Giant's 2013 Carbon Anthem 29er

[Iwan Kemp]

There was some initial back log/ slow release of the stems as all stems manufactured went on the complete bikes but Giant SA has some lengths, headsets, spacers etc in stock and more arriving in the next few weeks.

 

Cool.

 

Still a daft idea. One of the daftest of the new "standards" of the last couple of years. No use changing a previous standard to gain some stiffness you'll only feel if you have a test bench at home.

[covie]

Wow i had no idea the anthem 29er was so highly rated, i always thought they were fairly enrty level 29ers, i had a 26 inch anthem and it was an awesome bike i just never liked the looked of the 29er. Guess i was wrong

 

People tend to think that once you get something that looks too good to be true it mostly is. Giant has done wonders in bringing top of the line gear to the consumer at mid range pricing. Scott is jumping on the bandwagon too, they just need to drop the dtswiss 210 shock from their bikes and then it too would be a great bike at a very decent pricepoint.

 

Besides some niche manufacturers that i understand why they are expensive, like RM, Ellsworth, Pyga, Santa Cruz, most of the other brands are still taking consumers for all they have, and most of those products are generally inferior to the Anthem. Some equal the anthem and most at double the price. And we in SA love market trends, if some guy wins a XCO race on a 27.5 we all start running around looking for 27.5 bikes, when Bulls won all the epics everyone ran around looking for a bulls bike since it has to be the best, and now currently spez has the best riders winning a lot of races so everyone is taking out second mortages on their houses to go out and get a spez.

 

People still think that the more you pay the better your bike. And where there sometimes is merit to that mentallity, In a lot of the cases its just a gravy train scheme. Moral of the story is if you do enough quality research you eventually start seeing whats what.. if you stick to the reviews from professional reviewers that have had enough time to properly test a peace of kit.

[covie]

Cool.

 

Still a daft idea. One of the daftest of the new "standards" of the last couple of years. No use changing a previous standard to gain some stiffness you'll only feel if you have a test bench at home.

 

I dont know Crow, my 29'er has a 20mm maxle in front, 142/12mm rear, a direct mount front derailure, and a ridiculously large bend in the seatstay tube, and its without a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden, those lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to take her for a test ride, were all uninamious that they wanted to kill me and take my bike and these are friends with damn decent kit.

 

I know that now people are moving towards, 20mm maxle and 142/12 but it was really slow to take off, and most XC machines still only cater for 15mm maxle. That makes it tough to sell parts on the second hand market, but who cares, the bike rides like a wet dream.

[Iwan Kemp]

I'm with you when it comes to 20mm TA. Been riding it for a while and can't see myself ever going down to even 15mm. You can FEEL it. 142mm I can't really say cause it's not noticeable when going from 135 TA to 142 TA. No use comparing QR 135 to TA 142 as it's the axle giving you the extra stiffness.

 

So I get that. I get tapered steerer, I get TA rear tri's...

 

Giant's Overdrive I don't get at all. Yes, it does make it stiffer, but the % it adds you and I can't feel when out on the trail. What's the use of something if you're not pushing the bike that far in any case?

Edited April 16, 2012 by The Crow

[Iwan Kemp]

I'm a big Giant fan, was hoping they would make it more visually appealing

 

Must say I'm surprised at how many people don't like the look of the bike. I really dig it.

[covie]

I'm with you when it comes to 20mm TA. Been riding it for a while and can't see myself ever going down to even 15mm. You can FEEL it. 142mm I can't really say cause it's not noticeable when going from 135 TA to 142 TA. No use comparing QR 135 to TA 142 as it's the axle giving you the extra stiffness.

 

Giant's Overdrive I don't get at all. Yes, it does make it stiffer, but the % it adds you and I can't feel when out on the trail. What's the use of something if you're not pushing the bike that far in any case?

 

Havent ridden the overdrive so cannot say how it improves life but im just saying im open to innovation, and Im definitly open to sacrafice weight for stiffness ive seen my old times being obliterated by my new "heavy" but super stiff machine

 

I personally love the look of the giants as well. Its just the colour schemes I think they can be more inovative, The anthem X 2010 in brushed crhome was just awesome looking. The white and black blue and red giants dont work for me.

[Cycle Factory]

First ride review is out:

http://www.bikeradar...29er-0-12-46137

 

Looks like another killer bike from Giant

 

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/bikes/mountain/1334743155291-1dumwve998sc3-670-75.jpg

Edited April 18, 2012 by Cycle Factory

[Cycle Factory]

Not cheap, yes, but comes with killer spec. All XX and Carbon including wheels.

 

Frame Material: Giant Anthem X Advanced 29er

Frame Weight (g): 2200 g

Fork Model: RockShox SID 29 RCT3 w/ 15mm thru-axle dropouts

Rear Shock Model: RockShox Monarch RT3

Headset Type: Giant OverDrive 2 1 1/4-to-1 1/2" tapered by FSA

Brakes Model: Avid XX World Cup, 180/160mm rotors

Cranks Model: Truvativ XX, 39/26T

Bottom Bracket Model: Truvativ GXP press-fit

Rear Derailleur Model: SRAM XX

Front Derailleur Model: SRAM XX

Shifters Model: SRAM XX Trigger

Chain Model: SRAM PC-1091

Cassette: SRAM XG-1099

Saddle Model: fi'zi:k Tundra 2 k:ium

Seatpost Model: Giant Contact SLR

Stem Model: Giant Contact SLR

Handlebar Model: Giant Contact SLR

Grips/Tape Model: Giant lock-on

Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo, 29x2.2"

Front Wheel: Giant P-XCR Composite 29er 0

Rear Wheel: Giant P-XCR Composite 29er 0

[Toxic]

From 8900 to 3300. Isn't there something in between?

8900 for a giant doesn't feel right...

Edited April 18, 2012 by Toxic

[Zook]

From 8900 to 3300. Isn't there something in between?

8900 for a giant doesn't feel right...

 

Yup, from:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/giant-anthem-x-advanced-29er-introduced-33705/

 

 

"Giant will offer the new Anthem X Advanced 29er in three models along with a bare frameset, with availability starting in May in the US and Australia, and globally later in the summer. The top-end Anthem X Advanced 29er 0 will come with a SRAM XX group, a RockShox SID 29 RCT3 fork and SRAM Rise 60 carbon wheels for US$8,900 and a claimed weight of 9.98kg (22lb).

 

The 29 1 switches to a SRAM X0/X9 drivetrain, Avid Elixir 9 brakes, a RockShox SID 29 RL and Giant house-brand aluminum wheels for $4,650 and a claimed weight of 11.34kg (25lb).

 

The entry model 29 2 will come with a SRAM X5/X7 drivetrain, Avid Elixir 3 disc brakes, a RockShox Reba RL fork and Giant house-brand wheels for $3,300 and a claimed weight of 11.79kg (26lb)."

[Zook]

So, question:

 

Wait for the Anthem X2 Advanced with lower-spec components but a stiffer ride and a bit lighter, or buy the X0 '12 with these components?:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-za/bikes/model/anthem.x.29er/10745/53399/

 

I'm leaning to the latter.

[Cycle Factory]

Buy the '12 X1 and use the extra money to upgrade to a ZTR wheelset.

[Zook]

Buy the '12 X1 and use the extra money to upgrade to a ZTR wheelset.

 

What is this "extra money" of which you speak?

 

I think they'll be about the same price. I can easily imagine a universe in which I'm wrong, though.

Edited April 19, 2012 by Zook

[Cycle Factory]

X1 is a good couple of grand less than the X0. Use that money to upgrade the OE wheelset as it is quite heavy. That will give you better bang for buch than the full XT and SID.

 

Or just go for the XX carbon...

[Zook]

Ok, somewhat agreed - I'd definitely upgrade the wheels at some point. I suspect I'd lean towards "buy bike, ride, then upgrade when 'extra money' is at hand.'

[slysi]

Just taken delivery of my new 2012 Anthem X0 29er! Loved my 2011 Anthem X2 26er so keen to see the difference......watch this space.....