Giant Anthem - frame size and....

[mxjunke]

OK, I agree to disagree. If all mountain bikes should be ridden with a stem less than 70mm why do all large and extra large framed bikes come standard with stems longer than 70mm? and I agree stem length does affect the handling of the bike. but too short provides for a "quicker" handling bike which is not always the best. 

[kanigit]

neck? do you mean the stem? 

 

Maestro geometry is used on a few bikes from Giant - started 2006 - looks a little different today than what it did back then. As far as I know that is also the year they put it on the Anthem.

 

Stem yes

[kanigit]

Try a longer seatpost @ 400mm if yours is a 350mm. The added height of the SP will push the saddle back slightly too. Depending on your setup (forward/backward position), a setback seatpost may avoid you having to ride a long stem.

 

A large frame XTC should be right for your height.

 

That was the obvious solution I would have come up with as a newb myself...............but I remember reading a post on the hub some time back saying you should never do this as it results in the vertical post/cross-tube cracking due to increased leverage..........i.e. bike is only designed for certain length seat post ????????

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

OK, I agree to disagree. If all mountain bikes should be ridden with a stem less than 70mm why do all large and extra large framed bikes come standard with stems longer than 70mm? and I agree stem length does affect the handling of the bike. but too short provides for a "quicker" handling bike which is not always the best. 

Because they're historically adopting a roadie attitude, where stem length is a non issue, and they're focussing on pedalling efficiency versus handling.

 

Over the last 3 to 4 years we've been seeing a movement from long stem / narrow bars to short stem / wide bars, in conjunction with longer top tubes and reach measurements because designers have finally seen that having a long tiller on an MTB will hinder performance. 

 

As for shorter stems providing quicker steering, yes - to a degree, but only if you don't go for a wider set of bars at the same time, which consequently gives you more leverage, and more control over the direction of the bike at speed. 

 

Have a think of it like this - imagine your clamp-ons on the moto bike extended 100mm further forward than they do at the moment, instead of straight on top of or at most 30-40mm in front of the fork uppers. Crazy, ne?

 

Do the research on it, or better yet do yourself a favour and get a shorter stem / wider bar combo. R 500 is all it'll cost (Rapide components does a 780mm bar for R 200 and you can pick up a KCNC  Bear Claw stem for R 300) and give it a shot.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

That was the obvious solution I would have come up with as a newb myself...............but I remember reading a post on the hub some time back saying you should never do this as it results in the vertical post/cross-tube cracking due to increased leverage..........i.e. bike is only designed for certain length seat post ????????

That's mostly referring to the amount of seat post that remains in the seat tube - ie as long as it has a certain amount still inside the frame, it's fine and will be within the operating maximums. If you are already at maximum extension on the seat post, going to a 400mm post (which has 50mm more material) will allow you to go slightly higher without compromising the frame, as you'll actually have more material inside the confines of the frame itself. 

 

That's assuming you can't get the right height on your existing setup. If you're already at your preferred saddle position, then it's as I said - the frame is too small for you. Especially if you're considering going for a longer stem.

[worriesnot]

well I go to a meeting to come back and see the captain took care of business...

still plenty of long stem MTB'ers out there to convert

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/10-tips-to-better-mountain-bike-handling-part-1

 

Point 3, from arguably the most respected guy in the MTB skills & development department

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

And on the extreme side, from somebody who SERIOUSLY knows his spit

 

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/size-matters-why-were-all-riding-bikes-that-are-too-small-321374

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/bike_news/size-matters-part-2-finding-limits-geometry-sizing-323289

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/bike_news/size-matters-part-3-bicycle-geometry-sucks-324160

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

and also

 

http://betterride.net/blog/2014/mountain-bike-cockpit-setup-better-handling-bike-industry-slowly-catching-lucky/

http://betterride.net/blog/2010/2-things-you-can-buy-and-instantly-improve-your-bike-handling/

[kanigit]

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/10-tips-to-better-mountain-bike-handling-part-1

 

Point 3, from arguably the most respected guy in the MTB skills & development department

 

Great read, thanks - succinct, and the bit about flat pedals   .......I have never used cleats but that was going to be my first "upgrade..........more confusion         :D  

[JXV]

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/giant/838485d1381545179-anthem-27-5-size-decision-size.jpg

If you compare this Giant sizing chart to other manufacturers sizes you'll notice that a large Giant is bigger than a large 'most-other-makes'.

 

From personal experience of owning a Giant I know that while I ride a Large from most other makes, a Medium Giant fits me just right with a bit of tweaking. I am 1.81m.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Great read, thanks - succinct, and the bit about flat pedals   .......I have never used cleats but that was going to be my first "upgrade..........more confusion         :D  

Flats should be compulsory equipment for all new riders. Seriously... But proper flats, not those supermarket plastic jobbies. 

 

Ones like these

 

http://spank-ind.com/media/k2/galleries/13/SPIKE-FLAT-PEDAL.jpg

[mxjunke]

If you compare this Giant sizing chart to other manufacturers sizes you'll notice that a large Giant is bigger than a large 'most-other-makes'.

 

From personal experience of owning a Giant I know that while I ride a Large from most other makes, a Medium Giant fits me just right with a bit of tweaking. I am 1.81m.

I have to agree. 

[mxjunke]

Because they're historically adopting a roadie attitude, where stem length is a non issue, and they're focussing on pedalling efficiency versus handling.

 

Over the last 3 to 4 years we've been seeing a movement from long stem / narrow bars to short stem / wide bars, in conjunction with longer top tubes and reach measurements because designers have finally seen that having a long tiller on an MTB will hinder performance. 

 

As for shorter stems providing quicker steering, yes - to a degree, but only if you don't go for a wider set of bars at the same time, which consequently gives you more leverage, and more control over the direction of the bike at speed. 

 

Have a think of it like this - imagine your clamp-ons on the moto bike extended 100mm further forward than they do at the moment, instead of straight on top of or at most 30-40mm in front of the fork uppers. Crazy, ne?

 

Do the research on it, or better yet do yourself a favour and get a shorter stem / wider bar combo. R 500 is all it'll cost (Rapide components does a 780mm bar for R 200 and you can pick up a KCNC  Bear Claw stem for R 300) and give it a shot.

I have a 720 mm wide bars. Any wider is not going to be comfortable for me. What riding do you do? 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I have a 720 mm wide bars. Any wider is not going to be comfortable for me. What riding do you do? 

I have a Giant Reign, but I do pretty much everything. Not fit enough for XCO though. I'd cough up a lung on the first lap.

 

As for what type - everything. Flowing singletrack, technical singletrack, climbing for fitness, jumps, drops etc.

 

Most often at Hoogekraal at the moment, but also used to ride at Tokai 3 to 4 times a week, and did everything. 

 

All Mountain would be the category, if you absolutely must put me into a category. 

 

720mm on what length stem?

[mxjunke]

720 mm on a 110 mm stem and I am currently riding an x large frame with 720 mm bars and 100 mm stem.