Via: BikeMagic

Shimano’s all-new 2007 XTR groupset won’t be in the shops for a little while yet, but recently we had the opportunity to get a few hours in on late-prototype parts. The venue was Coed y Brenin, the conditions were dry, dusty and extraordinarily hot and the bikes were Giant Anthems set up in an almost rabidly XC race style - negative rise stems, flat bars, bar ends, short-knob tyres, the lot. Not necessarily our first choice of bike for the trails, but they acquitted themselves pretty well once we’d got our head around the old-school style. The main thing is that they provided a test bed for the XTR bits. Despite all being stamped or stickered with “Prototype” labels, the parts were all essentially production items. The finish was wrong, with most bits being too black - the cranks were as they should be, and everything else ought to match them. Appearance aside, though, this stuff was as it will be. So without further ado, let’s dive in with some first ride impressions.

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