Thinking of Giant Anthem X3

simmo3801

I currently ride a 2005 Kona Cindercone that I have upgraded extensively to SLX shifters, mechs, crankset, Mavic XC717 rims on Hope Pro 2 hubs, carbon exotic seatpost, Rock Shox Reba team 100 mm forks, race face ride stem and bar combo. The current weight without pedals is just under the 12kgs mark.

I have always been interested in a full sus bike as I feel it would help improve my riding. I mainly ride the red route at Glentress but would like to tackle the black and the red xc route at Innerleithen and then more of the 7stanes sites. I've been away from MTB for a few years but really getting back into it again.

I'm looking at the 2013 Giant Anthem X3 and having read reviews and opinions on other forums I think this will suit my riding.

Given that the Kona really owes me nothing as I bought it new in 2006 and have gradually upgraded it, my plan would be to strip it of the SLX components and fit them to the Anthem. Althought the mechs were fitted a couple of years ago they've had minimal use and the crankset is still in the box ready to be fitted. I would also swop my wheels for the standard Giant S-XC2 ones.

Would this then be a suitable first full sus xc bike in your opinion?
Any owners know the weight of the stock model in medium?
I plan to try a medium and a large Anthem first as I'm 6ft so fall in between either size so any advice with regards that? My Kona I feel is just a tad too big for me and I'm sure it's a large, sorry not at home to check! so I would prefer a size that I feel I had more control over.

Sorry for the rambling but thanks for reading.........

BigAl

Why don't you just demo one?

rockmonkeysc

The Anthem is a great bike. I really like mine.
Im 6'1" and a large is only just big enough for me.

The Spiderman

I have an Anthem it's a great bike. I'm 6ft,and having ridden both medium and large, the large is the better fit.

WindyG

Another Anthem owner here , fantastic bike. Off the shelf it would be close to 13kgs the XC2 wheels are very heavy, mine is down to 10.7 kgs now. Can't advise frame size wise as i'm 5'6" on a small(16") frame.

bartimaeus

I'm 6ft as well, but long arms and legs - and I'm on an L Anthem... I might be able to get away with a M, but I think it would feel cramped. My current set up (70mm stem, 730 bars and Reverb) feels spot-on for size, and I've managed a >10hr ride without feeling uncomfortable.

simmo3801

Ok thanks guys. Hopefully going to try different sizes today then I'll decide from there

simmo3801

Having now tried both medium and large the large felt better, thanks to everyone that replied cheers

simmo3801

And at this price it's a steal!

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant-anthem-x3.html

simmo3801

Well I had a wibble (thankfully) and looked into sizing in more depth. I did order the large over a weekend but phoned the guys at Pedalon on the Tuesday morning to discuss. After a bit of deliberation I changed to the medium which arrived on friday morning and is a perfect fit. Unfortunately I'm away for the wekend so not had a chance to try it. Booked in to have SLX chainset, mechs and shifters fitted on Tues so if I get it back early enough on Wed before work I might run down to Glentress to try it out. Looks superb and certainly can't praise Pedalon enough for their assistance. I'll post a photo once upgrades added.

rockmonkeysc

Nice. The Anthem is a really great bike. It's a great allrounder as well as a fast xc bike.

simmo3801

Thanks you were quite influential (if unknowingly) in my decision to buy one!