Giant's new Anthem X hides its most interesting tech – and has already won the World Championships

Giant's new Anthem Advanced SL has already won Gold at the UCI XCO World Championships, and we were at the bike's official launch in Taiwan to bring you all the key details about this new rapid race bike and the new Anthem X trail bike.

The Giant Anthem Advanced SL and the ever-so-slightly longer-travel Anthem X Advanced SL get a completely new chassis from the outgoing model, with a revised FlexPoint Pro suspension layout, increased travel and modern geometry.

The frame also benefits from advances in construction technology, using the Advanced SL process first seen in the Giant TCR road bike, launched in March 2024.

This proprietary tech is only found on these two Giant models.

The race-focused Anthem has 120mm of suspension travel at the front and rear, reflecting trends in XC racing and the progression of the sport in terms of technical tracks.

The Anthem Advanced SL is joined by the Anthem X – described as a 'fast trail' bike, it features 120mm of frame travel, paired with a 130mm suspension fork.

With the seemingly unstoppable growth of eMTBs, this is a bike that Giant says could be the saviour of the non-assisted trail bike. If you're the type of rider who isn't interested in electrical assistance, you're more likely to enjoy the efficiency and speed of a bike of this ilk.

• Giant Anthem X review: is this the saviour of trail bikes? It certainly has the potential

High-tech frame

There are two main stories when it comes to the frames found on the Anthem and Anthem X models – the construction and the suspension.

The Advanced SL construction, first seen on the TCR, is a proprietary system developed by Giant in Taiwan.

At the factory, Giant weaves and impregnates its own carbon fibre sheets with resin, something few brands are able to achieve. Raw Japanese carbon fibres are fed through Giant's own looms and presses, giving the brand the ultimate control over its materials.

With the Advanced SL frames, the sheets of carbon are cold-cut by robots, rather than being stamped or laser-cut.

This gives each of the 700 or so sheets of carbon that are hand-laid into each frame a more precise cut, with less edge distortion.

In turn, this allows for even more precise layup, with less sheet overlap, cutting weight and enabling more precision with frame feel.

While 'normal' carbon tube construction utilises inflated bladders to create internal pressure while the frames go through the heated presses, the Anthem and TCR use a more rigid internal mould.

This makes the insides of the tubes just as smooth and sculpted as the exterior, enabling lower weight and improving stiffness control.

Furthermore, the front triangle is made as a single piece, rather than multiple tubes bonded together.

Less-flex suspension

When it comes to suspension, as per the previous-generation Anthem, a flex-stay single-pivot linkage is used.

Giant's FlexPoint Pro has the shock nestled in the top tube – another benefit of the Advanced SL construction, which enabled the cavity to be effectively created without loss of stiffness.

The key performance development is the overall flex of the rear stays, as the frame travels through its 120mm of movement, is significantly less than others – eight times less than Giant's leading competitor's frame, apparently.

Any flex that's created via suspension travel is felt through the shock; by reducing it as much as possible, the shock has fewer unwanted and uncontrolled forces to deal with, leading to a rear end that's more supple and easy to set up.

Continuing the suspension theme, Giant has worked with Fox and RockShox on tweaks to the shock internals (and externals) to perfect their performances.

This has included removing the equilising spacer and altering the dimple, which enables the passing of air between the positive and negative air springs on the SIDLuxe shock, and working on a custom air can on the Float SL to boost air-spring volume.

Final frame details

While both the Anthem and the Anthem X feature 120mm of rear-wheel suspension, there's one main difference – the Anthem X features down-tube storage, accessed via a large port on its top.

Internally, you'll find a thin layer of foam to prevent annoying rattling, and a set of storage bags to keep everything in place.

Given that the front triangle's (expensive) mould will be different from that of the XC Anthem (to allow for the storage hole), you might wonder why Giant didn't make the Anthem X's geometry a little more lengthy.

Elsewhere, there are headset-routed cables, with Giant saying the extra sealing on the bearings, and the use of stainless steel bearings, means there shouldn't be too many maintenance worries.

When it comes to geometry, Giant has played it safe, but modern – the numbers on the geometry sheet are similar to the latest raft of XC race bikes and downcountry bikes.

There is a geometry chip, offering high and low settings, with the two differing by 0.5 degrees at the head and seat angle, and 5mm in the reach.

The 130mm fork on the Anthem X further slackens and shortens geometry.

Giant Anthem Advanced SL geometry (high setting)

Considered components

To join the frame, Giant has worked on the key chassis components to go with the frames.

The new Cadex XCR (carbon) and XCA (alloy) wheels have been designed with lighter-weight XC tyres in mind.

Broad rim walls are designed to dissipate impact forces, reducing the chance of pinch punctures, while the top-spec hoops feature carbon spokes and a 3-degree engagement-angle hub.

Further forward, there's a new integrated bar and stem, with both carbon and alloy options.

This bar has been designed with modern demands in mind – a 780mm width, 'stem' lengths of 50-70mm and a nod towards comfort with a stiffness profile that shouldn't leave you white-knuckled.

Giant Anthem Advanced SL and Anthem X Advanced SL models

There are five XC-focused Anthem models and four Anthem X bikes, as well as frameset options for both (including a World Champion special). However, not every model will be available in every territory.

Giant's women-focused brand Liv has a range of Pique and Pique X models, based on the Anthem and Anthem X.

Prices and territories are listed as subject to change, so consult your local distributor for full pricing and availability.

Giant Anthem Advanced SL 3 specifications and prices

This is the entry-level build, and is listed as available in Canada ($6,299), France (€4,499) and Germany (€4,500).

It comes with Performance-level suspension from Fox, Deore gears from Shimano, alloy finishing kit from Giant and Maxxis Aspen tyres.

Giant Anthem Advanced SL 2 specifications and prices

This is the entry-level model listed in the UK and US, at £5,299 and $5,600 respectively.

RockShox's Select+ SID and SIDLuxe suspension is paired with a SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission and alloy finishing kit.

Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE specifications and prices

This is the top-end model, found in all listed territories.

In the UK, it'll cost £10,499, $14,500 in the US, and between €12,499 and €14,000 in Europe.

Befitting a high price point, RockShox's Flight Attendant electronically controlled SID and SIDLuxe suspension features, along with an XX SL Transmission. Super-fancy carbon wheels and finishing kit complete the package.

Giant Anthem X Advanced SL 3 specifications and prices

At $4,800 or CAD$6,199, this is the cheapest Anthem X model, and not listed as available in Europe.

It comes with a Fox Rhythm 34 fork and Performance-level Float shock, a Deore groupset with TRP Slate EVO brakes, and Maxxis Rekon and Rekon Race tyres.

Giant Anthem X Advanced SL 2

In the UK, we'll be able to purchase this second-cheapest Anthem X for £4,999 – it's also available in the US ($5,600).

It's specced with a Fox 34 SL Performance shock, an Eagle 90 Transmission and Shimano SLX brakes.

Giant Anthem X Advanced SL 0 specifications and prices

Jump a couple of levels and you get this top-end machine, which I've tested.

It's listed only in Canada, for CAD$11,699.

The bells and whistles are very much present here, with Factory-level suspension from Fox (a 34 SL and Float SL), and a full Shimano XTR Di2 groupset.

Cadex's fancy carbon wheels are shod in Maxxis tyres.