Retro Vs Modern Full Suspension Bike | The Giant Anthem Through The Years
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Let's take it back to 2007, The Giant Anthem was only a year old! So how far has the Giant (and bike design in general) come in the last 11 years? What's new? What's stayed the same? These two bikes share a name, but let's find out how they're different!
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Okay, so 11 years old isn't exactly 'retro'....and as Neil states in the video, our 2007 model is an absolute credit to it's owner, everything is working great! However, 11 years is a long time in terms of any industry! How has the new bike progressed and how does that translate to feeling and enjoyment on the trail? Let's find out!
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Leave us a comment below!
I’m still rocking a 2006 iron horse yakuza, and love it. I wish I could upgrade but with 4 kids, it’s not In the budget for sure, so as nice as a new bike would be, my oldie but goodie, still does me just fine. 🤘🏻✌🏻
kenneth williams you can upgrade, I’m on a budget too but if you buy a frame and build it up it’s cheaper.
kenneth williams plenty of second hand bargains to be had.
kenneth williams I ride a xc bike from 1994 and have turned it into a want to be short travel freeride bike also Im in high school so not much money to work with
I still have my 2006 iron horse MKIII. I don’t ride it much these days, but it still shreds
I hear you man 2 kids and private school means my 2002 hardrock will have to live a while longer.
When you realise that your dream bike from a decade ago is now retro 😕 loved this video!
And for me AFFORDABLE
I'd love to ride that '07 anthem even today. What a stylish machine :D
I ride a 2001 Giant nrs XTC 3 and I love it. Converted it to 1x and replaced the fork and rear shock and it rides great.
You are comparing a top end 2018 Anthem with an entry level Anthem from 2007. Bike technology hasn't changed much in the last decade. I find my older 26er climb just as well as new Yetis or Ibis. Where there has been improvement is downhill stability from the longer wheel base and slacker headtube which makes a bike feel more sluggish and less flickable in corners. Don't let this video make you feel like you need to buy a new bike. Older bikes still provide the same enjoyment of the sport of mountain biking.
This is gold. Thanks for making me feel a little bit less obsolete.
I'd rather buy the bike from 2007. 26-inch wheels, front derailleur with three chainrings, alluminium frame, mechanic disc brakes - that's my dream even now. Ten years ago I could not afford a full-suspension bike, now it's impossible to find and buy such a bike... Except used ones, of course.
We're big advocates of the fact that it's the rider not the bike!
26, 27.5, 29, all ride well. Its about rider preference at the end of the day since YOU are the one riding it. I personally feel comfortable and fast on my 29+ single speed rigid.
Agreed - both of my bikes are custom built 26ers all from a mix of Ebay parts!
Giant anthem from 2007 - my first full suspension bike
That's super nice!
One thing remains the same..... SRAM's patented turkey call.
ThunderStruckCoach fuckin guides lol
REEEEEEEEE
ThunderStruckCoach what a fantastic comment! Gobble Gobble
Riding a Norco Sasquatch from 2005 with fox 36 rc2 up front. Loving it
The '07 Anthem (I own one) is still an astonishingly capable bike. Nimble, responsive and supple to ride. It's my go to MTB during winter months, but it can still hold its own against more modern bikes. Giant knew exactly what they were doing with that Maestro rear end - it feels bottomless, which is pretty impressive for something with only 89 mm of rear wheel travel.
Would be interesting to know the relative cost of each bike at its time of sale. Would be interesting too see if the new bike is actually much more expensive that the 2007 version owing to its build etc.
I love these Vids! I currently own 3 MTB's spanning the same 11 year period - I have a 2007 Specialized XC-FSR w/ 26" wheels, a 2011 GT Sensor Elite 29er, and a 2017 YT Capra w/ 27.5 wheels. The differences between these bikes are pretty significant if not dramatic. Its not even fair to compare the new Capra Enduro w/ my FSR, although I will say that I still have a lot of fun on all of these bikes. I started modifying my older bikes prior to making the jump to my new carbon Capra, and for those that cannot make the jump to a new bike, here is what I did to make them feel great:
1. add Seat-Dropper Post!! - Biggest Upgrade ever
2. change drive train from 3x9 to 1x11 - you can get these components on-sale on the net and have your local bike shop install them all for under $500 for Shimano XT or SLX. It really feels great and you wont miss all the extra gears - really!
3. wider/carbon handlebars and shorter stem - This brings a new experience, and while the carbon is not a need (necessarily) you can find some around $75 on the web, and they are nice and stiff with less vibration to your hands (among other attributes).
4. new wheels/tubeless - this was done out of necessity as inevitably I ended up bending my old rims on jumps (and crashes). Though many will disagree, this is not as big of a difference (feel wise) IMO.
Have fun with whatever bike you have, and you can always implement little hacks to keep things fun and fresh!!
Do the same thing with the Specialized Stumpjumper!!!
Michael Jin yessssss! It's a classic
Chihiro Gustafson
it is so different now, i still ride a 2002 specialized stumpjumper fsr xc
Michael Jin I had a stumpjumper comp 29 ht 2016 now I have an epic ht
They totally should compare a '83 Stumpjumper with a biplane fork to the new one.
A friend of mine has had his stumpjumper 26er for years. Went to bedgebury with 6 lads on27.5ers and 29ers. While they were downing energy bars, my mate ate a jam sandwich. He left them for dust. Had to keep waiting for them to catch up. Lmao
26" FOR LIFE
I had a 2004 Giant NRS 2 which I absolutely loved...every time I went for a ride, it was great fun. I now ride a Cotic Soul hardtail...and I am far happier than I was before!! I do want another full sus again though...
I think I've a nrs 2 also from 2004. Good bike but maby a 29er or a 27,5 plus can give you a lot more?
I ride 2012 Anthem with 26' and 125mm front/100 rear travel, and it really rides in any terrain conditions. One of the best xc machines!
#26aintdead 🤙🏽
Brandon Austin no I still have 2 and don't feel like upgrading!
26"=surströmming
Yes it is even 27.5 becoming a little dead.
George Bolland 27.5 is the optimal wheel size. 29 will die much sooner
My new bike (well new to me) is a 26" and I love it, it's fun
I ride the 2009 Giant Yukon FX1 and I love it! I’ve fitted some 120mm air forks with lockout and feels so much better in the climbs. Just had to change the stem though as kept hitting my knee on the bars while climbing round corners. I have a lot of fun, 26” wheels aren’t dead 😎
I'm impressed and shook at how modern the old anthem actually looks
It’s a bike lol how much could they innovate
I feel like modern bikes are so expensive and all the talk you should have the newest and the best carbon, 27,5 or 29 and full suspension! But my hardtail 26" and rigid 26" both work just fine for me no need to change! Ride what you have if it works for you! If 26" is whay you have then ride that!
You can get a modern Giant anthem for less than the 2007 model cost (once you include inflation). So the pricing hasn't really changed on the standard anthems, the big difference is that some of the modern tech like carbon is more expensive. However the performance of a modern one will outpace the old one assuming equal ability riders.
For reference, 2007 anthem has RRP of £1850 (£1400 + inflation). Anthem 3 2017 has RRP £1699.
Okay so I'm here because I just bought a 2007 Giant Anthem yesterday for a hundred bucks and it's in really good condition. Can't wait to try and ride this one.
I've been with you since episode 1 please do not continue those jump cuts and blurry transitions it's not your style
Ronald Tartaglia absolutely agree. Idiot learning the edit suite software.
We' like to try a variety of new things to keep advancing what we do :) Thanks for your feedback.
That 2007 Anthem was my dream MTB bike, had to settle for a Boulder SE which I ended up selling. Now I retired from MTB and doing Road riding only.
If you pay extra, you get a cable end for the fork lockout!
Would love to see a comparison between a fully upgraded retro bike and a stock modern bike.
Love the intro
Thanks Owen! Glad you like it.
Global Mountain Bike Network thanks i ride a scott genius mc 30 still going good
world recession comment lol
Owen Preece Neil's just boss at presenting aye
Same
I have a similar age hardtail Giant XTR, and I agree with everything you are saying. A new bike would be better, but as I can't afford it I'll stick to my old Giant for the moment. I've ridden new bikes and they are great - just not available for me yet. Maybe 2nd hand in a couple of years.
That cable end on the fork lockout made me cringe.
Bevan Duffett 😂 same here!
Only came to the comments to post this!
who assembled that bike? Missed that cap. Tisk tisk.
i feel like you also compared a lower spec old bike versus a high spec new one ... kinda unfair to the old bike
High Spec 2006/7 Anthems in the UK a manageable distance from the Forest of Dean are pretty hard to come by! It took us quite a while to find this one!
you could have used a lower spec new bike ... couldn't be that hard to find the lower spec new one
Global Mountain Bike Network ..... the reason you can't find them is because the riders that own them don't want to give them up because the new XC bikes have 29er bloat.....
My wife has a 2007 Anthem 0, "upgraded" with XTR integrated shifters/levers and SIDs. Unfortunately in New Zealand so not all that useful. It does weigh ~11kg. Not many alloy framed FS bikes around now that would weigh less?
@@gmbn Indeed, but you should point that out in your presentation. Giant had also a carbon Anthem Advanced back then, in fact they had a carbon NRS years before that, so carbon is nothing new. Yes, the geometries have changed and the bikes have became much faster but components like XTR brakes and Fox forks were not that bad back then. You don't need that short and wide cockpit with the smaller wheels, but yes it's essential with the bigger ones. You make a joke of the 3 chainrings in the front, but in ten years time people will laugh with the 52 teeth pizza trays in the rear.
I still own 2007 Giant VT3 (very similar to bike in this video) and I love it. The aluminum alloy frame from 2007 is still top notch, as good as best modern alloy frames. The only problem is that I can't find replacement parts for the suspension.
Thanks for the Giant comparisons. We have come a long way.
Love these vintage bikes so much I made a whole channel around them.
Was supposed to be about litterally everything but has turned into a retro bike channel because they are my favorite things to ride. 🤷♂️
Great video as always!
I am still riding my 2005 Giant Reign 2 and loving it! Great video.
Speaking of still riding older bikes, I'm still rocking my 1994 Trek 8000 and 1997 Pro-Flex Animal, as well as my '02 Norco Shore
This is the best series
Thanks! We're going to get some more retro Vs modern up on the channel soon.
I have a 2000 Giant warp Ds1. I enjoy easing around the trails with once in a while. The young fellas ride by and snicker, which I think is funny, but when I push them a little bit they start asking questions about it. I love it. Keep the vintage coming in please.
I still love retro 26” hardtails & full suspension bikes from the late 90’s-early 200’s!
Modern bikes are amazing but the retro stuff is just a totally different animal with totally different ways to throw you into a cold sweat on a trail.
My last mtn bike was an Iron Horse Team Issue hardtail. I rode a friends spare Niner 5 years ago and reignited my love for mountain biking. Now I'm on a Trance and don't understand how I ever survived without a dropper post and slacker geo. You don't need a new bike if you have an older one, but as Neil said, the new ones just offer so much more confidence.
It would be interesting to find out the lap time for them to see how much faster the new bike really is.
Kian M yup that's what I was waiting to c hopefully at the end. :(
@@28learner They can't do that. When they show that the difference is as low as 10 or less seconds, you have no reason to pay tons of money to upgrade your 26 for such marginal gains.
I own the giant anthem 2 from 2008 and I absolutly love it
2005 Kona Caldera hardtail. upgraded to a 1X, deore xt brakes and running like a beast. LOVE IT
Rocking a 2008 Titus Racer X and she's still diggin it.
It's so crazy how much has changed. Bars are so much wider.
I ride a Giant Anthem X2 from 2010. It's a great, great bike. Just sent it in for service last week, and I'm picking it up tomorrow. A tune up, bike wash, brake bleeding, and fork/shock service. Needless to say, I'm heading straight for the trails! :D
Still rocking a Merida sub 60 large 2007 done some upgrades to it loving it but I'm planning to switch to a dual suspension from 2011 already own the frame but I don't have time to move all the parts to it... loving the retro vs new comparisons.
John Tomac
Jeremy Rogers hold my drop bar...
This is great thank you for always posting the best videos🤘
I purchases a first model year Trance way back in 2004 or so and and then in 2015 I bought an Anthem SX (27.5 wheels). I took the Anthem for a demo ride and was sold pretty quickly. The advancements in equipment and changes in geometry were just great. I did need a good 2 or 3 months of weekend warrior rides to really get dialed in with the wider handlebars, shorter stem and 3 degree slacker head angle. What I really love is how much more rigid the bike is. Both are aluminum frames but the Anthem is so much stiffer, the bike just has a ton of bounce and pop to it, very fun bike to ride.
I love retro biking. I have a 95 GT Zaskar LE with all of the original XTR M900 components, a 99 Marin Team Marin and I just finished rebuilding a 91 GT Zaskar. I won't win any races with them compared to the new stuff but I still get a good workout and I love the nostalgia.
Riding a 2007/2008 Canyon Nerve XC and still loving it. Might get myself a new trail/enduro later on this year, but on the single tracks the Canyon still rocks!
I had a top of the line Anthem with a carbon frame from 2012, it was a great bike and I loved riding it. I rode it for a few years and decided to get a new bike as it was a little small for me and I was getting some discomfort in my back when on longer rides.
Stayed with a Giant but went for a Trance and the difference was huge. I was gobsmacked at how far mountain bikes had come in those five years between the two bikes. Everything was better on the 2017 bike, better position, head and seat tube angles, 12 mm axles, boost spacing and dropper posts! While part of me thinks those things are part of the industry and their way of getting us to buy the next thing or fad. I can honestly say they are all changes for the better.
I have an old bike which I love; just a simple 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disk. I love smashing down runs in it - it feels really nimble and you can thread it through small gaps. It *feels* super fast as it's rattling my fillings out on the rough stuff, the illusion of speed at it's best, old bikes can still be super fun!
2021 and I’m on my 2007 anthem! It’s really on the frame that’s original though. And if I’m honest this is the year for a new bike.
Awwwwwwwwww Yeah :¬) I thought you'd forgotten about Retro Vs Modern, was about to start trolling for its return (again) ;¬)
... instead of trolling, now you can just tell us what you want to see next on Retro Vs Modern..!
Neil Vs Blake, Retro Vs Modern game of B.I.K.E
Global Mountain Bike Network do the reign
I'm riding a 2004 Giant NRS 1 that I bought used as my 1st mountain bike! It's starting to have drivetrain problems but it's still working great. However, me and my riding style are definitely ready for an upgrade
Josh Janecek I just did the same I bought a new chain and front chain wheels not too many issues now
Yeah I'm slowly replacing the entire thing
I have a friend who has a 2016 bike and a 2009ish bike and he prefers the older one because it is 26 (instead of 27.5)
I bought a cannondale rush 07 with RS Psylo 3 weeks ago. So much fun this month
Still riding a 09 giant trance, added a dropper post and changed to 1x drive line. Will upgrade when it breaks.
I've got a 2009 Anthem X1 that's been ridden a LOT, and it's still in near new condition. It's a distance machine par excellence, brilliant fast on smooth, sustained climbs, but it leaves a lot to be desired on technical descents. My 2016 Intense Spider shows how far bikes came in a short time - blows the Anthem out of the water on everything but sheer speed on flat, easy terrain. The Intense even climbs better on sketchy ground because it's easier to keep the rear tire hooked up. The Anthem is the perfect machine for something like the Leadville 100, and how I wish I'd had mine when getting my buckle back in 1999.
Still riding a 2012 anthem x. Love it
Still riding my Scott Spark 30 from 2009. Changed the forks, wheels, rear derailer & saddle for lighter and replaced bearings (as needed) with Hope. Love it, hate the idea of having to replace it...I heard the frames aren't immortal =(
I only sold my 2008 Marin rocksprings quad 140 last year that thing still handed great a real 26 inch trail ripper loved that bike.
What changed most is the prices.Bike industry has an incredible marketing arm.The only reason I got rid of my 26.5lbs alloy 2001 26" K2 Razorback FS was that I was booting around it sucked on climbing and no parts.Still one of the best bikes I ever had. Brand new sold that same year for $950.
I have a 2007 giant trance 3 it's still incredible till this day, I can't imagine having a 2020 model that would be amazing
My 2011 pivot mach 5.7 26inch rides amazingly still. My 2015 turner rfx 27.5 is amazing as well.
The first 26er looked like a 29er compared to Donny. Thanks for motivating my verticality challenged friends!! Love it!
This is positive feedback!
My comments a year ago... 🙄
I just retired my 2005 Jamis Cross Country 2.0 hardtail. I have a 2010 Giant Rincon with V brakes that I'll use for commuting and just bought a 2017 Giant Talon 3. I have never had disc brakes before and am excited to try it out on the trails. I'm also excited to try the 27.5 wheels!!
I’m riding a 2004 Rocky Mountain Slayer 70. She still runs fantastic!
Its cute you call 2007 retro lmao, I was still riding my mid 90s Raleigh then
I've got my 2006 Scott genius mc40 and now got the new 2018 scott genius 740. Love them both!
Very happy with my Giant, big wheels is the way forward.
Absolutely love these retro Vs modern videos👍
We love making these ones too! Any suggestions as to what should be next on Retro Vs Modern?
risk your life on a Klein mantra lol
GT RTS 1 1993 (retro) Vs GT sanction 2018 !!!
Classic retro Fat Chance Yo Eddy vs the new re released Yo Eddy?
Bought a Canyon Nerve XC back in 2007 and still riding it. Agile little beast! Perfect for going around rocks and tree stumps, but I'm planning on upgrading to a trail / enduro bike during this year ;)
5 years ago now can we get a 5 up update to see how a pre-universal hanger frame compares to the latest Anthem.
I own the 2015 Anthem Advanced SX. I love it to bits. A great all rounder. I am considering the 29ner however in a year or two.
I still have the 2007 giant trance and recently done some tune ups she's a beauty still awesome to ride
I'm 5 minutes in and I want to vomit already from the transitions between shots. Does anybody else watch the video except the editor before upload ? That sequence at 4:44 is just headache inducing.
Paul G agree it's dreadful
to GMBN-.....
like what he said!
Was just about to write a similar comment. Thing is this technique has been used in a few other videos aswell
I came to the comment section to write this exact comment.
Im riding a 2009 nine giant reign but with an upgraded shock and made it a 1x10 gearing with modern parts and putting a differnt fork on the front but i really like it . its super playful on the trails and love riding it!
I just scored a 1998 K2 Razorback. Planning on a few updates, bars, stem. Then see how it goes from there.
I have a 2005 devinci magma and it’s my first real double suspension and I just love it 😍
still riding my 2009 Gary Fisher hardtail. :) Its starting to get hard to find tires and parts so this might be its last year :( Still have a blast on it :)
I´m still have and ride my Giant Anthen 2007 old bike and I love it!!!
Still riding a 2007 Specailized Stumpjumper Comp HT. It's the best frame/fork combo Iv'e ever ridden and so I plan on keeping it and getting a full Shimano M8000 groupset for it.
I still ride my 2007 stump jumper
06 Epic. I got it in 2012 to replace my 1996 hardtail.
Riding an older Cannondale Scalpel 3 (last year built in the USA model) still with original components. Definitely still rips and super fun to ride.
I am looking at a 2006. I love that bike. Wish you went over the older one a little bit more in the video.
Riding on a 2008 giant anthem advanced with 2008 manitou r7 mrd fork（carbon lower），a set of xtr m970 ，manitou s-type sr rear shock，formula r1 brakes（carbon lever）.I love her so much.
Running a 2003 Cove hummer titanium hardtail, refreshed with 1x11 groupset and reduced travel fox 36 fork. Unless the frame cracks I'll ride it for ever!
Still running a giant VT2 the predecessor to the anthem.
Upgraded to 1x11 with hydro disc, still runs 2003 marz bombers and the manitou 3-way rear
I still ride my Trek820 hardtail singletrack series. It's around 10 yrs old and iv beat the heck out of it over the years and it's always been a solid bike. It looks similar to that old giant with the blue and grey. I love my trek, it was my first mountain bike I learned a lot on including wheeling all the way dwn the street. Watching these vids gets me pumped to ride and I wanna treat myself to a new bike this year. If I get another hardtail I'm thinking a Trek Roscoe 8
Have got the 2018 Giant Anthem 3. Not as specked out as the one on the vid but an absolute dream to ride!
I just bought that 07 anthem frame as a rebuild project bike. Interesting comp.
That 2007 Anthem is a new bike if you ask me. My bikes are a 1992 TREK singletrack 970 with a Deore DX groupset and a 1990 Wheeler 8890 with Deore XT. They do require maintenance, but they're incredibly sturdy. My dream bike is a 1983 Specialized Stumpjumper, partly because of the biplane fork. You should aquire one of those somehow and compare it to the modern Stumpjumper.
My dad’s got the 2014 giant trance with 26 inch wheels, a 3x, (now a 1x) and fox suspension. The thing rides like a beaut!
I'm riding a Yeti 575 from around 2007, with modern suspension, Zee 1x10, dropper, wide bars, short stem, carbon rims and hope hubs. I rode an Ibis Mojo HD, kashima etc on my usual trails and felt strongly that--for my riding skill level--there was no difference in my retro ride vs a six grand beast. In fact, Strava reflected this, showing no PRs, but very comparable performance.
I think that some suspension units have improved over the past decade, probably specifically shocks, but overall there is little difference in a good bike, despite huge changes in specs and price. I feel that the biggest differences that I can feel and really describe were between a 2" and 2.3" tyre, and then the 3x9 to 1x10 with clutch, and OMG dropper dropper dropper.
I AM still loving my 2009 Stumpjumper. It fits my budget too, which is the bottom line, really. I'm good, it's modern enough, I can fix what needs fixing, modern parts still fit and I still get to where I want to go.
I actually ride that exact 2007 Anthem model!
Matt B me too and I love it!
Great video Neil, good to explanation on how bikes have progressed over the years. I have a Kona Lanai hard tail from 2010 I think and have enjoyed riding it but just bought a Team Boardman TXC 650B which I am looking forward to trying out next week. Great channel, keep up the great work.
Another great video!
Love my 2009 Giant Talon 0 26" BUT, genuine replacement parts for the front Rockshox Tora are impossible to find in Australia and need to ordered online from OS - for my own selfservice as a shop service is just not worth the monetary expense.
Every new part ends up an upgrade on the bike.
I'm still riding a 2003 Marin Wolf Ridge and I love it - I have changed the stem and bars so I have a 40 mm stem with modern wide bars and that means I can tackle trails I couldn't do confidently before, and I've changed the forks to Marzocchis with more travel, but the choice of 4, 5 or 6 inches travel at the back comes in handy and it a really simple bike to maintain. The brakes are great and I don't mind a 3x set up on the front because I don't know any different. The only pain is the 30.0mm seat tube and as I am thinking of getting a dropper, I'll need to shim it out. Otherwise though, it's great.