In comparison old Giant Anthem The Taiwanese have dispensed with a front derailleur mount and want to save weight with an integrated seat clamp and a carbon fibre derailleur. The frame weight of 2262 grams is now on a par with the competition. The consistent focus on racing is evident in the Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 pays off on long climbs. Because if you have locked out the entire suspension via the Fox Dual Pull lever, the 10.1-kilo bike climbs strongly, but still has to admit defeat to the Epic. Even when open, the Maestro rear suspension hardly bobs at all. The 80 millimetre short stem compensates for the long top tube and, together with the offset handlebars, ensures a comfortable riding position. Anyone who is bothered by the extreme handlebar width of 780 millimetres will have to use the carbon saw. On singletrack, the cockpit ensures direct handling. There are no experiments with the geometry. The reach, head angle and seat angle are roughly the same as what has been established on the market in recent years. On long descents, Sram's Level brakes reach their limit, despite the 180 mm brake disc on the front wheel. On the other hand, the Maestro rear suspension works so well that even a 32 mm Fox Float Factory has trouble keeping up. What's more, the rear suspension feels like it has significantly more than the stated 90 millimetres of travel on the trail. And indeed, our test bench squeezes a decent 103 millimetres out of the carbon fibre chassis. If you are looking for a bike for long-distance rides, you will miss a second bottle cage. Otherwise, the new 2018 Giant Anthem perfect in starting block A.
Test summary of the Giant Anthem Advanced 2018
During the stage race in the Andes, I particularly liked the suspension with its lockout function and the low overall weight of the Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29. The Eagle drivetrain also offers enough range for varied marathons. The only criticism is the lack of a second bottle cage - an important criterion for me in the marathon sector.
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