Giant Anthem 1 vs Cannondale Scalpel si4

[W@nted]

So I am looking at buying a dual suss bike. Budget around R40k. Current options:

 

Giant anthem 1 with alu frame, carbon wheels and gx eagle group.

 

Cannondale scalpel si4.

 

I have ridden the giant and I like the new geometry and the new fox sc fork. I have not ridden the cannondale. Both have lifetime warranty.

 

Any thoughts?

[DieselnDust]

Shjoe tough choice.

I have a Scalpel but a carbon one and if the choice was carbon I'd say the carbon Si 4.

I think the Giant cannot be beaten at the price point by another alloy bike. The alloy performs exactly like the carbon Anthem Adv pro. The scalpel si4 though is carbon and that's a blessing because it feels just like it's more expensive scalpel brothers. This puts the two bikes in fairly similar performance characteristics.

 

What differentiates them is the suspension. The scalpels alloy Lefty 2.0 is going to be heavier but smoother and stiffer than the Fox 32sc on the Giant.

The scalpel rear also feels more compliant and efficient under pedaling where the Giant feels very tractable but prone too lots more pedal feedback over rough terrain.

So for me the scalpel takes it

[stringbean]

What are you currently riding?

[W@nted]

I currently ride a Scott scale hardtail. Looking at doing more races competitively in my age group. How is the alloy lefty ito maintenance? I have serviced and changed my current fox seals myself, so maintenance wise I am leaning towards the giant. That said, I have not ridden on the scalpel to feel the lefty.

[W@nted]

How is the rear rock shock suspension of the scalpel in comparison with the fox 90mm maestro of the giant?

[W@nted]

Also, how are the standard wheels on the si4? I have read good reviews about the carbon giant wheels.

[W@nted]

It looks like it will be difficult to find a medium scalpel si4 as they are sold out everywhere. All the shops are waiting for the 2019 stock, which will most probably be above R50k

[W@nted]

Shjoe tough choice.

I have a Scalpel but a carbon one and if the choice was carbon I'd say the carbon Si 4.

I think the Giant cannot be beaten at the price point by another alloy bike. The alloy performs exactly like the carbon Anthem Adv pro. The scalpel si4 though is carbon and that's a blessing because it feels just like it's more expensive scalpel brothers. This puts the two bikes in fairly similar performance characteristics.

 

What differentiates them is the suspension. The scalpels alloy Lefty 2.0 is going to be heavier but smoother and stiffer than the Fox 32sc on the Giant.

The scalpel rear also feels more compliant and efficient under pedaling where the Giant feels very tractable but prone too lots more pedal feedback over rough terrain.

So for me the scalpel takes it

Thanks for the feedback!

[stringbean]

Really tough decision because you got 2 excellent bikes on your list.To me the lefty is a better fork but will require just a little more maintenance.The Fox sc is very close to the lefty tho.

I’m on a scalpel and really love it but I think if you bought the scalpel you will be doing some upgrades pretty soon.(crank,gears)

With the giant you would probably ride longer before you feel the need to upgrade anything.

If you used to riding 2X chainrings then Cannondale is the one to buy.

If you riding 1X gears giant all the way.

 

If it was me I would try convince the Cannondale dealer that the 2019 bikes are here in 2 weeks and everyone is giving good discount and if he could change that si4 to a 1 X groupset for same price that would be the winner.

[W@nted]

Really tough decision because you got 2 excellent bikes on your list.To me the lefty is a better fork but will require just a little more maintenance.The Fox sc is very close to the lefty tho.

I’m on a scalpel and really love it but I think if you bought the scalpel you will be doing some upgrades pretty soon.(crank,gears)

With the giant you would probably ride longer before you feel the need to upgrade anything.

If you used to riding 2X chainrings then Cannondale is the one to buy.

If you riding 1X gears giant all the way.

 

If it was me I would try convince the Cannondale dealer that the 2019 bikes are here in 2 weeks and everyone is giving good discount and if he could change that si4 to a 1 X groupset for same price that would be the winner.

I just missed the specials last month where guys bought the si4 with gx eagle group for R43k...Stock seems to be a huge problem though. I definitely want the eagle group.

 

That said, the 2019 si4 with ocho lefty does look good. Comes with gx/nx eagle mixture. I wonder what the price will be? Ps. The scalpel looks faster than the anthem????

[GiantTjop]

So I am looking at buying a dual suss bike. Budget around R40k. Current options:

 

Giant anthem 1 with alu frame, carbon wheels and gx eagle group.

 

Cannondale scalpel si4.

 

I have ridden the giant and I like the new geometry and the new fox sc fork. I have not ridden the cannondale. Both have lifetime warranty.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I have a '18 Anthem Adv Pro 1- a million times better than my 2013 (old spec & geo) Anthem. I've also owned a lefty (see my profile pic). 

 

The Giant is very stable down and should be comfortable on the ups. They are solid and always good value. The new 2018 frame is right up there with the best XC bikes on the market.

[W@nted]

I have a '18 Anthem Adv Pro 1- a million times better than my 2013 (old spec & geo) Anthem. I've also owned a lefty (see my profile pic).

 

The Giant is very stable down and should be comfortable on the ups. They are solid and always good value. The new 2018 frame is right up there with the best XC bikes on the market.

Thanks for the feedback. I really like the geometry of the 2018 models. The sc fox suspension is so much smoother as well.

[DieselnDust]

The Fox 32sc is over hyped. Yes it's well damped but it simply does not follow the trail like a Lefty. It's as good as a rock shox SID and a little less stiff. When you lean on the Fox in a turn or off camber trail you will feel it flex heavily especially if you weigh over 80kg. The Lefty tracks much better in these circumstances. Of the two suspensions, the Lefty is simply better but heavier. The Giant needs a stiffer fork

 

On the carbon wheels. These are not the same carbon rims available on the Advanced Pro models. It appears from mtbr.com rider feedback that the Anthem 1 carbon hoops are prone to cracking.

The handling is nice and stable and you will need the leverage the 780mm bar delivers. Steering is slow with a 720mm bar

Overall the scalpel will be quicker through wooded trail as you won't be banging the 760mm bars nearly as much

[Me rida my bicycle]

Having taken a scalpel and anthem on a good ride yes the scalpel feels faster little less pedal bob(I am heavy 100kg+)and the lefty feels great but as soon as the trail gets technical the scalpel lost it for me the Giant gave me much more confidence and never felt like I am asking it to do something it didn't want to.

O and the laugh of the day was when the shop owner said you jumped a lefty do you have good health care. Hahaha

[W@nted]

Having taken a scalpel and anthem on a good ride yes the scalpel feels faster little less pedal bob(I am heavy 100kg+)and the lefty feels great but as soon as the trail gets technical the scalpel lost it for me the Giant gave me much more confidence and never felt like I am asking it to do something it didn't want to.

O and the laugh of the day was when the shop owner said you jumped a lefty do you have good health care. Hahaha

Thanks for the review!

[thebob]

Are those the only two bikes you looking at? Scott Spark RC gets rave reviews and I see Bike Addict has a model in your price range