2013 Bike : The Giant Anthem X Advanced 29 Reviews

The Giant Anthem X Advanced 29 is the latest iteration of the best selling full suspension bike by Giant.  It is a 4 inch travel full suspension bike  meant for XC riding and this year, the front triangle has been converted to carbon fiber.  The tapered head tube steerer has been increased to 1.25″ on top instead of 1.125″ and this along with the change to carbon has resulted in a 7% increase in stiffness. The BB area has increased in stiffness by 3% with the switch to carbon fiber.  These numbers might not seem large but these are improvements to an already awesome platform from the previous year.

Geometry is unchanged from 71.3 head angle and 73 degree seat angle. The chainstays stay at 462 mm or 18.1 inches.

The rear triangle is kept at aluminum since the stiffness benefit of switching to carbon fiber was not significant. In fact, the rear skewer is still the old 135 mm quick release instead of the emerging 12 mm thru-axle standard.  These two decisions were made based on the minimal performance benefit to the Anthem X design and passing on the cost savings to the consumer.  However, this will be no consolation to customers who want a full carbon frame and the latest axle technology and rear wheel compatibility. Also, buyers of the top end $8900 Advanced 29 0 may wonder where the cost savings went.

The Anthem X has switched to Rockshox for both front and rear suspension. While Rockshox makes excellent products, some may be disappointed with the migration away from Fox and all the wonderful new technologies like  Kashima, Talas, and lighter stanchions for 2013.

Product line-up comparion of Anthem 29 line. ‘W’ models are women’s specific models courtesy of the Liv/Giant team.

MY13 Spring Launch
Model Size Weight (imperial) LBS/ounces Price
Anthem X Advanced 29er  0 M 22.06 $8900
Anthem X Advanced 29er 1 M 25.05 $4650
Anthem X Advanced 29er 2 M 26.07 $3300
Anthem X 29er 4 M 28.03 $1925
Anthem X 29er 0 W M 26.12 $2950
Anthem X 29er 4 W M 28.10 $1925
Anthem X Advanced 29er frame weight, size medium = 2200 grams = 4.85 lbs

All bikes share the identical frame with different shock options.

The Giant Anthem X Advanced 29 Developed to give pro XC racers every advantage on technical courses, Giant’s first composite full-suspension 29e has arrived. With an Advanced-grade Composite front triangle and ALUXX SL rear swingarm, plus the legendary performance of Maestro suspension, this is the bike that makes fast riders faster. The handcrafted composite frame is engineered for 29-inch wheels. Its OverDrive 2 steerer tube design offers front-end stiffness and pinpoint steering. The MegaDrive downtube and PowerCore bottom bracket boost power and control in the rough stuff.

Key Upgrades (over Anthem X Advanced 29er 1)

RockShox SID 29 RCT3 with QR15 thru-axle, OverDrive 2 tapered steerer suspension fork and RockShox Monarch RT3 rear shock
SRAM XX 2x10-speed componentry
SRAM XX World Cup hydraulic disc brakes
Giant P-XCR Composite 29er 0 WheelSystem
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Color: Composite/Blue/White

(mtbr.com, giant-bicycles.com)

Posted on 4:31 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Cervelo S3, 2011 Editors' Choice Winners

2011 Race Bikes ($7,200 and up)

Proven at the highest levels of the sport, these bikes won the biggest races in the world in 2010.

Here at Bicycling, we like crits and town-line sprints, but we also seek glory in road races that can last for many hard, fast hours. Ultimately, the S3 narrowly edged out Specialized's Tarmac S-Works SL3 because it best suited our all-rounder racing style. "It's stiff, lively, and wants to take off," commented one tester. Even weighed down by heavy Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels, the bike jumped off the line, and it got us up climbs on terms with every other bike in the test. Flying downhill, you can feel the rigid frame's confidence as you stick to every apex. What really distinguished the S3 was a combination of racing aptitude and comfort, making it ideal for long training rides. The bike is outfitted with the Tour de France-winning SRAM Red group. The subtle black and white graphics help disguise the big, aero tubing, and the standard, nonintegrated seatpost makes the S3 easily adjustable and ready to travel. As one tester summed up: "It really has everything."

The lightest aero frame in the world

With victories from cobblestone Tour stages to mass sprints to the World Championships, the S3 is Thor Hushovd’s favorite bike. Aero road bikes seem to be a “trend” nowadays, but for Cervélo and its riders, they are the essence of what we do. They offer the advantages of reduced drag while preserving everything else you expect in a good road bike. Not an easy balance to strike, but 15 years of experience doing that certainly helps. The S3 is part of the S-series, our all-round models equally at home in fast solos and hilly terrain. With just a few grams more than the R-series, it offers a true aero advantage. Experience: 1. Reduced aero drag to save energy.
2. A low geometry to put yourself in an aero position.
3. Proper road bike performance, because an aero focus shouldn’t compromise lightness, BB/torsional stiffness or comfort.


(bicycling.com)

Posted on 7:29 AM / 0 comments / Read More

GT Force Carbon Pro Bike 2012

The GT Carbon Force Expert benefits from a full 6" rear suspension in a world of 5.5" bikes. The I Drive design is noticeably efficient while the travel feels deep compared to similar bikes ridden including the Ibis Mojo and the Turner 5Spot. Once we swapped out the original bars and stem for something more suitable for a great trail bike we found the handling to be very predictable and the bike to pedal especially well over rough terrain. In fact I would venture to say that it pedals better over the rough than nearly any other bike we've tried. Frame rigidity is excellent with no noticeable rear end flex.

The bike is great on the down hills and climbs. I've had my bike for a year and it's beginning to creek. The bolts come loose in the pivot points so I'm always having to make sure they are tight so my bike can't be heard a mile away. I believe the bike should be serviced every 6-12 months. Grease needs to be added to reduce the metal on metal grinding. Overall it's a good bike but I'm not sure it's worth the price. It's a good intro bike for the beginner but I would not recommend it for advance riders.


Great bang for buck, gt rep told me lifttime warranty on frame. Which isnt much lighter than metal frame because its built to be strong not uber light weight. So a carbon force is stronger than metal force it should be up to par which sanction. With this understanding i hucked my stock bike over six foot no breakage. I wouldnt recommend that on daily basis though. im six foot two and got xtra large which i like cuz i can stretch out and earn my turns and when trails get tight and tech i drop my fork which sharpens handling. Get one while there on sale!


fter putting about 150 miles on this bike I wanted to write a review. I have the 2009, GT force carbon expert, size small, with all XT components. I am 5’ 7’’ about 140lbs.
I mostly ride XC single track but wanted a bike that rides more like an AM bike. I was looking for a bike that had more than 120mm travel but something I could still race on. I like the feel of the 69% head tub which gives it more of the race feel than a downhill or even AM bike. So this bike fix what I was looking for. The only thing I have changed are the tires to something lighter and now have the bike down to about 26.3 lbs.

First I love the carbon I have never rode on carbon before but it really dampens the ride and its not as bumpy. So far the carbon has been great and very efficient. Both Fox shock and Fork works really great with this bike. The fork can be adjusted to 110mm 130mm and 150mm but does not have any lock out which is a disadvantage if your use to one.
With any full suspension you will get some bob in the rear shock and that is true with the I drive design. But once I got everything set to what I like the bob was not bad, one of the best full suspension I have ridden. When going up a long climb you can always lock out the shock and this bike will really climb with the best of them. When riding with a group the group losses me when I am going uphill or starting to get my speed back from a turn. But once we go downhill or on a strait I catch up. Not the fastest or slowest bike but a sturdy bike. With that said this is a really fun bike to ride, you can ride it all day and throw just about any type of trail at it.

The one item I do not like is how GT brought the rear brake line through the seat tub and triangle. Because these parts move the cable started to wear the clear coat off of the frame. I ended up moving the cable outside so I don’t have this issue anymore I just zipped tied to the frame and works great.

Over all a great bike and I would suggest this bike to any one if it fits their needs. 


(mtbr.com, bikeradar.com)

Posted on 5:00 AM / 0 comments / Read More