Giant Anthem 27.5 demo on Saturday!

[mrbikerboy73]

Well, I've managed to get myself a Giant Anthem 2 demo bike for the day this Saturday
I've read and heard good things about the Anthem but does anyone own one and if so, what are your thoughts please? I'm looking at the 1 but could only get the 2 on demo but that's ok, i really want to get a feel for the wheel size and geometry rather than worry about the spec at this stage.

 

[dan_bo]

My mates very very happy with his 29er. As is my other mate with his 26er.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Pah it's all about the 29r baby.
I can appreciate the 26 but personally find the 27.5 is not as nimble as the 26 and lacks the roll over everything of the 29r.
They seem to be trying to give the best of both worlds with the 27.5 but the result seems a little diluted and lost imho

 

[mrbikerboy73]

I'm not sure about the 29" wheel size, I'm not very tall and I think I may find them a bit big. I've ridden a couple of 27.5 bikes and even they felt big after 26" but I liked the way they rolled with less effort.

 

[Jody]

Well, I've managed to get myself a Giant Anthem 2 demo bike for the day this Saturday
I've read and heard good things about the Anthem but does anyone own one and if so, what are your thoughts please?

You should enjoy it. I love my Anthem as it ticks most boxes for what I would use it for. The ride is really smooth, it climbs really well and its light. I don't bother with huge air these days, which is the only thing I wouldn't want to do with it.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

You should enjoy it. I love my Anthem as it ticks most boxes for what I would use it for. The ride is really smooth, it climbs really well and its light. I don't bother with huge air these days, which is the only thing I wouldn't want to do with it.

Sounds like the kind of bike I'm after, I'm too old for big air nowadays myself too! I just want something not a million miles from a hardtail, but a little more comfortable and still fast and capable of climbing.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Don't have an anthem but I do love my 27.5

 

[Jody]

Just a thought but the only concern with the later Anthem is the overdrive 2 tapered steerer. You can't just pick a set of shocks up and fit them (like an overdrive 1 or standard steerer) as they are fairly unique. So make sure you get the fork/bike spec you are after!

 

[mrbikerboy73]

Just a thought but the only concern with the later Anthem is the overdrive 2 tapered steerer. You can't just pick a set of shocks up and fit them (like an overdrive 1 or standard steerer) as they are fairly unique. So make sure you get the fork/bike spec you are after!

Yes, that's a good point cheers. If I go with the Anthem, I'll get the best model I can afford.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I'm not sure about the 29" wheel size, I'm not very tall and I think I may find them a bit big. I've ridden a couple of 27.5 bikes and even they felt big after 26" but I liked the way they rolled with less effort.

I'm not particularly big at 5ft 7 and have no issue with my 29r at all.

 

[Keith Oates]

I don't have a Giant Anthem but I do have a 29'er (all be it a Trek) and I find the comfort and ability to roll over most things is better that a 26" wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!