Full Suspension XC race bike for big guys

[BigGuy]

I am 1' date='98, 105kg (winter!), and find the Anthem Large to be a perfect fit, with a 110 stem en 400 seatpost.[/quote']

 

Ai - winter is a bitch!

Surprised to see that you fit on a Large Anthem... And also surprised to hear that the thing hasn't snapped yet. Soooo many people have told me of theirs dying... Really don't know what to make of it.

It's the original Anthem, solid blue metallic colour. I guess the geometry has not really changed over the years, maybe the welds were better then?

I did not buy it new, and was also sceptical about the size until I went for a ride with it. Maybe it's the wrong size sticker on the frame, like one of those shirts that you buy that says L but in reality is an XXL! I just know that it feels soooo right when I am riding.

[Baaisikilist]

Santa Cruz Superlight, end of story...

[_C50_]

For your size - Just get a 29er, end of story ....

 

You will never look back, believe me. I went from a Cannondale Rush Carbon to a Alu 29er Hard tail and i'm not sorry for one second.

 

[_im_from_earth]

Considdered the Morewood Zula? We're making an XL which will have the lengt you'll be needing in both the top tube and seat tube. Whats more its STIFF!

 

Yes... 29er would be ideal...

 

[DirtyFrank]

I am going through the same (slightly beefier - 190cm and 100kg) - I spoke to a bike shop who said that rather look for more travel as a big guy - so swop the Anthem for a Trance?

 

I am also looking at the 29ers

 

By the way there is a Ride-before-you-buy later this month at Groenkloof (19th)' date=' probably the best place to chose - hopefully there are XL's there (last year I tested 2x 29er's)

[/quote'] Trance X is built more for comfort than speed ....good for Marathon distances....Anthem will take your weight with no problems....I weigh 95kg and with all the *** I carry around probably sit on the bike @ 100kg plus. I had the old generation Anthem and it lasted me 2 years of hard riding before some bastard pinched it. Have a Trance XO now but if I had a choice again would go for the Anthem X as this is a far racier bike.If you like the rough stuff though the Trance is probably better.Also ensure that you get Shimano XT rather than Race Face if you buy Giant as this is way more durable and stiff for a heavy/any rider.

[Plentipotential]

1.95 m 92 kg's.   Giant Anthem 1 stock. 6000 km's and going strong.

[Eldron]

I ride a Niner Air 29er and am in love. I'm not that heavy - 79kg 185cm but am hard on bikes (5 broken road bikes and 3 broken mtbs) so far the Niner has soaked up everything I've thrown at it and laughed in my face (although I'd like to believe it was laughing with me).

Le bike:

 

 

I firmly believe everyone over 6 foot should be on a 29er. Everyone under 6 foot should test one before buying one

 

If you want to try mine - drop me a PM. It has spd's on...

[mongoose_dude]

Top of the morning, chaps... Thanks for your replies!

 

It seems that a lof of people think that 29ers are the way to go. What does a completely built Niner Air cost? What sort of spec is on that bike? Who are the SA agents?

 

Another interesting conclusion of this thread (for me) is that clearly the Giant Anthem frames can actually survive beefy guys... That's comforting to hear, it seems I had the wrong idea about them cracking a lot. Good to know, since one can get a new X1 frame (2009) for about R11k.

[mongoose_dude]

If you want to try mine - drop me a PM. It has spd's on...

 

Thanks, Eldron! That's actually an important poitn: I should test-ride whatever bike I am interested before throwing thousands of bucks at it!

 

Unfortunately you're up in Gauteng, and I'm in Stellenbosch!

 

I wish there were more bike shops around that have demo bikes of full suspension XC race bikes... Or more nice people like Eldron who'd be willing to let someone test their bikes. Although that's a tall order! I would think many times before lending my baby to some random stranger!

 

So: any thoughts about where one can go to test some of the bikes y'all mentioned??

[_C50_]

Mongoose Dude,

 

I work in Stellenbosch. You're welcome to give my bike a go. If you ride Time pedals you you'll be sorted, otherwise you will have to bring your own.

 

My bike is not as flash/nice as Eldrons, and i suspect much heavier. You will get an idea of a 29er anyways.

 

I'm away this weekend so it will have to be next week sometime.

 

[mongoose_dude]

Mongoose Dude' date='

I work in Stellenbosch. You're welcome to give my bike a go. If you ride Time pedals you you'll be sorted, otherwise you will have to bring your own.

My bike is not as flash/nice as Eldrons, and i suspect much heavier. You will get an idea of a 29er anyways.

I'm away this weekend so it will have to be next week sometime.
[/quote']

 

Wow - thanks a stack. That's a really kind offer! I'm studying at the University, and have a very flexible schedule. So - basically anytime next week would suit me, but I'll PM you closer to the time...

I have Shimano pedals, so I'll bring those along.

Thanks again for your offer - really appreciate it

[Flea]

Another thing - it seems that every year there is a Ride-before-you-buy - Cape Town has had theirs already this year. At these events, there are many manufacturers with bikes to test - including 29er's.

Pretoria session is next weekend

You probably do not want to wait at least 6 months for the next one in Cape town though - miss summer...

[thehermanator]

and find the Anthem Large to be a perfect fit' date=' with a 110 stem en 400 seatpost.[/quote']

Seeing that the Giant does not have a super compact frame like a Spez, I would say that that bike is too small for you.

 

I have a Giant Anthem X1 XL, no problem there.

[GTRacing]

I have been riding a variation of I-drive's for the past 5 years.

I am on frame number 4 mmmm or 5, cant remember.

The I drive is very low maintanance, but can be noisy if not kept kleen.

The handling and geometry is ideal and only complements my abilaty and skill.

There guarantee to first owner is great. ( Thanks Lance)

Thay are not the lightast of frames, but with that said. I weigh in at 108kg and 1.89m.

The best thing about the I-drive is the complete elimanation of the bobing efect.

So, If I was given a choice of new bike regardles of price. The giant X0 would be my first choice.

But the GT would still be my favorite.

gtracing2009-09-09 05:24:20

[EZRider]

 

I have been riding a variation of I-drive's for the past 5 years.

I am on frame number 4 mmmm or 5' date=' cant remember.

The I drive is very low maintanance, but can be noisy if not kept kleen.

The handling and geometry is ideal and only complements my abilaty and skill.

There guarantee to first owner is great. ( Thanks Lance)

Thay are not the lightast of frames, but with that said. I weigh in at 108kg and 1.89m.

The best thing about the I-drive is the complete elimanation of the bobing efect.

So, If I was given a choice of new bike regardles of price. The giant X0 would be my first choice.

But the GT would still be my favorite.

[/quote']

 

I have the same bike and I love it.

It isn't too heavy, my complete bike comes in at 12.6 kg which isn't bad with robust wheels and tubeless tires.

So far haven't noticed any major issues with the i-drive but I do service her regularly.

I weigh in at 103 kg and this bike easily handles everything I throw at it.