First Look: 2016 Giant Anthem X, Reign, TCR and Liv Lust

We visited Dragons Sports to get a sneak peek of some samples from the 2016 range of Giant bikes.

2016 Giant Reign Advanced 27.5 1

The design of the Reign is much the same from the previous year’s model. The 2016 range features updated components and new colour ways. The Reign Advanced 27.5 1 boasts a gorgeous green and lime paint scheme, XT 11 speed drivetrain, wide bars and shortish Truvativ stem, and DT Swiss M1700 Spline wheelset.

Reign Advanced 27.5 1 specifications:

• SizesS,M,L,XL
• ColoursGreen/Lime
• FrameAdvanced-grade composite w/ ALUXX SL rear triangle, 6.3″ Maestro suspension
• ForkRockShox Pike RC Dual Position Air w/ 15mm thru-axle, Custom 46mm offset, OverDrive steerer, 130-160mm travel
• ShockRockShox Monarch Plus DebonAir RT
• HandlebarGiant Contact SL DH, 31.8mm
• StemTruvativ Holzfeller
• SeatpostGiant Contact SL Switch, dropper, 30.9mm
• SaddleGiant Contact SL neutral, SST tubular rails
• PedalsN/A
• ShiftersShimano XT, Rear only
• Front DerailleurN/A
• Rear DerailleurShimano XT, Shadow+
• BrakesShimano XT, Hydraulic disc, [F] 200mm [R] 180mm
• Brake LeversShimano XT, Hydraulic disc
• CassetteShimano XT 11×42, 11-speed
• ChainKMC X11L
• CranksetShimano XT, 32T w/ MRP AMG guide
• Bottom BracketShimano, Press Fit
• RimsDT Swiss M 1700 Spline
• HubsDT Swiss M 1700 Spline; [F] 15mm axle [R] 142x12mm axle
• SpokesDT Swiss M 1700 Spline
• Tires[F] Schwalbe Magic Mary, 27.5×2.35, Tubeless easy, Snakeskin, Trailstar [R] Schwalbe Hans Dampf, 27.5×2.35, Tubeless easy, Snakeskin, Pacestar

2016 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1

The TCR Advanced Pro 1 comes kitted with Ultegra gearing, a reworked internal routing system, Giant’s heat resistant SLR 1 DBL carbon wheelset and nifty integrated ANT+ speed and cadence sensor. See the announcement of the 2016 Giant TCR here.

TCR Advanced Pro 1 specifications:

• SizesXS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
• ColoursMatte Composite/Blue/Green
• FrameAdvanced-grade composite, Electronic ready
• ForkAdvanced-grade composite, Full-composite OverDrive 2 steerer
• ShockN/A
• HandlebarGiant Contact SL, 31.8mm
• StemGiant Contact SL, OverDrive 2
• SeatpostGiant Variant, Composite
• SaddleGiant Contact SL forward, SST tubular rails
• PedalsN/A
• ShiftersShimano Ultegra
• Front DerailleurShimano Ultegra
• Rear DerailleurShimano Ultegra
• BrakesShimano Ultegra
• Brake LeversShimano Ultegra
• CassetteShimano Ultegra 11×28, 11-speed
• ChainKMC X11L
• CranksetShimano Ultegra, 36/52
• Bottom BracketShimano, Press Fit
• RimsGiant SLR 1 DBL WheelSystem; 30mm deep, 23mm wide, Full composite
• HubsGiant SLR 1 DBL WheelSystem; Pawl driver, [F] 16h [R] 21h
• SpokesGiant SLR 1 DBL WheelSystem; Aerolite bladed stainless
• TiresGiant P-SL 1, 700×23, Front and rear specific, Folding
• ExtrasRideSense

2016 Giant Anthem X Advanced 29er

The Anthem Advanced X sees minor changes to the frame, the top tube shaped has change and the rear axle now fits a 142×12 thru axle. Due to lack of demand internationally, Giant will only be producing this build of the Anthem X Advanced but Giant SA will also be speccing an XT 2×11 and XTR 1×11 build for the local market.

Anthem X Advanced 29er specifications:

• SizesS,M,L, XL
• ColoursComposite/Blue
• FrameAdvanced-grade composite w/ ALUXX rear triangle, 4″ Maestro suspension
• ForkRockShox SID RCT3 w/ 15mm thru-axle, OverDrive steerer, 100mm travel
• ShockRockShox Monarch RT3
• HandlebarGiant Contact SL, Low rise, 31.8mm
• StemGiant Contact SL
• SeatpostGiant Contact SL, 30.9mm
• SaddleGiant Contact, forward
• PedalsN/A
• ShiftersSRAM X1, Rear only
• Front DerailleurN/A
• Rear DerailleurSRAM X1, Type 2
• BrakesSRAM Guide RS, Hydraulic disc, [F] 180mm [R] 160mm
• Brake LeversSRAM Guide RS, Hydraulic disc
• CassetteSRAM XG-1180 10×42, 11-speed
• ChainKMC X11L
• CranksetSRAM X1, 32T
• Bottom BracketSRAM, Press Fit
• RimsGiant XCR 1 WheelSystem; 25mm wide, Tubeless compatible
• HubsGiant XCR 1 WheelSystem; [F] 15mm axle [R] 142×12 axle
• SpokesGiant XCR 1 WheelSystem; DT Swiss Aerolite bladed stainless
• TiresSchwalbe Racing Ralph, Evo, 29×2.25, Tubeless ready, Folding

2016 Giant Anthem X 29er

The aluminium Anthem X 29er also gets a 142×12 rear thru axle. The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano XT and SLX with Fox Float Performance suspension front and rear.

Anthem X 29er specifications:

• SizesS,M,L, XL
• ColoursMatte Black/Charcoal/Yellow
• FrameALUXX SL-grade aluminum, 4″ Maestro suspension
• ForkFox 32 Float Performance w/ 15mm thru-axle, OverDrive steerer, 100mm travel
• ShockFox Float Performance
• HandlebarGiant Contact SL, Low rise, 31.8mm
• StemGiant Contact
• SeatpostGiant Contact, 30.9mm
• SaddleGiant Contact, forward
• PedalsN/A
• ShiftersShimano SLX
• Front DerailleurShimano Deore
• Rear DerailleurShimano XT, Shadow+
• BrakesShimano SLX, Hydraulic disc, [F] 180mm [R] 160mm
• Brake LeversShimano SLX, Hydraulic disc
• CassetteShimano HG81 11×36, 10-speed
• ChainKMC X10
• CranksetShimano SLX, 24/38
• Bottom BracketShimano, Press Fit
• RimsGiant P XC-2, Double wall
• HubsGiant Performance Tracker Disc, 32h, [F] 15mm axle, [R] 142×12 axle
• SpokesStainless Steel, 14/15g
• TiresSchwalbe Racing Ralph, Performance, 29×2.25, Folding

2016 Liv Lust 2

The women’s specific Liv Lust 2 makes a statement with it’s bold black, orange and pink paint job. This model won’t be readily available in South Africa. Instead, the higher specced Liv Lust 1 has been selected as a better option for the more serious rider.

Liv Lust 2 specifications:

• SizesXS, S, M, L
• ColorsBlack/Pink/Orange
• FrameALUXX SL-grade aluminum, 4″ Maestro suspension
• ForkFox 32 Float Performance w/ 15mm thru-axle, OverDrive steerer, 100mm travel
• ShockFox Float Performance
• HandlebarGiant Connect XC, 31.8mm
• StemGiant Connect
• SeatpostGiant Connect, 30.9mm
• SaddleLiv Contact, forward
• PedalsN/A
• ShiftersShimano Deore
• Front DerailleurShimano Deore
• Rear DerailleurShimano Deore
• BrakesShimano M395, Hydraulic disc, 160mm
• Brake LeversShimano M396, Hydraulic disc
• CassetteShimano HG50 11×36, 10-speed
• ChainKMC X10
• CranksetShimano Deore, 22/36
• Bottom BracketShimano, Press Fit
• RimsGiant S XC-2, Double wall
• HubsGiant Sport Tracker Disc, 32h, [F] 15mm axle, [R] 135x5mm QR
• SpokesStainless Steel, 14g
• TiresSchwalbe Racing Ralph, Performance, 27.5×2.25