Hatherly is competing with prototype CADEX wheels featuring integrated carbon spokes. Is this the first branded MTB model?

Alan Hatherly kicked off his World Cup season in La Thuile last week and there he already competed with some CADEX prototype wheels that are not yet part of the brand's catalog. Now we have been able to see his new Giant Anthem Advanced SL in more detail in Andorra and here we bring you all the information.

Alan Hatherly competes with CADEX prototype wheels with integrated carbon spokes

The wheels draw attention for their construction, with a carbon hub body and carbon spokes that integrate directly into the hub. CADEX, the component brand associated with Giant, does not yet have MTB wheels in its catalog, so it seems these will be the first in its range if they are eventually released.

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The spokes are flat, wide, and very thin, and their appearance is similar to the Super Aero Carbon Spokes used by CADEX in wheels like the Max 50 Disc road or the Max GXR gravel.

On the rim, the inscription “MAX” appears, along with AH for the initials of Alan Hatherly, although there is no confirmation that this will be the commercial name of the wheels.

For now, this is a component in the testing phase that Hatherly has already used in competition in La Thuile and has them mounted for Andorra.

During the Italian test, the South African combined these wheels with Maxxis 2.4-inch tires identified as Test Pilot, the designation used by the brand for products that are still in development.

The Giant Anthem Advanced SL of Alan Hatherly

Apart from the wheels, Hatherly is competing this season with the new Giant Anthem Advanced SL customized specifically for him.

Giant officially presented this generation at the end of 2025, although the South African rider had already used the new platform during the previous year and won the XCO World Championship with it.

The frame is made of Advanced SL Composite carbon and uses continuous fibers to reduce weight and increase strength. The FlexPoint Pro rear suspension offers 120 mm of travel and employs a swingarm made entirely of carbon.

The system is completed with an Advanced Forged Composite link, while a flip chip allows modifying the geometry of the bike according to the circuit. The frame also has space for two bottles, an oversized head tube, and the MegaDrive and PowerCore structures, developed to increase lateral stiffness and improve pedaling efficiency.

Hatherly's bike features a different decoration from the rest of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team. His teammates compete with the Electrical Storm finish, the same one that Giant offers in the frame kit available to the public.

The champion's Anthem is finished in silver and features numerous rainbow details. On the top of the top tube appears the silhouette of the Matterhorn, with the colors of the rainbow on one of its sides, in reference to the place where Hatherly renewed his world title last year.

The rest of the setup keeps Shimano and FOX as the main suppliers. The transmission corresponds to the new Shimano XTR Di2 electronic group, accompanied by the new Shimano XTR brakes.

Hatherly uses a FOX 34 SL fork, a FOX Float SL shock, and a FOX Transfer SL dropper post.

The configuration initially presented by Giant included the new XCR wheels, with an approximate weight of 1,350 grams per pair and the integrated Giant Integrated XC SLR handlebar. However, Hatherly is alternating this setup with the CADEX prototype wheels that we have been able to photograph in Andorra and a two-piece handlebar and stem.