Fast, like the cross-country world champion: The Giant Anthem Advanced SL 0 in the BIKE test
Jan Timmermann
· 23.02.2026
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The Giant Anthem Advanced SL has only just been unveiled and it is already the fastest cross-country bike in the world. Alan Hatherly raced to the prestigious Elite World Championship title in 2025 with the 2026 model. To perform at such a level, no parameter can remain untouched. That's why the Giant Anthem SL 0 rolls into our test lab optimised down to the last carbon fibre. But can the practical impressions confirm the advance praise? Clear the ring for the detailed test of the Giant Anthem Advanced SL 0!
Giant Anthem Advanced SL 0 in detail
- Area of application: Cross Country / Marathon
- Suspension travel: 120 / 120 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame weight: 1.6 kg (BIKE measurement, size L, without shock)
- Complete bike weight: 10.6 kg (BIKE measurement, size L, without pedals)
- Maximum system weight: 138 kg (rider and luggage) + bike
- Guarantee: for life
- Price: 9499 Euro >> available here
- Special features: Flex pivot, flip chip
Equipment
- Suspension fork: Rockshox SID Ultimate 3P
- Shock: Rockshox SID Luxe Ultimate
- Gear system: Sram XX SL Transmission
- Translation: 34; 10-52 t.; 520%
- Brakes: Sram Motive Ultimate, 180 / 160 mm
- Wheels: Giant XCR Carbon
- Tyres: Maxxis Aspen Exo TR MaxxSpeed, 29 x 2.4"
Everything carbon, everything from a single source
Giant is the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. The Taiwanese have been manufacturing bicycle frames since 1972 - today, thanks to their expertise and market power, for many other brands too. The company naturally capitalises on this special position when developing its high-quality race bikes. While many manufacturers of carbon frames rely on prefabricated carbon mats, so-called prepregs, Giant has the resources to produce its own prepregs. The production of individual raw material from Japanese carbon fibre offers an opportunity for optimisation that is denied to other manufacturers.
With the particularly lightweight Advanced SL frame, which is also the basis of our Anthem test bike, the prepregs are also cut to size by robots and placed in the heating moulds. The machines can work more accurately than any human can and thus save excess material to reduce the weight. Thanks to automation, the frame uses larger but fewer carbon fibre mats and consists of only 700 individual parts. The main frame of the Giant Anthem SL is laminated from just one piece, which avoids unnecessary overlaps and additional gluing points. The Taiwanese also developed a method for their Advanced SL carbon frames to gain more control over the internal surface during production. Instead of using an air-filled bladder, as is usual in the production of carbon frames, a secret alternative type of bladder is used.
Super lightweight frame
The high level of vertical integration should not only enable Giant to optimise the stiffness of the chassis, but also reduce the frame weight to a light 1640 grams (BIKE measurement, size L). This makes the Giant Anthem Advanced SL frame the third lightest chassis we've tested in the current range of modern marathon full-sussers, beaten only by the Arc8 Evolve FS and the Specialized Epic Worldcup (which has less travel). With a maximum authorised payload of 138 kg and a lifetime warranty, this is an impressive feat of engineering from Giant. For comparison, here are some reference values from the BIKE test lab for marathon frames weighing less than 1.7 kg:
How the Giant Anthem Advanced SL 0 rides
The new Giant Anthem makes it clear from the very first metres: if it says race bike on it, it's a race bike inside! The riding position is largely determined by the specially developed carbon cockpit with integrated cable routing.
Unshortened, the handlebars are 780 millimetres wide, which is extremely wide considering the area of use. The sweeping control centre stretches the rider far over the frame and despite its generous length, the Giant moves forwards quickly with the typical race bike pressure on the front.
Be careful with a long seatpost extension: Due to the kink in the seat tube, the effective seat angle can be significantly slacker than the actual seat angle. To be able to apply the perfect pressure to the pedals, prospective buyers should therefore pay particular attention to the right frame size.
The wheels in the Giant Anthem Advanced SL 0 are an in-house development by the Taiwanese company. Both the rims and spokes are made of carbon, the low weight gives the wheelset a low inertia despite the wide tyres.
Hardly any 29er fullys have been as light-footed as the Giant in the BIKE tests of the last three years. The low wheel weight is a game changer for sprints on the cross-country circuit. The bike can be propelled forwards at rocket speed without sacrificing damping feel, control or stiffness.
The greedy propulsion is certainly appropriate for the legs of an XC world champion. The super-lightweight, highly functional drivetrain from the Sram Eagle XX SL Transmission family, including power meter, is a perfect match.
However, the current version of the Giant Anthem Advanced SL is no longer one of the most drive-neutral race bikes. The rear suspension pumps noticeably when pedalling and requires the compression damping to be switched on. On the other hand, traction is strong despite the tame Maxxis Aspen tyres.
Light and fast
The rear suspension of the Giant Anthem Advanced SL 0 really blossoms on the downhill. The newly designed Flex-Pivot system gets an astonishing amount out of the nominal 120 millimetres of travel. At the same time, the rear suspension absorbs bumps in a sensitive and controlled manner. This makes the racer's suspension feel like it has a lot more crumple zone and encourages you to hit the roots at full throttle.
Despite its light weight, the bike is no delicate diva. Instead, the rider can shoot into the fall line without hesitation - an impressive statement about the power of modern cross-country mountain bikes. The only prerequisite for unlocking the full potential of the Giant: A rider who knows how to handle the wide-low riding position.
On muddy trails, the low tread depth of the tyres did cause the odd moment of shock, but the long and slack geometry offers the necessary reserves to keep you on your toes. Meanwhile, the Sram Motive brakes deliver adequate deceleration performance on the thick HS2 brake discs.
Overall, the new Giant Anthem Advanced SL presents itself as a fast, efficient downhill bike. At the same time, it can be manoeuvred effortlessly in tight spots with an experienced hand on the handlebars. The extremely agile wheels and the chainstays, which are only 433 millimetres short, increase the riding fun despite the racer attitude. The Anthem's playfulness is curbed by the flat race cockpit.
Data from the BIKE test lab
At BIKE, we go to unprecedented lengths to test bikes. We are the only trade magazine in the world to operate its own test laboratory. The data obtained supports our impressions from the practical test. When it comes to geometry data, we don't just rely on the manufacturer's specifications, but also use the laser measuring device ourselves.
- Complete weight10.56 kg (size L, without pedals)
- Frame weight1640 g (without shock, incl. 43 g thru axle)
- Impeller weight3732 g (incl. tyres, tubeless milk and valves, cassette, brake discs)
- Damper weight: 373 g
- Fork weight1591 g (shaft length 177 mm)
- Impeller inertia: 2892 kg x cm² (the lower the value, the better the acceleration)
- Frame stiffness front / rear5.7 / 21.9 N/mm
- Service friendliness6 (out of 15 possible points)
Valuation
| Category: Marathon bikes | Weighting | Grade |
| Uphill riding behaviour | 15% | 2,0 |
| Uphill efficiency chassis | 15% | 3,3 |
| Play instinct | 8% | 2,5 |
| Downhill riding behaviour | 12% | 2,3 |
| Downhill chassis | 15% | 1,5 |
| Driving behaviour grade | 65% | 2,3 |
| Weight | 6% | 1,3 |
| Inertia impellers | 4% | 2 |
| Note Laboratory | 10% | 1,6 |
| Equipment quality | 5% | 0,9 |
| Usability / added value | 5% | 2,5 |
| Transport volume bottle cage | 5% | 0,5 |
| Saddle retractability | 5% | 1,5 |
| Quality / Processing | 5% | 0,5 |
| Note Equipment | 25% | 1,2 |
| Overall grade | 100% | 1,9 |
The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. Grading range: 0.5-5.5 (analogue to the school grading system).
Rating spider diagram: Uphill, play instinct, downhill refers to the riding behaviour: The greater the deflection, the better the suitability. Equipment: refers to the quality of the components fitted.
Conclusion Giant Anthem Advanced SL - by BIKE editor Jan Timmermann
The new Giant Anthem Advanced SL is a flawless race bike. The prestige model impressively demonstrates the vertical integration of the industry giant. Super-fast wheels, low overall weight and high-end equipment make this consistent athlete a favourite for the podium. Newly gained geometry and suspension reserves also push the limits on downhill rides. However, drive neutrality is no longer one of the strengths of the world champion bike. - Jan Timmermann, editor at BIKE
Pro
- Light frame weight
- Very fast impellers
- High chassis reserves
- Contemporary high-end equipment
- High maximum payload and lifetime guarantee
Contra
- less drive-neutral than competitors
- Effective seat angle can limit seat post extension
Jan Timmermann
Editor
