Sean1 Posted April 20, 2011 Posted April 20, 2011 My Giant Bike has arrived and the first impressions are that this is one real smooth pedalling machine. I have already chopped off 3 mins off my fastest time across a 29.3km course. This ride has 614m ascent which the bike handled really well with not much noticeable extra effort required to get the 29'er to the top. The best part has to be the "effortless" feel that the bike has at medium efforts of 130 - 150 bpm. The wheels feel weightless on flat track. Smooooth is a nice word here. I have tried the odd bunnyhop and one or two mates have wheelied the bike but it's clear that the 26er beats it in this department. The handling still feels quite nimble though but have yet to test it on singletrack (holding thumbs ). My last little bit has to be the rear suspension feels very solid and not squishy. Nice to climb hills with and to soak up the bumps on the other side.
Doggone Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 (edited) I have a silver one just like that. Loving the ride and suits my kind of riding. Slightly less nimble on tight singletrack than my old 26' hardtail but a lot more forgiving if I make a mistake due to the big wheels just rolling over everything with ease.I ride quite a bit of tar getting to some of the routes I like to ride and this has been the biggest difference. Just rolls so darn easy on tar. Only downer has been the saddle. Man that Fizik is an instrument of torture. Either that or my rear end is too soft. I went to my LBS and they advised me to change the saddle. Not a very expensive one only about R500 but it has made all the difference. Enjoy your bike. I am officially a member of the Giant Anthem 29er X1 fan club!! Edited April 21, 2011 by Doggone
wapad Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 My Giant Bike has arrived and the first impressions are that this is one real smooth pedalling machine. I have already chopped off 3 mins off my fastest time across a 29.3km course. This ride has 614m ascent which the bike handled really well with not much noticeable extra effort required to get the 29'er to the top. The best part has to be the "effortless" feel that the bike has at medium efforts of 130 - 150 bpm. The wheels feel weightless on flat track. Smooooth is a nice word here. I have tried the odd bunnyhop and one or two mates have wheelied the bike but it's clear that the 26er beats it in this department. The handling still feels quite nimble though but have yet to test it on singletrack (holding thumbs ). My last little bit has to be the rear suspension feels very solid and not squishy. Nice to climb hills with and to soak up the bumps on the other side. welcome to the club dont worry about singletrack these bikes handle great even on the twisty bits Granted it will take getting used to but after a few rides and once the suspension is setup you will love it That was the part that took time, setting the suspension I also changed the bars for my 630mm carbon bars and my Fizik Alliante saddle I found those bars way to wide and that will also affect handling but enjoy I reckon this has got to be bang for buck the best 29er out there
Bat-ass Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 Welcome to the tribe... let the smiling begin.... THat tundra saddle is beating me badly on my hardtail aswell.... what have you guys tried or changed to?? how is the Gobi saddle??
Nimby Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 First thing I did with mine was transfer my old cockpit items over from my old bike - that saddle is far too narrow!
Sean1 Posted April 21, 2011 Author Posted April 21, 2011 The saddle is similar to the ironing board that I had on the Anthem X2, so I am fairly used to it. I have also changed the handlebar for a 670mm raised one. Works better for me than the 700mm flat that came standard. Looking forwards to two planned 60km rides this weekend around the Karkloof area! Enjoy your weekend.
splat Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 Awesome bike.Its definitely on my wanted list. Has anyone weighed theirs?
Ceres Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 My Giant Bike has arrived and the first impressions are that this is one real smooth pedalling machine. I have already chopped off 3 mins off my fastest time across a 29.3km course. This ride has 614m ascent which the bike handled really well with not much noticeable extra effort required to get the 29'er to the top. The best part has to be the "effortless" feel that the bike has at medium efforts of 130 - 150 bpm. The wheels feel weightless on flat track. Smooooth is a nice word here. I have tried the odd bunnyhop and one or two mates have wheelied the bike but it's clear that the 26er beats it in this department. The handling still feels quite nimble though but have yet to test it on singletrack (holding thumbs ). My last little bit has to be the rear suspension feels very solid and not squishy. Nice to climb hills with and to soak up the bumps on the other side. Was that 29.3 km a tar course, just kidding. I know somebody with the same bike he loves it. I see they sorting out the paint issues by just not painting it.
Balsie Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 Standoff, Will be picking mine up on Sat,well bought the XTC hardtail 3 months ago did Karkloof and nearly broke me in half on the hardtail so sold the XTC frame and wacking XT components on the Anthem X1 29er frame,long way round but looking forwrd to doing a nice long ride on Sunday.
Bat-ass Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 I did karkloof on my XTC aswell.... ass hasnt been that sore since get whipped 6 of the best at school.... if you owes are old enough to remember those days!!!!, actually since 2 weeks before at the Inanda SA champs marathon!! bike is much softer then my 26 hardtail though...I'll be in the kamberg for 4 days, so definately be sneeking in some rides between family time!!!
Bums Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 The saddle is similar to the ironing board that I had on the Anthem X2, so I am fairly used to it. I have also changed the handlebar for a 670mm raised one. Works better for me than the 700mm flat that came standard. Looking forwards to two planned 60km rides this weekend around the Karkloof area! Enjoy your weekend. See you there if you are riding on Sun
wapad Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 Awesome bike.Its definitely on my wanted list. Has anyone weighed theirs?I have a large standard with pedals was about 12.3 kg I have replaced the saddle to alliante which is quite heavy gone tubeless and changed bars seatpost and stem so with bottle cage etc its sitting at 12.1 kg for a large will be getting a new wheelset so should come in under 11.9kg
Grantc Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 I am loving my Giant 29er I went for the white/ble option (not keen on all that bling silver) I swopped the saddle for a fizik gobi, and changed the wheelset to Mavic C29ssmax's Did karkloof and Giants on it.
splat Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 I have a large standard with pedals was about 12.3 kg I have replaced the saddle to alliante which is quite heavy gone tubeless and changed bars seatpost and stem so with bottle cage etc its sitting at 12.1 kg for a large will be getting a new wheelset so should come in under 11.9kg Nice!My 26" Anthem X is about 12kg with Stan's wheels.To go 29" and weigh the same is awesome!
splat Posted April 21, 2011 Posted April 21, 2011 May i ask how much are these machines? They are just under R30k - good value for money!
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