My brother and I demoed this bike and I was surprised at how fast it is. Also very quick out of the hole. The bike we rode had a Sram 2 x 10 crankset instead of the Shimano setup but we both loved it. Very solid and reliable shifts. The bike felt much lighter than I expected being it was the first 27.5 I have ridden. My bro tends to like a lot of suspension and he complained it didn't have the front travel he likes with his 130mm forks on his Kona Dawg. True I too would prefer more in the front but the 100mm forks probably contribute to the easy feeling this bike gives you in the corners. We both felt that the tires need to be more aggressive for the trails we ride. This bike is definitely on my wishlist. As for my bro, he ordered a Trance 27.5 to get the 140mm fork and 5 1/2" suspension instead of the 4" this bike has. I'll let you know how that rides when he takes delivery in a week.
I got the 2011 Anthem X1 26" bike as my first real bike, for racing and everyday riding. This is almost a perfect bike for my style of riding. Crazy fast, super comfortable. I use it for XC racing and as an everyday rider. I even entered a mild super-D event and it rocked it! solid drivetrain with XT where it really counts, and SLX on the things that just need to work well. I have found that the harder I push the bike, the better it handles. the suspension is set a little stiff for everyday riding, but as soon as you open up the power on it, it makes sense. It eats downhills for breakfast, then launches up the next hill without even flinching. I am looking at the new 27.5 carbon model for my next race season.
Pros Maestro
Fork
Tires
Drivetrain
shocks are tuned for racing
good stock wheelset
I rode this bike for 2 years and really have no complaints. The long chainstays made switchbacks challenging, but they also provide stability for fast sketchy descents. The design is unchanged for 2012 and 2013, and of course the original owner gets Giant's lifetime frame warranty, making this a solid choice for trail riding and racing.
Pros Efficient pedaling
Dependable drivetrain
Relatively lightweight cockpit components (Giant branded)
Comfortable for all day riding
Lifetime frame warranty
Cons Long chainstays
Avid Elixir 3 brakes
Heavy stock wheels
Pros This bike is a beast, I have ridden it for four season thru all seasons up in the North East, NH mainly. It is very fast, I have never ridden a bike that pedals so smoothly.
- The Maestro Suspension on this bike is AMAZING! Comfortable, plush and durable!
- Nothing climbs like an Anthem!!!
This bike with a carbon frame (Anthem X Advanced) is awesome. It is light and agile while having an awesome suspension set up. This is by far the best overall bike I have ever ridden.
Pros Maestro suspension, light, componentry, fast handling, climbs like a hardtail
Highly recommended for marathon XC. Very fast bike and good all rounder. The 2012 X0 with full XT components and Rockshox suspension is definitely the best value for money FS 29er on the market this year.
Pros Super fast rolling, excellent down hill speed and control, great for log rides and rock gardens.
Cons Hard work in really tight single track and slow steep ascents.
I actually have the X3 with a full XT upgrade and carbon riser bars. Bike weighs 28lbs 5oz with current setup. Lighter/stiffer wheelset will make a big difference from my readings. Great XC 29 bike for the money.
Pros Fast rolling, good climbing and light for a FS 29er. Geometry works great for me, I'm 5'9" 165Lbs and ride a M frame. Even works good in tight technical trailwork for a 29er.
Cons Wheelset could be better, but I will be upgrading once these wear out.
Great bike, been riding mine for about 6 months now. My first 29er I've owned but not the first I've ridden. The 4 inches of travel is very plush but by no means sloppy. At first I feared suspension bob while climbing but now realize just how efficient the Maestro suspension is. This bike is clasified as a XC race bike but it has taken everything I've thrown at it so far.
Pros The 29" wheels get over anything in your way. The suspension is only 4" but feels as plush as a 5 or 6" bike but remains efficient as a 100mm bike should be. 15mm through axle on the front feels great and re-ensures strength. Able to fit oversized muddy 2.4s with no fear of rubbing for rougher rides.
Cons I'm 6'4" and went with the X-Large frame. Seemed very stretched at first but ended up putting on a shorter stem and some riser bars and now it's great.
I'm 6'0, and coming from my Stumpy 26" noticed a much smoother ride...I'm still breaking the bike in, and will review it with more detail at a later date...
Pros Smooth Riding, Flickable(for a 29er), great for long distance trail rides, etc...
Cons So far, nothing comes to mind...but I just got the bike a week ago...
I have the 2008 model and I've been pounding the s**t out of this bike for the past 2 years and it still performs like when I bought it. Comes with an awesome bunch of parts(full XTR line-up) and the frame seems to still be rigid despite the abuse I've put it through. I would deffinately recommend buying this if you have an extra seven grand laying around and you're deep in to the mountain biking scene. :)
Pros It weighs almost nothing,it's rigid,great components,climbs like there's no tomorrow
Cons can't think of any but if I were to complain about something it'd be the price
I have been using this bike exclusivley on the Des Plaine River Trail up here in Lake County, IL; It has handled the wet sand, mud, etc. like nothing I else I have owned. The lock out for for both front and rear shock allows you to climb without any lost energy to the pedals.
Pros The 2009 version has been upgraded to Shimano Deore XT components, great wheels and has the climbing ability of a mountain goat!
Pros VERY FAST BIKE!!! Absolutely flies when sprinting out of the saddle. Has a very light feel to it and handles very well although you do have to ride it aggressively at times to keep it from wondering off line up and down hills.
Cons Tends to wonder a little when climbing steep and loose rocky sections. Hutchinson Piranha tires have little traction in the mud and side walls are weak (I tried upgrading to no tube slim but the front tire would not hold the air due to a tear on the side wall) but it is a fast tire. I plan on upgrading Deore drive train to XT.
I highly recommend this bike to the novice XC rider as well as the more experienced one.
Pros This bike is great. It's the first one I've really liked since my Gary Fisher Sugar. The rear suspension isn't too active and this bike it light and tough.
Cons The EA50 stem, handlebar, and seatpost should be at LEAST the EA70 to be on par with the rest of the components. The WTB laserdisc wheelset is nice, but not very sturdy.
Great bike, it's great for a trail bike as long as you don't have huge drops. The XC geometry combined with the 29er tires just works
Pros
Light
Fast
Fox 32 SC Suspension
Cons
| ThankNone
My brother and I demoed this bike and I was surprised at how fast it is. Also very quick out of the hole. The bike we rode had a Sram 2 x 10 crankset instead of the Shimano setup but we both loved it. Very solid and reliable shifts. The bike felt much lighter than I expected being it was the first 27.5 I have ridden. My bro tends to like a lot of suspension and he complained it didn't have the front travel he likes with his 130mm forks on his Kona Dawg. True I too would prefer more in the front but the 100mm forks probably contribute to the easy feeling this bike gives you in the corners. We both felt that the tires need to be more aggressive for the trails we ride. This bike is definitely on my wishlist. As for my bro, he ordered a Trance 27.5 to get the 140mm fork and 5 1/2" suspension instead of the 4" this bike has. I'll let you know how that rides when he takes delivery in a week.
Pros
Very quick
Very fast
Solid drivetrain
Cons
| ThankWeek tires
I got the 2011 Anthem X1 26" bike as my first real bike, for racing and everyday riding. This is almost a perfect bike for my style of riding. Crazy fast, super comfortable. I use it for XC racing and as an everyday rider. I even entered a mild super-D event and it rocked it! solid drivetrain with XT where it really counts, and SLX on the things that just need to work well. I have found that the harder I push the bike, the better it handles. the suspension is set a little stiff for everyday riding, but as soon as you open up the power on it, it makes sense. It eats downhills for breakfast, then launches up the next hill without even flinching. I am looking at the new 27.5 carbon model for my next race season.
Pros
Maestro
Fork
Tires
Drivetrain
shocks are tuned for racing
good stock wheelset
Cons
| Thankshocks are tuned for racing
go am!!!
Pros
it's full suspinsion
Cons
| Thankit's an xc bike
I rode this bike for 2 years and really have no complaints. The long chainstays made switchbacks challenging, but they also provide stability for fast sketchy descents. The design is unchanged for 2012 and 2013, and of course the original owner gets Giant's lifetime frame warranty, making this a solid choice for trail riding and racing.
Pros
Efficient pedaling
Dependable drivetrain
Relatively lightweight cockpit components (Giant branded)
Comfortable for all day riding
Lifetime frame warranty
Cons
| ThankLong chainstays
Avid Elixir 3 brakes
Heavy stock wheels
It's been a good frame. Never had any weld issues or dents. This is my second anthem frame. Only because I like the first one. Good buy for the money.
Pros
Dependable
Cons
| ThankWeight
Pros
This bike is a beast, I have ridden it for four season thru all seasons up in the North East, NH mainly. It is very fast, I have never ridden a bike that pedals so smoothly.
- The Maestro Suspension on this bike is AMAZING! Comfortable, plush and durable!
- Nothing climbs like an Anthem!!!
Cons
| ThankYeah right.. please!
This bike with a carbon frame (Anthem X Advanced) is awesome. It is light and agile while having an awesome suspension set up. This is by far the best overall bike I have ever ridden.
Pros
| ThankMaestro suspension, light, componentry, fast handling, climbs like a hardtail
Highly recommended for marathon XC. Very fast bike and good all rounder. The 2012 X0 with full XT components and Rockshox suspension is definitely the best value for money FS 29er on the market this year.
Pros
Super fast rolling, excellent down hill speed and control, great for log rides and rock gardens.
Cons
| ThankHard work in really tight single track and slow steep ascents.
I actually have the X3 with a full XT upgrade and carbon riser bars. Bike weighs 28lbs 5oz with current setup. Lighter/stiffer wheelset will make a big difference from my readings. Great XC 29 bike for the money.
Pros
Fast rolling, good climbing and light for a FS 29er. Geometry works great for me, I'm 5'9" 165Lbs and ride a M frame. Even works good in tight technical trailwork for a 29er.
Cons
| ThankWheelset could be better, but I will be upgrading once these wear out.
Great bike, been riding mine for about 6 months now. My first 29er I've owned but not the first I've ridden. The 4 inches of travel is very plush but by no means sloppy. At first I feared suspension bob while climbing but now realize just how efficient the Maestro suspension is. This bike is clasified as a XC race bike but it has taken everything I've thrown at it so far.
Pros
The 29" wheels get over anything in your way. The suspension is only 4" but feels as plush as a 5 or 6" bike but remains efficient as a 100mm bike should be. 15mm through axle on the front feels great and re-ensures strength. Able to fit oversized muddy 2.4s with no fear of rubbing for rougher rides.
Cons
I'm 6'4" and went with the X-Large frame. Seemed very stretched at first but ended up putting on a shorter stem and some riser bars and now it's great.
Wheels have tons of flex even for 29er wheels.
Way to many Giant logos throughout the bike lol.
| ThankI really like this bike. In fact it's probably one of the best major brand FS XC 29ers out there, especially for the price.
Pros
Steep headtube makes this bike a good climber. Lightweight and efficient frame design.
Cons
| ThankLongish chainstays make handling and cornering suffer a bit.
I'm 6'0, and coming from my Stumpy 26" noticed a much smoother ride...I'm still breaking the bike in, and will review it with more detail at a later date...
Pros
Smooth Riding, Flickable(for a 29er), great for long distance trail rides, etc...
Cons
| ThankSo far, nothing comes to mind...but I just got the bike a week ago...
I have the 2008 model and I've been pounding the s**t out of this bike for the past 2 years and it still performs like when I bought it. Comes with an awesome bunch of parts(full XTR line-up) and the frame seems to still be rigid despite the abuse I've put it through. I would deffinately recommend buying this if you have an extra seven grand laying around and you're deep in to the mountain biking scene. :)
Pros
It weighs almost nothing,it's rigid,great components,climbs like there's no tomorrow
Cons
| Thankcan't think of any but if I were to complain about something it'd be the price
I have been using this bike exclusivley on the Des Plaine River Trail up here in Lake County, IL; It has handled the wet sand, mud, etc. like nothing I else I have owned. The lock out for for both front and rear shock allows you to climb without any lost energy to the pedals.
Pros
The 2009 version has been upgraded to Shimano Deore XT components, great wheels and has the climbing ability of a mountain goat!
Cons
| ThankCost - MSRP is $2900 ouch!
If you want a very fast bike for a fair price.
Pros
VERY FAST BIKE!!! Absolutely flies when sprinting out of the saddle. Has a very light feel to it and handles very well although you do have to ride it aggressively at times to keep it from wondering off line up and down hills.
Cons
| ThankTends to wonder a little when climbing steep and loose rocky sections. Hutchinson Piranha tires have little traction in the mud and side walls are weak (I tried upgrading to no tube slim but the front tire would not hold the air due to a tear on the side wall) but it is a fast tire. I plan on upgrading Deore drive train to XT.
I highly recommend this bike to the novice XC rider as well as the more experienced one.
Pros
This bike is great. It's the first one I've really liked since my Gary Fisher Sugar. The rear suspension isn't too active and this bike it light and tough.
Cons
| ThankThe EA50 stem, handlebar, and seatpost should be at LEAST the EA70 to be on par with the rest of the components. The WTB laserdisc wheelset is nice, but not very sturdy.