Giant have been into carbon for a long time, with their own manufacturing facilities. It was therefore always a bit of a surprise that it was used on so few of the Maestro suspension bikes.
This changes for 2010 turning two of their popular and high performance machines toward the wonder material. Namely the 4″ travel Anthem X and the 5″ travel Trance X.
As well as the Maestro suspension system found on all the Giant suspension bikes they both feature an OverDrive headtube allowing use of 11/8th to 1½ inch fork steerers. And MegaDrive which is an oversize rectangular section down-tube and oversize top-tube for torsional stiffness.
Anthem X Advanced SL
The Anthem X got many great reviews last year (not least from Mark here at Singletrack) for it’s great performance. This is set to increase as the weight is down and stiffness up. It’s 200 grams lighter in the frame than it’s aluminium equivalent, bringing it to 2100 grams with shock, and is 5% stiffer. The total weight of a medium bike with no pedals is 21.8lbs (9.9kg).
There’s no change in the measurements keeping the 71° head angle and 73° seat angle. The bottom bracket is 68mm and is compatible with the narrower Q factor of SRAM’s XX group. Which is handy because that’s what you’ll find on this top of the line machine.
The upper rocker of the suspension is also carbon. The only bit of aluminium on the frame is the lower link.
Trance X Advanced SL
The Trance X is similar to it’s little brother but offers an inch more travel on a slightly more stout frame. Described as ‘the no holds barred trail ride’ there’s a saving of 400 grams on the aluminium version and totals 2250 grams for frame and shock. A medium bike weighs in at 24.5lbs (11.1kg) without pedals.
Again the angles have not changed staying with the tried and tested 69.5° head and 73.5° seat angles. There are slightly shorter head tubes on the L and XL models to bring the front end down a bit.
I had the pleasure of spending a morning riding the Trance X. We started with a 1.5 hour climb up to 12000 feet, and then had 10+ miles of fast flowing singletrack with tights switchbacks (hey, someone’s go to do it!). I can confirm the bike took it all in it’s stride. A very capable all round trail bike that was a pleasure to ride. Only the 100 mm stem was off putting, but that’s my own fault for not having it changed over beforehand.
Aluminium models will still be available, prices and availability will follow.
Giant Components
While we’re pushing the carbonium you may as well have a look at the carbon Giant branded parts you’ll find on some of the models.
Comments (25)
Comments Closed
Always a surprise that they didn’t make suspension bikes out of carbon? The composite NRS and Anthem Advanced must be figments of my imagination then?
amended. I meant just with the Maestro, but even found a 90mm travel version made out of carbon…the Anthem Advanced as you mention.
Seem to remember rob warner having a very nice looking (at the time) carbon main frame with swoopy ali rockers and back end.
Only a 200g difference between al and carbon anthem? guess the al version must be scary light already.
Glad to be of pedantic service.
DONK, that was probably the MCM frame.
Not totally sure about the blue cables…!
Nice Tron effect on the Trance :p
Didn’t the MCM frames fall apart a lot?
These look very nice, but I like the current orange paint scheme on the alu model.
I see the dust covers are back on the suspension bearings…why?
Anthem X Carbon – fairly simple really:
I. W.A.N.T.
hmmmm, yummy.
Yep giant have indeed done carbon anthems vefore, but when the new anthem X and Trance X models revamped th series completely, they didn’t bother with a carbon version as it was felt that the minimal extra weight loss wasn’t worth te substantial extra xost. Indeed , in all th “marathon bike tests” in teh mags, the anthem X1 was usually up against bikes that were 2k dearer, and beating them comfortably, so who’s to say they weren’t right. PLus that fact that they sold the darn lot of ’em!
But that trance looks beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful!
200g for about an extra £1500? I’d rather have the Alu version, please. I do like the black/blue colour scheme though.
I’m loving riding my 2008 alu TranceX. That carbon TranceX looks amazing.
I had a 2008 trance advanced with maestro suspension which was carbon. So it has been done before!
Has the Trance been upped to 140 fork travel this year?
the Trance I rode had a 120/140/160 TALAS fork.
Those blue cables/hoses look ridiculous.
I’m sure they’ll be wicked bikes, but the price/weight ratio just doesn’t make sense to me.
Good to see they’ve seen sense with the forks at last though, maybe.
Hubba Bubba!!!! look at those upper links, and the spine on the swing arm connecting the “seat stays” to the “chainstays”
the only criticism of my trance is that it looks dull as dull.
well done giant!
120, 140, 160 fork?
that would be awesome in a slightly small size.
good to see some dust caps over the pivot bearings too
i wonder if they would fit my bike, as my bearings would appreciate it i think…
The blue cables remind me of Tron
I`ve got this years Anthem X1 and its great but, i want one of those………. in fact i MUST have one. Now where did she hide the credit card?
I’ve got an X1 too, which is a fantastic bike – but that just looks beautiful. All that carbony goodness…mmmmm
I believe this year’s alu Anthem X frame is actually lighter than the 90mm carbon Anthem Advanced, so they were always going to struggle to get any significant weight saving.
Any more angle info? Was the 69.5 head angle measured at 140mm of fork travel?
My Anthem X0 is the fastest bike in the world ever. It’s incredible. No doubt the carbon version will be even quicker. Shame about the Sram tat they hung off it.
However, are those weights right? The Trance X and Anthem X both weigh the same? So why have the anthem x if you could have the trance at the same weight?
Trance is 24.5lbs and Anthem is 21.8lbs. There’s a 150 gram difference in the frames.
cannot wait to get my anthem x 4 in feb 2010.any chance singletrack might review one?
actually have decided to p/x my s works ht towards an anthem x2 instead.when i come back online in around 7-8 months,will let you know if i made the right choice;-)