Singletrack.com, the premier online source for the mountain bike lifestyle, spent a week testing high-end MTB bikes on the trails around Fruita, CO. One of the machines put to the test is the Giant Anthem X1. Here are a few of the comments from the review:

“The rear suspension works great picking up medium- and larger-sized hits thanks to the company’s Maestro suspension, which uses four pivot points that, according to Giant, neutralize pedaling and braking forces while allowing the suspension to remain fully active.”

“As with its Trance cousin, the Anthem’s hydro-formed aluminum frame is plenty stiff, which translates into climbing efficiency even on technical trail. ‘It claws uphill very well, as you would expect from a race bike,’ a test rider said.”

“…the Anthem X1 could do double duty on the track and trail if needed. But the Anthem feels like a very pure cross-country bike. Its hallmarks are very quick turning and efficiency in climbing. Depending on the trail and how far the bike is pushed, the Anthem’s four-inches keep it stable on the descents. The key with the Anthem is just how far a rider is pushing the bike; keep it within its limits on technical trail and the bike will perform just fine. On a typical cross-country course, the bike will hang on the outer edges like you’d expect from a high-end ride. And at $3,700 it’s an attainable racer right out of the box.”

To read the full review, go to: http://singletrack.competitor.com/2010/05/uncategorized/giant-anthem-x1_7939

To see the Giant Anthem X1, visit your nearest Giant retailer. Click on the “Store Finder” tab at the top of the page.