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Long term itch, still not scratched. I want lighter weight and more involving than my AM9, I have been looking secondhand but nothing jumping out at me. I'd love to spend under a grand but if the Anthem 2 can be had new for under 1.8k I'd consider it.
Happy with either wheel size but I think the newer 29er is more XC than trail.
I'd need a medium.
What components have you changed/let the bike down?
I have an Anthem 29 2 (I think - alu, bright orange one). Light for the money, fast great xc bike. Copes well with gnarly stuff for a 90mm travel bike, but it's not a trail bike. Will take a dropper, but limited to 27.2. 780 bars come stock and are great. Sizing a little old skool in that long stem, short etc/reach for seat tube length. Great bike for the money. It's a fun bike though. I expect the new Trance 29 would be ace.
I have a 2017 Anthem 1, which replaced a 2015 Anthem SX. The geometry is lowish and longish, very sorted and I’ve never found it out of its depth. The carbon rims were like cheese and I replaced them this year with unfashionably narrow Hope XCs on Pro4s, which are perfect with 2.25 Hans Dampf/Nobby Nic setup. The Giant dropper post lost its anodising up the back after 3 months and was warrantied, and I sold the replacement one and fitted a Fox Transfer with a Wolftooth lever. Great bike and in no rush to change it.
I have an Anthem 2017 and it's a great bike. Ideal as a second bike alongside my Bronson. Sadly a house purchase means it will be getting sold soon but the best recommendation I can give is I will replace it with another once the house is bought!
Cheers. Will try and see what else pops up
If you can get a deal on an Anthem 2 it would be a good bike. The main upgrade with the 1 was the wheels, which as I said earlier are shite anyway.
My other MTB is an 18 Bird Zero TR and they go well together.
Pauls Cycles have the 2017 Anthem 2 in large for £1600. 2018 model has 130mm up front instead of 120mm so I'd be tempted to get a 2018 model.
I've got a 2017 Trance and they are great bikes. The fox rhythm fork is excellent and so is the overall spec. My trance climbs well so the anthem should be even better.
Downsides which would apply to the anthem too - paint is easily scratched and hasn't worn too well, alloy wheels are a bit heavy (but durable), stock tyres are rubbish and I had to warranty the dropper post after 3 months.
I bought a 2018 Anthem2 back in July. 130mm /110mm Fox suspension and SLX groupset. Coming from riding hardtails since 1990 it's great, but I do find it a bit of a lump as I've always been used to lighter bikes - this was my first new bike for ten years, first time on 27.5 wheels and all the other design changes that have happened since. It rides super great though, very stable and I love being on it. First thing to change will be the wheels to get a bit of weight off it, that'll probably be in spring time. The dropper post will go at some point as I've never used it and as the drivetrain wears out I'll replace that with lighter components.
I can’t speak for the 2017 anthem but I’ve had a 2015 anthem 3 from new. Excellent bikes mines a bit heavy though but I’m no lightweight. I would personally sell the dropper from new if it’s a giant switch and buy a brand x instead.
I have an Anthem 1 2017, same as Iainc. Not had any problems with the wheelset yet although I do plan on upgrading them at some point as they are the weekest part of the build imo.
I'm 6ft and went for a large based on the geometry of my old bike and its big and long but fits well for its intended do-it-all xc bike use. As an xc bike it rides great and is quite capable on less demanding trails but its certainly not as slack compared to more forward thinking brands such as Whyte which does mean you can't charge through rough stuff and technicap lines need some planning. Full XT build on the 1 so absolutely nothing changed.
Its an absolute rocket on the climbs, the sort of bike that you just love to get on and ride for 3-5 hours over mooreland and along country lanes. If thats what you are looking for then I'm sure you'll be happy. The 2018 models have a bit of extra front travel and are a tad slacker on the head angle so I'd hunt down one of these. The 29ers are oldskool steep n stiff so less of an all-rounder and more race focused.
I have a 650b aluminium Anthem 1 from 2018 and for me it's a proper keeper, a brilliant short travel trail bike. Really good fun but great at pedalling.
I have recently demoed a 2018 carbon 29er one (I can;t remember the spec but it was Red with SLX?) and it's a totally different bike, it feels even more efficient and certainly more racey but not twitchy or at all boring as I find some overly efficient bikes. The front end is certainly more playful than the last generation Anthem 29er. If I was buying a race bike my money woulod be going on the 29er, in my opinion it's even better than the epic which seems to be the bench mark xc bike.
Ooh can i play? I've bough two anthems in the last year.
Paid 1500 for a new anthem 2 for my son. Amazing bike for the money. Dropper, slx fox 34 of some description. He really likes it. Loads more control than his trek ex jnr. He used it to excellent effect in finale.
So I bought myself the anthem advanced 29er for 2250. Love it. It's so different from my spesh enduro. It's really light IMHO (12kg) and just feels like it flies. Carbon rims (sad to hear what the poster above said about them) rockshox SID, Carbon main triangle, SLX group set. Really looking forward to trying it on home trails.
Was thinking about the red advanced pro with carbon rear, Eagle and Fox, but couldn't justify the extra 1200 quid.
Thinking of a helvellyn/skiddaw double tomorrow. If you're in the area. You can ride the enduro up and the anthem down 😎
^^^^ re the carbon 650B rims, I broke 2 rear ones - I am not a heavy rider and like having my wheels on the ground... First one was very much just riding along, local trails, no drama, noticed what I thought was a score on the rim at the end of the ride, poked it and realised the rim was bust. No air loss, no noticeable big hits, nowt. I tried to warranty it with LBS (who are very good) but Giant wouldn't play ball. Got a new one with a third off, which was decent, but still over £300 and 3 months later broke it, albeit on a water bar which would have certainly dinged an alloy rim. The Hope XC/Pro4s that I then bought are better than the Giant carbon ones ever were for pickup and tracking.
Not helpful, but my brother has a 26 in wheeled Anthem 2 2006 model. Still rides it - excellent bikes and I have been very tempted ever since.
If I was not so chunky, I would definitely look at one.