2011 Giant Anthem 29er X3 Review:

My new ride is a Giant Anthem 29er. It is the X3 so it has the most econo components of the three versions and it was last years model so it was even more econo. This full suspension cross country bike has 29 inch wheels (in lieu of the standard 26 inch wheels) and it is the smoothest ride I have ever experienced.

I am a 52 year old Clydesdale trail rider, with twenty-five years of off road experience, whose days of catching "hospital air" are far behind me. With the XL frame size and the 29 inch wheels this bike simply has the proportions of a gigantic 26er. Finally a bike that fits me perfectly. I am still figuring this out but the rear suspension has two settings - full suspension and a partial lock-out (which I think is supposed to be used while riding the pavement to the actual trail). This bike is designed for and triumphs on technical singletrack; but on smooth trails, like the OC&E Trail pictured above, the ride feels almost like riding on pavement. I normally ride a cross bike (with no suspension) on this trail so the difference is remarkably obvious. On pavement the bike doesn't seem to bob up and down much until I stand up while climbing a hill - then it is sort of annoying. I generally remain seated while climbing off-road, for obvious reasons, so the off road climbing is perfect. And let's face it - on a trail ride in Oregon most of my actual *time* is spent climbing!

The bottom bracket seems a little lower than what I am used to so I find myself clomping my pedals into rocks I have never hit before on long familiar trails - so I will need to get used to that; but a smooth, stable ride is a fast ride. I love it!

I also test rode a Giant Trance 26 X3 - which was also a great ride, and featured a little more range of motion with respect to the suspension. I was all ready to buy the Trance until I tried the Anthem. It is interesting that the Trance has the exact same gearing as the Anthem 29er - given that the Trance has 26" wheels and the Anthem has 29" wheels that means the Trance is essentially geared much lower than the Anthem. Incidentally the gearing on the Anthem seems just right to me.

One thing that will take some getting used to is the handlebars - my old bike (a 2004 {?} Kona King Kikapu) had much narrower handlebars. I've been riding (I think) 23 inch handlebars for the past twenty-five years. The wide handlebars will take a little getting used to - sometimes I feel like I'm riding Pee Wee Herman's bike, and I sometimes find myself moving my hands in a little bit. There is a gate I have to ride through to get from the paved part of the park to the trail section and, previously, I could make it through; but with the wide handlebars I have to stop and lift the bike through. I'm going to keep the handlebars wide for now because I think it may improve handling. I'll just need to get used to them.

I'm old school and prefer bar ends - which evidently are out of style - and might add some. They allow a little more arm power while climbing and allow a wider variety of hand positions for longer rides.

The saddle that came with the Anthem was a small and very lightweight Fi'zi:k Tundra2. It was too small for me. I don't have a big butt, per se, but I am 6' 4" 205 pounds, and I felt I was sliding all over on it - not enough friction - so I quickly switched it for my old Brooks saddle. Being a heavier rider to begin with I don't fret as much about a few extra ounces here and there - especially with respect to something as important to the quality of the ride as the saddle.