Anthem Advanced 2, Trance X Advanced 2 and Trinity Composite
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The carbon fiber front end on Giant's Trance X Advanced 2 shares the same outer shape as the top-end flagship but a lesser grade of composite fiber to help save money.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant fits the Anthem X Advanced 2 with the same OverDrive 2 super-oversized and tapered steerer as on the top-end model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Post mount rear disc tabs are used on the Giant XtC Composite 29er.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The down tube is absolutely enormous on the Giant XtC Composite 29er frame. Even with Giant's least expensive carbon fiber construction, we still expect the XtC Composite 29er to provide a cracking ride.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant makes full use of the bottom bracket shell width on its XtC Composite 29er.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The internally routed cables on the Giant Trinity Composite frames are fed into the top tube.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The rear end of the Giant Trinity Composite 1 is a dead ringer for the SL model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant has added two new lower-priced time trial/triathlon bikes to its 2012 range: the Trinity Composite 1 shown here plus the Trinity Composite 2.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant fits the Trinity Composite 1 with a fork setup that's more conventional but still features an integrated linear-pull brake that's hidden away behind the crown. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The conventional aerobar setup allows for a taller position that's also easier to adjust than on the flagship model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The alloy rear end adds weight but saves a lot of money at the cash register.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The entire front triangle shape on the Giant Trance X Advanced 2 is wholly lifted from the flagship SL model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant has added two new lower-priced time trial/triathlon bikes to its 2012 range: the Trinity Composite 1 shown here plus the Trinity Composite 2.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The tidy remote on Giant's new Contact Switch dropper post takes up little room on the bar.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant's new Contact Switch dropper seatpost features 100mm of travel and an infinitely positionable air/oil internal system.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The alloy rear triangle on the Giant Anthem X Advanced 2 provides nearly the same Maestro suspension performance as on the top-end model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Giant's new XtC Composite 29er is in full production.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
We've already shown you highlights from Giant's road and mountain collections for 2012 but the company's display at Eurobike still revealed some pleasant surprises: several new lower-priced carbon models that will allow more buyers to enjoy the benefits of composite frames but without requiring a second mortgage.
The new Anthem Advanced 2 mates an Advanced-level (Giant's second-tier composite construction) carbon fiber front triangle to a more economical aluminum rear end, thus gaining some modest weight as compared to the top-shelf Anthem X Advanced SL 0 model but saving a heap of cash.
Other features are otherwise wholly carried over, including the new OverDrive 2 front end with its 1 1/4-to-1 1/2 " tapered steerer, the 100mm-travel Maestro dual-link rear suspension design, the oversized rectangular-profile down tube, and press-fit bottom bracket cups. A switch to a SRAM X7/X9 drivetrain, a RockShox Reba RL fork and Monarch RT rear shock, and Giant-brand hubs lend additional cost savings.
The front end on Giant's Trance X Advanced 2 shares the same outer shape as the top-end flagship but is made from a lesser grade of composite fiber to save money
The 5"-travel Trance X Advanced 2 adopts a similar formula, using the same front triangle shape as the top-end Trance X Advanced SL 0 model but with a lower-grade composite blend and matching it to an all-alloy rear that otherwise retains overall suspension performance. Component substitutions include a Shimano XT/SLX drivetrain, a Fox Float 120 RL Evolution fork (with Giant's OverDrive 2 steerer dimensions), a Fox RP2 rear shock, and Giant house-brand wheels.
Time trialists and triathletes haven't been forgotten, either, with the inclusion of two Trinity Composite models for 2012 that use a similar main frame mold as the top-end Trinity Advanced SL bikes (again, with a lower-grade fiber blend) but a more conventional fork and cockpit setup that's not only cheaper but also more accommodating to average riders' more upright positions.
Giant has added two new lower-priced time trial/triathlon bikes to its 2012 range: the Trinity Composite 1 shown here plus the Trinity Composite 2
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The linear-pull front brake is still tucked away behind the fork crown and the other cables are fed into the top tube behind the stem as usual but the spec definitely takes a hit in order to drop the cost. The Trinity Composite 2 will come with a Shimano Ultegra/105 blend, Shimano R501 wheels, and Giant house-brand cockpit components (including the base bar and extensions). Moving up to the Trinity Composite 1 nets a Shimano Ultegra/Dura-Ace mix instead.
Giant also reports that its new XtC Composite 29er carbon hardtails are in full production with dealers already delivering bikes to consumers. Performance advocates will undoubtedly have noted at this point that Giant chose to enter the carbon 29er hardtail market with its more basic Composite-level carbon construction but according to global marketing director An Le, that was a conscious decision made in order to bring the bikes in at a more attainable price point.
That being said, Le hinted that consumers will likely see higher-end versions coming at some later date that will almost certainly use the same mold but with lighter weights and extra stiffness.
Giant's new XtC Composite 29er is in full production, with dealers already delivering bikes to riders
