Will i find better for money? anthem?

little wiser

Hi just about to buy a giant anthem x2 2012 for £1395.
Any thoughts on this bike or anything i have missed in my search?.
The bike will be used on local bridleways, woods, trial centres etc and hopefully a little bit off racing.

WindyG

A little bit cheaper http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p4432

little wiser

WindyG wrote:

A little bit cheaper http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p4432

Sorry should have said the bike is from Pauls the £1395 is with delivery charge.
I really cannot see any where better than this and am hoping the bike will be great for my riding, only got a hardtail after selling a pitch pro (awesome bike to heavy/much travel for my riding) and also selling a trek ex8 which was great but felt very soft.

supersonic

How about the 2011 X3?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s1p3494

Almost identical spec, but cheaper. Better version of the fork too.

little wiser

supersonic wrote:

How about the 2011 X3?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b4s1p3494

Almost identical spec, but cheaper. Better version of the fork too.

Hi didnt realise it was a better fork, in what way?.
BUT and its a big BUT i hate the colour and im a tart!.

supersonic

The F100 is a lighter version as far as I know. Evo is the new 'budget' range.

So a better bike for £130 less...

little wiser

supersonic wrote:

The F100 is a lighter version as far as I know. Evo is the new 'budget' range.

So a better bike for £130 less...

The spec is very similar but no boost valve on the rear shock, not needed on the giant suspension system?

supersonic

It gives a little more adjustment to the pro pedal settings, but pro pedal is not needed much anyway due to the Maestro design.

WindyG

The 2011 X3 does have a boost valve as I have one. I looked at the 2012/13 bikes and the spec is less for more money.

little wiser

WindyG wrote:

The 2011 X3 does have a boost valve as I have one. I looked at the 2012/13 bikes and the spec is less for more money.

Whats it look like in the flesh so to speak?, not sure if the color is a bit marmite love it or hate it.
Also good to have someone to speak to who owns one, how do you find it?.

little wiser

Oh and while on the subject went to see a 2012 x1 but that was £2400, no way is the bike that much better ok its all round xt but £1000 more!.

supersonic

X3 2012 is good value too at 1k - get the Reba RL which is a better fork still, but take a hit on the spec and shock.

little wiser

I had pretty much made my mind up that the x2 2012 was the best deal spec and looks wise, glad i asked the question now!.
x3 2012 is £900 at pedalon.

little wiser

But its sram (not a big fan) and a monarch rear shock?.

supersonic

The Monarch R works well - lacks lockout, but may not need it. The SRAM kit is basic but functional. I'd pocket the change, and when it wears out get SLX.

WindyG

little wiser wrote:

WindyG wrote:

The 2011 X3 does have a boost valve as I have one. I looked at the 2012/13 bikes and the spec is less for more money.

Whats it look like in the flesh so to speak?, not sure if the color is a bit marmite love it or hate it.
Also good to have someone to speak to who owns one, how do you find it?.

I agree it is marmite for sure, I totally love it, my frame is small so it comes in at 11.4kgs which is lighter than my Scott Hardtail and this shows in the handling and it climbs like a rocket, I have some Easton carbon handlebars on order and will most likely replace the stem and seatpost for lighter options as well. Only negative is it does pick up the mud around the rear shock.

little wiser

Well im going to go to pedalon after xmas and have a look at both i think, £500 is a lot off money so little undecided.
If its a press fit bottom bracket can you fit shimano ht11 to it with adapters?, only ask as my hard tail is all xt with slx crank, maybe worth swapping bits over?.

supersonic

You would need a Shimano press fit BB - but your cranks would work with it.

WindyG

little wiser wrote:

I had pretty much made my mind up that the x2 2012 was the best deal spec and looks wise, glad i asked the question now!.
x3 2012 is £900 at pedalon.

The wheels on that are also a downgrade from the P-XC2 and a little heavier

b45her

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=3026

Just a thought if you looking to spend around £1300 .

little wiser

b45her wrote:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3026

Just a thought if you looking to spend around £1300 .

But thats a 120mm full suss not 100mm and im not sure about the pedal bob etc on the canyon while the giants system is supposed to be great

little wiser

OK then x2 for £1400 or spend £900 on the x3 and use my xt groupset from my hardtail, which is nearly new and the carbon bars fromsame bike and the £500 pound i have saved buy some superstar/hope wheels, a set off xt or hope brakes and some nice finishing kit.
Im thinking this build would be better than the standard x2 anthem???
Thoughts please.

Oh and sell all the sram x5 kit etc.

supersonic

How about another option?! Use your groupset with this:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITXCARRS ... arch_shock

Some nice superstar wheels, a Reba.

scottybob

I have a 2011 anthem x3 and I love it!! The pics that are on pauls cycles dont do it justice and i can understand why people dont like the look of it but in the flesh it looks %100 better! Im sure you wouldnt regret getting one....... I dont but then I did pick mine up as used once for £780!! would have paid the £1250 tho from paulscycles

little wiser

scottybob wrote:

I have a 2011 anthem x3 and I love it!! The pics that are on pauls cycles dont do it justice and i can understand why people dont like the look of it but in the flesh it looks %100 better! Im sure you wouldnt regret getting one....... I dont but then I did pick mine up as used once for £780!! would have paid the £1250 tho from paulscycles

Good to hear from someone else happy with there anthem, im edging towards the x3 2012 and using bits from my bike to upgrade it.

My biggest worry at the moment is the rockshox monarch shock as it doesnt have lock out, do you use the lockout on your bike? or not really needed because of the suspension design?.

scottybob

I was worried about suspension bob at first to be honest but it doesnt bob too much but yeah I have locked it out a bit. The 2011 model really is a lovely looking bike as it has shaped tubes IE not just round tubes that cant really be seen in pics