Giant announce new lighter Anthem with FlexPoint suspension

The new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 has already proven to be a highly capable XC and XCM machine having been raced by the Giant Factory Offroad team in the 2021 UCI MTB World Cup races and by African team Imbuko Giant Pro Cycling at the 2021 Absa Cape Epic. It features an ultra-efficient advanced composite mainframe and rear swingarm, which is 250g lighter than its predecessor; makes use of Giant’s all-new FlexPoint Pro suspension to deliver 100mm of smooth, active rear travel; has a steeper 75.5 degree seat tube angle for better power transfer while climbing and a slacker 67.5-degree head tube angle paired with a 110mm travel fork for increased control on technical descents.

Giant have launched a new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 full suspension XC bike. It features a frame that is 250g lighter than the previous model and Giant’s new FlexPoint Pro rear suspension system. Photo by Max Sullivan.

This next-generation Anthem is the latest evolution of a bike that has helped influence the progression of cross-country racing since 2005, when it first appeared on the World Cup circuit. Giant engineers and product developers worked with athletes from the Giant Factory Off-Road Team to develop a progressive new machine for the demands of today’s more technical XC racecourses.

Ultra-Efficient
An all-new Advanced composite frameset, including the main frame and rear swingarm, saves 250g compared to the previous generation Anthem. Overall efficiency gets a boost with a bottom bracket area that’s more than 20 percent stiffer—so racers can accelerate and climb faster with less effort. The frame also adds more than 7 percent torsional stiffness over the previous generation for quicker, more precise handling during intense race efforts. Beyond that, a steeper seat tube (75.5 degrees) puts riders in a more powerful pedaling position to maximize their efforts on steep climbs.

The all-new FlexPoint Pro rear suspension is a linkage-driven, single-pivot design that was engineered specifically for high-performance XC bikes. Photo by Max Sullivan.

Superior Control
One of the key innovations with the Anthem Advanced Pro 29 is its all-new rear suspension setup. FlexPoint Pro suspension was developed by Giant specifically for XC racing. It’s engineered for efficiency, control and responsive handling, using a linkage-driven, single-pivot design that saves weight compared to the previous design. The result is a smooth, active feel that gives riders 100mm of rear suspension for sublime control on technical singletrack terrain. From chunky descents to root- and rock-strewn climbs, it offers just the right blend of XC speed and control. Beyond that, the new frameset also features a slacker head tube angle (67.5 degrees) and longer travel 110mm fork to further boost confidence and help riders tackle the trickiest descents at high speeds.

Today’s cross-country racetracks are more demanding than ever, with technical rock gardens, jumps and steep climbs and descends. Giant team rider Reto Indergand in the thick of it at a 2021 World Cup race. Photo by Michal Cerveny.

29er Stability and Speed
Both the geometry and the suspension setup of the new Anthem Advanced Pro 29 are optimized for its 29-inch wheels. The frame has a longer reach, and the updated cockpit includes a composite handlebar with a larger 35mm diameter and ample width for more control and leverage while descending, sprinting and climbing. These updates complement the stability and speed of its lightweight composite 29-inch wheels. The updated cockpit of the Anthem Advanced Pro 29 includes the new Contact SL XC 35 stem and handlebars with a larger 35mm diameter and ample width for more control and leverage while descending, sprinting and climbing. Select models come with the new Contact SLR XC 35 composite bar.

The model year 2022 Giant Anthem Advanced full suspension bicycle will be available in South African stores from January 2022.

Giant Anthem at the Epic

The Anthem Advanced Pro 29 1 model, as raced by Imbuko Giant, also features Fox’s Performance Elite Live Valve suspension technology (which is easier to set-up and adjust thanks to Bluetooth connectivity and a mobile application) and rolls on Giant’s new XCR 1 30 WheelSystem. These feature lightweight composite rims with a 30mm inner width for added durability and control. Impressively at the 2021 Absa Cape Epic Imbuko Giant did not suffer a single puncture throughout the race, which the team’s mechanics ascribe to the profile and design of the new XCR wheels.

Paired with Fox Performance Elite Live Valve technology, as equipped on the Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 1, the FlexPoint Pro rear suspension can not only soak up the rigours of UCI World Cup cross country racing but also cope with the ever-changing terrain encountered in marathon and stage race events, like the Absa Cape Epic. Photo by Max Sullivan.