PapaRed

Many thanks for the posts so far! I have heard a few bad things about the Trek South Africa guys.. To throw a spanner in the works Cagees is getting the 2014 Giant Anthem 1 in for R22.7k. The specs are the same except they are now using the Shimano brakes. Just wondering how the new frame will stack up against the 2013 model? http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/anthem.x.29er.1/14826/66148/#specifications Sound advice to go and ride both of them and see which one I prefer!

Trek: Colors Dark Tint/Orange Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum w/ABP Convert, E2 tapered head tube, magnesium swing link, G2 Geometry, 110mm travel Front suspension Fox Evolution Series 32 Float w/CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, E2 tapered steerer, 15QR thru axle, custom G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 100mm travel Rear suspension Fox Evolution Series Float w/CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, tuned by Trek in California, 7.25x1.75 Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23" Wheels Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, 15mm alloy axle, front hub; Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, alloy axle, rear hub w/Bontrager Mustang 28-hole disc rims Tires Bontrager 29-1 Expert, 29x2.20" Shifters Shimano SLX, 10 speed Front derailleur Shimano SLX Rear derailleur Shimano Deore XT Shadow Crank Shimano M552, 42/32/24 Cassette Shimano HG62 11-36, 10 speed Saddle Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails Seatpost Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6mm, zero offset Handlebar Bontrager Race Lite Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree Headset FSA NO.57SC, E2, semi-cartridge bearings Brakeset Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes Grips Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on Extras Trek fork & shock sag meter, Bontrager shock pump

Giant: Name: Anthem X 29er 1 (13) Built by: Giant Available Sizes: L , M , S, XL, XS Weight (kg): 12.2 Weight (lb): 26.8 Frame & Fork: Frame Material: ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, 4" Maestro Suspension Fork Brand: Fox Fork Model: Float 29 Evolution CTD w/ 15QR thru-axle, OverDrive 2, 100mm Rear Shock Brand: Fox Rear Shock Model: Float CTD Evolution Brakes: Brakes Brand: AVID Brakes Model: Elixir 5 Transmission: Cranks Brand: SHIMANO Cranks Model: SLX, 24/38T Bottom Bracket Brand: Shimano Bottom Bracket Model: press-fit Rear Derailleur Brand: SHIMANO Rear Derailleur Model: Deore XT Front Derailleur Brand: SHIMANO Front Derailleur Model: SLX Shifters Brand: SHIMANO Shifters Model: SLX, 2x10 Speed Chain Brand: KMC Chain Model: X10 Cassette: Shimano HG81 11x36, 10-speed Wheels: Rims Brand: Giant Rims Model: P-XC29er 2, Double Wall Front Hub Brand: Giant Front Hub Model: Tracker Sealed/CNC w/ 15mm Axle Rear Hub Brand: Formula Rear Hub Model: Sealed Bearing, 32h Spokes: Stainless Steel Black, 14g Front Tyre Model: Schwalbe Rear Tyre Model: SCHWALBE Contact Points: Saddle Brand: FIZIK Saddle Model: Tundra 2 w/ Manganese Rails Seatpost Brand: Giant Seatpost Model: Connect SL, 30.9 Stem Brand: Giant Stem Model: Connect SL, OverDrive 2 Handlebar Brand: Giant Handlebar Model: Connect SL, Low Rise, 31.8

Sorry that didn't copy and paste well! Here is the link for the specs. http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/compare/4130-5276/2013-Giant-Anthem-X-29er-1-vs-2013-Trek-Superfly-100-AL-Elite Will try paste them neater in the next post..

2013 Anthem X 29er 1 vs 2013 Superfly 100 AL Elite Compare http://img3.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/796/media/images/2013_Giant_Anthem_X_29er_1_404388.jpg 2013 Giant Anthem X 29er 1 vs http://img1.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/796/media/images/2013_Trek_Superfly_100_AL_Elite_561441_i0.png 2013 Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite User Rating 3.8 11 ratings Add a review See all reviews 3.0 8 ratings Add a review See all reviews MSRP $2,875 $2,720 Bike Type Cross Country Cross Country Wheel Size 29 inch 29 inch Gender/Age Unisex Unisex - Details Model Anthem X 29er 1 Superfly 100 AL Elite Manufacturer Giant Trek Website Website (giant-bicycles.com) – Year 2013 2013 Ability Intermediate Intermediate Suspension Full Suspension Full Suspension Colors Black/Silver/Neon Yellow Dark Tint/Orange Notes – Trek fork & shock sag meter, Bontrager shock pump - Compare to Averages MSRP $2,875 $2,720 Front Travel 100 millimeters 100 millimeters - Frameset Front Travel 100 millimeters 100 millimeters Frame Material Aluminum Aluminum Frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, 4" Maestro Suspension Alpha Platinum Aluminum w/ABP Convert, E2 tapered head tube, magnesium swing link, G2 Geometry, 110mm travel Frame Size Range XS (13"-15") SM (15"-17") MD (17"-19") LG (19"-21") XL (21"-23") XXL (23"+) XS (13"-15") SM (15"-17") MD (17"-19") LG (19"-21") XL (21"-23") XXL (23"+) Fork Fox Float 29 Evolution CTD w/ 15QR thru-axle, OverDrive 2, 100mm Travel Fox Evolution Series 32 Float w/CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, E2 tapered steerer, 15QR thru axle, custom G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 100mm travel Rear Shock – Fox Evolution Series Float w/CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, tuned by Trek in California, 7.25x1.75 - Drivetrain Crankset Shimano SLX, 24/38 Shimano M552, 42/32/24 Cassette Shimano HG81 11x36, 10-Speed Shimano HG62 11-36, 10 speed Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT Shimano Deore XT Shadow Front Derailleur Shimano SLX Shimano SLX Shifters Shimano SLX, 2x10 Speed Shimano SLX, 10 speed Chain KMC X10 – Pedals N/A – - Components Brakes Avid Elixir 5, [F] 170mm, [R] 160mm Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes Brake Levers Avid Elixir 5 – Handlebars Giant Connect SL, Low Rise, 31.8 Bontrager Race Lite Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise Stem Giant Connect SL, OverDrive 2 Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree Headset – FSA NO.57SC, E2, semi-cartridge bearings Seat Post Giant Connect SL, 30.9 Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6mm, zero offset Saddle Fi'zi:k Tundra 2 w/ Manganese Rails Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails Grips – Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on - Wheels Rims Giant P-XC29er 2, Double Wall – Front Hub Giant Tracker Sealed/CNC w/ 15mm Axle – Rear Hub Formula Sealed Bearing, 32h – Spokes Stainless Steel Black, 14g – Wheels – Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, 15mm alloy axle, front hub; Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, alloy axle, rear hub w/Bontrager Mustang 32-hole disc rims Front Tire Schwalbe Racing Ralph, 29x2.25 Evolution Folding TL Ready Bontrager 29-1 Expert, 29x2.2" Rear Tire Schwalbe Racing Ralph, 29x2.25 Evolution Folding TL Ready Bontrager 29-1 Expert, 29x2.2" - Reviews and Ratings User Reviews Average User Rating 3.8 11 ratings Add a reviewSee all reviews Average User Rating 3.0 8 ratings Add a reviewSee all reviews

I can get a Trek Superfly Elite for R21k or the Giant Anthem 1 for R23.5k from Westdene Cycles. Two questions: 1. Which bike would you recommend? 2. Anyone know if I can get a better deal anywhere else? I'm leaning toward the Giant because I have heard really good things about it. The only thing I've heard is that the Elixir brakeset is not as good as the Shimano. Many thanks!