Giant Anthem x5, any good?

Squillinossett

Guys,

having finally decieded on which bike I was getting (Cube Ltd Race) i have now found out I have options open to me on sale bikes via Pauls Cycles.

Two I have seen are:

Giant Anthem x5 (2011)
Mongoose Teocali Elite (2009)

Im guessing im better off with one of these over the Cube?

I really liked the goose, but undersand the forks are a bit iffy? Quite like the idea of extra travel if I wanted to tackle harder stuff.

As always, input is really appreciated guys!

xand_xand

Hi chap...

3 almost completely different mtb's you have chosen?

Cube - xc racey hardtail
Giant - xc full short travel full suss
Mongoose - 140mm travel full susser

You need to ask the question to yourself;
What kind of riding do you do?
Where to you normally ride?

Answering these will give you the general direction to go forth and ifind the most suitable MTB bike for 'you'.

Hope this helps.

Squillinossett

Thanks for the reply,

This is why I looked at more relaxed bikes, as I wont be racing them. Its just the cube seemed the best for 1k at the time.

In relation to the travel, I dont really know what 100mm v 140mm would allow, or exempt me for doing (bar the obvious ones of DH, FR etc...) I just want something I can tackle most "normal" stuff on (I know its quite a generic statement) i.e local trails, trail centres and places like the lakes/dales.

sellisnba

As xand_xand said it all depends what kind of riding you do.
Having said that i used to swear by 140mm travel bikes because they were a happy medium UNTIL i bought myself a anthem x5, This bike is awesome far lighter than my previous stumpy fsr and can handle just as much.
Most of my riding is trail center's and dartmoor.
Some of the riding on dartmoor can be a bike killer but the anthem has stood up to alot of abuse.

There is my 10p worth

Squillinossett

Well, thats half sold it too me!

How do you find the forks/rear shock? Do they both have lock out, or just the forks as I think it is?

xand_xand

I think if its for 'general' trails, woods the general opinion seems to be that you should be looking at 120mm travel suss..
So out of the 3 perhaps the Giant would be more suitable!

You can see from my sig, i have the Cube Ltd Race 2011 and i throw this around my local trails, woods, forests, bridleways etc with ease.....obviously its never going to efficiently tackle more extreme/technical trails..but for 'my' needs it suits me perfectly, light, nimble, easy easy climber and brings a massive smile to my face each time i go out on it.

Northwind

I've only ever ridden higher spec Anthem Xs but I have to say they're stunning bikes. The X5 has a few brutal spec cuts but it's still the same frame. Most folks would be amazed what they're capable of. A mate of mine has one and uses it often on the innerleithen dh trails frinstance, stuff most riders would want 160mm of travel or more and a full face helmet for.

sellisnba

Squillinossett wrote:

Well, thats half sold it too me!

How do you find the forks/rear shock? Do they both have lock out, or just the forks as I think it is?

Both the forks and rear shock are fine, on my last bike i had fox triad and talas rl and to be honest they may have been slightly better but they are a whole lot more exspensive.
I was a bit scepitcal about the monarch rear but have been really impressed with it, there is no lockout but the bike is very well designed so it pedals well anyway. As for the recons on the front they again preform well and do have lock out but i hardly use it . If i had the money then i would defo have fox talas again but for a £900 bike you really can't go wrong with the anthem x5, if you need to know anything about the bike give me a shout. I know when i was looking at the x5 there was very little about it on the web.
Hope this helps

broona

£800 delivered here too, very tempted - http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant_anthem_x5.html

peter_booker2003

sellisnba wrote:

As xand_xand said it all depends what kind of riding you do.
Having said that i used to swear by 140mm travel bikes because they were a happy medium UNTIL i bought myself a anthem x5, This bike is awesome far lighter than my previous stumpy fsr and can handle just as much.
Most of my riding is trail center's and dartmoor.
Some of the riding on dartmoor can be a bike killer but the anthem has stood up to alot of abuse.

There is my 10p worth

I couldnt agree more with this! I've got an Anthem X4 and its a great piece of kit. The 100mm travel doesnt hold you back for trail riding. Went round llandegla 2 weeks ago and it was immense. It loved every bit of it!

Squillinossett

Great, look like its the x5! cheers guys!

LFXrider

Did you go for the X5? I got one three months ago and love it. I've done some pretty nice drops and some smaller jumps with mine. It just takes the abuse more than I can take it.

Dan