Aaaarrrgh, VeloNews scooped us with some nice shots of Giant’s prototype carbon fiber Anthem X Advanced SL full suspension XC race bike.  Based on their new-for-2009 Anthem redesign, the mountain bike features 4″ of Maestro-linked travel and a host of prototype parts from Fox and Shimano, like a custom 15mm axle XTR front hub.  It’s also the first planned use of Chris King’s new press-in headset.
All photos (a few more “borrowed” pics after the break) by Matt Pacocha at VeloNews.  You beat us this time…well played sir, well played…
The front and rear triangle and upper rocker arm are full carbon (click on pics to enlarge), with the front triangle being a monocoque design.  The only aluminum component is the bottom linkage, which Giant claims is left the same because it was stiffer than using a carbon piece.  The bike is the first Giant XC mountain bike to use a tapered (1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″) headset/steerer tube, which runs through a very shapely, oversized headtube.
See lots more of Matt’s glorious photos and lot of spec details on VeloNew’s site here.
We reviewed some of Giant’s 2009 mountain bikes, including the Anthem, here.
