Giant Anthem 27.5 2 2015
Mattcee
Posts: 148
Heres my Giant Anthem 27.5 2 2015 which is all stock so far except the saddle as the original to to narrow for me.
My plan is to upgrade it over the next few weeks - and try and do it all myself having no real modern bike no-how so will try and keep this thread updated with how I get on.
The plans are (at least for now), 1x10 set up, carbon bars, tubeless set up and possibly new cassette to fit extender sprocket.
She weighs 28.66lbs now so will be interesting to see if theres much weight saving.
My plan is to upgrade it over the next few weeks - and try and do it all myself having no real modern bike no-how so will try and keep this thread updated with how I get on.
The plans are (at least for now), 1x10 set up, carbon bars, tubeless set up and possibly new cassette to fit extender sprocket.
She weighs 28.66lbs now so will be interesting to see if theres much weight saving.
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Comments
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Yeah I really like it.
For where I ride, I find i don't need the granny ring as It does climb staggeringly well.
In fact that was the most impressive thing about it considering I haven't owned a bike for 8 years or so and now older and more out of shape.
I swear I found climbing harder when i was lighter and fitter on my old Whyte 46 than I do now!0 -
Hope you didnt ride it in that gear combo......Framebuilder
Handbuilt Steel 29er https://goo.gl/RYSbaa
Carbon Stumpjumper https://goo.gl/xJNFcv
Parkwood:http://goo.gl/Gf8xkL
Ribble Gran Fondo https://goo.gl/ZpTFXz
Triban:http://goo.gl/v63FBB0 -
I noticed in the other thread, You're thinking about changing the entie gear set for 1x10/11. I was looking into this, but before I pulled the trigger I just swapped the chainrings for a raceface NW 30t and kept all the other equipment the same. If your rear mech is either sram type 2 (mine is) or shimano shadow+ (?) the chain will stay put. IMO for the sake of ~£35 and 30mins work it's worth a go.
If you're worried about the gear range I'm on 30t 11-36 on 29" wheels and quite unfit, but I can still climb the same hills as what I did in the granny ring (22t)
Anyway, great bike mate. Good luck
CC'14 Whyte T129s-*DEAD*
OnOne Codeine 29er0 -
I noticed in the other thread, You're thinking about changing the entie gear set for 1x10/11. I was looking into this, but before I pulled the trigger I just swapped the chainrings for a raceface NW 30t and kept all the other equipment the same. If your rear mech is either sram type 2 (mine is) or shimano shadow+ (?) the chain will stay put. IMO for the sake of ~£35 and 30mins work it's worth a go.
If you're worried about the gear range I'm on 30t 11-36 on 29" wheels and quite unfit, but I can still climb the same hills as what I did in the granny ring (22t)
Anyway, great bike mate. Good luck
CC
Cheers buddy and thats exactly what I've done after doing more research. Hoping the Raceface N/W chainring 38T will arrive tommorrow and I have the Shadow + which has the clutch. I don't want to compromise my top speed so went for the 38T (which is what i have now on my big ring but could come down more if needed) and could just about climb ok with that seated still.
I have the option of an expander ring too for easier climbing but that would mean a new cassette as SLX isn't compatble without drilling.0 -
Cracking bike, love mine. Why don't you run it a while before upgrading to single. Tubeless well worth doing and stock giant saddle is an acquired taste swapped mine out for charge spoon. Brilliant going uphill and awesome on the trails.
Was going to say that.
I got myself an Anthem X2 2013 -and, well I am over the moon with this bike - absolutely cracking machine.
I have done tubeless conversion and changed stem for shorter one.
I plan to use it as it is for a while now, then next on my list is a dropper seat post, riser bars, 2 x 10 or probably 1 x 10 conversion as so far I have never used the smallest ring and literally few times the big ring.
I think its very good bike in stock configuration, but obviously you can do whatever you wish with it in terms of upgrading.0 -
Cracking bike, love mine. Why don't you run it a while before upgrading to single. Tubeless well worth doing and stock giant saddle is an acquired taste swapped mine out for charge spoon. Brilliant going uphill and awesome on the trails.
Was going to say that.
I got myself an Anthem X2 2013 -and, well I am over the moon with this bike - absolutely cracking machine.
I have done tubeless conversion and changed stem for shorter one.
I plan to use it as it is for a while now, then next on my list is a dropper seat post, riser bars, 2 x 10 or probably 1 x 10 conversion as so far I have never used the smallest ring and literally few times the big ring.
I think its very good bike in stock configuration, but obviously you can do whatever you wish with it in terms of upgrading.
What difference do you find with the shorter stem?0 -
Cracking bike, love mine. Why don't you run it a while before upgrading to single. Tubeless well worth doing and stock giant saddle is an acquired taste swapped mine out for charge spoon. Brilliant going uphill and awesome on the trails.
Was going to say that.
I got myself an Anthem X2 2013 -and, well I am over the moon with this bike - absolutely cracking machine.
I have done tubeless conversion and changed stem for shorter one.
I plan to use it as it is for a while now, then next on my list is a dropper seat post, riser bars, 2 x 10 or probably 1 x 10 conversion as so far I have never used the smallest ring and literally few times the big ring.
I think its very good bike in stock configuration, but obviously you can do whatever you wish with it in terms of upgrading.
What difference do you find with the shorter stem?
Well, first of all I was a bit overstretched with the stock stem. I got large frame and the stem was I believe 110-120mm...so this was the first reason of changing it.
Also, the steering is much easier and a bit more controllable me thinking...probably it will be even more noticeable when I put wider bars i.e. 780 - stock is 680-700mm.
Cracking bike, cant wait till I get it out again tomorrow for a night ride out !!
Its so fu..ing fast that I managed to increase my average speed on my normal/standard loop by 3-4km/h !!!
Love it !!!0 -
Nice bike and colour scheme!
I also changed the stem on mine for a 50mm rather than the 110 that came on it. The frame is only a small but I feel quite stretched and just didn't feel right. Personally I love the shorter stem as it quickens the steering and puts less pressure on my lower back. It can feel a little twitchy but feels way better for me.
But its not for everyone. My friend has the same Anthem but his runs the standard stem with wide bars (780mm I think). He prefers the stability offered with a longer stem0 -
New Raceface chainring arrived today and man its incredibly light!
I haven't taken the old ones of to compare but it seems amazing how it can be that light despite the force that'll put on it. Just shows how long I've been without a bike and how things have improved over the years.0 -
So I got the new single chainring fitted and also got the Hope 40T rear sprocket expander as a 'get of jail' option but i did need to get a new Shimano XT cassette as the SLX cassette isn't a direct fit and needs drilling.
I also got a new Easton carbon handlebar and a Stans tubless kit and have gone tubeless now.
I am a newb to bike maintence/repair but afer buying the right tools, things went easy enough although it took 2 attempts getting the front tyre to stay inflated for more than a day which turned out to be small holes in the sidewall. Tubeless feels a lttle different and removing the 17T rear sprocket to accomodate the Hope 40T leaves quite a gap in shifting so have just fitted a 16T sprocket to replace the 15T.
I lost a kilo from the bike in doing all this too
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So I got the new single chainring fitted and also got the Hope 40T rear sprocket expander as a 'get of jail' option but i did need to get a new Shimano XT cassette as the SLX cassette isn't a direct fit and needs drilling.
I also got a new Easton carbon handlebar and a Stans tubless kit and have gone tubeless now.
I am a newb to bike maintence/repair but afer buying the right tools, things went easy enough although it took 2 attempts getting the front tyre to stay inflated for more than a day which turned out to be small holes in the sidewall. Tubeless feels a lttle different and removing the 17T rear sprocket to accomodate the Hope 40T leaves quite a gap in shifting so have just fitted a 16T sprocket to replace the 15T.
I lost a kilo from the bike in doing all this too
Hi Mattcee
I've got your same bike, but the 2014 model. Its one week old, got it discounted from Paul's.
I'm interested in going 10/11 speed, just like you did, and getting rid of the front mech, and going single ring.
I think the specs of our bikes are similar, but my gear train is SRAM X7, the rear mech is type 2, which I think is like the shadow+ on shimano.
I was hoping if you can tell me what do I need to do the conversion?
My crankset is an SRAM S1000 26/38T double.
The BB is an SRAM GXP Press Fit
The cassette is a SRAM PG1030 11-36.
A few questions please:
1- Do I need to change my BB and crankset as well? or do I just get a Race face 38T single chainring and bolt the crank to it?
If so, is it a simple job involving allen keys etc, or special tools?
2- I read that you added a granny 40T to your cassette to compensate for losing the smaller chainring. Is it possible to add an 11th ring to the cassette on the Giant P-XC2 hubs? thought they were only 10 speed?
3- Also, I cannot find any details on the width of my seat post; Giant Connect, as I want to get a carbon one? Do you know the diameter of the posts on the anthems?
4- Also read that giant has a special stem/headset diameter, so if I want to change the Giant Connect SL stem to something shorter, I can't just buy any MTB stem?
5- Lastly, I would love to get your Easton carbon bar, but it's too expensive for me. Can u suggest a not so light carbon or very light alloy bar as an alternative? What's the spec btw on my Giant Connect, Low Riser 690mm bar??!!
Its very annoying that NOWHERE in Giants brochures that I downloaded, or in the paperwork that came with the bike is there any mention of the actual specs IN DETAIL of the bike's components?
Sorry for the barrage of questions and thnx in advance if u could help!!
Love your bike's colour scheme btw...guess the 2014 is on offer cuz it didn't sell well. Colour scheme on it is pretty boring...!!0 -
A few questions please:
1- Do I need to change my BB and crankset as well? or do I just get a Race face 38T single chainring and bolt the crank to it?
If so, is it a simple job involving allen keys etc, or special tools?
I found it pretty simple to do and while I don't know about the SRAM stuff, it was simply a case of removing the crank arms, removing the x2 original front chainrings and replacing it with the single Race Face chainring on the outer fixing where the old bigger ring was. You'll need special tools for the crank arm removal (but cheap enough) and the sprockets are just held on by allen/hex bolts and you may need a large flat headed screwdriver on the rear on bolts..
I did buy some narrow bolts for the Race Face chainring although I probably could just about of gotten away with the original bolts. I also used a little threadlock when fixing the new chainring back on.2- I read that you added a granny 40T to your cassette to compensate for losing the smaller chainring. Is it possible to add an 11th ring to the cassette on the Giant P-XC2 hubs? thought they were only 10 speed?
You can buy 11 ring sprockets but then you'll need a new 11 speed mech to match and makes things much more costly. I went down the expander route for lower costs and an easier swap over.3- Also, I cannot find any details on the width of my seat post; Giant Connect, as I want to get a carbon one? Do you know the diameter of the posts on the anthems?
Mine is a Giant Connect too and 30.9mm diameter.4- Also read that giant has a special stem/headset diameter, so if I want to change the Giant Connect SL stem to something shorter, I can't just buy any MTB stem?
I can't help with that I'm afraid as not looked into changing stems - although its something for the future.5- Lastly, I would love to get your Easton carbon bar, but it's too expensive for me. Can u suggest a not so light carbon or very light alloy bar as an alternative? What's the spec btw on my Giant Connect, Low Riser 690mm bar??!!
Again, I just saw bar on offer and snapped it up after the reviews and low weight of it from CRC so can't really recommend anything else.Its very annoying that NOWHERE in Giants brochures that I downloaded, or in the paperwork that came with the bike is there any mention of the actual specs IN DETAIL of the bike's components?
Try here http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.anthem.27.5.2/14994/66600/#specifications if you have the 27.5 2 2014. If not, search for 'Anthem' on the Giant website 'Bike Archive' link near bottom of page.Sorry for the barrage of questions and thnx in advance if u could help!!
No problem at all. Just bear in mind I went for quite a big front chainring as do quite a bit of road work so you may be better off with a smaller one if you do more hills etc.
You will need special tools for crank removal, cassette removal, chain link removers etc so I ended up spending quite a bit on tools alone - but they should last years.
I'm pretty sure I saw an ad on TV that Aldi are selling a bike tool kit right now for about £15 I think. I've not seen it close up but I'm sure it has some more specialist tools like cassete whips, pedal spanners, crank tools so might be worth investing in that to save on costs.
The other thing I overlooked was my chain length which ended up too small so once the expander ring was fitted.0 -
4- Also read that giant has a special stem/headset diameter, so if I want to change the Giant Connect SL stem to something shorter, I can't just buy any MTB stem?
You will need a 1 1/4" stem as I think yours is an overdrive 2. Shorter 1 1/4" seem to be like hens teeth.0 -
Not sure how long the anthem stem is but the trance used a 70mm so that should be available, just be aware, giant have dropped overdrive 2 so their new stems may not be 1 1/4"0
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4- Also read that giant has a special stem/headset diameter, so if I want to change the Giant Connect SL stem to something shorter, I can't just buy any MTB stem?
You will need a 1 1/4" stem as I think yours is an overdrive 2. Shorter 1 1/4" seem to be like hens teeth.
The 1 1/4" tapered steerer was dropped by Giant in 2015. This year's bikes have a normal tapered steerer so need a 2 1/8" stem.
If you fit a 40t cassette expander then you remove the 15t ring from the middle of the cassette so it's still 10 speed. To do this you need a cassette with separate rings so you can dismantle it. I use Shimano XT cassettes.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350 -
odessouky wrote:[/b]Hi Mattcee
I've got your same bike, but the 2014 model.RockmonkeySC wrote:The 1 1/4" tapered steerer was dropped by Giant in 2015. This year's bikes have a normal tapered steerer so need a 2 1/8" stem.
The OP's bike is 2015 but the question was asked regarding Odessouky's push iron, hence recommending 1 1/4" stems.0 -
You should be able to get another Giant stem easy enough. Google giant OD2 stem. I got a 60mm one from JE James. I think it was about £22. They have a spacer included so that they will fit both sizes.0
