Giant Anthem X29 vs Trek SuperFly FS8

[vonbach]

Def the Trek. I had a Anthem. The like to break. But Giant always replace with no questions ask which is great. Cycle funatics have a special on the Trek Superfly 9. I think it goes for R34 000. I might be mistaken so rather check. It comes with XT brakes and SRAM X1 x 11 set up. Awesome bike:

http://www.trekbikes.com/za/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/superfly_fs/superfly_fs_9/

[vonbach]

Ja, but I'm a big boy (109~kg), and need something that would handle some serious punishment, in the R30k bracket..

I weigh a 108kg and ride a specialized epic comp. No problems. Great bike

[Musketeer]

Anthem hands down!

 

Tested a range of bikes before I made my choice and didn't look back.

 

Giant's support service is excellent and the bike is an absolute machine.

 

Currently own 3 Giants and IMHO... the best bikes I've owned thus far.

 

 This is just my 2 cents.

 

Test ride both.... decide and buy the Anthem 

[mtbride]

Def the Trek. I had a Anthem. The like to break. But Giant always replace with no questions ask which is great. Cycle funatics have a special on the Trek Superfly 9. I think it goes for R34 000. I might be mistaken so rather check. It comes with XT brakes and SRAM X1 x 11 set up. Awesome bike:

http://www.trekbikes.com/za/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/superfly_fs/superfly_fs_9/

 

Saying they like to break, is that an observation from internet forums or from dealing with warranty queries?

 

The internet will always make problems seem much worse than they are because more people will complain about cracks in frames than people who do not have any issue.

 

I know of 3 Anthem owners I ride with on occasion who has no issues, including my own Anthem X1.

[StevieL]

Saying they like to break, is that an observation from internet forums or from dealing with warranty queries?

 

The internet will always make problems seem much worse than they are because more people will complain about cracks in frames than people who do not have any issue.

 

I know of 3 Anthem owners I ride with on occasion who has no issues, including my own Anthem X1.

Anthems have a well known problem with the frames cracking and/or breaking just under the seat post. Ask any bike shop and they will agree with me.

That said, the Anthem is a fantastic bike regardless of the above problem would be my bike of choice.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Anthems have HAD a well known problem with the frames cracking and/or breaking just under the seat post. Ask any bike shop and they will agree with me.

That said, the Anthem is a fantastic bike regardless of the above problem would be my bike of choice.

Fixed. 

[Lou Zealand]

Also looking to buy a new bike. Was looking at the Superfly along with the Cannondale Rush and Silverback Sprada. 

 

Anyone know much about these bikes to advise whether to test ride or stay away?

 

BTW, which LBS in the northern suburbs stocks the Giant Anthem?

[StevieL]

Also looking to buy a new bike. Was looking at the Superfly along with the Cannondale Rush and Silverback Sprada. 

 

Anyone know much about these bikes to advise whether to test ride or stay away?

 

BTW, which LBS in the northern suburbs stocks the Giant Anthem?

Linden Cycles or Mikes Bikes in Greenside

[Rocket-Boy]

Anthem, that is all.

[Odinson]

Also looking to buy a new bike. Was looking at the Superfly along with the Cannondale Rush and Silverback Sprada. 

 

Anyone know much about these bikes to advise whether to test ride or stay away?

 

BTW, which LBS in the northern suburbs stocks the Giant Anthem?

 

My wife had a Rush 2 - great bike. Very plush, but can also be ridden hard. 

 

My only gripe with them is that they have a QR rear and the Rush 2 has the RS 30 Gold fork, which has 30mm stancions (which are a tad skinny). 

 

Iwan Kemp also did a  nice write-up of the Sprada here on the hub. Do a search and have a read. 

[rudi-h]

you are very specific about your options, I just can't to help to wonder if you ever considered anything other than a main stream xcm bike?  if you haven't, do yourself a favour and try out a slightly longer travel bike with a slacker head angle while you are out looking.  maybe something like a trek fuel, trance or a pyga 120.  i a firm believer that 100mm marathon bikes are not nearly as fun, safe, capable or versatile as what their sales numbers indicate.  there's also a serious misconception that long travel bikes are slow and sluggish climbers which is no longer the case.

[Lou Zealand]

My wife had a Rush 2 - great bike. Very plush, but can also be ridden hard. 

 

My only gripe with them is that they have a QR rear and the Rush 2 has the RS 30 Gold fork, which has 30mm stancions (which are a tad skinny). 

 

Iwan Kemp also did a  nice write-up of the Sprada here on the hub. Do a search and have a read. 

Thanks. probably more confused than ever, oh well going to have to diarise some test rides...

[TomvdP]

+1 for the Sprada. I can't give a long term review of it because I haven't had mine long at all but it rides great. You'll be hard pressed to find something that has better parts spec at R25k, brands offering that sort of value will always have my support!

[Rocket-Boy]

you are very specific about your options, I just can't to help to wonder if you ever considered anything other than a main stream xcm bike?  if you haven't, do yourself a favour and try out a slightly longer travel bike with a slacker head angle while you are out looking.  maybe something like a trek fuel, trance or a pyga 120.  i a firm believer that 100mm marathon bikes are not nearly as fun, safe, capable or versatile as what their sales numbers indicate.  there's also a serious misconception that long travel bikes are slow and sluggish climbers which is no longer the case.

Im at the opposite end of that, I cant really see the point of something like a 120mm travel bike, I have never had any problem bombing downhill on my anthem and Im pretty sure it climbs better than a more trail oriented 120mm bike.

Personally I would have a 140mm and a 100mm bike rather than a 120mm and try to get it to be good at both.

[rudi-h]

Im at the opposite end of that, I cant really see the point of something like a 120mm travel bike, I have never had any problem bombing downhill on my anthem and Im pretty sure it climbs better than a more trail oriented 120mm bike.

Personally I would have a 140mm and a 100mm bike rather than a 120mm and try to get it to be good at both.

140mm is even better! It's more about the slack geometry than the mm's though. I have a 130mm santa cruz 5010 that is waaaaayyyyyy faster (and safer) down a hill than any anthem, yet Ill stay with an anthem on a climb everyday.

[splat]

you are very specific about your options, I just can't to help to wonder if you ever considered anything other than a main stream xcm bike?  if you haven't, do yourself a favour and try out a slightly longer travel bike with a slacker head angle while you are out looking.  maybe something like a trek fuel, trance or a pyga 120.  i a firm believer that 100mm marathon bikes are not nearly as fun, safe, capable or versatile as what their sales numbers indicate.  there's also a serious misconception that long travel bikes are slow and sluggish climbers which is no longer the case.

I ride an Anthem X 29'er and really like it, but would LOVE to trade it in for something with 120mm travel. Trek Fuel EX 29 is high up on my wish list.