Giant Anthem X or??

SootSki

Hi

I am contemplating a new bike, been out of it for a while and it's all a bit of rehab really. Looking for something which will be easy on trails, tracks etc and good for training as well. Doubt very much I am going to do anything massively scary on it and am at that age where a bit of comfort is appreciated :oops: .

Budget will be 1-1.5k I will need size large / 20" as I am 6'2". Looked at a Hei Hei 08, but think that an Anthem X may be the best, anyone offer any help here? Like the idea of something with a great frame that can be improved over time on the component side rather than high spec weak frame.

supersonic

It is a nice light frame for general XC riding and trails.

You might not be a twenty inch though - they cary a lot, I'd try one out!

llamafarmer

The X2 looks like a phenomenal bike, it's been nagging at me for a while now because it's really a little out of my already stretched budget, but.....

SootSki

supersonic wrote:

It is a nice light frame for general XC riding and trails.

You might not be a twenty inch though - they cary a lot, I'd try one out!

You think i may need smaller?

SootSki

llamafarmer wrote:

The X2 looks like a phenomenal bike, it's been nagging at me for a while now because it's really a little out of my already stretched budget, but.....

Yeah, I am not sure whether to risk the wifes wrath with the X2 or go for the X3 and upgrade it on the quiet.

supersonic

SootSki wrote:

supersonic wrote:

It is a nice light frame for general XC riding and trails.

You might not be a twenty inch though - they cary a lot, I'd try one out!

You think i may need smaller?

You might do! The frames are quite long. I am 6ft and ride anywhere between a 14 and 21 inch frame!

SootSki

supersonic wrote:

SootSki wrote:

supersonic wrote:

It is a nice light frame for general XC riding and trails.

You might not be a twenty inch though - they cary a lot, I'd try one out!

You think i may need smaller?

You might do! The frames are quite long. I am 6ft and ride anywhere between a 14 and 21 inch frame!

Ok thanks for the heads up, I will seek advice, I am quite long in the body so sounds like `i might well fit it

llamafarmer

SootSki wrote:

llamafarmer wrote:

The X2 looks like a phenomenal bike, it's been nagging at me for a while now because it's really a little out of my already stretched budget, but.....

Yeah, I am not sure whether to risk the wifes wrath with the X2 or go for the X3 and upgrade it on the quiet.

I think it's a shame the X3 doesn't have a better fork, it seems to be pretty close in other areas, but from the Tora up to the Fox F100 seems a big step. And I don't like the black/silver much

supersonic

Nowt wrong with a tora 302 air! great fork!

llamafarmer

supersonic wrote:

Nowt wrong with a tora 302 air! great fork!

Ah, I didn't even realise there was an air version :oops:

supersonic

Yeah, I got two! 318 air even better. I'd have one of those over a basic Fox Float.

SootSki

supersonic wrote:

Nowt wrong with a tora 302 air! great fork!

So you think an X3 is a good base to build from?

supersonic

Yes, very good start! Budget, but very competent parts and of course highly regarded frame.

SootSki

supersonic wrote:

Yes, very good start! Budget, but very competent parts and of course highly regarded frame.

Tough decision really, X3 is £1070 and X2 is £1560, quite a difference, if I could split the 2 costs I would definitely go X2 and I also prefer the colour. I will have to see if any dealers are willing to negotiate I guess. :?

anjs

have you looked at the trance x a litle less race focused?

SootSki

anjs wrote:

have you looked at the trance x a litle less race focused?

Hmm, yeah had looked at it but thought it appears to be a little more expensive, more travel I think but I don't really see that as much of an issue, not sure I understand the difference really. :oops:

The Spiderman

New Trance X is meant to be easily up to a bit of trail abuse.I`d get one ofthese like a shot,if I had the readies.I`d go for the x2.

Chaka Ping

I'm sure you'll try one for size, but just in case you don't - I reckon you'll definitely be too big for the 18in.

My 6ft 1in friend had a go on my 18in Anthem and found it uncomfortably small. The Anthem X is a different bike of course, but must still be pretty similar.

It's hard to find exactly what you need when you're getting back into it, I know this.

I read quite a few mags and decided I needed the Anthem, but 18 months later I've ended up selling it and buying a Trance (the discontinued 4.2in travel model).

This was mainly because as I started riding more technical terrain, the Anthem was just too aggressively racey for comfort.

Fantastic bike though, the best-balanced MTB I've ever ridden. Just maybe try to ride a few different models to see if perhaps an all rounder (like the Trance X mentioned by the others here) doesn't suit you better.

adun1408

get the x2, but i'm biased wound'nt swap mine for anything.

SootSki

Went totally off piste and got a Scott Genius MC20