GIANT ANTHEM 29 3

TThe Anthem is the Toyota Hilux of bikes, and you buy one for the same reason you buy a Hilux: ability off-road, and bulletproof reliability. I rode one of these around Lesotho for a week, and it didn’t put a foot wrong.

The Maestro suspension was balanced up the climbs and stable on gravel-road descents. Indeed, the Anthem remained comfortable for hours in the saddle.

This entry level model has a quality alloy frame, gears for days (2x10 Shimano Deore) and dependable RockShox suspension (100mm upfront, 90mm at the rear). Fellow cyclists won’t fawn over your bike at the coffee shop after the ride, but that’s not the point, is it?