The new Giant Anthem X Advanced 29er is a cross-country bike designed for competitive racers and riders. The front triangle is crafted from carbon fiber, but retains an aluminum linkage and rear end. It sheds 185 grams in comparison to its aluminum Anthem X counterpart (for a medium frame, w/ shock). The 100 mm travel full suspension bike is not only lighter, but stiffer, and introduces several new features.
Also unveiled was the first full suspension women’s specific 29er, the Anthem X 29er W. The frame uses a shorter top tube, and taller head tube, to achieve a more comfortable ride. The complete bike also uses lighter wheels, a narrower handle bar, and wider gear ratios.
Pictures and details after the break…
The new frame has guides for a dropper post and internal cable routing. The geometry carries over completely from the Aluminum Anthem X, which translates into a 71.3 degree head tube angle, and 462mm chainstays. Giant also carried over the aluminum rear triangle, in an effort to keep cost down, so look for full carbon frameset sometime in the near future.
The new frame set also incorporates Giants new OverDrive 2 headset standard. The new standard uses a 1-1/4″ top bearing and 1-1/2″ bottom bearing to “deliver precise steering and front-end stiffness,” which the manufacturer claims increases steering stiffness by 7%.
Giant also went to great lengths to increase power transfer by integrating an 86 mm wide BB and using an over sized “bottom bracket…chain stay area…and downtube.”
Note: The frame ships with a conventional 135 mm quick release in the rear.
The claimed weight of the new frame is 4.85lbs. The featured build, shown above, finished with XX components, SRAM wheels, a Monarch RT3 Shock, and SID RCT3 Fork, weighs 22 lbs.
New Womens Specific Anthem X 29er
According to Giant, “a woman’s center of gravity is typically different than a man’s” so they lowered the stand over height, and gave the bike a slightly steeper head tube angle. The bikes will be available in a variety of sizes, from extra small to large, for that perfect fit. Completes will be sold in two very affordable trims.
