Giant Anthem X2 2013 Vs Anthem 27.5 3 (2014)

kinioo

OK guys,

I have asked a questions reused X1 Vs new X2 etc. and also re sizing of X2 Anthem...

As I can probably get my company to buy the bike for me (as a commuter) I gave up on second hand bike as in this case it MUST be a new one (but kept within £1k)!

As I am still not sure about frame size -I'm in between M / L, and as Pauls Cycles do not have X2 2013 in M anymore (only L) have found on their website Anthem 27.5 X3 2014 and they have it in M & L !!

So question for you - experts, what is the difference in spec between these two (X2 2013 & X3 2014) ??

Is a X3 still a good buy ??

I am more than happy with 27.5" !

Many thanks again guys !!!

Read the review here: http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -15-49202/

but don't like this: Lows: Not as aggressively rapid and agile as the Anthems of old - as I want it to be aggressive !!!!

cooldad

Posting links assists in getting replies from lazy people.

Antm81

In what way o you want it to be aggressive though? I expect they've slackened the angles so it's less like an XC race bike and more like a trail bike (which is what he suggests). If you're looking at aggressive being capable going down and on drops etc. this is probably not a bad thing.

The 2014 x3 isn't a bad spec although I've not yet looked at the X2

Edit: the only major difference from a quick look is the fork being one model higher.

The Rookie

If you want to be aggresive you don't want an aggresive bike.....a steeper head angle makes the bike more aggresive (rapid and agile) but won't reward aggresive (I'm assuming you mean charging downhill with your hair on fire?) riding as much as a slacker bike.

kinioo

cooldad wrote:

Posting links assists in getting replies from lazy people.

Obviously, always forget to do so:

X2:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... M-X-2-2013

X3:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s183p5 ... 7-5-3-2014

Chris

kinioo

The Rookie wrote:

If you want to be aggresive you don't want an aggresive bike.....a steeper head angle makes the bike more aggresive (rapid and agile) but won't reward aggresive (I'm assuming you mean charging downhill with your hair on fire?) riding as much as a slacker bike.

Well said and fair enough - its the biker not the bike !

OK, back to the question re spec etc.

cooldad

Older one has better brakes, fork, general kit and is cheaper, but people will laugh at you for having prehistoric wheels.

As they laugh at me anyway for my rubbish ridiing skills, I would take the older one.

kinioo

cooldad wrote:

Older one has better brakes, fork, general kit and is cheaper, but people will laugh at you for having prehistoric wheels.

As they laugh at me anyway for my rubbish ridiing skills, I would take the older one.

You mean 26"...I love it !!

kinioo

oxoman wrote:

Go with the one that will fit you, it is easier to make a slightly smaller bike fit against a bigger bike smaller. Brilliant bikes as mentioned in one of your previous posts, love mine.

Hmm, the problem is I am not sure about the size - as discussed in my other post.

Need to try X3 in both M & L then probably I might decide ?!

For some reason I am leaning toward X2 even in size L...dont know why ?

rockmonkeysc

Im 6'1" and had a large 2012 Anthem. I really think you might struggle with the large. It was a great fit for me, I only had a 70mm stem on mine. It feels bigger than the geometry would suggest. At three inches shorter than me I think large will be too big.
The Anthem is a great bike, if I wanted a less aggressive bike I would certainly have another one.