Giant Anthem X2

Fantastic bike for the money – Fantastic bike! the fox suspension is great and no pedal bob when climbing and suspension set properly! Shimano slx & xt group set is very good as well. It's great on the road , big climbs and single track tails! great all round bike under $3000

Awesome bike for XC – The X2 is a great bike that's perfect for anyone up to even some of the better riders on the trail. It is super light for a dualie - <12kg with the stock set up - and thankfully has the same high-quality Fox Shox 32 F100 fork and Fox Shox RP2 shock from the X1. They absorb shock brilliantly and even without rear lockout, if you lock out the front and use Pro Pedal, you barely loose any power. The whole gear rig, with Shimano Deore XT Shadow rear derailleur, SLX front derailleur, SLX crankset and SLX shifters is a dream too and the Avid Elixir 5s have more than enough power for XC if not downhill too. From what I've done with it do far, the Crossmarks roll brilliantly to cap it off. This bike will get you over an obstacle in your way, and while some of the Giant pics of it look a bit dodgy, in real life its looks match it specs (and price!) Fox Shox front and rear, Shimano Deore XT/SLX, Light, Avid Elixir 5 Very uncomfortbale seat (for me)