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[i]Mainstream, non-niche bike buying decision alert.[/i] I was all set to grab a Giant Anthem X2 2010 for my general riding / racing bike as it seems to get good bang for the buck (£1600 at the moment).
I've now however discovered that the new 2011 Anthem X2 is a lovely black model (I do like black/white frame designs for their simplicity) and has a few neat new touches, but it costs £280 more. I'm not totally sure of whether the changes merit an extra £280, so I'm not sure that my credit card would thank me for spending the extra cash. Thoughts on the following:-
[b]1. 2x9 vs 3x0 [/b]
Shifters and derailleurs are the same level (mostly XT) throughout. I like the idea of 2x10, so having a 3x10 bike would save me getting a new rear derailleur and shifter. Is it easy enough to go from 3 rings to 2, or is it a botched, inelegant solution, unless I spend lots of money on it? I presume you can use the same front derailleur without issue. What about the shifter and cranks?
[b]2. Elixir R or Shimano XT brakes? [/b]
I have Avids on my other bikes, so bleeding etc would be easier using existing bleed kits, but I'm not totally impressed with them rubbing fairly regularly. Any big difference between Elixir Rs and XTs?
[b]3. Pressfit bottom bracket[/b]
Progress or a pain in the arse? I'm quite happy with my HTII setups. Will Pressfit be any better / worse / different?
[b]4. Tapered headtube / steerer tube?[/b]
Does this make much difference to a 100mm XC bike, or is it just a gimmick at this level? I'm not a heavy rider, but will I notice a better, stiffer front end?
[b]5. QR15 forks[/b]
Forks are the same on both bikes, but regular 9mm QR on 2010, vs QR15 on 2011. Is the QR15 going to be noticeably stiffer / better?
[b]Rims - Mavic XM317 vs Giant P-XC2 DW[/b]
Anyone got good / bad experiences of Giant rims? I understand that these Mavic ones are reasonable, but not amazingly light. I can't find much info on the Giant rims.
Any thoughts to make my decision easier? I'm seeing a preferable colour scheme and easier change to 2x10 from the above list, which seems like little not much for £280. Do any of the other points justify the extra dosh at all?
Unlike the STW massive to remain silent for so long. Maybe the Giant Anthem is too common for niche STW tastes. I'll get my coat.
2x10 sounds like a PITA. more expense for a thinner chainset that wears faster.
I'm going back to 1x7
pick the one you like the best.
if you like black and white then go for it.
If it was a woman you would go for the one with the nicest tits and looks, bikes are no different just cheaper!
Would you like new pedals with that sir?
I think my problem was choosing my woman first, which makes buying new bikes infinitely more difficult.
TBC - I see you got those Cannondale's on the website pretty sharpish. Any plans for Scalpels at any point?
For value of money I would get the blue/white 2010 Giant Anthem X2 as it comes with full spec of Shimano XT on it and it was the bike of the year 2010.
if it was a woman you'd take it out once to try & **** it. if it put out you'd prolly lose interest unless it was a really good ****. Then you might go back for more costing you more in the process.
In short - rent one. it's cheaper in the long run.
HTH
I've got a '10 X3 and love it. In answer to your questions...
2x10 has me quite interested too, however as I understand it, one of it's pluses is having an improved chainline by moving the chainlines of the two rings to roughly where the gaps are on a triple. You either stump up the cash for a new chainset (probably with bb knowing the big S)or botch it inelegantly. Not too sure how you could bring the outer ring in without carving stuff up and affecting strength.
XT brakes will no doubt be better made than Elixirs and not rub, not that that rubbing really makes much difference on a mountainbike.
New pressfit bb will be even stiffer but much less fun when it comes to bearing changes. I'm happy with HT2 and I'm no hurry to try pressfit.
Tapered HT and QR15 are a bit gimmicky for the intended purpose, Foxs steer just dandy as they are.
I think the rims are a cost saver and could well be coming out of Alex's factory.
Oh and is there a Giant own brand hub for the QR15? Bearings will be pretty standard but if you damage any other parts it's going in the bin.
If the Shimano brakes are the 'servo' ones I woudl go for them - they have a bigger gap between the rotors and pads...