Giant was one of the only major brands to launch a completely new version of their premium cross-country racer this year. And surprise, surprise, Alan Hatherly rode it to a second XCO world title. 

The 2026 Giant Anthem Advanced SL marks the 20th anniversary of the famous XC platform, and it’s had a complete rethink. The frame is built around an updated version of Giant’s FlexPoint Pro suspension – a single-pivot, linkage-driven design that Giant claims is lighter, stiffer and more efficient than before. The bike was developed in partnership with Hatherly, who raced prototypes throughout the 2025 World Cup season. 

The new bike runs 120mm of travel front and rear. Giant claims the suspension’s lower initial leverage ratio gives a firmer pedalling platform without dulling small-bump sensitivity, helped by a completely new carbon swing-arm that keeps the chassis taut under power.

The shock now sits horizontally beneath the top tube rather than vertically in front of the seat tube, which allows room for two water bottles inside the main triangle. A flip-chip in the linkage allows the rider to tweak geometry between ‘high’ (head-tube angle 67°; BB 6mm higher) and ‘low’ (66.5°/BB 6mm lower).

Up front, the Anthem Advanced SL comes with Giant’s new one-piece integrated handlebar and stem, available in carbon or alloy. Cable routing is fully internal; but Giant has kept it as straightforward as possible, to avoid some of the mechanical headaches that have plagued other brands. Bar width is 780 mm as standard, with 50-90 mm stem options to suit most XC racers. 

The top-spec SE, 0 and 1 models roll on Giant’s latest XCR wheel system, featuring a rapid, 120-tooth helical ratchet hub for 3° engagement – quick to respond, but engineered to reduce drivetrain stress. Hookless rims with extra protection on the edges add durability, and allow lower tyre pressures for better grip and comfort.

While much of the tech talk centres on efficiency gains, what Hatherly has shown is that the new Anthem is also smoother, faster and more controlled than the previous model. The 120mm travel set-up hits a sweet spot between race handling and all-day comfort, giving it range beyond XC events – ideal for marathon stage races, and even for technical trail riding.

Dragons Sports – the Giant agents in South Africa – are hoping to land stock in January 2026. Hedge fund managers with a marathon racing addiction can order this bling SE model with all the bells and whistles, including RockShox Flight Attendant, but Giant will also be selling the Advanced SL 0 (R184 990) with a RockShox SID Ultimate fork and SRAM XX AXS; the Advanced SL 1 (R134 990) with a SID Select+ and GX AXS; and the Advanced SL 3 (R74 990) with a Fox 34 fork, mechanical Shimano Deore and alloy wheels.

This bike was featured in the 2026 Bike Buyer’s Guide.

R269 990 / giant-bicycles.co.za

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