The bike of the World XCO Champion is completely renewed: this is the new Giant Anthem Advanced SL 2026

Giant has officially presented the new Anthem Advanced SL 2026, the bike with which South African Alan Hatherly became the XCO world champion in Switzerland, even before its launch. The legendary XC double from Giant has been completely renewed with a lighter frame, revised suspension, and total integration. The range starts at €4,299 and reaches €12,499 for its top-of-the-line version.

Note: Some foreign media mention the Anthem X Advanced SL, a version with more travel and a 130 mm fork that will not be sold in Spain or Portugal.

Key Features of the New Giant Anthem Advanced SL 2026

1. Advanced SL Composite: Frame made of woven carbon fiber in Giant's composite factory with the most advanced technology. The Continuous Fiber technology adds strength and minimizes weight.

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2. FlexPoint Pro Suspension: New ultra-lightweight rear system with 120 mm travel, featuring a semi-integrated single pivot design and fully carbon swingarm to reduce the total weight of the frame.

3. Advanced Forged Composite: High-pressure molding process to achieve a lighter, stiffer, and stronger carbon link than its aluminum equivalent.

4. Adjustable Geometry: Two-position flip chip system that allows for geometry adjustment and fine-tuning of the bike's behavior according to riding style or terrain.

5. Space for Two Water Bottles: New frame design with space for two bottle cages, also integrated into the seat tube, ideal for marathons or long rides without a backpack.

6. Oversized Headset: Steering system with oversized bearings and a tapered tube for optimal stiffness and precision in steering.

7. MegaDrive: Oversized down tube and top tube that provide superior torsional and lateral stiffness, improving steering precision and pedaling performance.

8. PowerCore: Fully integrated and oversized 92 mm bottom bracket with asymmetric chainstays for greater stiffness on the drive side and stability on the opposite side.

9. Wide Guard: Hookless rims with 30 mm internal width and rounded 5 mm edges that allow for lower pressures with greater control and reduced risk of damage or punctures.

10. Ratchet Drive System: Hub system with 10° helical gear and 120 teeth that offers immediate response and constant, efficient power transfer.

11. Giant Tubeless System: Integrated tubeless wheel and tire system from Giant, improving efficiency, comfort, and control with easier and more reliable mounting.

Giant Anthem 2026: Models and Prices

All the Details of the New Giant Anthem Advanced SL 2026

The new Anthem Advanced SL represents the biggest evolutionary leap in the saga in its 20 years of history. Developed in collaboration with the Giant Factory Off-Road Team and Hatherly himself (two-time world champion), it introduces a lighter frame, a more efficient suspension system, and total integration.

Lighter and Stiffer Frame

The new Advanced SL frame kit weighs only 1,530 g with paint and hardware, making it the lightest ever made by Giant. According to laboratory tests, it offers 6% more transmission stiffness than its predecessor.

New FlexPoint Pro Suspension

The FlexPoint Pro system adopts a single pivot design with a carbon link, three pivot points instead of four, and a rear travel that increases from 100 mm to 120 mm. The absence of a lower link reduces weight and maintenance while improving sensitivity and control. Giant claims that the rear triangle offers eight times less deformation than equivalent systems, achieving active, smooth, and consistent suspension even on small impacts.

Adjustable Geometry and Total Control

The Flip Chip allows for half-degree adjustments to the head tube and seat angles, as well as the bottom bracket height:

• High: more aggressive and agile handling for technical circuits.
• Low: greater stability and control on fast descents.

Total Integration

The relocation of the shock under the top tube allows for a cleaner design and space for two bottle cages. The new integrated Contact SLR XC handlebar (carbon) or Contact SL XC (aluminum) reduces weight and vibrations, as well as offering complete internal routing.

The Giant XCR/XCA WheelSystems incorporate a 120-tooth helical ratchet system with 3° engagement, transmitting power instantly and reducing mechanical stress. The hookless rims with 5 mm sidewalls increase protection and allow for lower pressures without compromising safety.

Giant Anthem Advanced SL 2026 Range: Complete Builds

Anthem Advanced SL SE – €12,499

• Frame: Advanced SL Composite, 120 mm FlexPoint Pro, flip-chip, UDH
• Fork: RockShox SID Flight Attendant XC 120 mm, Race Day damper, 44 mm offset
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Flight Attendant RL3, Solo Air, 210×50
• Transmission: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission AXS (AXS pod)
• Crankset: SRAM XX SL T-Type with Quarq power meter (length according to size)
• Cassette / Chain: XS-1299 10-52 / XX SL T-Type
• Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate + HS2 180/160 6-bolt rotors
• Wheels: Giant XCR WheelSystem (120T helical ratchet, 3°)
• Spokes / Hubs: carbon spokes; Giant MTB 6-bolt hubs
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 29×2.4 120 tpi, MaxxSpeed, EXO, TR
• Cockpit: Giant Integrated XC (integrated handlebar/stem, carbon) 780 mm
• Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS (pod control)
• Saddle: Giant Grit SLR
• Extras: Tubeless ready, MRP 1x CS chain guide, max. 2.4”, max. 34T chainring

Anthem Advanced SL 0 – €8,999

• Frame: Advanced SL Composite, 120 mm FlexPoint Pro, flip-chip, UDH
• Fork: RockShox SID SL Ultimate 120 mm
• Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate 210×50
• Transmission: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS
• Cassette / Chain: XG-1299 10-52 / XX1 Eagle
• Crankset: SRAM XX1 Eagle
• Brakes: SRAM Level TLM
• Wheels: Giant XCR 1 Carbon WheelSystem
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 29×2.4 EXO TR
• Cockpit: Giant Integrated XC (carbon)
• Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch SL dropper

Anthem Advanced SL 1 – €6,499

• Frame: Advanced SL Composite, 120 mm FlexPoint Pro, flip-chip, UDH
• Fork: RockShox Sid Select+ 3P, 120mm
• Shock: RockShox SidLuxe Select+
• Transmission: SRAM GX AXS Transmission
• Cassette / Chain: SRAM XS 1275, 10x52 / SRAM GX
• Crankset: SRAM GX
• Brakes: Shimano Deore XT BR-M8100
• Wheels: Giant XCR WheelSystem
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 29x2.4
• Cockpit: Giant Integrated XC
• Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch SL dropper

Anthem Advanced SL 2 – €4,999

• Frame: Advanced SL Composite 120 mm FlexPoint Pro
• Fork: RockShox SID Select 120 mm
• Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
• Transmission: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
• Brakes: Shimano SLX M7100
• Wheels: Giant XCA 29 Tubeless Ready
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 29x2.4
• Handlebar/Stem: Giant Integrated XC
• Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch dropper

Anthem Advanced SL 3 – €4,299

• Frame: Advanced SL Composite 120 mm FlexPoint Pro
• Fork: Fox 34 Step-Cast Performance 120 mm
• Shock: Fox Float SL Performance
• Transmission: Shimano Deore M6100 1x12
• Brakes: Shimano Deore M6100
• Wheels: Giant XCA 29 Tubeless Ready
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 29x2.4
• Handlebar/Stem: Contact SL XC Integrated
• Seatpost: Giant Core dropper

Anthem Advanced SL Frame – 3.799 €

• Material: Advanced SL Composite
• Shock: RockShox SidLuxe Ultimate
• Handlebar: Giant Integrated XC
• Frame weight: 1,530 g (size M, painted)

You can find further information and the rest of the assembly on Giant's official website.