Is the Anthem X29er that good?

[Clyde Dave]

Tried to ask in the anthem 29er thread but no response so thought I'd try a specific thread.
I have one and I love it, as does everyone else obviously.
The thing is I don't have any time on another 29er dually to compare it to.
Anyone ridden other 29ers and know how they compare to the Anthem? Is it really that good a bike, or are all 29er duallies as good as this?

 

[Sumgy]

Never ridden the Anthem but looking at it on paper, it is very similar geometry to the Tallboy I have.
If it rides as good as the Tallboy then it is awesome.

But that could not be possible.
Could it??

 

[Knopey]

I would not be surprised if people are raving about it because it's so awesome to ride for the price
Having said that, I haven't ridden a different 29er to compare. But I know the price is one thing that makes me even more impressed with it, since it either leaves more room for upgrades or allows people of a lower budget to ride a quality bike.

At the end of the day though it is just a bike not dissimilar to any other - just a machine

 

[Misplaced]

At the end of the day though it is just a bike...

What da... BAN HIM!

 

[mmatrix]

bag it pls

What really annoys me is I have been bagging 29ers out for the last 18 months, like I bagged our Pilates, yoga, vegetarians the list goes on. The fact is every time I end up bagging something out I now realize it is just resistance and I ended up getting into it. Checked out the Anthem 29er today again at the LBS ( 3rd visit in two weeks) and am very close to letting that resistance go. For 3K it is a super nice bike that will be great for longer mt bike races. If only I could of kept my views to my self.
That 3K will be far better in a term deposit.

 

[Misplaced]

That 3K will be far better in a term deposit.

What Da...BAN HIM TOO!

 

[harmonix1234]

That 3K will be far better in a term deposit.

I dunno. What's the rate on a $3K Term Deposit now? About 4% annually?

So you might make $120 in 12 months on a term deposit.
I bet you could bag the 2010 model when it goes on sale next year for a better saving than $120.



Buy the bike!

 

[Timmy!!!]

I've ridden both the Superfly 100 and the Anthem. The Superfly is better, no doubt about it, but it's also listed at $8999 rrp... While it's better than the Anthem it ain't that much better.

Given the level of standard equipment on the Anthem and how well it rides, you can spend $3000 on it, beat the living daylights out of it for a year, and then throw it in the recycling and still be ahead.

Buy it. It's bloody good.

 

[rearviewmirror]

I rode one.. wasn't as impressed with it as I was with the Ellsworth Evolve. Just sayin.... I also like my Racer X 29er too.

With that being said, it's not a bad bike for the dosh.

 

[krisko]

Everyone has an opinion, everyones bike is the best

Your question is very subjective and your sure to get the "I rode one meh" type responses.

The bottom line is take them all with a grain of salt. Unless people have had the test bike for several days, dismiss their opinions.

As you are aware it takes time to properly evaluate a bie, shock, fork setup pressures and rebound can change the feel substantially of a bike alone. Add to that cockpit tweaking and a quick test ride isn't worth much.

I have owned a Jet 9 for 3 months and test rode a tallboy for 3 days. All bikes ride equally as well. The Jet has a heavy frame at 600grams more and this can be felt when climbing your favourite trails. Other than that its stiff and peferms equally as well.
I only sold it as I got my money back on the frame and it put it towards the AnthemX.
I couldn't go past $3k for a complete new bike with all new high end bits.

The Tallboy rode equally as well at almost the same weight. I certainly couldn't tell the difference between it and the Anthem infact it felt very much the same in alot of ways. (I didn't buy one on money/value alone)

The Jet has the best suspension motion due its lower shock movement ratio. The fork takes far less pressure for the same sag, giving it the best small bump compliance and ability to use all its travel. (This is limited to its travel of 80mm)

However as stated above this isn't everything. The paint quality is far poorer and value for money is a 2/5 compared to the Anthems 5/5.

So to answer your question Yes and Im also sure that the Superfly 100 doesn't feel that much different.....and you certainly couldn't justify the price difference!

I only took a Superfly 100 for a quick carpark spin as a proper test ride was out of the question.

A bit of tweaking, wheels, bar stem, seatpost have converted the AnthemX into a complete race machine for less than $4k and at 11.2kg in large a very lightweight bike. IMHO

 

[Big JD]

Money buys you happiness

Do you get more - the more $$ you spend. Do you get what you pay for?

What is in a brand? Technology advances, bling, custom options? Are you buying better customer service with certain brands - sometimes. Is that an issue?

Does a boutique brand offer additional quality - why would you pay more for a Tallboy vs Giant. How much of those additional costs are in the name = quality/performance (perceived or otherwise).

Are you happy to ride a Giant like everyone else and do Giant riders secretly laugh at Santa Cruz riders because they have 6 grand in their pockets for similar performance

It is certainly great value for money - no debate there. i would hate to see any 3 grand purchase become a commodity and thrown on the scape heap after caning it for a year. Longevity is important - disposable sucks - recycling is cool.

Are you a believer in the "buy right once" philosophy?

Is it just a bike? I have brought "just a bike" before on many occasions but l have also purchased a bike that changed my entire experience (fairly passionate about bikes - they can change your life).

Like others have said - you have to ride a bike to know if it works for the rider and intended purpose. Hell knows you might find a Tallboy is worth $9 000 or a Giant will suffice / exceed your needs. Needs vs desire - holy crapper thats a can of worms.

I saw a elderly couple two days ago riding matching Anthem 29er Giants in matching outfits with the shinny silver and blue frames sparkling in the evening rays as they glided along the bike path.
They looked really happy, perhaps even in love - l threw up in my mouth a little bit and needed to flog myself with a occy scrap to purge the thought from my memory. It was horrible and made me sick. Had to visit Velovixons.
JD

 

[Jubas]

I saw a elderly couple two days ago riding matching Anthem 29er Giants in matching outfits with the shinny silver and blue frames sparkling in the evening rays as they glided along the bike path.
They looked really happy, perhaps even in love - l threw up in my mouth a little bit and needed to flog myself with a occy scrap to purge the thought from my memory. It was horrible and made me sick. Had to visit Velovixons.
JD

haha wtf? most random thing i've read so far today

 

[Big JD]

Tell me about it

haha wtf? most random thing i've read so far today

random alright. The vision!

Oh 29er - cool, oh new shinny blue and silver frame - cool, oh sh*t two of them - interesting then - WTF matching florescent Lycra outfits on overweight /over 55 year olds and is that an eyeful of massive/ /wrinkled / cleavage / mammories coming my way.............. crap it is ............... like a car crash, i cant turn away and l vomit in my mouth a little bit as l recall the impact of my Giant vision.

Back to Velovixons folks............ come on what are you doing here.

Oh - Does anyone know of an equivalent celebration of the male form on bicycles for those that find that attractive (just threw up a little bit). Would it be called Velohunk, Bikeman, Big and Blokey - Bike Boys, Blokes on Bikes. Yeah l can just see it now,
ME - "oh darling, what magazine are you looking at? Oh let me see - 'Hunks on Clunkers".
Wife - "Yes - l love reading the articles".
Me - "Darling theres no writing on the centrefold liftoff except the guys name and the sealed section is a photo shoot".

Right l will just give you a few minutes shall l.

JD

Disclaimer - nothing against cleavage, over 55 year olds, obesity, Giant bicycles, 29ers bicycles, the male form,couples riding bikes, being in love, wrinkles, any soft porn, my wife looking at soft porn images of near naked men on bikes, cross dressing in general, my wife or dressing lightly for Summer conditions. "Slater and Gordon Legal Department".

 

[Sumgy]

Dear John
I will have some of whatever drug/alcohol you have been taking today please.

 

[Bodin]

Dear John
I will have some of whatever drug/alcohol you have been taking today please.

You haven't met JD in person, have you?

 

[Big JD]

Mmmm

You haven't met JD in person, have you?

Not sure l know what you mean Bodin - dont forget l know what you look like and what vehicle you drive and can find you if required. Sumgy you are safe at this stage.

I havent met Sumgy but l brought my first 29er from him many years ago. Now that one purchase changed everything for me. First 29er, first SS and first HT in over 10 years plus more recently pointed me in the right direction for my lastest and greatest purchase. Thank you Sumgy, you changed my life.

Rain rain go away

JD

 

[pi11wizard]

random alright. The vision!

Oh 29er - cool, oh new shinny blue and silver frame - cool, oh sh*t two of them - interesting then - WTF matching florescent Lycra outfits on overweight /over 55 year olds and is that an eyeful of massive/ /wrinkled / cleavage / mammories coming my way.............. crap it is ............... like a car crash, i cant turn away and l vomit in my mouth a little bit as l recall the impact of my Giant vision.

Back to Velovixons folks............ come on what are you doing here.

Oh - Does anyone know of an equivalent celebration of the male form on bicycles for those that find that attractive (just threw up a little bit). Would it be called Velohunk, Bikeman, Big and Blokey - Bike Boys, Blokes on Bikes. Yeah l can just see it now,
ME - "oh darling, what magazine are you looking at? Oh let me see - 'Hunks on Clunkers".
Wife - "Yes - l love reading the articles".
Me - "Darling theres no writing on the centrefold liftoff except the guys name and the sealed section is a photo shoot".

Right l will just give you a few minutes shall l.

JD

Disclaimer - nothing against cleavage, over 55 year olds, obesity, Giant bicycles, 29ers bicycles, the male form,couples riding bikes, being in love, wrinkles, any soft porn, my wife looking at soft porn images of near naked men on bikes, cross dressing in general, my wife or dressing lightly for Summer conditions. "Slater and Gordon Legal Department".

Would it be wrong for me to put that whole thing in my sig line?

 

[krisko]

You boys are funny, damn!

 

[Big JD]

Anthem

Back on topic

Saw the Anthems in the flesh at the Giant ride day at the Youies on the weekend. They didn't have one big enough for me but good to see them, touch them and kick the tyres.
I was surprised by their light weight with so many generic parts on board. The wheels seemed a little flexy despite being rather hefty - perhaps the spokes because the rims seem very solid. Also a fair bit of flex through the rear stays but no more than most multi pivot frames (exclude the Pivot and Turners here - very solid). There seems to be alot of room between the tyre and the bottom bracket/seat tube which makes me wonder how long the stays are - good for mud. It is a XC/enduro rig but would like to see one with a Talas 120 fork, short stem, solid wheelset and 2 x 10 and 36 out back- really think the changes would beef up the ride, and make it a better alrounder especially in the chunk.
You cant peel off the blue decals. First thing would be a paint job - Pearl Black - no stickers. They are great value for money for sure. They look alittle mass produced and cheap IMO - but nothing a splash of paint and some personal touches wont fix. Good initial effort for Giant

JD

 

[Clyde Dave]

Back on topic

Saw the Anthems in the flesh at the Giant ride day at the Youies on the weekend. They didn't have one big enough for me but good to see them, touch them and kick the tyres.
I was surprised by their light weight with so many generic parts on board. The wheels seemed a little flexy despite being rather hefty - perhaps the spokes because the rims seem very solid. Also a fair bit of flex through the rear stays but no more than most multi pivot frames (exclude the Pivot and Turners here - very solid). There seems to be alot of room between the tyre and the bottom bracket/seat tube which makes me wonder how long the stays are - good for mud. It is a XC/enduro rig but would like to see one with a Talas 120 fork, short stem, solid wheelset and 2 x 10 and 36 out back- really think the changes would beef up the ride, and make it a better alrounder especially in the chunk.
You cant peel off the blue decals. First thing would be a paint job - Pearl Black - no stickers. They are great value for money for sure. They look alittle mass produced and cheap IMO - but nothing a splash of paint and some personal touches wont fix. Good initial effort for Giant

JD

They have a 36 out back, just with 3 up front. 36 is awesome by the way, spend way more time in the middle ring now days.
I'll put a 120 talas up front if someone buys it for me!