Kelli Emmett (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) poses here with her 2010 Giant Anthem X Advanced SL but she also has her trusty XtC Advanced SL for smoother courses with more climbing.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Emmett will race on both hardtails and full-suspension bikes in 2010 and has already won a race this season with her XtC Advanced SL hardtail.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Emmett prefers 100mm of travel instead of 80mm for additional control on rough ground.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Emmett will have multiple Michelin tread designs to choose from, including this XC Dry pattern, which has proven to be an excellent option for hardpacked ground.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
The Shimano XTR rims' solid outer wall easily convert to tubeless.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Michelin XC Dry 2.0 tires are on the front and rear wheels.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
The PRO XCR carbon fiber seatpost is topped with fi'zi:k's new Vesta saddle.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Emmett's all-Shimano drivetrain includes a Shimano XTR crankset, front derailleur and pedals plus a Dura-Ace chain.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
A conventional telescoping seatpost makes for easier adjustments and packing for travel.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Unlike the newer Anthem X Advanced SL, Emmett's XtC Advanced SL hardtail uses a straight 1 1/8" steerer tube.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Wired-on ODI Ruffian grips help Emmett hold on.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Chris King is a new team sponsor this year and its new InSet internal-cup headset is fitted to Emmett's hardtail.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Like teammate Adam Craig, Emmett prefers a wide, low-rise bar for the additional control it provides.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
The Fox Racing Shox remote lock-out lever is tucked neatly next to the Shimano XTR shifter.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Emmett runs a 140mm rear rotor to save a little weight.(Image credit: Jake Orness / www.jakespointofview.com)
Unlike her long-time teammate Adam Craig, Giant Factory Off-Road Team rider Kelli Emmett is racing on both a hardtail and full-suspension bike for the 2010 season. Emmett's Anthem X Advanced SL is similar to that of Craig's but her familiar XtC Advanced SL carbon is still even lighter and stiffer and more of a pure race machine.
"We have a few options: hardtail or full suspension. I can pick the bike to fit what I want for different conditions," said Emmett. "This year, Giant has come out with the Anthem X Advanced SL. I'm excited about riding that one, too. It's stiffer than the past Anthem bikes, and the difference is that the new bike is carbon fiber and is more of a race-oriented bike.
"I love riding full suspension and I'd rather ride it, but the lightweight of the hardtail had kept me on it for years," she continued. "The hardtail is superlight and when you're doing long sustained climbing a couple of extra pounds makes a difference. In the past I always rode the hardtail, but now I think I'll ride the full suspension more."
Emmett has primarily used the hardtail, though, and with great success, too. Emmett used it to win the cross country segment of the Triple Crown at Bonelli Park, California and also earned podium spots in that weekend's short track and super D (she used the Anthem for the latter).
Emmett's bike is equipped with a familiar build kit, too, which includes an Shimano XTR transmission, front and rear disc brakes and wheels set up tubeless with Michelin tires. Fox Racing Shox again handles the suspension duties though Emmett has upgraded this year to the 32 F-Series FIT RL Remote with 15mm thru-axle dropouts for improved steering precision.
"We're running 15mm thru-axles on the front," said Emmett. "It really helps with the handling [and] keeps the front wheel feeling more stable around corners. The front wheel goes where you set it."
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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
