| Close to the end of summer 2008 I bought a | | | | The only thing I have changed on the bike is the |
| used bicycle. The bike I choose was a 2006 Giant | | | | seat. The bike came with a cheap pair of pedals |
| Anthem 2 and I rode it as often as I could before | | | | (higher end bicycles typically do not come with |
| it started to snow. Now that spring is coming I | | | | pedals) so I added a pair of clipless pedals. I also |
| thought it would be a good time to review the | | | | put on a Specialized Elite Cycling computer on. And |
| Giant Anthem 2 for anyone out there that might | | | | when the sun goes down I attach lights so I can |
| be in the market for a really good used mountain | | | | see where I'm going and other people can see |
| bike. | | | | me. |
| Now for a little background on why I was in the | | | | I have to tell you I absolutely love this bike and I |
| market for a new bike. After riding my cheap, | | | | have been very pleased with this bike with the |
| heavy hard tail mountain bike with my friends I | | | | bikes performance. I would also highly recommend |
| realized I had to get a better bike just to keep up | | | | this bike to anyone who is serious about mountain |
| with them. I also had plans on going mountain | | | | biking. The bike is light and performs very well on |
| biking but didn't want to use the old bike because | | | | paved trails and off road mountain bike trails. And |
| I was concerned about breaking some of the | | | | the suspension soaks up the bumps extremely |
| cheap components on the bike. | | | | well and the suspension is adjustable both front |
| I had been keeping an eye on Craigslist (check | | | | and rear and they even have lockouts. |
| out my post on Buying a used bike on Craigslist) | | | | The frame on this bike is aluminum, not carbon |
| for a better Mountain bike and one day I noticed | | | | fiber. It doesn't seem to affect the performance |
| someone was selling their 2006 Giant Anthem 2. | | | | of this bike but I have never ridden a carbon fiber |
| Before I even called the seller I did some | | | | mountain bike. I should also let you know I am |
| research. Both online and at the local bike shops. | | | | not a professional Mountain Biker so I don't have |
| In 2006 the Anthem 2 Mountain Bike was the | | | | anything else to compare this bike to other than |
| second from the top of the line Mountain Bike for | | | | my cheap hard tail. But I have been biking |
| Giant and in 2009 the Anthem Frame is still used | | | | seriously since 2007 so I'm not a novice. I don't |
| as Giant's top of the line Mountain Bike. The bike | | | | feel that the aluminum frame is a drawback for |
| was in perfect condition and looked like it had | | | | this bike but I thought it should be pointed out |
| barely been used. In 2006 the MSRP was around | | | | just in case you have your heart set on a carbon |
| $2,300 because of the bikes high end | | | | fiber bike. |
| components. And that is also why it is so much | | | | I plan on using this bike for at least one mountain |
| lighter than my other bike and it weights around | | | | bike race this summer. Plus there are many |
| 26 pounds (which is pretty light for a Mountain | | | | mountain bike trails in my area so check back for |
| bike). This bike is lighter than many of my friend's | | | | more updates on this bike and the mountain bike |
| hard tails. I guess it's true - you get what you pay | | | | trails in the Twin Cities area. |
| for. | | | | |