First Look: New Giant Anthem Advanced SL

[Scott roy]

1 hour ago, Dobri said:

I have a gravel bike for racing, I am talking about riding / training. 

I do not have the skills to ride a gravel bike, rigid or DS on trails. And how do you make a switchback on a gravel frame without your shoes hitting the wheels, you have to pedal on uphill switchbacks, the wheelbase is much smaller than the mtb frame. So I can either train on gravel (gravel bike rigid or DS_ or on the trails using a mtb.  

So for training purposes one bike is the solution, mtb with a large chain ring for the gravel distance riding and then some single track. I am not Matt Beers so the 38T chain ring up front on trails is a challenge in many cases but speed is not of essence when training. I race using a 34T chain ring.

In the Cradle I can ride to Magalies and back and then practice on the mtb trails around the Cradle or Avianto or Cradle Moon. 

In the WC same can be done. 

I think the manufacturers are still thinking that gravel and mtb are two set of clients but not so, many cyclist ride both - like me. 

Epic WC or Trek Supercaliber conversion to drop bars is one great solution bar the limit to 38T chainring - but never tried drop bars on trails - could be interesting. 

 

I agree with you, I’ve been wanting to build a drop bar epic wc for a while now. You get a fair bit more comfort for rougher terrain and longer rides. Plus they look great. 

[BlinkFan]

22 hours ago, Dobri said:

Love the look but now weight given? And max 34T chain ring? I ride my Epic 80% of the time on gravel roads, having a 38T chain ring makes a huge difference. 

I wish companies will start designing DS frames that can take up to 42T chain rings without any need for spacers.    

Is the 34T limit a frame limitation, or the chain guide limit?

(my bike doesn't have this fancy stuff...)

[Dobri]

6 minutes ago, BlinkFan said:

Is the 34T limit a frame limitation, or the chain guide limit?

(my bike doesn't have this fancy stuff...)

The frame is the limit on most mtb but Epic for sure and I think Trek and perhaps Titan can take up to 38T, minimal clearance so get clogged in the mud very easy but doable. Ideal for long training gravel rides.

A friend of mine just added a spacer on his Epic WC and managed to squeeze in a 42T chain ring, drop bars - it is a proper gravel racing machine and looks spectacular. The chain might might be a bit stretched on top of the 52 cog though - he still needs to test it under load. 

[BlinkFan]

7 minutes ago, Dobri said:

The frame is the limit on most mtb but Epic for sure and I think Trek and perhaps Titan can take up to 38T, minimal clearance so get clogged in the mud very easy but doable. Ideal for long training gravel rides.

But how did Alan win a WC? Was he running a 34T? Can't believe that...

For a WC maybe, but for something like Epic the pro's are not gonna run a 34T right?

[PappaWatTrap]

52 minutes ago, BlinkFan said:

But how did Alan win a WC? Was he running a 34T? Can't believe that...

For a WC maybe, but for something like Epic the pro's are not gonna run a 34T right?

I believe I read somewhere he used a 36T with the 9-45 cassette

 

Edit here is his setup. 

Edited November 14, 2025 by PappaWatTrap

[jcza]

3 hours ago, Dobri said:

I have a gravel bike for racing, I am talking about riding / training. 

I do not have the skills to ride a gravel bike, rigid or DS on trails. And how do you make a switchback on a gravel frame without your shoes hitting the wheels, you have to pedal on uphill switchbacks, the wheelbase is much smaller than the mtb frame. So I can either train on gravel (gravel bike rigid or DS_ or on the trails using a mtb.  

So for training purposes one bike is the solution, mtb with a large chain ring for the gravel distance riding and then some single track. I am not Matt Beers so the 38T chain ring up front on trails is a challenge in many cases but speed is not of essence when training. I race using a 34T chain ring.

In the Cradle I can ride to Magalies and back and then practice on the mtb trails around the Cradle or Avianto or Cradle Moon. 

In the WC same can be done. 

I think the manufacturers are still thinking that gravel and mtb are two set of clients but not so, many cyclist ride both - like me. 

Epic WC or Trek Supercaliber conversion to drop bars is one great solution bar the limit to 38T chainring - but never tried drop bars on trails - could be interesting. 

 

With a 38T chainring and 10 sprocket on a MTB you'll be doing 50km/h. I don't see the problem. 

[lukelockie]

16 hours ago, thebob said:

Only SL shown on the local Giant site. Have a chat to your dealer, maybe they can get an X for you through Giant SA

All the new Anthems are SL versions (including the Anthem X). Here's some cool data about the frame layup and what SL means: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/global/anthem-testing

 

Worth noting that the Anthem SL has a flipchip so riders can adjust the bike to suit their riding style with high and low positions. 

[DieselnDust]

On 11/14/2025 at 9:26 AM, Dobri said:

The frame is the limit on most mtb but Epic for sure and I think Trek and perhaps Titan can take up to 38T, minimal clearance so get clogged in the mud very easy but doable. Ideal for long training gravel rides.

A friend of mine just added a spacer on his Epic WC and managed to squeeze in a 42T chain ring, drop bars - it is a proper gravel racing machine and looks spectacular. The chain might might be a bit stretched on top of the 52 cog though - he still needs to test it under load. 

Epic Wc is ideal as a gravel bike because you set up the shock with 0mm sag . 
when the suspension moves there Is no chain growth. 
you are limited to min 80mm fork or the pedals strikes will make orthopaedic surgeon wealthier. 
because of the zero chain growth when the suspension moves you can get away with a little wider on the chainline too without affecting performance in the two largest sprockets of a 10-52 cassette

[lukelockie]

On 11/13/2025 at 10:30 AM, Dobri said:

Love the look but now weight given? And max 34T chain ring? I ride my Epic 80% of the time on gravel roads, having a 38T chain ring makes a huge difference. 

I wish companies will start designing DS frames that can take up to 42T chain rings without any need for spacers.    

You can fit a 38 on the new Anthem. Chatted to HQ and they confirmed; the chainguide also has spacing capacity for a 38 as per the pic

[thebob]

My legs just cramped at the thought of a 38 tooth chainring on an MTB 🤕

Edited November 17, 2025 by thebob

[babse]

3 hours ago, thebob said:

My legs just cramped at the thought of a 38 tooth chainring on an MTB 🤕

*MTB used for gravel riding

[thebob]

3 minutes ago, babse said:

*MTB used for gravel riding

Just cramped again 😖

[Headshot]

16 hours ago, babse said:

*MTB used for gravel riding

Sadly in SA, that is the definition of MTB. I think "gravel" has just outed SA mountain bikers and now they have to "identify" correctly. 

[PappaWatTrap]

9 minutes ago, Headshot said:

Sadly in SA, that is the definition of MTB. I think "gravel" has just outed SA mountain bikers and now they have to "identify" correctly. 

Here we thought we were part of the cool kids in school doing "mountain biking" over the weekend even though it was just cycling the gravel roads to Van Gaalens and back. This was before the farm had trails and we just did the walking paths. 

[mrmed]

Anyone know if there are dropbar options with the integrated stem and handlebar system?

[Shebeen]

On 11/14/2025 at 11:43 AM, lukelockie said:

All the new Anthems are SL versions (including the Anthem X). Here's some cool data about the frame layup and what SL means: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/global/anthem-testing

 

Worth noting that the Anthem SL has a flipchip so riders can adjust the bike to suit their riding style with high and low positions. 

pretty cool to see Alan (nogal in the *** SA kit) all over that. If anyone can compare a Giant Anthem to a Spez Epic (and a Cannondale Scalpel) it's him.

Really wondering if this will see a spark in sales for this iconic brand. 20 years ago 50% of the field was on a maestro geo Anthem (and spez was a boutique brand that only this Sauser guy was riding) - could see a lot of them lining up at Meerendal in a months time.