[Closed] Anthem 29er,anyone had their's yet?

WMB had a review a while back. They REALLY liked it. 4 1/2 stars and rated as their top 29'er (off the shelf) full sus.

Will look if I still have it somewhere and scan it.

Hi mate,
Yeah got that review,but thanx for the offer.Was just wondering what everyone else thought of it.
Thanx Max

will be riding one this weekend with any luck 😀

A mate has one as his race bike, and only has good things 2 say about it ! He also has a evil sovern and a orange five ! Iv followed him down our most technical local downhills and hes just as fast as on his five !

Demo'd a medium on an extended test ride two weekends ago.....slightly too small for me but a total weapon. Felt just like a normal mountain bike on tight twisty singletrack with no slowness of steering whatsoever. Particularly good launching off small jumps and riding through rock gardens and roots. Felt very stable but super fast.........seriously considering buying one. At no point did I think I would be better on my Turner 5 Spot....

Thats good to know! Thinking about swapping my 2004 5-Spot for one for general trail duties.Might get the occasional race use also.Where are you guys getting your demos from?
Thanx Max

Demo'ed one a couple of weeks ago. It was ok, but didn't really grab me. Front end was very light and wandery on climbs, rear end felt a bit dull. The spesh epic 29er I rode straight after was much livelier and better balanced.

http://www.bikemagic.com/gear-news/bike-magic-presents-the-demo-series/8897.html

but don't go to Afan or Cannock as I'm riding them all then.

Wanting to go to Cannock,but it says the Giant 29ers are not there! Any dealers got them to test ride yet?
Thanx Max

there is a size large in Dave Mellor cycles in shrewsbury - been in the shop at least from mid Jan - not sure it is still there now though

Hi,
Just a refresh to see if anyone's rocking one yet? Photo's too if poss?
Thanx Max

Had a medium one kicking about here for around 3 weeks.Havent ridden it yet though.The wheel size doesnt tick all the boxes for me.Tried it,but i like 26inch.Always will do.Maybe thats because ive ridden 20 inch wheels in the past and they really show how good the happy medium 26" wheel really is in so many ways other than just the ride over the rough along with the increased contact patch.I might be kidding myself.. as 650 might really be the ultimate happy medium.

29inch wheels are definately not the happy medium mountain bike wheel and they never will be for so many reasons.

Sanny! you need to get that shock serviced,new tyres and a few squirtz in yer zerkz if thats how you feel about your confidence inspiring 5spot! ;OP

Hi,
5- Spot is fine! But it is a large frame.I also have a 2011 Flux which is an XL.This fits me better! Fancy trying a 29er to see what the fuss is about! Also fancy an Anthem! Nothing like buying a new bike!
Thanx Max

Hey Martin

I see you've been lurking and commenting on photos on Facebook. Nice trails.

The Spot is a good bike but the DW just isn't as nice to ride as my old Horst Link one. It just climbed and descended better. The DW squats down when manualling and the bushings have worn a lot more quickly than on the old bike. The Giant just rode better round my test loop of Loch Bhac. It's a seriously fast bit of kit that handles being thrown about in woodsy singletrack with ease.

For the majority of my riding, I reckon it could be the better bet.

Cheers

Sanny

Aye,the dreaded Facebook.Time sapper of a site! Pauls pics of you were top dog.Nice weather.I havent been up there since they put all the new stones in on the paths.

I was planning a DW flux for a while but compared to what you read on here,it never seems to get the praise of the old horst link versions.Folk are often talking about other issues too.To be honest i would be happy with a tnt version.What i would love to do is tweak an old horst version and completely fit quality sealed bearings into it so it flows super smooth.I know it wouldnt last as well but it would be interesting to wangle it.Not sure if anyones machined stuff up and tried it already.Its just that the majority of 5 spots (must be at least 15) that ive had shocks out of,have all been a little sticky,inc my own.Its just something that has always made me wonder.The angles and handling of the older 5 spot but with no resistance messing with the shock.
Mmmmm.

Did you try the anthem with a riser bar or that awful flat oversized thing? It feels like its bent going back to flat bars! The bike feels rather special when you first spin around on it.I would love to try it with a low rise bar.I have to admit,before my current bike,the anthem 29er was on the list. 29 wheels or not,its a topper.It looks stunning in the flesh too.

Would love to tell you but mines been sat un-built for 3 weeks waiting the QR15 front conversion for my new American Classic wheels 🙁
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Hi,
Bream,did you buy just the frame? Where from? Looks stunning from here!
Thanx Max

Hi Martin

Risers with an inverted stem. Seemed to work well. Set up for Kev Dangerous as his bike of choice.

Going to have to check my DW when I get home. There was a loud bang when I was descending from the Lairig Ghru last Tuesday. Sounded like it was my swingarm hitting the frame but I didn't pay it much heed at the time until someone posted on another thread that this isn't unknown. Eek! Hope the frame isn't damaged. 😯

Like I said, for me, the older Turner was the better bike. I'm not overly impressed at how quickly I've gone through bushings on the new one compared to the old one. At £110 a pop, it's an expensive fix.

Aye, the pics that Paul took were ace. Some stunning riding up there for sure.

Hi Max,

Bought the frame & forks from the US, but had to get my dad to go into the shop and sign for it before they would ship anywhere. Giant dealers have their hands tied and sell ex-shop only.

It certainly looks stunning, can't bloody wait to ride it!

Saw one in mountain trax, wokingham.looked awful.I'm sure it rides nice but far too much colour co ordinating.every component had matching blue right down to the cables and even the qr

The boss has now got a wide carbon monkey lite on his with a gobi xm.It feels braw.Hope to get a shot soon.

Would love to tell you but mines been sat un-built for 3 weeks waiting the QR15 front conversion for my new American Classic wheels

If it helps, I recently got one from JRA..