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Every trail presents a challenge. Can you conquer the technical climb? Descend and rail corners with more flow? Can you go faster today than you did yesterday?

The desire to squeeze out more speed, to see how far you can push yourself, doesn’t always mean pinning on a race bib. Whether you’re going all out for a Strava segment, for bragging rights with friends, or just to experience that feeling of speed, it’s fun to go fast.

That’s the idea behind the new Anthem X Advanced SL. With a longer travel fork and modern, trail-tested components, it’s the wilder sibling of the race-focused Anthem Advanced SL. It’s built on the same composite frame with 120mm of smooth FlexPoint Pro rear suspension. Lightweight and efficient, it climbs with purpose and it charges technical terrain with swagger.
It’s not just about chasing podiums.

It’s about chasing that rush.

Key Performance Factors

RACE-BRED TRAIL SPEED

A full-composite frameset is both ultra-light and highly efficient to help you power up climbs and make every watt count. The WheelSystems and integrated handlebar/stem units are designed for maximum efficiency and instantaneous response to rider input. The rear shock is repositioned and semi-integrated with the top tube, shaving weight and creating space for a second water bottle cage.

TOTAL CONTROL

The new FlexPoint Pro suspension delivers 120mm of smooth, active rear travel paired with a 130mm fork—helping you fly down rough descents and power up technical climbs. A flip chip lets you fine tune handling for all types of terrain. Superlight composite or alloy Giant WheelSystems (depending on model) with a next-generation 120-tooth helical ratchet drive system for immediate power and robust 5mm rim sidewalls for greater protection against impacts and punctures.

SYSTEM INTEGRATION

A new one-piece integrated handlebar/stem unit adds compliance to reduce shocks and vibrations, improving control and hand comfort. It’s available in two models—the Contact SLR XC Integrated composite and Contact SL XC Integrated alloy. Both feature the same seamless cable routing and versatile sizing with a 780mm standard width and stem lengths ranging from 50-90mm.

Highlights

Anthem X Advanced SL (2026) with interactive tooltips

Techs & Features

Advanced SL Composite Technology

Giant’s Professional Grade raw carbon material is woven in our own composite factory using our most advanced engineering and construction methods including: Continuous Fibre Technology to add strength while reducing weight; Carbon Nanotube Technology resin to improve impact resistance; and Fusion Process for lighter, stronger frame junctions.

Advanced Forged Composite Technology

A state-of-the-art high-pressure moulding process is used to produce complex-shaped carbon fibre components that are lighter, stiffer and stronger than similar components made from aluminium. This technology is used in critical performance parts such as Maestro Suspension rocker links.

FlexPoint Pro Suspension Technology

Developed as a superlight rear suspension setup for XC bikes that demand efficiency, control and responsive handling, FlexPoint Pro is a linkage-driven, single-pivot system that delivers 100mm of rear-wheel travel. It’s engineered with a full-composite swingarm that significantly reduces overall frame weight.

MegaDrive

A massive rectangular downtube and oversized toptube work in unison to provide superior front end lateral and torsional steering precision. The precisely engineered, rectangular shaped downtube yields unprecedented steering and pedalling stiffness.

OverDrive

Giant’s original oversized fork steerer tube technology. Designed to provide precise front-end steering performance, the system’s oversized headset bearings (1 1/4” lower and 1 1/8” upper for road, 1 1/2” lower and 1 1/8” upper for mountain) and tapered steerer tube work in conjunction to provide optimal steering stiffness.

PowerCore

A massively oversized bottom-bracket/chainstay area features a fully integrated, 86-millimetre wide bottom-bracket design (92-millimetre wide for off-road bikes). Asymmetric chainstays provide additional stiffness on the driveside and stability on the non-driveside.

Wide Guard Technology

When your wheel hits a sharp or square edge, especially at speed, pinch flats and rim damage can occur. Wide Guard technology minimizes this risk by broadening the contact point between the rim and tire with a solid 5mm rim sidewall. That means you can skip the heavy tire inserts to have less unsprung weight on your bike and allow your suspension to perform better. The wide sidewalls also better protect your wheel from big impacts, reducing the possibility of rim damage.

Tubeless System

Fewer flat tyres. Greater traction. Less rolling resistance and a smoother, faster ride. Giant’s Tubeless System makes it easier than ever to experience all these benefits.