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Bike Check: Nicol Carsten’s Giant Anthem

November 2, 2020
By Bike Network
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Bike Check: Nicol Carsten's Giant Anthem

Nicol Carstens is a regular podium contender at any major South African mountain bike race. In 2019, riding alongside Marco Joubert, the pair managed an impressive second place in the African Men’s Category at the Cape Epic. Their 11th in the GC underscores the talent within the team.

Bike Check: Nicol Carsten's Giant Anthem — Nicol is currently on a 2020 Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 0 in a decidedly sparkly Saturn color.

Bike Check: Nicol Carsten's Giant Anthem — It is a size medium frame with Giant’s Advanced-Grade Composite throughout and 90mm rear-wheel travel.

Shimano XTR brakes with a 180/160mm rotor combo.

Shimano XTR brakes with a 180/160mm rotor combo.

Bike Check: Nicol Carsten's Giant Anthem — Nicol uses the Fox Float Factory Live Valve and has it set on 155psi with 2x volume spacers. He does make slight changes to the air pressure depending on the race and terrain.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Nicol Carstens and his Giant Anthem. Photo by Gary Perkin — Upfront Nicol uses a Fox Float 32 Stepcast, in Kashima coating with the Factory Live Valve. It is a 100mm fork which he runs at 90psi with 2 volume spacers.

Bike Check: Nicol Carsten's Giant Anthem — It’s a SRAM XX1 crankset with Quarq powermeter and a 36t chainring.

Schwalbe Racing Ralph in the 29×2.25 front and rear with Squirt sealant. Nicol runs 1.6bar (23psi) back and 1.5bar (21.7psi) front, but also changes that slightly to suit different conditions.

Schwalbe Racing Ralph in the 29×2.25 front and rear with Squirt sealant. Nicol runs 1.6bar (23psi) back and 1.5bar (21.7psi) front, but also changes that slightly to suit different conditions.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Nicol Carstens and his Giant Anthem. Photo by Gary Perkin — The rear mech is Shimano XTR with a 10-51t XTR cassette.

It is the standard Giant XCR-0 29 Composite Wheel System.

It is the standard Giant XCR-0 29 Composite Wheel System.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Nicol Carstens and his Giant Anthem. Photo by Gary Perkin — Did someone say sparkles?

The cockpit: Giant Contact SLR XC Flat bars at 750mm and a 90mm stem at negative 8°.

The cockpit: Giant Contact SLR XC Flat bars at 750mm and a 90mm stem at negative 8°.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Nicol Carstens and his Giant Anthem. Photo by Gary Perkin

“I ride my bike pretty much stock standard. I change pressures a lot but the setup always stays the same. I call this thing my SpaceShip because it glides everywhere.” – Nicol // @nicolcarstens

IMAGES: Gary Perkin

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