BikeRadar’s test team comprised five women who had years of experience on 26in cross-country bikes but none on 29ers. For the most part, the riders appreciated the larger-wheeled bikesJames Huang/Future Publishing
As advertised, the testers found it easier to roll over obstacles on the 29ersJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W comes in two models. This is the Giant Anthem X 29er 0 WBen Delaney/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W has a RockShox Monarch RL shockBen Delaney/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W has a SRAM X7 and X9 drivetrainBen Delaney/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W has a RockShox Reba SL 29 fork with 100mm of travelBen Delaney/Future Publishing
With their cross-country bias, our testers liked the Giant Anthem X’s 100mm forkBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Increased rolling power was noticeable with the 29ers, testers reportedBen Delaney/Future Publishing
“As soon as I hopped on it, it made sense,” said one tester of the Giant Anthem X 29er 0 W. “I think the key difference is the center of gravity, which aligns with the rider’s center of gravity more truly than other bikes.”James Huang/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W comes in two models. The 29er 0 W comes with Schwalbe Racing Ralph tiresBen Delaney/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W has a RockShox Monarch RL shockBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Like the other bikes on test, the Giant Anthem X 29er W gets a house-branded saddleBen Delaney/Future Publishing
The Giant Anthem X 29er W has Avid Elixir 5 brakes. While these have reach adjust they lack pad-contact adjustment, a feature some of our testers would have liked to seeBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Specialized’s new Rumor is a women’s specific, full-suspension 29er packing 110mm of travelJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Specialized Rumor Expert is the top of two modelsJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Specialized Rumor features Autosag, a super-simple way to set up suspension by pumping the shock to the rider’s weight in psi, adding an additional 50psi, sitting on the bike and releasing the air from the Autosag valveJames Huang/Future Publishing
The 2×10 drivetrain proved adequate on the 110mm travel Specialized RumorJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Specialized Rumor has a SRAM X7/X9/X0 drivetrainJames Huang/Future Publishing
Formula The One S hydraulic brakes weren’t quite as adjustable as our testers would have liked on the Specialized Rumor. Dialing in the reach also reduced the amount of usable lever throwJames Huang/Future Publishing
Our testers found the Specialized Rumor’s own-brand saddle quite comfortableJames Huang/Future Publishing
At 110mm, the Specialized Rumor seems to be a happy medium between the 100mm Giant and 120mm TrekJames Huang/Future Publishing
The 120mm Trek Lush proved a confident descenderJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Trek Lush comes in four models. We tested the Lush SLBen Delaney/Future Publishing