Cracked Frame - Giant Anthem

[raptor-22]

I bought a Giant Anthem 26er in May 2010. In June this year I noticed a crack in the frame at the weld where the seat tube meets the top tube. Got a replacement frame from Dragon Sports, no questions asked. 2 weeks ago I notice a crack in the new frame - same place. Dragon replace the frame again, no problem.

So firstly, well done to Dragon/Giant for the great service - makes me want to buy Giant again. But, secondly, this is obviously a design flaw in the Anthem frame - I have heard of other people who have also had issues, although those were 29er frames - makes me a bit reluctant to buy Giant again.

Any thoughts, anyone?

 

 

the 2016 frame design is changed to sort this issue out once and for all.

[MTBeer]

the 2016 frame design is changed to sort this issue out once and for all.

yup, and I've moved on to a Trance which is loads more fun.

[DJR]

I have now got a Pyga 110 ...........

Great bike, and I would love one, just couldn't justify paying double what the Giant cost, blame my tight fisted Scottish genes if you must;-)

[raptor-22]

I can't say a pyga rides nicer than a trance. In fact I still think the Trance is better.

 

Pyga is nice and I'm proud that a local brand has such wow factor but anthem or trance gets my money

[Maximis]

Here are some of the obvious changes to the anthem frame. 1st pic is how they have tried to solve their frame issues

[An3]

Ive had an anthem and a trance and have ridden them to hell and back crashed them , smashed them and never had a days issue. I think the issue is if the seatpost is to high it causes the frame to crack due to the extra leverage and pressure focused on that area.

 

so perhaps some people have got a frame size to small and are compensating by raising the seat post to high.

 

I always thought giant was bulletproof and i would recommend them to anyone.

I agree with Stevie

Check your seatpost - if it is anywhere close to the max mark - get a longer one.

[Bianchisti]

It's a medium frame and I'm a bit big on it, so the seat is jacked up right to the maximum line on the seatpost. In theory it shouldn't be a problem, but if there is a specific weakness in this spot, a longer seatpost should reduce the twisting forces on the joint, as the forces should then be distributed further down the seat tube. I don't know this for sure but it stands to reason.

Any frame is at risk of cracking in that spot if the seatpost is not long enough. But with Giant' apparent weakness no doubt

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Here are some of the obvious changes to the anthem frame. 1st pic is how they have tried to solve their frame issues

image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg

New Anthem has Through axle at the back no right?

still no internal cable routing?

[Maximis]

New Anthem has Through axle at the back no right?

still no internal cable routing?

Yes it's all the pics, although not so clear... through axle at the back, internal cable routing through top tube and down tube. Makes it so much cleaner.

[eccc whippet]

Question....if your 2014 frame cracks...who pays the addition cost for the adjustments required to fit all the old parts to the new frame and upgrades...axle for example? What if the colour of the new frame is a puke colour that you don't like?

Edited August 20, 2015 by isetech

[eccc whippet]

Only 2 months and 1 x 40 km race into my anthem and it's already making horrible click clack sounds...I am told it might just be the linkages [emoji57] the bike had its 30 day inspection the week before the race...no problems with the bike during the race...just the click clack sound.

 

Only once you purchase an anthem do notice how the Scott bikes out number the anthem...on a giba ride...I counted 8 Scott's to one anthem....during the 40 km race it was only about 4 Scott's to 1 anthem..

 

With the anthem price increase to 35 k....I don't know what the new Scott price is...if the price for the 2 bikes were about the same...would I buy another anthem...make no mistake I love my anthem but I do find the bouncing a bit annoying at times... And having a fat gut and being an old bullet makes reaching for CTD on the shock a bit of challenge.

 

Either Scott are marketing their product a lot better considering they were 10 k more expensive than the anthem for same spec bike or the Scott is superior product that's why they selling a lot more than the giant.

Edited August 20, 2015 by isetech

[rouxtjie]

I have now got a Pyga 110 due to other crappy products and really crappy service.

 

Yes OMNICO I'm talking about you, for luv, money and certainly for your sanity stay far away from them (GT and Cannondale) because if you have warranty claims through them you will find out just how bad customer service can be.

 

I went mainstream last time around because I always assumed you would struggle with the smaller brands, but have learnt that lesson, so now I ride what excites me.

Nice one, once you have hit that space you will find the annual fomo "itch" doesn't get to you that much. I am a data man, hell call me a data professional if you want(predictive modelling / data science / SPSS daytime job) and I love to work with numbers to figure which bike I should buy.

 

Cost vs gruppo vs fork vs material vs travel vs suspension design vs footprint vs best deal vs weight vs serviceability vs futureproof tech. All the bikes I chosen on paper I don't have anymore and didn't make we want to go ride particularly. All the bikes I chose because I like them vs making sense I still have and will never sell or strip. 

 

Giant is unfortunately one of those brands that do buggerall for me...and I get that everyone is different. Some like toyota some like alfa. 

[rouxtjie]

Only 2 months and 1 x 40 km race into my anthem and it's already making horrible click clack sounds...I am told it might just be the linkages [emoji57] the bike had its 30 day inspection the week before the race...no problems with the bike during the race...just the click clack sound.

 

Only once you purchase an anthem do notice how the Scott bikes out number the anthem...on a giba ride...I counted 8 Scott's to one anthem....during the 40 km race it was only about 4 Scott's to 1 anthem..

 

With the anthem price increase to 35 k....I don't know what the new Scott price is...if the price for the 2 bikes were about the same...would I buy another anthem...make no mistake I love my anthem but I do find the bouncing a bit annoying at times... And having a fat gut and being an old bullet makes reaching for CTD on the shock a bit of challenge.

 

Either Scott are marketing their product a lot better considering they were 10 k more expensive than the anthem for same spec bike or the Scott is superior product that's why they selling a lot more than the giant.

ooo the dreaded click-clack. Could be loads of things. Eliminate the easiest and the one that will cost the least to replace...start with saddle, remove, clean rails and fit..does it make a noise when you stand. Then chainring bolts...undo clean and tighten. pedals...undo clean. If the noise comes from the rear suspension its probably the bushings...see if you can clean that and refit. Still an issue...linkages.

[mtbride]

Only 2 months and 1 x 40 km race into my anthem and it's already making horrible click clack sounds...I am told it might just be the linkages [emoji57] the bike had its 30 day inspection the week before the race...no problems with the bike during the race...just the click clack sound.

 

Only once you purchase an anthem do notice how the Scott bikes out number the anthem...on a giba ride...I counted 8 Scott's to one anthem....during the 40 km race it was only about 4 Scott's to 1 anthem..

 

With the anthem price increase to 35 k....I don't know what the new Scott price is...if the price for the 2 bikes were about the same...would I buy another anthem...make no mistake I love my anthem but I do find the bouncing a bit annoying at times... And having a fat gut and being an old bullet makes reaching for CTD on the shock a bit of challenge.

 

Either Scott are marketing their product a lot better considering they were 10 k more expensive than the anthem for same spec bike or the Scott is superior product that's why they selling a lot more than the giant.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your issues with your Anthem, mine has had no issues in the 1.7 years of ownership. Mine creaks sometimes but it's only the seat post that needs some grease now and then. No other problems.

 

I've heard of Scotts breaking rear triangles, the DT Swiss Nude Shock at the back totally SUCKS, my friend had to replace the shock twice after it started leaking air like crazy.

 

Go ride a Scott spark and then you'll see that you will be bouncing a lot more than on than Anthem. The Scott suspension is not as efficient as the Anthem that's a fact.

[SeaBee]

The click-clack on my Anthem was exactly the first suggestion. Saddle & seatpost combo. Take off/out, clean, re-tighten everything... sorted. 

 

They're very quick to replace linkage bearings etc - test by hunting the clack sound. Press down on saddle vs press down on top tube tube to recreate sound.

[eccc whippet]

Just a note...i have never ridden a scott bicycle ( never had the opportunity...did visit a scott agent in Umhlanga but never got to test ride one)...went to Cycle sphere and the guys there setup 4 bikes in different sizes and models ( was also considering a trance) for me to test ride and had a mechanic on hand to make adjustment to the setup.

 

I have already spoken to the mechanic at Cyclesphere who did advise me to take the bike back and they would find the problem and sort it out (while the bike is still dirty because apparently after washing the bike the noise goes away for a while )

 

Personally if i were selling bicycles...I would have bicycles available at the local hang out (like Giba) for people to test ride...up and down the road is not a good indication of a bikes capabilities....considering what a huge investment they are for a person who spent over 20 k on a bike...what a waste of money is you make the wrong choice.