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XC JUST GOT FASTER

Today’s XC riders demand everything. Smooth control for technical terrrain. Ruthless efficiency to maximize climbing power and speed. And instantaneous response—so when you go, the bike goes with you.

These are the factors that lead to race wins. They are non-negotiables for Giant’s pro racers including 2025 XCO World Champion Alan Hatherly. And they are the guiding principles behind our next-generation Anthem XC bikes.

The new Anthem range includes two series. The superlight, World Championship winning Anthem Advanced SL is for when speed matters most. And the versatile Anthem X Advanced SL, its wilder sibling with a longer travel fork, blurs the line between XC racing and fast trail riding.

Anthem Advanced SL 0 on black background

Anthem Advanced SL

Developed to help Giant pro Alan Hatherly win the 2025 Elite Men’s XCO World Championship, this superlight XC composite flyer is engineered with a semi-integrated 120mm FlexPoint Pro rear suspension system and a flip chip to adjust geometry for any racecourse or XC terrain.

Anthem X Advanced SL on black background

Anthem X Advanced SL

Built to slay singletrack with blazing speed, the new Anthem X Advanced SL blurs the lines between XC and trail performance. The lightweight composite frame features a new semi-integrated FlexPoint Pro rear suspension setup with 120mm of travel plus a flip chip to adjust geometry. Combined with a 130mm fork and an integrated handlebar with clean cable routing, it’s fast, fun and ready to rip.

Anthem Advanced SL frame on black background

Anthem Advanced SL Frameset

A pro-level XC race frameset built to shred singletrack and aim for the podium.

Anthem X Advanced SL frame on black background

Anthem X Advanced SL Frameset

A lightweight, efficient mountain bike frameset for XC and fast trail riding.

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Total Control

Modern racecourses demand the very best from both rider and bike—and the Anthem range responds. We meld state-of-the-art engineering, radical design, and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to create an XC bike that is a pure extension of the rider.

mountain biker on trail

ELEVATED SUSPENSION

The FlexPoint Pro suspension system is repositioned on the frame and totally reengineered to deliver 120mm of smooth, active travel (compared to 100mm in the previous generation). The result is superior control and trail-hugging traction to help you shred rough descents and float up technical climbs.

closeup of suspension

TEAM EFFORT

The FlexPoint Pro suspension uses a single full-composite upper rocker arm to achieve significant weight savings compared to dual-rocker designs. We worked with suspension partners Fox and RockShox to optimize rear shock designs using lightweight, compact shock bodies that further minimize weight.

carbon frame being laid upinto mould

SMOOTH AND CONSISTENT

FlexPoint Pro isolates the suspension elements from the frame, minimizing the uncontrolled forces from flexing chainstays and seatstays that occurs in most single-pivot systems. This translates to improved small-bump sensitivity and consistent damping and spring action.

mountain biker getting some air in forest

YOUR RIDE, YOUR GEOMETRY

Because XC racetracks and trails vary from smooth and fast to tight and technical, we engineered a two-position flip chip system that lets you fine tune the handling by choosing a High or Low setting. The High setting has a steeper head and seat tube angle for sharp, aggressive handling. The Low setting reduces those angles by a half-degree, offering slightly more relaxed handling for the most technical terrain.

mountain biker in a corner

BETTER GRIP, FEWER FLATS

The WheelSystems throughout the Anthem range feature Wide Guard technology for added control and tire protection. The hookless rims each have 5mm wide, rounded edges to help deflect angled strikes and reduce the risk of rim damage or tire sidewall cuts. This lets you run lower tire pressures for better control and less chance of a puncture.

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LOW-LATENCY SPEED CONCEPT

Our low-latency speed concept is a systematic approach to maximizing the rider's input efficiency. Every element is analyzed and optimized to achieve new levels of transmission stiffness and minimal weight. In short, when you’re ready to go, the Anthem responds—without hesitation and with maximum efficiency.

EVERY WATT COUNTS

From the superlight and stiff frameset—handcrafted using our highest-grade Advanced SL composite material—to the new FlexPoint Pro suspension system and integrated components, every element of this next-generation XC ripper is designed for maximum power transfer and measurable gains in efficiency.

LIGHTER, STIFFER, FASTER

With a frame weight of just 1530 grams (size medium Anthem Advanced SL), and higher torsional/pedaling stiffness than any other bike in its category—including the Specialized S-Works Epic 8—the flagship Anthem Advanced SL 0 achieves a total stiffness-to-weight ratio that’s up to 16.66 percent greater than its competitor. (See test results)

SNAP TO IT

Stiffness-to-weight is about more than just climbing. This measurement, which calculates frame weight against torsional stiffness and pedaling stiffness, affects the bike’s quickness and agility. It’s what racers call “snappiness.” The Anthem range delivers superior stiffness-to-weight, producing a dynamic feel and instantaneous reactivity.

FIRM PEDALING PLATFORM

The engineering of FlexPoint Pro allows the rear shock to have a lower initial leverage ratio for a firmer pedaling platform. That means no watts are wasted when you’re going all out, but with zero compromises to small-bump sensitivity. When you punch it, the bike goes instantaneously—while keeping both tires in contact with the trail for greater traction and control.

SINGLE-PIVOT SPEED

The new FlexPoint Pro rear suspension uses a superlight composite rear swingarm with minimal flexing elements and less frame deformation compared to other single-pivot suspension designs. In addition to making the chassis lighter, this design creates less suspension resistance, smoother shock action, and improved efficiency.

WHEEL POWER

The XCR and XCA WheelSystems feature a 10° helical engagement between the hub and ratchet rings for efficient, consistent power transfer with reduced stress on components. A 120-tooth helical ratchet delivers rapid 3° engagement for immediate response and precise power delivery when every second counts.

SYSTEM INTEGRATION

two bottles on bike
TWO BOTTLES FOR LONGER RIDES
The new frame and suspension design opens up space for a second water bottle. Integrated mounts on the seat tube allow you to attach a second cage, so you can carry more hydration without having to wear a pack—a major upgrade for marathon races or longer XC adventures.
handlebars on mountain bike
CLEAN COCKPIT
A new composite one-piece handlebar/stem unit (on select models) adds compliance to reduce shocks and vibrations, improving control and hand comfort. The design saves weight and cleans up the cockpit with tidy internal cable routing for brakes, shifters, shocks and a dropper seatpost.
handlebars on mountain bike
MATERIAL OPTIONS
The integrated handlebar comes in two models—the Contact SLR XC Integrated composite version and the Contact SL XC Integrated alloy option. Both offer the same seamless cable routing and versatile sizing with a 780mm standard width and stem lengths ranging from 50-90mm.

ULTIMATE XC SUSPENSION

Developed to meet the demands of Giant’s World Cup XC racers, this innovative rear suspension delivers smooth control, uncompromising efficiency, and lightweight agility. Its single-pivot design isolates the rear shock and produces 120mm of fully active, ground-tracking suspension. Whether you’re gunning for podiums or burning up your local trails, you have the confidence and control to fly down technical descents and hammer up steep climbs.

FlexPoint Pro Suspension

US VERSUS THEM

There are many flexing rear suspension systems, but none deliver the patented performance of FlexPoint Pro. We tested the suspension of the new Anthem range for weight, stiffness and efficiency against key competitor bikes including the Specialized S-Works Epic 8. The proof is in the results.

View Testing Results