New Giant Anthem Advanced SL Has Landed In SA
The same bike that carried Alan Hatherly to another rainbow jersey has landed locally – light, lively and ready to race
Last year, Giant launched the new range of Anthem XC bikes featuring ultra-lightweight (1530g with paint, excl. parts) composite frames, fully reengineered FlexPoint Pro rear suspension, integrated cockpit components, and lighter, stronger wheels. Now, they’re available on South African soil – and World Champ Alan Hatherly has already claimed the bike’s maiden local win at the Attakwas.
The new Anthem has 120mm of travel front and rear, and space for two bottles – a sweet spot for marathon and XC racing.
In its perfect race debut, Alan Hatherly piloted the new Anthem to his second successive XCO World Championships title. The win didn’t just prove that the bike works – it showed just how fast modern XC bikes have become.
The new frame design features a one-piece molded front triangle that reduces weight and increases stiffness-to-weight, ensuring every watt counts on climbs and accelerations. Integrated Giant WheelSystems and handlebar/stem units deliver maximum efficiency with instant response to rider input.
Most of us know the previous Anthem’s FlexPoint Pro vertical shock. Now the Anthem SL features a re-engineered horizontal shock mounted below the top tube and semi-integrated into the frame. This reduces frame deformation and suspension resistance for smoother shock action and improved pedalling efficiency. A lower initial leverage ratio creates a firm pedalling platform without sacrificing small-bump sensitivity, delivering immediate acceleration while maintaining traction and control.
Giant XCR and XCA WheelSystems feature a 10° helical hub-to-ratchet interface and a 120-tooth helical ratchet for rapid 3° engagement, providing consistent, stress-reduced power transfer with zero hesitation. And a very satisfying zing when you’re off the gas.
Here’s what Alan had to say about the new Anthem Advanced SL:
“It’s about being efficient and controlling the chaos.”
“This bike is exactly what I needed to achieve my goal of winning a second straight world championship. XC is full-gas intensity and focus, from the second the start light goes green until you cross the finish line—no room for error. It’s about being efficient and controlling the chaos. And knowing that, when you see the opportunity to make your move, the bike is right there with you, maximising every pedal stroke and conquering the most challenging technical sections.”
The all-new Anthem range is available at a Giant dealer near you. Find out more about the bikes here.