Giant Anthem Advanced SL: suspension setup & specs
The Giant Anthem Advanced SL is a cross-country full-suspension bike with 120 mm of fork travel and 120 mm at the rear. Here you will find all 3 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus matching SAG and tyre pressure starting values.
Calculate the setup for your Giant Anthem Advanced SL →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | FOX 34 SL Performance (120 mm) | FOX Float SL Performance Elite | – | 120 mm | 12.2 kg | €4,500 | Setup → |
| 2 | RockShox SID Select+ 3P (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | 11.6 kg | €5,500 | Setup → |
| 1 | RockShox SID Select+ 3P (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | 10.8 kg | €7,000 | Setup → |
How it compares
On travel, the Giant Anthem Advanced SL is right where the “cross-country full-suspension bike” category usually is: 120 mm up front against a median of 120 mm from 23 bikes. Front and rear both work with 120 mm of travel. On travel, it slots in between the Giant Talon and the Giant Faith in the Giant range. The frame is made of carbon.
At 10.8 kg (1 build), the weight is close to the category median of 10.8 kg. Within the range, weight varies by 1.4 kg. At €4,500 for the 3 build, pricing is typical for the category (median €4,350). For the 1 build, Giant asks €7,000. Depending on the build, fork and shock come from FOX and RockShox. The fork line-up ranges from the FOX 34 SL Performance to the RockShox SID Select+ 3P.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (FOX 34 SL Performance): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
- Rebound: turn the red FOX and RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Shock (FOX Float SL Performance Elite): get on the bike in your normal riding position, step off carefully and read the O-ring. Always cycle the shock a few times after pumping.
Target SAG for the Giant Anthem Advanced SL
SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Giant take priority.
120 mm fork (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 20 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 24 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 26 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 24 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
The values apply to 2.40″ wide tubeless tyres with a trail casing. With an inner tube add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi), with an insert take off about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi). Stock tyres: Maxxis Aspen 29x2.4.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
The sticker on the fork (or on the shock) and the manufacturers’ setup charts give you a first pressure. Our calculator is more precise and suggests rebound too – always check the result via SAG.