Anthem X or an.....Anthem X ???

Sshpuds

Hi All,

A not so local bike shop is have a clearance sale on 2012 & 2013 bike. All are 50% off, seem like a good deal to me so I'm looking at choosing between a 2012 Anthem X 29er 2 or an 2013 Anthem X 29er 3. Both seem to be great bikes and are the same price and very similar except for the following:

2012 Model
Fork: RockShox Reba 29 RL 15mm Thru Axle
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch RT
Brakes = Avid Elixir 1
Drivetrain = Sram X5 & X7

2013 Model
Fork: Fox 32 FLOAT 29" O/C CTD, 15QR
Rear Shock: Fox FLOAT CTD Evolution
Brakes = Shimano M395
Drivetrain = Deore & SLX

My query is weather the Rockshox or the Fox setup is better from performance, durability & maintenance standpoint or are they essentially similar? I don't think there is a bad choice here, I'm a beginner mountain biker in my 40's and weigh 115kgs if that makes a difference. The bike will be used for cross country cycling. Any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Antm81

2012, purely as it has the reba. Without looking at the rest of the specs I'd order Shimano brakes but much cheaper to change than the fork

rockmonkeysc

Definitely the 2012 model. Much better fork and shock.