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Giant Anthem X 29er 3 29er Full Suspension
Product DescriptionThe legendary quickness and agility of Anthem X gets the big-wheel boost. Developed with the help of Giant XC pros and raced to victory at its very first event, the Sea Otter Classic Super D, Anthem X 29er is all systems go. Featuring a lightweight FluidForm ALUXX SL frameset, confident geometry and Maestro Suspension, with the added benefits of 29-inch wheels, the all-new Anthem X 29er is Giant’s most versatile XC bike.
User Reviews 
Submitted by
tjscrogins99 Date Reviewed: August 21, 2012 Strengths: Great value, decent weight. Climbs amazing. Suspension is set it and forget it, very low maintenance Weaknesses: Stem and Bars, too "race" inspired for my style. Tires leave something to be desired. Bottom Line:
Submitted by
thewake Date Reviewed: May 31, 2012 Strengths: This bike is smooth and stable. Once up to speed, it feels like I'm on a freight train, it's just unstopable. Which is not to say that it cannot stop. I switched the elixir pads over to organic and that cured the brake noise it had with the sintered pads and has provided nice brake feel, not bad for a fairly low level set of brakes. The obvious strength of this bike is its value. Giant leverages their buying power to spec the bike really well at this price point. I really like that you get a groupo, it gives it a solid feel, whereas other bikes at this price might offer an XT rear, everything else is Alivo/deore. On this, it's SLX shifters, front and rear derailleurs, which work flawlessly. Weaknesses: As others have noticed, the CrossMark Tires aren't the best. Sure, they're super fast on the hard pack, but they don't inspire confidence in the corners or when stuff gets soft. The Rear Chainstays are long, and it does require an adjustment in riding style. Some people adjust, others do not. Personally, I've had no problems and I love the way this bike handles. Bottom Line:
Submitted by
Vermont29er Date Reviewed: April 12, 2012 Strengths: Accelerates quickly, climbs with confidence, sucks up bumps like they aren't there. Goes where I point it. So stable and predictable I can change lines in rocky swooping corners. Elixir 3 brakes have had no problems. They self-adjust well. I'm fussy about brakes. Shifts well. The range of 10 speed is really nice. Weaknesses: Narrow rims. I've been getting a LOT of pinch flats. But I'm a 6'4" and weigh 220lbs so I'm putting a lot of force on them. Wheels are plenty strong, mine are still true with no flat spots. Stock bars were too narrow and stem was too long. Rode the bike home from the shop via some trails. When I got home I swapped the stem and bars for wider and shorter. Much better. Stock seat broke within 6 months. Stock chain broke frequently and was difficult to fix on the trail. Bottom Line:
Submitted by
Xrodie
a Racer
from Winnipeg Date Reviewed: November 21, 2011 Strengths: Can't beat the quality spec at this price. Similar spec in other brands was $800 to $1000 more. Wheelbase is a bit shorter than competitors like Specialized Epic and Santa Cruz Tallboy allowing for tighter turning. Suspension is excellent. Stiff and responsive frame. Have not felt any hindrance for handling tight switchbacks, in fact can take corners tighter than on my 26er. Rides twisty single track, steep rocky descents/ climbs with aplomb, very confidence inspiring with how stable it is. Seems to be good at everything. I wasn't sure about the Fi'zi:k Tundra 2 saddle. I've been riding saddles with a cutout for over a decade. To my surprise the saddle has been very comfortable. It's very easy to get behind this saddle on step descents. Longest ride I've had on it is 5 hours on rocky trails.. no problem at all. This doesn't mean my favorite brand for saddles (Specialized BG) won't be better.. I'll try one next season.. but for me the Tundra 2 worked very well, and I am very picky about saddles. Saddles of course are very much and individual thing, but I found the Tundra 2 to be very comfortable despite not looking so. Best mountain bike I've ridden since I started riding MTB in the mid 80's. Easily shares the pedestal with the industries best race bikes. If this bike works for you for fit, you can't go wrong. Weaknesses: The Avid Elixir 3 brakes worked well on the test rides, but reviews say they become a bit of a pain to adjust. The Maxxis Crossmark tires aren't very grippy. This spec is easy to change. I have found no weaknesses with the Giant frame or suspension. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Anything with rocks Duration Product Used: 3 months Purchased At: Woodcock Cycle & Ski Similar Products Used: Test rode Epic, Stumpy, Niner Jet 9, Kona Hei Hei (all 29ers), and a bunch of hard tail 26ers. The dual squish 29ers were so much better I stopped trying 26er hard tails Bike Setup: Schwalbe Rocket Rons with Stans, 2X10, 2012 SLX brakes, Easton EC70 40mm Riser, ESI Chunky grips, Giant Contact SLR Carbon seat post
Submitted by
2kbimmer
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: October 21, 2011 Strengths: My first 29er, so far it rides great!!! It climbs slightly slower than my Ibis Mojo SL. I think it has something to do with the wheel size and weight. But not bad for the price I paid, I can't really complain much. I don't see a thing wrong with the Elixir 3 brakes, they stop well. The tires however are the worst I have ever ridden, I replaced them with the Kendas 2.2 Nev's up front and slant six on rear. Wow what a difference it made. The seat and flat bars are not bad. The Maestro suspension design is Awesome and the Fox fork, I wish had a 120mm upgrade option. The wheels aren't too heavy but they do roll fast. The SLX components work well enough for me. Weaknesses: Maxxis Crossmark does not belong on the dirt trail of any kind. Leave them on, only if you're gonna ride strictly paved bike paths. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Dakota Ridge Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $2000.00 Purchased At: Country Pedaler Similar Products Used: FOX Forks, FOX SHOX RP23 and Kenda Tires. Bike Setup: Stock except for the tires.
Submitted by
F1RST
a Racer
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: October 15, 2011 Strengths: Suspension is my favorite; compared to Turner, Santa Cruz, Specialized, and Yeti Weaknesses: Components (see review). Weight. Fork 100 mm; personal preference. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Breckenridge Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $1800.00 Purchased At: Denver Similar Products Used: Yeti ASR, Specialized Epic, Turner Nitrous, many more Bike Setup: Now I have 120 mm Fox Talas, XO components, and will go 2x10 soon. Stock wheels unfortunately still on bike, but OK
Submitted by
giantanthem29er
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami Date Reviewed: October 11, 2011 Strengths: First step into a dual suspension bike... My other two bikes were hardtails- Specialized Hardrock- Giant Talon...This rides awesome...can't believe how smooth compared to my hardtails...I not a pro so my speed has not been very compromised...I wish I didn't wait so long for this bike Weaknesses: pedals Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: virgina key Duration Product Used: 3 months Purchased At: mack cycle Similar Products Used: sped hardrock n giant talon Bike Setup: stock except changed pedals
Submitted by
Mellow Groover
a Racer
from Portland Maine Date Reviewed: October 3, 2011 Strengths: Rides like a dream, the suspension has little to no bob when climbing with the way i have it set pressure wise on the front and back shock. Brakes work well, climbs like a goat. Weaknesses: West coast tires it comes with aren't the greatest on the east coast trails regarding shedding mud. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: All of them Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $1950.00 Purchased At: Gorham Bike and Ski Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Isis, Specialized Stumpy. Bike Setup: Stock for now, will upgrade as parts break.
Submitted by
slivkamj
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: September 25, 2011 Strengths: Great Looks, Awesome suspension, price can't be beat. Weaknesses: The Avid 3's aren't the best. But maybe they just need a good working in. They seemed to lack power on my first real descent. Stickers on the wheels needed to go, but they were a pain to get off (even with acetone). Goofy seat needs to go. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Tunnels Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month Price Paid: $1825.00 Purchased At: Wheelworld in LA Similar Products Used: Demo'd a Spider 29er, Aluminum Santa Cruz Tallboy, Rumblefish. Owned a Kona King Kikapu, Intense Uzzi SL (until it was stolen), and a Specialized Enduro Expert Bike Setup: Upgrades: Crank Brother 11 Riser Bar (Falt bar still doesn't feel right to me), Crank Brother 3 pedals, stem, and seatpost.
Submitted by
IndianaXC
a Racer
from Milford, Indiana. U.S. Date Reviewed: September 17, 2011 Strengths: Fast, Comfortable, Fast. Maestro suspension is out of this world. Amazing spec for the price. Takes a beating and goes faster while doing it. The harder you hammer it the smoother it rides. Weaknesses: Stock brakes SUCK. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: fort custer state park in michigan Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $2300.00 Purchased At: Nappanee Bicycle Similar Products Used: XTC 29er 2, Cannondale Caffeine 29er hardtail, Santa cruz carbon 6" travel bike. Ibis 6" travel 26er. Rigid 26" singlespeed is my other ride. Bike Setup: Stock except for: Formula RX brakes (AMAZING), ESI racers edge grips, Kenda karma 1.9 tires, and Egg beaters!
Submitted by
rodster
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, Ca, USA Date Reviewed: September 16, 2011 Strengths: Even at full retail, this bike is a super bargain. Fox suspension, great handling, intelligent component chooses for the price point Weaknesses: Stock tires work well on hardpack only Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Shhhh . . . it's a secret Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $2100.00 Purchased At: Cal Coast Similar Products Used: Jamis Dakota 29r hardtail Bike Setup: Running tubeless with Kenda Nevegal up front, KS dropper seatpost
Submitted by
Gary123
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: August 19, 2011 Strengths: Price. This thing rips with amazing speed up, across and (surprisingly) down. Weaknesses: That stupid piece of plastic between the wheel and cassette fell of and nearly destroyed my derailleur. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Anything through the bush Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month Price Paid: $2500.00 Purchased At: Bikeworx Similar Products Used: 26er dualie and hardtails. Bike Setup: Stock 2012 - minus the aforementioned plastic.
Submitted by
iairish
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City, MO, USA Date Reviewed: August 16, 2011 Strengths: Price, some components and performance. Weaknesses: Weight, some components Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Swope Park Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month Price Paid: $2100.00 Purchased At: Turner Cycling & Fit Similar Products Used: Tested Specialized FSR Comp 29er, Specialized Epic Comp 29er and Gary Fisher (Trek) HiFi Deluxe. Also considered Salsa Spearfish but no local dealer had one is stock to test ride and I was not about to buy a $2K+ bike with out riding it. Prior to purchase I was riding an Klein hardtail, which I still use. Bike Setup: Stock. Looking to upgrade a few items soon, but for the money stock components are solid.
Submitted by
Claudius
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Date Reviewed: August 2, 2011 Strengths: Takes hits, I can ride long periods of time, great geometry, brakes are sweet and I swear it makes riding 20% easier than an equivalent 26" bike b/c it's so damn fast. Swooping around turns makes me feel like i'm on a road bike. Weaknesses: I hear that the wheels aren't great but at this price, something's gotta give. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Lair O' The Bair Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month Price Paid: $2100.00 Purchased At: Giant Cycling World Similar Products Used: demo'd some 26" and some hardtail bikes.
Submitted by
joesrepsol
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 12, 2011 Strengths: Too many to list. FAST, Stiff where it's supposed to be. Love the Fox suspension. Steers quick and rides super nice Weaknesses: Weight. The parts are lower-end, work well, but heavy. I pulled the entire drivetrain off and upgraded. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Brown's Ravine Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $2250.00 Purchased At: Folsom Bike Similar Products Used: None Bike Setup: Complete 2011 SRAM X9 2x10 Drivetrain. Carbon WCS bars, Thompson setback, Crank Bros Candy 3s (Ti), Crank Bros Cobalt 29er wheelset.
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