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I want to blow some cash on a lightweight XC full suss for long rides. I was originally thinking 29er e.g. Epic or Canyon Lux, but am now also considering 27.5. Looking for a bike weight of <25lbs, budget ~£4K.
Seen a big discount on an end of season Giant Anthem Advance 27.5 0 Team. RRP £5500, on sale at ~£3600. Spec is great, weight is supposedly ~22lbs. Anyone think of a reason not to go for it (i.e. a better alternative)?
Any opinions?
I can't comment of the Canyon as I've never ridden it but I've ridden the other two a fair bit. The Epic is a lovely bike, I think the brain system work brilliantly on a cross country platform but the issue is that the frames and the suspension system seem prone to failure, the bb area of the frame cracks on most exapamples of the carbon frame and the shock/brain system seem to fail at various points. The Giant how ever is equally good to ride but feels quite different, it seems to be a little less planted and as a result it feels a little more lively but the frame and suspension seem rock solid.
Re the Epic issues in my experience Specialized have been very good about supporting the replacements but I'm not so sure it should hen in the first place!
Oh I should also add that after all of this testing and investigating I went for a Whyte M109, it equally efficient at crossing a map fast but has a more trail bike feel to it. Whyte aren't making it for 2016 and they are also not replacing it so there will be some bargains to be had on remaining stock
Thanks. I know a couple of people with carbon Epics and they haven't had any issues, so that is good to know.
What sort of weight is your M109?
Mine isn't the standard spec but has a little xtr, crossmax and a dropper it's a fraction under 24lbs according to the scales at my lbs. the frame in the M109 is lighter than the non Sworks Epic frame despite it's alloy rear end and come with lifetime bearings which is a nice bonus.
I bought frame only 27.5 anthem (2015 version) and built up my self, 120mm sids, American Classic wide lightening wheels, 1x11, XT brakes, carbon finishing kit, cost me about £2700 and weighs 23.5 lbs, and it rides lovely, really please with it
I have an off the shelf Anthem SX, so 120 Fox 32's and 100 rear. Mainly SLX. Lighter than my Soul and great fun.
alloy or carbon jonny?
Just the ali version
Makes the weight even more impressive
I don't think the carbon frames would be that much lighter, the ali one is about 5.2 lbs I bet the carbon isn't much under 5