Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 Gets New Suspension Technology

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Giant’s new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 gets a lighter frameset, new rear suspension system and modified geometry to make it a bike for those wanting a competitive advantage on XC terrain.

Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29

The Anthem first appeared on the World Cup circuit in 2005, and the sharp eyed might have spotted prototypes of this latest model on the 2021 UCI World Cup circuit, where team racers including Antoine Philipp have been testing and racing them this year.

The speeds, technical challenges and level of competition keeps getting higher. The bikes and gear matter now more than ever. For the most challenging tracks, the new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 gives me everything I need. It’s super responsive, feels light and lively on the climbs, and gives me more confidence and control on descents, drops and rock gardens that are so decisive in a race.

Antoine Philipp
Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29

For 2022 the Anthem Advanced Pro 29 has an all-new Advanced composite main frame and rear swingarm, saving 250g compared to the previous generation Anthem. The bottom bracket area is apparently more than 20% stiffer for more efficient acceleration and climbing. It’s also claimed the frame also adds ‘more than 7% torsional stiffness over the previous generation for quicker, more precise handling during intense race efforts’. A steeper 75.5 degree seat tube should also help on those steep climbs, while a slacker 67.5 degree head tube angle and longer travel 110mm fork will help on the descents. The frame has a longer reach, and the updated cockpit includes a 35 mm wider composite handlebar for more control and leverage.

The all-new rear suspension setup includes ‘FlexPoint Pro suspension’, developed by Giant specifically for XC racing. It’s a linkage-driven, single-pivot design that saves weight compared to the previous design.

The result is a smooth, active feel that gives riders 100mm of rear suspension for sublime control on technical singletrack terrain. From chunky descents to root- and rock-strewn climbs, it offers just the right blend of XC speed and control.

Giant
Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29

Two models of the Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 20 will be available in the UK:

  • Anthem Advanced Pro 29 1 – £6,999
  • Anthem Advanced Pro 29 2 – £4,999
Model NameAnthem Advanced Pro 29 1Anthem Advanced Pro 29 2
UK RRP£6,999£4,999
ColorsChameleon Saturn / CarbonBlack Diamond / Carbon
SizesS, M, LS, M, L, XL
FrameAdvanced-Grade Composite front and rear triangles, 100mm FlexPoint Pro suspension, 12x148mm thru-axleAdvanced-Grade Composite front and rear triangles, 100mm FlexPoint Pro suspension, 12x148mm thru-axle
ForkFox 34 Float SC Performance Elite Live Valve, 110mm, FIT4 damper, Boost 15×110 Kabolt, 44mm offset, custom tuned for GiantFox 34 Float SC Performance Remote, 110mm, FIT4 damper, Boost 15×110 Kabolt, 44mm offset, remote lockout, custom tuned for Giant
ShockFox Performance Elite Live Valve, 165/45, custom tuned for GiantFox Float DPS Performance Elite, 165/45, custom tuned for Giant
HandlebarGiant Contact SLR XC Flat, composite, 760x35mmGiant Contact XC Flat, composite, 760x35mm
GripsGiant XC Pro S:32mm, M:32mm, L:34mmGiant XC Pro S:32mm, M:32mm, L:34mm, XL:34mm
StemGiant Contact SL XC, 35mm                                S:60mm, M:70mm, L:70mmGiant Contact SL XC, 35mm                                         S:60mm, M:70mm, L:70mm, XL:70mm
SeatpostGiant Contact Switch dropper,  remote
S: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm, M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm, L: 150mm travel / 30.9 x 440mm               		Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote
S: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm L: 150mm travel / 30.9 x 440mm XL: 150mm travel / 30.9 x 445mm  
SaddleFi’zi:k Antares R5 with K:ium railsFi’zi:k Antares R7 with S-Alloy rails
ShiftersShimano Deore XT SL-M8100, 1×12Shimano SLX SL-M7100, 1×12
Rear DerailleurShimano Deore XT RD-M8100Shimano SLX RD-M7100
BrakesShimano Deore XT BR-M8100, hydraulic, Shimano RT-64 rotors [F]180mm, [R]160mmShimano Deore BR-M6100, hydraulic, Shimano RT-56 rotors [F]180mm, [R]160mm
Brake LeversShimano Deore XT BL-M8100Shimano Deore BL-M6100
CassetteShimano Deore XT M8100, 10×51Shimano SLX M7100, 10×51
ChainKMC X-12KMC X-12
CranksetShimano Deore XT, 32t                               S:170mm, M:175mm,  L:175mmShimano SLX, 32t 
S:170mm, M:175mm,  L:175mm, XL:175mm
Bottom BracketShimano, press fitShimano, press fit
RimsGiant XCR 1 30 WheelSystem, 30mm inner widthGiant XCR 2 29 WheelSystem, 25mm inner width
HubsGiant XCR 1 30 WheelSystemGiant XCR 2 29 WheelSystem
SpokesGiant XCR 1 30 WheelSystemGiant XCR 2 29 WheelSystem
TiresMaxxis Recon Race 29×2.4, foldable, TLR, EXO, tubeless Maxxis Recon Race 29×2.4, foldable, TLR, EXO, tubeless 
ExtrasFactory tubeless set up, 2.4″ max tire size, 34t max chainring size, Giant/MRP CS chain guideFactory tubeless set up, 2.4″ max tire size, 34t max chainring size, Giant/MRP CS chain guide

Head here for more information on the new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 series.

Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29

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Home › Forums › Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 Gets New Suspension Technology

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Viewing 22 posts - 1 through 22 (of 22 total)
  • Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 Gets New Suspension Technology
  • keithb
    Full Member

    Looks a lot like the old Giant VT Suspension, from before the anthem/trance/reign range…

    Less pivots and parts, cheaper to manufacture for almost all the performance? Not that I’m a cynic…

    Edit: ok so actually having gone and looked at some images of the VT it looks totally different, with an upside down shock, but the fact remains that giant have gone back to a design they last used nearly 20 years ago.  Why?  It’s not like 1x drivetrains are a new thing to drive that change.

    Posted 3 years ago
    hungrymonkey
    Free Member

    lighter, cheaper to produce, less bearings to service and i guess flexy carbon was less easy to engineer 20 years ago? It’s now really similar to virtually every other top-flight XC race bike, in that it’s a flex-stay single pivot (Spesh, Scott (?), BMC, NS, C’dale etc)

    not sure what this new suspension technology is though…?

    Posted 3 years ago
    thegeneralist
    Free Member

    Is the seat post still 27.**** 2 with a stupid fiddly slanted allen bolt to adjust?

    Posted 3 years ago
    dickie
    Free Member

    £5k for Deore/SLX mix!!

    Posted 3 years ago
    shortbread_fanylion
    Free Member

    Read the article you lazy toad! 30.9 😎

    Posted 3 years ago
    keithb
    Full Member

    Yeti were using carbon flexi stays in the mid 2000’s, and the Scott Endorphin from the late 90’s was basically a soft-tail utilising the capacity to build in flex to a carbon frame, before even disc brakes became standard on MTB’s!  I think it was the Disc Brake revolution that killed the endorphin off..

    So from what’s written above, Giant are massively behind the curve on current XC race bike tech, and selling 25year old ideas as new tech…

    God I sound grumpy today…

    Posted 3 years ago
    devash
    Free Member

    As long as the suspension rides as similarly as possible to Maestro then I don’t see a problem with the design. The linkage / bearings that the flexstays do away with are the most problematic on the Maestro design and always seize up first when riding regularly in the wet and slop.

    Proper seatpost size and dropper routing is a huge plus and the lack of severely restricted the previous gen Anthem 29.

    The geo looks a bit “playing it safe” but that’s typical Giant. Not necessarily a bad thing for many riders.

    Again, it will all come down to how that new suspension design rides, because the biggest selling point of Giant, for me at least, is their magic carpet-like Maestro.

    Posted 3 years ago
    shortbread_fanylion
    Free Member

    I had a maestro 29er Anthem a number of years ago – it’s pretty high on my ‘bikes I wish I hadn’t sold list’ Suspension system was great.

    Posted 3 years ago
    Clink
    Full Member

    I was waiting for this, but hoping for a cheaper alu bike, as outgoing model. Any news on alu models in the future?

    Posted 3 years ago
    Northwind
    Full Member

    shortbread_fanylion
    Full Member

    Read the article you lazy toad! 30.9 😎

    FFS, I thought even specialized had stopped using 30.9?

    Posted 3 years ago
    devash
    Free Member

    I was waiting for this, but hoping for a cheaper alu bike, as outgoing model. Any news on alu models in the future?

    No alu models apparently due to the suspension (carbon flex stays).

    Posted 3 years ago
    maccruiskeen
    Full Member

    and the Scott Endorphin from the late 90’s was basically a soft-tail utilising the capacity to build in flex to a carbon frame

    Vertically stiff and laterally compliant 🙂 I don’t thing you could honestly say you could sense any ‘suspension’ benefit from the rear stays but its ability to swing the BB side to side as you pedalled made cycling up hill fell a little bit like waking on a slack line. Starting off on a steep climb was a bit like trying to get into a hammock 🙂

    Posted 3 years ago
    Clink
    Full Member

    No alu models apparently due to the suspension (carbon flex stays).

    That’s a shame, Kona seem to manage it wit the Hei Hei several years ago.

    Posted 3 years ago
    the00
    Free Member

    The Maestro Anthem was a great bike.

    This new one uses a simple and commonly used suspension setup that is lightweight. I’m sure it’ll be great too.

    Posted 3 years ago
    voodoo-rich
    Full Member

    Ally front end with a carbon rear (for the flex) would be good to see – marginally cheaper?

    Posted 3 years ago
    Speeder
    Full Member

    Northwind

    FFS, I thought even specialized had stopped using 30.9?

    What’s wrong with 30.9mm?

    Posted 3 years ago
    IdleJon
    Free Member

    and the Scott Endorphin from the late 90’s was basically a soft-tail utilising the capacity to build in flex to a carbon frame

    Vertically stiff and laterally compliant 🙂 I don’t thing you could honestly say you could sense any ‘suspension’ benefit from the rear stays but its ability to swing the BB side to side as you pedalled made cycling up hill fell a little bit like waking on a slack line. Starting off on a steep climb was a bit like trying to get into a hammock 🙂

    That was my experience as a 76kg XC racer as well. I could see the BB move, and use the rear brakes with my hips! Looked lovely, was horrible to ride. (I think a friend may still have one in the dark recesses of his garage- I must ask him.)

    Posted 3 years ago
    rickon
    Free Member

    For the same spec Orbea Oiz M10 – it’s £4,500 vs. £7,000 for the Anthem. The only differece is the carbon rims on the Anthem – however the DT Swiss rims on the Oiz will be pretty much as light, and more durable.

    Plus, the Oiz looks way nicer.

    Giant is a mass-produced bike – it should be cheaper than a more boutique brand.

    That’s a hard pass at £7k for an XT build.

    Posted 3 years ago
    bigrich
    Full Member

    orbea is a mass produced bike made in the same factory. boutique is a meaningless term

    Posted 3 years ago
    BearBack
    Free Member

    I think Orbea have won more XCO’s recently too

    Posted 3 years ago
    hungrymonkey
    Free Member

    The £7k giant has Live Valve…

    Posted 3 years ago
    BearBack
    Free Member

    [blockquote]
    No alu models apparently due to the suspension (carbon flex stays).

    That’s a shame, Kona seem to manage it wit the Hei Hei several years ago.
    [/blockquote]

    Scott also doing alloy flex stays on the current and last gen Spark.
    I guess Giant will leave it to the Stance for the more pricepoint builds?

    Posted 3 years ago
Viewing 22 posts - 1 through 22 (of 22 total)

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