teacher

Hi, I'm just getting into Mtnbiking and am looking for a nice XC frame. My goal is to eventually do long moderate singletrack days...(chilcotins, elfin lakes, blue trails on BBY mtn.) Nothing gnarly, no big drops, just something that is fun to ride up and down on rocks, roots and other obstacles one might find on a trail. Maybe one day a race or two...

Oh and just to complicate things, I'll be in Saskatchewan for the next two years for school. (I'm guessing a lot of buff singletrack...)

I am 6'1" about a 35" inseam and weigh about 185. If that makes any difference...

Ideally I'd get the SC Blur LT, but it's out of my price range.

I've heard really great things about SC bikes and not really much about the Giant Anthem.
I've ridden both bikes briefly and liked the Superlight better, but think (in retrospect) that the shop didn't set up the anthem properly...one person I talked to said the anthem should be more plush than the superlight- not my experience.

https://www.santacruzmtb.com/superlight/ (about 2000$)

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...in/1267/29368/ (about 1800$)

streetlightpoet

I love my superlight but I think the anthem might offer a bit better bang for the buck.

mtnbiker66

I have a friend who rides an Antherm and he likes it. It seems to be a solid rig.

Maelstrom 

Anthem.

teacher

As a beginner rider, wouldn't the extra (little) bit of suspension on the Superlight be helpful for me?
Or is that insignificant? Or do the other features on the anthem make up for the difference?

Also, why the Anthem if you are picking that one.

Thanks for the replies so far!

Maelstrom 

I prefer the anthem as a whole
Santa Cruz does not have the best warranty available up here, we have always had problems getting stuff fixed.
Santa cruz, for me, doesn't hold much value, its not usually a dollar for dollar ocmparisson.

Just my take, I don't mind giant bikes and they tended, in the past to be a little burlier, which as you progress in vancouver, you may need.

Dannihilator

Anthem.

teacher

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...sp?sid=08FSRxc

what about this one for $2000.

i rode it today and liked it as much-more than the SC
the problem with the anthem is that i can't test ride it and i'm worried that it only has 80mm suspension.

mrchristian

The Anthem is a great XC machine, but its very twitchy and has a pretty agressive fit. With 80mm of suspension front/back its not very forgiving if you get in a little over your skills, but if you are thinking about serious XC racing definately put it on the short list. I'd check out the Trace X2 as well...a little more trail oriented (slacker geometry), same price and still raceable, though obviously not built for it. Great for a nice all day ride, though.

Maelstrom 

Nice bike, good geometry. I like specialized as well, and they are REALLY supportive out here so you shuld find them easy to deal with.

80mm vs a bike that fits

Simple decision, you can always upgrade the fork later once you start riding trails that need the extra 20mm or so.

teacher

How much of a difference does that extra 20mm make? Is it really noticeable?

Cornercarver78

just depends, more isn't always better. I have an anthem 2 and I like it a lot more than the bikes with more travel that I test rode. For me it has a good balance between having enough suspension and being efficient under power.

teacher

Ok, so I upped my budget and got a Rocky Mountain Element 50.
I haven't taken it for a ride yet...but am really looking forward to it!

Maelstrom 

Congrats, where are you actually located in van, where would be your home "trails"

G-Monkey

Element 50...you sure about that?
I guess you didn't ride the Specialized Pitch or the Sanat Cruz Heckler first?
Or better yet the Giant Trance X1....bike of the year in 2008.

teacher

I took it for a spin on the Bridal Path today on Seymore. I am very pleased with my new bike.

"Congrats, where are you actually located in van, where would be your home "trails""

In the 5 months that I have been riding, I have been on BBY mountain, Seymore and a few trails in Squamish.

xcracer13

Anthem has 80mm up front and 3.5 inches in rear

enduro star

oh no.
you didn't look at the marin attack trail, gary fish hifi or trek fuel ex 7.
my giant isn't as gnarly as the fish.
ade