Test Ride Tuesday - The Giant Anthem Advanced 1

Giant categorizes the Anthem Advanced 1 as a “Cross Country Trail” mountain bike, which basically means it’s one of those does-it-all kind of mountain bikes. And after riding the bike a number of times on different trails and terrain, I have to agree. Now it may not be a weight-weenie hardtail built for 9 hour climbing-heavy races like the Leadville Trail 100, or a full blown World Cup downhill rig with a dual crown fork and 200mm of travel, but for pretty much anything in between the Giant Anthem Advanced 1 is ready to take on the challenge and give you the ultimate ride experience you’ve been waiting for.

My first ride on the Anthem Adv 1 was during a weekend trip down to Bentonville, AR (side note, if you haven’t been to Arkansas for a mountain bike trip YOU HAVE TO GO, like tomorrow) and from the moment I threw my leg over it I knew the bike was going to be a blast to ride. All of the trails in and around Bentonville are purpose-built mountain bike trails so they’re designed to be ridden hard and fast and the Anthem didn’t skip a single beat no matter what I threw at it. Steep rooted climbs, fast flowy berms, chunky technical descents, even some double ups at the in-town pump track this bike rode everything like a dream.

The carbon fiber main triangle of the Anthem Adv 1 gives the bike a stiff platform for responsive ride feel while increasing the vibration compliance and reducing the overall weight of the bikes (around 25lb totally stock with pedals). The front (Fox 34 130mm) and rear (Fox Float 110mm) suspension have 3 different independently controlled lock-out positions: fully locked out for smooth climbing sections, midway for bumpier more technical climbing or flat sections, and fully opened for the long descents. The Anthem Adv 1 also comes stock with a dropper post for those “party on Wayne” moments! To keep the weight down and improve ride quality, Giant equips the bike with carbon 27.5” wheels which if you’ve never ridden a bike with carbon hoops you’re really missing out. To round out the distinct features of this bike that contribute to its all-arounder characteristics is the SRAM NX 1x12 drivetrain giving you the top end gearing you need for high speed descents and paved riding as well as ultra-low end gearing for those gut wrenching steep descents where you need all the help you can get.

So whether you live here in Sioux Falls and primarily ride the mellow, XC oriented local trails at Leader’s Park, Tuthill, Yankton Trails, Big Sioux Rec, etc. or you have a cabin in The Hills and ride more rugged, rocky, hilly terrain requiring a bike allows you to pedal efficiently uphill for long periods of time and then descend at high speeds with confidence, the Giant Anthem Advanced 1 is equipped for the job. Don’t believe me? Drop by Spoke-n-Sport today to take one out for a test spin and experience this great bike for yourself.