Giant Anthem SX Advanced Review
Having secured the coveted test win in last year’s XC group test, we were stoked to see if the 2016 incarnation of the virtually unchanged Giant Anthem SX Advanced could still hold its own against the competition.
Bursting into the season with a fresh lick of green paint, the Anthem SX Advanced might look all-new, but the frame and spec remain largely unchanged. The dropper post has been wisely upgraded for one with more drop and zero layback, which is exactly what we’d recommended in the past. It’s a pretty racy position, but not too stretched-out, and definitely comfortable. Given the slack 72° seat angle, it might be wise to move the seat slightly further forward, unlike on other models. Weighing in at 12.01 kg, the Giant took the prize of heaviest bike on test – but it’s actually pretty well distributed, so there are no real negative consequences.
The lightweight carbon wheels aid acceleration and contribute to the bike’s ample agility. Smoothness on technical sections comes courtesy of the slack head angle, while the RockShox suspension (consisting of a 120 mm Revelation fork and a 100mm Monarch RT rear shock) is plush and forgiving, dishing up heaps of traction. To get a firm ride for the climbs, it’s definitely worth a reach to lock out the rear suspension.
Up front, Giant have concealed the short headtube with a less-than-attractive stack of spacers – but you can always lower the front if needed. The bike comes in five sizes from XS to XL, so short-arses and lanky riders can rejoice. The spec reads without a single blemish, featuring the super-precise SRAM X01 groupset, well-defined SRAM Guide RS brakes, and a sweet Schwalbe tyre combo. Look elsewhere for a grumble.
Details of the Giant Anthem SX Advanced
Specification of the Giant Anthem SX Advanced
- Fork: RockShox Revelation RL 120 mm
- Shock: RockShox Monarch RT Debon Air
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RS
- Seatpost: Giant Contact SL 150 mm
- Stem: Giant Contact SL
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL 730 mm
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic / Racing Ralph 2,25″
- Wheel size: 27,5″
- Wheels: Giant PTRX-1C Carbon
- Weigth: 12.01 kg
- Price: € 4,599
Conclusion
With a spot-on handling package, the Giant Anthem SX Advanced is a thrill while descending, no matter how tech the downhill might be! Thanks to the potent suspension and superb spec, this is an XC bike for downhillers, and an enduro bike for XC racers! There are only minor bugbears on the climbs, so it’s still more than decent enough to be tipped as our one to buy!
Strengths
- Top spec
- Extremely balanced handling
- A good-time bike
Weaknesses
- The rear tends to bob
For more information on the bike head to the Giant Website.
[/emaillocker]About the XC Bike Group Test 2016
Just outside the sprawl of Barcelona, we took out the test fleet onto the varied trails, confronting them with everything from frighteningly steep climbs to challenging descents. All of this occurred with the backdrop and climate of the Mediterranean Sea – and despite it being February, the conditions couldn’t have been better. The test team consisted of four riders, each with their own nuances when it comes to mountain biking, but all with years of experience when it comes to testing bikes.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: XC Bikes Group Test 2016
All bikes in test: Canyon Lux CF 9.9 Race | Giant Anthem SX Advanced | Pivot Mach 4 Carbon | ROSE THRILL HILL 3 27,5″ 2016 | ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo | SCOTT Spark 710 | Specialized Epic Elite Carbon 29 World Cup | Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL
Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer