Apparently, Giant Bicycles isn’t keeping any secrets with its prototype Anthem XC race bike on full display at its booth at Eurobike. Eagle-eyed World Cup fans may have also noticed it being raced by Alan Hatherly at Val Di Sole last week. Hatherly finished 13th in the XCO, which was impressive given that he was reportedly battling illness at the time. While the folks at Giant wouldn’t tell us much about the new bike, they did say the molds are cut, so the final shape is pretty much determined, but they’re still working on the final carbon layup.
So, while it may already be on the race course and look like a finished product, the brand is still fine-tuning before it goes to production. And, even though the folks at Giant were tight-lipped about the details of the Anthem prototype, there’s plenty we can take away from the photos alone.
New Frame and Suspension Design
The new Anthem frame is made with Giant’s Advanced SL carbon fiber, and it looks very different from previous versions, mostly due to the use of a new suspension design. While the outgoing model’s seat tube-mounted rocker link drove a vertically oriented shock, the new Anthem has moved to a link connected to the top tube that drives a horizontally oriented shock. If this looks familiar, that’s because the single-pivot flex stay design is quite popular on this style of bike. It’s similar to (but not identical, of course) what’s used on bikes like the Specialized Epic, the Yeti ASR, and several other cross-country race bikes.
While the suspension design is different from its predecessor, Giant has carried the FlexPoint Pro name over from the previous version. With 120 mm printed on the seat tube just above the main pivot, it seems more than just likely that the new Anthem has 120 mm of rear wheel travel. That should pair nicely with a 120 mm fork to take on modern cross-country race courses. Another detail we noticed on the Anthem frame is a flip chip in the upper shock mount. Presumably, this will allow riders to make some minor adjustments to the bike’s geometry.
The frame has through-headset cable routing that goes along with the new integrated bar/stem. That includes a port for a remote suspension lockout. The new suspension design makes it possible to fit two water bottles on the frame. We also spotted mounts for a chainguide behind the XTR chainring. And, with 2.4″ Maxxis Aspen ST Test Pilot tires mounted up, it’s safe to assume the frame has clearance for tires at least that wide.
Integrated Cockpit
Also on display on the Anthem prototype was a new integrated cockpit. This bar/stem combo includes internal routing ports on the underside of the bar, leading cables and hoses into the frame through the headset. This new cockpit setup certainly looks sleek and helps minimize clutter, but it combines a couple of the most polarizing features on modern bikes.
Unmarked Rims
The Anthem prototype was built up with all of the freshest components from the team’s sponsors, including the new wireless XTR Di2, Fox suspension bits, and Maxxis Test Pilot Aspen ST tires. One thing we couldn’t identify, however, were the carbon rims. The rims had a typical triangular shape, but with a visibly widened bead top, presumably to help reduce the chances of a pinch flat. With no markings on the rims, it’s hard to say what brand they might be, but given Giant’s experience making carbon rims and wheelsets, it’s easy to speculate that they might be a new in-house XC rim. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Coming Soon?
All this is to say, Giant has a new Anthem cross-country bike on the way, and they want you to know about it. We can’t say for sure when the new model will officially be released, but by the looks of it, it doesn’t seem too far off. We’ll let you know when we know more. Until then, we’ll be watching the World Cups to see how Giant’s new Anthem performs for its XC racers.
