What is the Giant Anthem?
The latest Anthem is the most progressive, modern and thoughtful XC race bike we’ve ever seen from Giant.
It’s still a fast bike.
It’s just that this one won’t land you face first if you make a mistake with your line choice.
Which makes the ride a little more enjoyable.
Fast & stable? Nah. No way.
Yes ser.
Here’s how Giant pulled off the new Anthem:
The previous generation Anthem had 90mm of rear wheel travel (which was not enough).
So they’ve increased it to 100mm.
Thank you Giant.
It’s a little more forgiving over high-speed chatter too.
Plus, it’s paired to a 110mm front suspension fork (increased from 100mm).
Here's the stable part:
The head tube angle has been slackened to 67.5-degrees (from 69-degrees).
Making the steering is a lot calmer.
Making the Anthem easier to control at high-speeds through exposed rock and root sections.
The seat-tube angle increased from 73.5-degrees to 75.5-degrees.
Way more modern.
This places you over the cranks, in a better power position on the climbs and sprints.
Reach has also been extended across all frame sizes, especially the XL (+24mm).
Seat tube lengths have also reduced (significantly) across sizes M, L and XL.
The XL seat tube length has been reduced by 40mm (huge). 25mm for the L and 20mm for the M.
All of the above means this:
You can move around the Anthem easier on tricky descents.
Body position feels more neutral; more in between both wheels and lower into the frame.
Rather than front end heavy and feeling like you’re sitting on top of the bike.
Then they shaved 240 grams compared to the previous Anthem - that’s massive.
Anthem Advanced 29 3
All models are made from carbon.
In fact, anytime you see the word “Advanced”, it means the bike uses a carbon frame.
From bottom to top:
The Anthem range starts at the Anthem Advanced 3. It represents excellent value with:
- Giant’s XCR 2 carbon wheels
- Shimano Deore 12 speed gears
- RockShox SID fork and Fox Float SL rear shock
Anthem Advanced 29 2
Next is the Anthem Advanced 2. The difference of $1,000 at RRP, gets you the following:
- Shimano XT 12-speed parts
- Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes
- Shimano SLX cranks
- Fox 34 Step-Cast fork with FIT4 damper
- Fox Float SC Performance Elite rear shock (instead of Performance)
Anthem Advanced 29 1
Lastly, we’ve got the Big Dog Anthem Advanced 1.
At RRP, the extra $2,200.00 gets you:
- Giant’s XCR 1 30 wheels. These use a wider 30mm inner rim width (vs.
25mm), they’re 183g lighter and use a much faster 54T engagement
system. - The latest SRAM XO T-type wireless electronic transmission
The suspension on the 1 remains the same as the 2.