[Closed] Giant Anthem - Multiple Questions

anthems are quite like trances (I believe, never having used one)

trances are great and don't need lockouts or platforms IMO (even with longer travel)

my trance x takes a semi-integrated headset (think that may be = zero stack ?) FSA make the one that's fitted to my frame and there's a 1 1/8 crown race available - UKbikestore lists them

I have got a trance x0 and thinking about it i never use the nobs and dials on the shock unless i'm riding on the road (very rarely). Im tempted to just use it and see how it goes.
Im excited about building this one up. shame it may take a while to summon up the funds.

I only use the pro pedal on my rp2 on the road yeah the BB is a shimano press fit bb92 carnt remember the internal diameter of it but maybe the x type will fit straight in ? my anthem has 100mm fox on the front but i've herd a lot of people say they work well with 120 at the front I'm unsure with headsets Id hazard a guess it's integrated its a fsa on mine think it's a orbit

I'm going to have a look when i get chance at the standard specs of the various models and look at the front end configuration. I need to have a look at fork length, stem length, flat/riser bars. I can use these as a starting point. I may try it with the forks at the 120mm they run now to start with but i notice most run 100 on anthems. its only a £4 spacer if i decide to change later.

I think Maestro linkage system uses a specific eye-to-eye length; a generic rp2/23 may not fit. Check with a Giant dealer.

I reckon the F20 will run fine at 120mm

I have a 120 mm fork on mine, and prefer it to 100mm.

Have you got riser bars or flats?. I have never had an xc bike before so i'm not sure what i want/need.

The shock is 165mm eye to eye so as long as a replacement is the same it should be ok.

Hi, I was is the same situation as you about a year back - bought an Anthem X2 2010 frame to build. I put Reba RLT 100 forks on mine which i bought from one one cycles for £200, they weight 100g or so more than the equivilent fox 100's but i really rate them on the Anthem - definately compliments the rear suspension for smoothness.

With the headset you need a reducer to accomadate 1 1/8 forks, which i was told only can be supplied by a Giant dealer (not sure if its true or not) it was a tenner and took a week to get in - i got my LBS to fit the headset / spacer and also the BB which again was a OE fit from Giant. Ive had no problems with the durability of the headset or BB hundereds of mucky miles later.

Ive got a Fox RP23 triad, awesome shock - i have it on setting 2 with no pro-pedal and thats good for just about anything in the UK - on the road pro-pedal is a good idea but off road it actually makes the rear a bit harsh. I wouldnt be too concered about the rear shock though as the meastro suspension is brilliant - i cant imagine there would be too much difference between Monach and Fox

Giant frame sizing is a stange thing and on my medium ive gone for a 80mm stem with a 6 degree rise and Easton monkeylight XC bars cut to 630mm, which is pretty much spot on for me handling wise

The Anthem gets used more than any of my other bikes to be honest and can kick the ass of bikes costing 3 times as much, you certainly wont regret building it up

Thanks for that info Andy.
I think the hope or king tapered headsets will fit. I'm more tempted by the king as they do it in red and hope only produce the tapered in black.
Do you mind me asking how tall you are? my trance is a medium with a 90mm stem and high rise bars and the anthem is also a medium.

With a few parts swapped round from other bikes (mainly my stiffee) it will hopefully have fox f120 rl forks, mavic crossmax st wheels with facing ralph tubeless tires, juicy 7 brakes (originally off the trance) raceface deus bars (unless i chose to go with flats) and deus cranks. hopefully i can stretch to an xtr shadow + rear mech, xt 10 speed cassette and sram chain.
I would love some hope f20 pedals, seatpost and stem too but i may be pushing my luck budget wise.

Mine has an RP23.I don`t use the 3 platform settings,one would be enough but having the ability to switch it on for road sections is quite useful.

Set up on mine (Size L) frame, with me at 6ft is Easton EC70 685mm low rise bars and Fox F100RL forks. I`ve gradually been removing headset spacers though,and lowering the bars as I found the front wheel lifted on steep twisty ascents.

Be careful of comparing 2010 & 2011 frames as BB and headsets are different.

I had a 2010 and due to a cracked frame everything was swapped onto a 2011 frame, the 2011 frame came with an RP23.
They swapped over my 100mm Fox forks which were non-tapered.

Recently, put the bike into my LBS to get a new BB fitted and suggested it may need a new headset, and asked they to fit a Chris King, I was told that due to the design there wasn't a Chris King or Hope that fitted, the standard FSA was te only option. As I was basically giving them the chance to charge me a lot and they said no I tend to believe them.

I use a Hope semi integrated headset with a step down spacer, SID RCT3 100mm forks, bike handles like a dream

andermt - Member
Be careful of comparing 2010 & 2011 frames as BB and headsets are different.

I had a 2010 and due to a cracked frame everything was swapped onto a 2011 frame, the 2011 frame came with an RP23.
They swapped over my 100mm Fox forks which were non-tapered.

Recently, put the bike into my LBS to get a new BB fitted and suggested it may need a new headset, and asked they to fit a Chris King, I was told that due to the design there wasn't a Chris King or Hope that fitted, the standard FSA was te only option. As I was basically giving them the chance to charge me a lot and they said no I tend to believe them.

Mine is a 2011 Anthem frame and I use a BB92PF bottom bracket and a hope semi integrated headset, so I can't understand the issue Andermt

I wouldn't bother changing to a Fox shock. I preferred the Rockshox Monarch on my Titus to any Fox shock I've ever ridden. Its not much of an upgrade and as per all the comments, Giant's don't generally rely on fancy shocks.

I had a Float R on an original mk1 Trance and that was fine without any propedal options.

Andy, not sure, I was just going with what I was told by the LBS, surprised they didn't want the business TBH if there is something else.

andydicko - Member

I use a Hope semi integrated headset with a step down spacer, SID RCT3 100mm forks, bike handles like a dream

Andy how do you rate the RCT3? i was always wondering if they would be an improvement over the Fox F100 RL..

Goldigger - RCT 3 are fantastic mate, just wish i'd have gone for the 120mm, they are a little stiffer than the SID Teams I had previously and are silky smooth too.

I've just bought an Anthem , fantastic machine , mines got the RP23 shock , mainly XTR group set and SID race forks bonty race light wheels , , standard FSA headset and not sure what the bottom bracket is. I do know the bike is better than I am!

Ill get the vernier out and measure the headset later. Hopefully a hope or king one will fit.

I'm shocked just how many people have good things to say about the anthem. There doesn't seem to be much criticism out there even for the lower spec models.

Mates got the 29er version, I must say its a nice machine even if it is a bit blingy(2011 blue and silver)
If I was ever in the market for an XC machine an Anthem would be top of the list

I've just bought an Anthem , fantastic machine , mines got the RP23 shock , mainly XTR group set and SID race forks bonty race light wheels , , standard FSA headset and not sure what the bottom bracket is. I do know the bike is better than I am!

Freaking fast springs to mind 😀

I have one complaint for mine .... it loves to eat bearings I don't pressure wash my bike but do wash my bike after most rides with a hose pipe I use it in clear blue sky days to dark wet windy an muddy winter rides .... once you've got a tool (or 3) to fetch the bearings in an out it's not that much hassle its my only bike so it has to get used! I do rate it highly tho I'd recommend changing the little du bushing in the top of your shock regularly for me once every 5/6 months ... just saves the top hat bushes wearing out too all depends how often an where you ride mind

I should check my bearings .What tool do you have for bearing removal?

I've just bought an Anthem , fantastic machine , mines got the RP23 shock , mainly XTR group set and SID race forks bonty race light wheels , , standard FSA headset and not sure what the bottom bracket is. I do know the bike is better than I am!
Freaking fast springs to mind

Yep 8)

Rapid racer products (r.r.p.) do presses carnt remember what size the anthem takes but there's 3 different sizes you get one press for fitting one for removing you'll also need a bit of threaded bar a couple of washers an some nuts to press the bearing press in/out as it happens superstar components have started doing the same style of press too ..... you can get a special threaded bar to buy with the kit but it's a rip off from what I remember think the presses are about 20quid each .... the cheaper option is a small bearing drift kit or you could knock them in with a socket but I struggled trying to get them in straight that way! As for the du bushing there are presses on e bay for about 7 quid for them

Wish I'd never read this post. Sold my 80mm anthem for an EX8 I'm not really in love with and wish I'd gone for the new anthem instead. Grrr! Considering buying a frame and swapping everything over, or as much as I can!

I'd recommend changing the little du bushing in the top of your shock regularly for me once every 5/6 months ... just saves the top hat bushes wearing out too all depends how often an where you ride mind

Maestro suspension is known for wearing out those DU bushings rapidly - something about it rotating more than other suspension systems IIRC. Anyway, if you're replacing them that often maybe you should think about an aftermarket needle bearing kit, or the new 5-piece bushing Fox have gone to for 2013 model bikes in place of the DU bushes. I just replaced the DU bush and aluminium 'top hats' on my Trance with one, it doesn't need special tools, and according to the Fox blurb lasts ten times longer than a DU bush - something to do with those 'O' rings in the picture I'd wager...

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/gear/product/giant.sixpack.maestro.bearing.tool.kit/589/39118/ ]Go on , treat yourself. It's a lovely thing of pure simplicity when used.[/url]
[url= http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/40570/Giant_Maestro_Bearing_V2_Tool_Kit ]On sale here.[/url]

Goldigger - RCT 3 are fantastic mate, just wish i'd have gone for the 120mm, they are a little stiffer than the SID Teams I had previously and are silky smooth too.

I find the problem with the fox F100Rl is that i cant get a balance between big and small bump compliance..
setting the correct amount of sag, and the fork is on the harsh side..

TFtuned recommended that i used 1psi per kg of body weight...problem is the sag leaves you with less travel.
In this case a 120mm fork would in theory work better..

Im still not sure if a RCT3 in 120mm would be to much travel? id rather have the maxel version, which im sure is only on the 120mm version..