Opinions sought on a "Best XC/Trail MTB" award shortlist...
Discussion
Lovely looking bike - but agree ditch the guards! especially the rear one ( you could keep the ass saver).
I have a small enduro guard on the front forks to try and stop the mud going in my eyes.
I always look at it as a badge of honour when I get home and have a 2 foot streak of mud up my back - shows I'm not a fair weather rider.
I have a small enduro guard on the front forks to try and stop the mud going in my eyes.
I always look at it as a badge of honour when I get home and have a 2 foot streak of mud up my back - shows I'm not a fair weather rider.
yellowjack said:
That is a VERY kind offer sir!
I'll try to email you later, if the darned PM system is working.
I'm off out to ride this darned bike now (at long last!)
I'll try to get a few pictures up later. But only if you promise not to laugh.
(I put my crud-catcher mudguards on it...
)
Just posted the shock pump, will be interesting to know if Royal Mail open the package as I refuse to comply with the complete invasion of privacy they now seem to demand to send anything. So today it went :-I'll try to email you later, if the darned PM system is working.
I'm off out to ride this darned bike now (at long last!)
I'll try to get a few pictures up later. But only if you promise not to laugh.
(I put my crud-catcher mudguards on it...
)RM 'Can you tell me what's in the package?'
Me 'Nothing on that list of items you won't accept' <points to list of dangerous items displayed at all post offices>
RM 'I need to know what's in the package'
Me 'I told you nothing on the list and if it's nothing on the list its none of your business or anyone stood behind me' <OAP behind me chips in "Its a gun">
RM 'I cannot accept the item if you don't tell me what it is!'
Me 'A personal item that's none of your business'
RM '<no response>
Me 'OK it's a Cock Pump, ok with that, it's not on the list?'
RM 'That's fine sir' <I hand it over>
Me 'Do you really think it's a cock pump?'
RM 'That's what you told me'
Me 'What a complete joke. So you don't need to know at all'
Herman Toothrot said:
Just posted the shock pump, will be interesting to know if Royal Mail open the package as I refuse to comply with the complete invasion of privacy they now seem to demand to send anything. So today it went :-
RM 'Can you tell me what's in the package?'
Me 'Nothing on that list of items you won't accept' <points to list of dangerous items displayed at all post offices>
RM 'I need to know what's in the package'
Me 'I told you nothing on the list and if it's nothing on the list its none of your business or anyone stood behind me' <OAP behind me chips in "Its a gun">
RM 'I cannot accept the item if you don't tell me what it is!'
Me 'A personal item that's none of your business'
RM '<no response>
Me 'OK it's a Cock Pump, ok with that, it's not on the list?'
RM 'That's fine sir' <I hand it over>
Me 'Do you really think it's a cock pump?'
RM 'That's what you told me'
Me 'What a complete joke. So you don't need to know at all'
RM 'Can you tell me what's in the package?'
Me 'Nothing on that list of items you won't accept' <points to list of dangerous items displayed at all post offices>
RM 'I need to know what's in the package'
Me 'I told you nothing on the list and if it's nothing on the list its none of your business or anyone stood behind me' <OAP behind me chips in "Its a gun">
RM 'I cannot accept the item if you don't tell me what it is!'
Me 'A personal item that's none of your business'
RM '<no response>
Me 'OK it's a Cock Pump, ok with that, it's not on the list?'
RM 'That's fine sir' <I hand it over>
Me 'Do you really think it's a cock pump?'
RM 'That's what you told me'
Me 'What a complete joke. So you don't need to know at all'
Thanks!
I shall keep a close eye on the letterbox for a few days. And cross my fingers hoping it hasn't been destroyed by a 'controlled' explosion at a remote security depot at some point between you posting it and me receiving it...
Well, Holy Thread Resurrection, Batman! Threads that go "bump" after a year...
I rode the Anthem again today. Exactly a year after I bought it. I have covered 3,014 miles on it since then. It's had numerous chains and cassettes, two new freehubs (seems to be a weakspot on the Giant branded wheelset, and my only real complaint about the bike), a bottom bracket, new brake pads, new 'jockey' wheels, and a set of tyres.
Other than that, I can't think of any maintenance issues with it over the year, and apart from the freehubs none of it was really unexpected.
It's been an absolute blast to ride. So much fun, I've pretty much done all the things I said I was going to do in the original post. Races (x4), long canal path rides with company, the Swinley trails, Gorrick race venues, bridleway exploring, and a LOT of local natural single track. I've set a few KOMs on it, many many PRs, and ridden it solo and in company.
It's been extremely reliable (apart from that one freehub failure) and is never a chore to get out on. I fallen off it plenty of times, even cracking a rib once (inattention, my own fault - look up from the Garmin on the trails chaps, else it really hurts ). I can't think of a single minute when I've wished I was on another bike. Absolutely no regrets about the purchase, as it was so much bike for the money, it fits so well, and I'm really happy I went for the 650b wheel size in the end.
It's had no upgrades neither. I haven't had the money for replacing things that weren't worn out to be honest, but I haven't seen the need really. It got some nice Nobby Nic Performance folding tyres when the Racing Ralphs got a torn sidewall and were pretty much worn slick after a summer's hard riding. And the chains and cassettes have been the only other real 'upgrade' as I've bought SLX and XT grade stuff in sales, but the spec of the drive train goes up and down according to what bits are in the sales when I need new ones.
It's been a pretty good year I reckon. Over 3,000 miles on just the Anthem feels like an achievement. And tomorrow is the anniversary of my first ride on it and I'm planning to ride with a friend, and possibly a couple of his friends, on a 30+ mile route we did together last week too. Slight concerns about a grumbly freehub right now, but I'm crossing my fingers that it lasts the course tomorrow.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed advice and suggestions to this thread. And particular thanks to Herman Toothrot, who did indeed come up trumps with the Shock Pump
It turned up OK via Royal Mail so they can't be all that bad. And at least it wasn't a cock pump, else I'd have had a lot of explaining to do to my lovely wife... 
No current photos as my camera has gone 'belly up'. But there have been sightings of it, and of bits of it, in other threads in the year since this thread died back. I'll stick some more up if/when I get the camera replaced.
Anyone else booked in for the Battle On The Beach again this year? There's a thread running somewhere, and if you see a short fella on a Giant Anthem at the race, come on over and say hello.
I rode the Anthem again today. Exactly a year after I bought it. I have covered 3,014 miles on it since then. It's had numerous chains and cassettes, two new freehubs (seems to be a weakspot on the Giant branded wheelset, and my only real complaint about the bike), a bottom bracket, new brake pads, new 'jockey' wheels, and a set of tyres.
Other than that, I can't think of any maintenance issues with it over the year, and apart from the freehubs none of it was really unexpected.
It's been an absolute blast to ride. So much fun, I've pretty much done all the things I said I was going to do in the original post. Races (x4), long canal path rides with company, the Swinley trails, Gorrick race venues, bridleway exploring, and a LOT of local natural single track. I've set a few KOMs on it, many many PRs, and ridden it solo and in company.
It's been extremely reliable (apart from that one freehub failure) and is never a chore to get out on. I fallen off it plenty of times, even cracking a rib once (inattention, my own fault - look up from the Garmin on the trails chaps, else it really hurts
). I can't think of a single minute when I've wished I was on another bike. Absolutely no regrets about the purchase, as it was so much bike for the money, it fits so well, and I'm really happy I went for the 650b wheel size in the end.It's had no upgrades neither. I haven't had the money for replacing things that weren't worn out to be honest, but I haven't seen the need really. It got some nice Nobby Nic Performance folding tyres when the Racing Ralphs got a torn sidewall and were pretty much worn slick after a summer's hard riding. And the chains and cassettes have been the only other real 'upgrade' as I've bought SLX and XT grade stuff in sales, but the spec of the drive train goes up and down according to what bits are in the sales when I need new ones.
It's been a pretty good year I reckon. Over 3,000 miles on just the Anthem feels like an achievement. And tomorrow is the anniversary of my first ride on it and I'm planning to ride with a friend, and possibly a couple of his friends, on a 30+ mile route we did together last week too. Slight concerns about a grumbly freehub right now, but I'm crossing my fingers that it lasts the course tomorrow.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed advice and suggestions to this thread. And particular thanks to Herman Toothrot, who did indeed come up trumps with the Shock Pump
It turned up OK via Royal Mail so they can't be all that bad. And at least it wasn't a cock pump, else I'd have had a lot of explaining to do to my lovely wife... No current photos as my camera has gone 'belly up'. But there have been sightings of it, and of bits of it, in other threads in the year since this thread died back. I'll stick some more up if/when I get the camera replaced.
Anyone else booked in for the Battle On The Beach again this year? There's a thread running somewhere, and if you see a short fella on a Giant Anthem at the race, come on over and say hello.
rossmc88 said:
When I first read the requirements I thought buy an anthem and was delighted to see you did. Such a great bike for the money - I hardly take my big bike out anymore the anthem is so much fun
I'm glad I did too.Recently I had an issue with it. The freehub lost drive twice in 7 miles at the beginning of a 35 mile loop I was supposed to ride with friends. But that's not really a "bike issue", more of a "component made of cheese" issue. We're at 3,050 miles now, and it's had three freehubs, with a fourth bought and ready to go on. The current one was re-fitted after the bike shop that swapped the bottom bracket for me took it off 'as a precaution' because it was 'a bit grumbly'. To be fair, it was, and still is 'a bit grumbly' but at least the pawls and springs function as intended allowing me to have both drive, and freewheeling functionality. Glad I kept hold of it, as it got the bike back on the road 'same day' rather than having to wait to get the new part.
I've got my eye on some Hope wheels for the future, as the freehub problem is simply due to there being no effective weather sealing of the hub body save for the grease in the cup & cone bearings. This problem will not magically solve itself, no matter how many times I replace the freehub. But to say that this is the only real unforeseen replacement item in 3,000+ miles is testament, I think, to how good a bike it really is. I'm meeting a friend today for a ride out on local trails, and that bike is still putting a massive smile on my face every single time I haul it out of the garage...
Well here I am again. Celebrating a significant milestone with the Anthem.
I was thinking about this thread today, as I rode a 100 km loop from Farnborough up the Basingstoke Canal, Wey Navigation, and back via the North Downs Way, Blackwater Valley Path, and home via a couple of single track segments... https://www.strava.com/activities/1099430264
I decided to update this thread again because today I smashed through the 4,000 mile barrier on the Anthem. 4,021.5 miles to be accurate. I'm pretty sure that this has been my longest ride on the bike to date. Coming on the back of last week's 330 (road) miles, it wasn't an easy ride. A bit moist in places, but nothing the bike didn't handle, even with a significantly worn Racing Ralph on the rear end.
It's had some work done fairly recently. On 12/05/2017 I fitted a new 'Bontrager Select' freehub body; a Shimano 10sp chain; a Shimano CS-HG81-10 (SLX) cassette; and Wippermann Connex chainlink. Then, on 04/06/2017, having not ridden it for three weeks, I added a Shimano Deore FC-M615 (AM) 38t outer chainring; a Shimano FC-M675 (AM) 24t inner chainring; and a pair of Shimano M773 (XT) rear derailleur jockey wheels. So in effect an entire refresh of the drive train. And it's now as sweet as can be again.
The bike is still fabulous, great fun to ride, easy to live with, and it keeps on dealing well with my neglect of things like servicing the suspension. It's comfortable (it needs to be, I just spent nearly 7 hours perched on the saddle) and I'm quick enough on it that despite the advance of time, I'm still setting PRs and earning those all important Strava 'virtual trophies' on it. I'm not saying it's a fast bike, but it responds well to my attempts to ride it fast, and because it's never a chore to ride it, I get fitter so I can go faster. There are literally no negative things I can think of about this bike. Well OK, there is one obvious weakness - the freehub body appears to be made of cheese. Although this is more of a wheel issue than a bike issue. Easily solved with a set of replacement wheels, but while the current ones are round and perfectly adequate they'll have to do. I was enviously eyeing up a friend's hope wheels today though.
So there you have it. 16 months of ownership, 4012.5 miles ridden, and I'm still totally happy with my choice.
I was thinking about this thread today, as I rode a 100 km loop from Farnborough up the Basingstoke Canal, Wey Navigation, and back via the North Downs Way, Blackwater Valley Path, and home via a couple of single track segments... https://www.strava.com/activities/1099430264
I decided to update this thread again because today I smashed through the 4,000 mile barrier on the Anthem. 4,021.5 miles to be accurate. I'm pretty sure that this has been my longest ride on the bike to date. Coming on the back of last week's 330 (road) miles, it wasn't an easy ride. A bit moist in places, but nothing the bike didn't handle, even with a significantly worn Racing Ralph on the rear end.
It's had some work done fairly recently. On 12/05/2017 I fitted a new 'Bontrager Select' freehub body; a Shimano 10sp chain; a Shimano CS-HG81-10 (SLX) cassette; and Wippermann Connex chainlink. Then, on 04/06/2017, having not ridden it for three weeks, I added a Shimano Deore FC-M615 (AM) 38t outer chainring; a Shimano FC-M675 (AM) 24t inner chainring; and a pair of Shimano M773 (XT) rear derailleur jockey wheels. So in effect an entire refresh of the drive train. And it's now as sweet as can be again.
BadgerBenji said:
Excellent, now that's the main bit sorted when can we have an upgrades thread 
Sorry to disappoint, Benji, but the only upgrades it's had have been brake pads, jockey wheels, and tyres. Strictly when replacements are due anyway. Nothing gets replaced until it's worn out, and usually with at best a like-for-like replacement. I might well push the boat out soon though - new lock-on grips are needed, so I might try to find some orange anodised clamps and plugs for the bar-ends.richardxjr said:
...At least put a QR seatpost clamp on it if it hasn't got one. Seat tube is 34.9mm dia.
Tubeless and dropper on the wish list
And my apologies to you too, Richard. I've still not got a QR seatpost clamp, nor have I got myself a dropper post. And I'm still running inner tubes at around 24psi front and 28psi rear. I've never had any of these things, so don't miss not having them. Maybe they'd improve the bike, but I still haven't got the cash to splash on blingy bits and nice-to-haves. Essential replacements for worn components only.Tubeless and dropper on the wish list
The bike is still fabulous, great fun to ride, easy to live with, and it keeps on dealing well with my neglect of things like servicing the suspension. It's comfortable (it needs to be, I just spent nearly 7 hours perched on the saddle) and I'm quick enough on it that despite the advance of time, I'm still setting PRs and earning those all important Strava 'virtual trophies' on it. I'm not saying it's a fast bike, but it responds well to my attempts to ride it fast, and because it's never a chore to ride it, I get fitter so I can go faster. There are literally no negative things I can think of about this bike. Well OK, there is one obvious weakness - the freehub body appears to be made of cheese. Although this is more of a wheel issue than a bike issue. Easily solved with a set of replacement wheels, but while the current ones are round and perfectly adequate they'll have to do. I was enviously eyeing up a friend's hope wheels today though.
So there you have it. 16 months of ownership, 4012.5 miles ridden, and I'm still totally happy with my choice.
yellowjack said:
I've still not got a QR seatpost clamp, nor have I got myself a dropper post.
You might already do this, but don't leave the seat post at the same position for too long without occaisionally slackening the bolt and moving the post up/down.Otherwise you risk it seizeing in the tube.
A QR release shouldn't cost too much for a non-bling part, and sounds like being able to drop the seat on descents/twisty single track is something that you could take advantage of.
You seem like a fairly resourceful chap, why not buy the bits and build your own wheels? I'm building a pair of 29er wheels for the youth's bike, £60 for a pair of Stan's Arch EX, £79 for a pair of Novatec 771/772 hubs, and £34 for stainless D/B spokes, all from eBay. A set of light, strong and cheap wheels for less than £175...
gazza285 said:
You seem like a fairly resourceful chap, why not buy the bits and build your own wheels? I'm building a pair of 29er wheels for the youth's bike, £60 for a pair of Stan's Arch EX, £79 for a pair of Novatec 771/772 hubs, and £34 for stainless D/B spokes, all from eBay. A set of light, strong and cheap wheels for less than £175...
I'd love to do something like that, but even the £175 for the bits is a stretch right now. I can just about stretch to essential replacement parts as/when they wear out, as no sooner have I built a little "bike slush fund" than my wife books another festival or gig, and/or (as this time) the bloody Dyson needs a new brush-bar. I've also got a road bike that really could do with new chain rings, and for Ultegra 6800 that's over £100 even from one of the European online sites. So new wheels (for either bike) are a long way down the road right now. It's as much as I can do to keep both of them roadworthy at times.Celtic Dragon said:
YJ, what size are your wheels on the Anthem?
They are 27.5" wheels.The front hub is the 15mm (I think) screw-in type (the proper word for it just won't come to me) and the rear is a DT Swiss narrower screw-in thingy.
Thru-axle. That's the one. 15mm Thru-axle. Or is it Maxle? So many "standards" these days that there's no such thing as standard!
Although the archived page on the Giant site says quick-release rear. But it's not. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/anthem-27dot5-3-...
The wheels themselves are OK, but I'm eating free-hub bodies for fun and frolics. Four now, I think. But they're less than £20 each and easy to replace so not a huge disaster. I've only aborted one ride because of failure when riding.
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