Different riding style between Spark and Anthem?

[Scott2luvit]

Recently changed from a Spark 29er to a Anthem X 29er, setup basically the same, yet with the Anthem I keep on going over the bars, every time I stand, it feels like I am way to forward, also keep on hitting stones and roots with the pedals, I have inflated the shock a bit, was thinking it might have been a sag issue, but it still happens,

 

when I am seated though, the Anthem feels more stable than the Spark, with the Spark the front wheel was more in the air, going over roots and going down the tracks, something I am struggling with the Anthem,

 

is the Anthem more suited for riders that like staying seated? Should I move the Seat back,or just make more effort to drop the heels? why would it be so different? 

[Thor Buttox]

I had an Anthem 1 26er and bought the first Anthem 1 29er. Had a similar problem, just felt very, very awkward. Sold the 29er to my mate who has much longer legs and a shorter body and he loves it. Just didn't work for me.

[Odinson]

The Anthem's have very low BB's, so pedal strikes are quite common. There was a thread about it quite a while ago. Search for it. 

 

Download the geo sheets for both bikes and see if that tallies up with your position on the bike, e.g. short toptubes sometimes give the sensation of being positioned on-top of the bars. 

[dirtypot]

Did you check the specs before buying or just get size for size?  I find that I ride one size lower on a Scott than a Giant.

I've never had any issues standing up on an Anthem.  How long is your stem?

[arendoog]

I had the same problem with the anthem .Your CG is more forward because of the longer chain stays .Sitting in front of the rear wheel and not on top of it ! .You have to consciously move your weight back when riding technical stuff or going into corners

[Scott2luvit]

The Anthem's have very low BB's, so pedal strikes are quite common. There was a thread about it quite a while ago. Search for it. 

 

Download the geo sheets for both bikes and see if that tallies up with your position on the bike, e.g. short toptubes sometimes give the sensation of being positioned on-top of the bars. 

I see there is almost 20mm difs, the Giant is shorter

[Scott2luvit]

Did you check the specs before buying or just get size for size?  I find that I ride one size lower on a Scott than a Giant.

I've never had any issues standing up on an Anthem.  How long is your stem?

I am 183, went for the Large, the stem is 100mm

[Scott2luvit]

I had the same problem with the anthem .Your CG is more forward because of the longer chain stays .Sitting in front of the rear wheel and not on top of it ! .You have to consciously move your weight back when riding technical stuff or going into corners

mmm thought so, so maybe a seatpost with setback? that would impact pedaling again, + I was thinking going dropper

 

*edit scrap that idea, problem is standing not seated, its in the "attack" position

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

mmm thought so, so maybe a seatpost with setback? that would impact pedaling again, + I was thinking going dropper

 

*edit scrap that idea, problem is standing not seated, its in the "attack" position

 

I run a large, am about your length at 179cm.

I run a 70mm stem with 740mm wide bars.

I also found that I was being pushed forward when standing and attacking.

I dropped the rebound on the rear, also found it was flicking the rear up over the lip of jumps, bumps, etc. The lower rebound helped.

I still find if I try stand and really attack I feel like I am falling over the front. Just a case of trying to get your weight back really. I have been working on it and moving back also helps with grip when going uphill.

As for pedal strikes, just ride around it. I HATE it but it is what it is.

Oh, I also run a Epicon fork at 120mm which helps by increasing the head angle by a degree. I built my bike up though, don't think the standard fork can extend to 120mm.

[Scott2luvit]

I run a large, am about your length at 179cm.

I run a 70mm stem with 740mm wide bars.

I also found that I was being pushed forward when standing and attacking.

I dropped the rebound on the rear, also found it was flicking the rear up over the lip of jumps, bumps, etc. The lower rebound helped.

I still find if I try stand and really attack I feel like I am falling over the front. Just a case of trying to get your weight back really. I have been working on it and moving back also helps with grip when going uphill.

As for pedal strikes, just ride around it. I HATE it but it is what it is.

Oh, I also run a Epicon fork at 120mm which helps by increasing the head angle by a degree. I built my bike up though, don't think the standard fork can extend to 120mm.

sounds spot on, what do you mean by lower rebound though? I think I am about 8 clicks out which is about middle

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

sounds spot on, what do you mean by lower rebound though? I think I am about 8 clicks out which is about middle

 

I can check a bit later, already at work, but I think mine is at 80Psi and on about 5 clicks out. I was halfway too.

if you press down on the seat the back end should return smoothly and not too quick. At halfway it was jumping back up very quickly.

Don't have a shock pump but can check tonight

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

It's due to a combination of the rebound on the rear, possible settings on the front fork and the short reach on the giant frame itself.

 

Honestly speaking, you should have gone with an xl frame with 635mm top tube if you were settled on getting the giant, which would have meant you'd have had more room in the cockpit. Yes, you'd have had to change the stem to accommodate the change in ett (probably a good thing as it'll improve the handling) but you'd have your weight positioned more behind the front wheel and be less prone to that otb feeling.

 

So - check your suspension settings. It may be way off at the moment and the sole cause of it.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

It's due to a combination of the rebound on the rear, possible settings on the front fork and the short reach on the giant frame itself.

 

Honestly speaking, you should have gone with an xl frame YT Capra/Evil The Following/Ibib Ripley, etc, etc

Fixed your statement above.

[mtbride]

I find that I do stay seated alot more on my Anthem 29er than on my old 26er mtb. I rarely stand and pedal these days, unless short sprints etc. also find that standing does make it feel like one is over the bars ...

 

My suspension is set at:

 

Front 12 clicks from slow

Rear 6 clicks from slow

 

I run with alot of sag, 25mm in front and 12mm in the rear

 

I agree regarding the kick back from the rebound on the rear, it needs to be toned down not to kick up too forcibly

 

I'm running the standard fork and bar at present, but would like to try a 80mm with a bit wider bar.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Fixed your statement above.

dammit! Shuddup man. You do realise that it'll cost the same to fly to the UK and get a capra, bring it back and so on than to buy a similar bike locally?

[Amberdrake]

dammit! Shuddup man. You do realise that it'll cost the same to fly to the UK and get a capra, bring it back and so on than to buy a similar bike locally?

Time to fly over for a biking holiday? with your Game special bicycle?