Giant's 2010 MTB Line

Giant Anthem X Advanced SL 0

The new line of MTB from Giant is about to be released, with weight savings all around. A full XC racing Giant Anthem X Advamced SL 0 will tip the scales at about 9.8kg (21.8lbs). Frame itself weighs 2.1kg (4.63lb). This is straight out of the box. Imagine what you can do with a few more carbon parts.

The Trance trail bike range gets an Advanced SL model as well, which is 400g (0.88lb) lighter than the ’09 aluminum model. Reign X is still made out of aluminum but sheds 675g (nearly 1.5lb) from last year. There is a dedicated freeride model called Faith.

'10 Giant Glory

Last year’s Glory was heavy. The ’10 model has been in development for two years. The result is a unbelievable 1.5kg (3.3lb, or 26.8 percent) weight loss.

The weight for a M frame with rear shock and hardware is 4.06kg (8.95lb). A complete Glory 0 model will be 17.19kg (37.9lb).

These are the NA and EU prices. In Taiwan, these bikes will be cheaper. I expect there to be something like a 35% savings when you buy them locally here in Giant shops. For now, the MSRP in the Taiwanese shops is always negotiable depending on how big your purchase is. You can get up to 20% off these bikes if you haggle, maybe more. I’ve calculated 20% into the overall 35% savings compared to if you get it in North America.

Anthem X Advanced  SL0      $7,800
Anthem X Advanced  SL1       $4,950
Trance X Advanced SL0         $6,800
Trance X Advanced SL1          $4,950
Reign X0                                      $5,650
Reign X 1                                      $3,600
Reign X 2                                     $2,250
Faith 0                                          $4,125
Faith 1                                           $3,100
Glory 0                                         $5,350
Glory 1                                          $4,125

What does that mean for MTB enthusiasts in Taiwan? This means that there are deals to be had on ’09 models as soon as the ’10 models arrive in stores. I still haven’t heard about what Giant is doing to their road bike frames, except releasing the TT bike, the Trinity.

Well, for now, I’m getting my two carbon fiber road bikes first. However, I do plan on upgrading my ’07 Anthem 0. I’ll probably get an ’10 Anthem X Advanced SL frame and then cobble up some parts to upgrade it over a few months.

Also, I’d like to get a dedicated DH bike. It’s quite different from XC, but with the amount of savings you can get here and the fact that I’ve always wanted to do some DH makes this an easy decision. I’ll hopefully leave Taiwan with four great bikes.

Read more about the Anthem X frame and Trance X Advanced SL 2010 frames.