Commencal super 4 vs giant anthem x

Dazzza

Ok now the above frame has me worried, im hearing all too many stories of cracked frames and it's really putting me off.

I've now found the giant anthem x can be had cheaper, uses the same size shock and has no reliability issues from what i can gather.

Who here has one and loves it what do they ride like the commie tbh scares me last thing i need is another busted frame.

toasty

I'd get the Super out of the 2, the Anthem X still felt a bit too upright racer for my liking. I'm looking forward to seeing what the carbon model weighs in at next year, that design with a light weight and stiff rear end would be the ultimate do everything bike as far as my riding is concerned.

The failure rate is low, the Owners Club just highlights all the problems everyone in the country (and beyond) has. I'm assuming that's what you're refering to?

What is it you want it for? General trail/xc with a bit of marathon type riding? I really wanted to like the Anthem X as well, personally I think I'd go faster and for longer on a slightly more relaxed trail bike style setup, even with the extra pound of weight it'd give.

Dazzza

I just don't need it failing on me and would like a nice reliable frame, i just want it for general riding more than anything else, im not really that hard on bikes anyway.

elPedro666

Doubt you'll have any trouble with either of them if you're not a total animal...

Personally a big fan of Giant & the Maestro system, but it sounds like it's really all about which one fits you best, try & get a bounce on both!

toasty

elPedro666 wrote:

Doubt you'll have any trouble with either of them if you're not a total animal...

Personally a big fan of Giant & the Maestro system, but it sounds like it's really all about which one fits you best, try & get a bounce on both!

Yeah, this sounds best. Both are very different feeling bikes considering how closely they're marketed.

passout

I always find Giants a bit too short in the top tube, then again I've only ridden the Trance and Reign. They are VERY reliable bikes though.

Out of the 2 the suspension system is better on the Super IMO. Also Commencal are pretty good with their warranty.

Both choices have their merits. I would judge it by how they fit and feel.

toasty

The Anthem is far longer than the Trance. I hated the Trance due to top tube length, the big models felt so high and short, very gate like. The Anthem is a lot longer and lower, much better.

I still didn't like it enough to buy one though :P

Bike Bloke

Out of interest how does the riding position on the anthem x feel - is it perched high, or more central and balanced?

I'm 6ft 5 and looking to buy the XL frame, but if the reach is quite long will probably get a L to give a bit more agility.

Dazzza

Right now im awake i can post a decent reply.

Hmm trouble is from my limited knowledge i know of no giant dealers down in cornwall, least ones with stock anyway, i think it's just part of me being paranoid as im only 2-3 weeks from ordering and me being who i am, im very picky and it has to be the right decision.

I have seen the meta in the flesh and i know i would get on very well with commencal as whole so i think i'll stick with them, im sure you can find anything bad about bikes if you dig enough, this seemed to be a problem with the original first batch, i couldn't find anything else since.

llamafarmer

From everything I'm hearing the Anthems are like tits on fish at the moment, nobody can seem to get one. I've managed to track one down for a test ride tomorrow (if they haven't already sold it ) so I'll let you know the verdict

toasty

Bike Bloke wrote:

Out of interest how does the riding position on the anthem x feel - is it perched high, or more central and balanced?

I'm 6ft 5 and looking to buy the XL frame, but if the reach is quite long will probably get a L to give a bit more agility.

Sorry, this was both the Trance X and Anthem X I was talking about. I'm 6'6" and fit it fine to be honest, it's 21" (rather than 22" like last years) yet still came in as a much better fit than the 22" Trance X was. mainly due to the top tube length, I like longer bikes. It's more central and balanced out of those two options, definitely not perched like the Trance X is.

It fit well, I just didn't find it very confidence inspiring, I prefer slightly slacker geometry I think. Even my Stumpjumper is run with 100mm forks where it should have 80mm.

llamafarmer

Tried the Anthem X2 out today, only a tarmac spin, but absolutely loved it. The frame is stunningly light and has some lovely details (really like the colour scheme too) but most of all it just feels rapid! I personally thought the bars were a little wide and I didn't really like the Hayes Strokers, but I've been very tempted today!

Dazzza

Oh dear lol hmm, see the trouble is not an awful lot of people have the super 4 they all end up plumping for the meta and the reviews on the anthem are stellar but the same can be said for the super 4.

I'll buck the trend and stay with the commie, at least for now lol.

Father Faff

I've got a Meta 5 and I have to say I was quite impressed with last year's Anthem. For a shorter travel bike it was very competent and pretty quick as well as light - the only downside for me was it didn't seem to have that playful spark of the Meta. I haven't tried this year's Anthem though a friend has just secured himself the last 2009 X1 in his size so I might try that, nor have I tried the Super 4 but if it's anything like the Meta 5 I'm sure it's a lot of fun. My local dealer tells me Giant are bringing forward the release of their 2010 bikes to this August.....