended air pressure and knobs position for optimal performance between fork, damper, and shock.
• Rubber top-out spring and updated internals reduce noise and top-out impact.
• Fluid lubrication system ensures confident and long-lasting performance.
• Glove-friendly ergonomic caps and controls.
• 15 x 110mm Boost thru axle.
• Easily attached brake cable mount.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Wheel compatibility: 27.5"
• Travel: 140mm
• Spring: Twin-air
• Damper: Crest FloTune Lite
• Rebound adjustments: 16-18 clicks
• Compression adjustment: 2-position (open and locked)
• Steerer: 1-1/8" to 1.5" alloy, tapered
• Crown: Forged, hollow 6061 aluminum
• Stanchions: 34mm aluminum
• Lower leg: Thixomolded magnesium with arch bridge
• Axle: 15x110mm Boost
• Offset: 44mm
• Weight: 1980g

CREST FLOTUNE TR LITE DAMPER

Tuned for smaller, lighter riders, the FloTune TR Lite damper is precision crafted for riders ranging from 26-62kg, helping them ride with greater control and confidence.

FEATURES

• IFP (InternalFlowPiston) Technology prevents oil and air mixing to provide predictable damping in all conditions.
• FCV (Floating Compression Valve) technology customizes the lower preload force and high-speed damping to actively control suspension behavior for lightweight riders.
• Lite-tuned rebound piston provides smooth gripping force for more control and less harsh rebound action.
• Unified suspension setup provides intuitive, on-the-go adjustability.
• Bullet-shaped needle accurately controls the valve in the rebound circuit to achieve consistent performance no matter the rider weight or riding style.
• Precisely engineered construction ensures predictable and precise low-friction action.

SPECIFICATIONS

Tune: Lite

Adjustments

• Low-speed compression: Open to Firm modes
• Open mode tuning range: Noe
• Low-speed rebound: 16-18 clicks
• Compatible models: Crest TR Elite Lite / Crest SL FloTune Lite

Weight: 270g

CREST FLOTRAC LITE SHOCK

Designed to complement Giant’s suspension platform kinematics for lighter body weights, this shock gives smaller riders better control and traction on variable off-road terrain. Custom tuning produces responsive damping and a spring that requires less force input.

PLUSH

Bullet-shaped needle and floating compression valve (FCV) technology delivers responsive damping motion. The low-friction body produces active damping under lighter input, providing a plush feel tuned specifically for lightweight riders.

STEADY

Internal Flow Piston (IFP) and Floating Compression Valve (FCV) technology work together for smooth and steady oil transfer inside the cartridge body, even under heavy impacts or aggressive input.

PREDICTABLE

Close contact between the stanchion and shaft ensures that the damping curve predicted in the lab meets real-world expectations. The result is best-in-class low-friction action that’s predictable and precise.

FEATURES

• Custom tuned and engineered to optimize the suspension kinematics of
• Giant and Liv suspension platforms.
• Lite tuning customizes low damping and spring force to produce active suspension for lighter-weight riders.
• Triple Flow Path technology ensures plush, active action from small hits to big drops and everything in between.
• Lightweight dual-air system with a fully tunable air spring for complete sensitivity.
• Simplified open and locked-out compression modes for lighter riders.
• Unified suspension setup syncs fork and shock tuning to deliver an intuitive guide on air pressure and rebound adjustments.
• Tool-free air token adjustment.
• Metric sized trunnion-mount.

SPECIFICATIONS

Tune: Lite

Sizing: 165x45mm

Adjustments

• Compression: Lever-actuated Open, Firm Modes
• Rebound: 8 clicks

Weight: 280g

Giant TRA WheelSystem 24 and 26 Details

FACTORY FUN

Proven under the most demanding conditions by Giant Factory Off-Road Team racers, the TRA WheelSystem is now available in 24” and 26” options for smaller rippers. Alloy rims with hollow-construction 5mm rim walls beef up impact protection but keep weight low for better suspension performance. The wide rim walls also reduce pinch flats and allow lower tire pressure for more traction and control. Out back, a durable 72-tooth freehub helps maximize power transfer for more speed and more fun.

Contact Switch AT Lite Dropper Post Details

About Giant

Giant is the world’s leading brand of high-quality bicycles and cycling gear. Part of the Giant Group, which was founded in 1972, the brand combines craftsmanship, technology and innovative design to help all riders unleash their full potential. Through its products, people and retail partners, Giant delivers a full ecosystem of bikes and gear to optimize the cycling experience and grow the community. For more information, go to giant-bicycles.com.

View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the new Giant Faith and corresponding Liv Faith models in the Vital MTB Product Guide.