- Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE
- S
- Stack 602, Reach 420
- Santa Cruz Highball 3
- S
- Stack 596, Reach 415
Stack: 6 mm lower
Reach: 5 mm shorter
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Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE vs Santa Cruz Highball 3: which bike is right for you?
Compare ride character, intended rider, geometry, and fit. Add your measurements to see which bike suits you better and which size to choose on each.
Fit verdict: the frame positions are close, a few millimetres apart. The frame alone will not decide this; use your measurements to see which size and setup gets nearer to your position on each bike.
In one look
Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE: cross-country geometry. Santa Cruz Highball 3: cross-country geometry.
- Across matched sizes, the frame fronts of Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE and Santa Cruz Highball 3 differ by only a few millimetres. Stem and spacer choices will have more effect on handlebar position.
- The frame front of Santa Cruz Highball 3 is slightly shorter, by about 5 mm.
The frame standards line up and we hold no sourced weight or performance claim that separates them. What is left to decide is your size and setup on each frame.
- Price
Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE is the dearer of the two, going by the cheapest build you can buy of each; Santa Cruz Highball 3 starts lower.
Subjective findings from independent tests on stock or near-stock builds. Tyres, pressure and size change how a frame feels.
We compare differences at frame and model level. Components, current price, and availability depend on the exact build and seller.
What do you need from this comparison?
Start with the decision you are making. We will ask only for the details needed to answer it.
Step 1/1
What are you trying to understand?
Your answer decides which questions follow and what the result focuses on.
Fit and size differences
The matched frame measurements differ by only a few millimetres, so stem and spacer choices can matter more than the frame.
Typical difference across matched sizes: frame front height 2 mm, forward length 5 mm.
For a personal answer, the fit-and-size path uses your measurements to show only the relevant frame sizes. The full chart remains available as a reference.
View geometry for every size
How do Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE and Santa Cruz Highball 3 sizes compare?
See the closest size matches and the differences in stack, reach, and riding position.
- Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE
- M
- Stack 607, Reach 445
- Santa Cruz Highball 3
- M
- Stack 605, Reach 440
Stack: practically identical
Reach: 5 mm shorter
- Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE
- L
- Stack 616, Reach 465
- Santa Cruz Highball 3
- L
- Stack 614, Reach 460
Stack: practically identical
Reach: 5 mm shorter
- Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE
- XL
- Stack 626, Reach 490
- Santa Cruz Highball 3
- XL
- Stack 633, Reach 490
Stack: 7 mm taller
Reach: practically identical
The same size label can create a different position on each frame. Stack and reach are one part of the decision; the personalized comparison connects them to your body and each bike’s ride character.
FAQ
- Can the same rider take different sizes on these two bikes?
- Yes. Frame labels are not standardized, so the same rider may need different sizes. This comparison deliberately avoids a generic matched-size answer and hands your measurements to Bike Fit instead.
- Which frame has the higher front: Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE or Santa Cruz Highball 3?
- Across matched sizes, the frame fronts of Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE and Santa Cruz Highball 3 differ by only a few millimetres. Stem and spacer choices will have more effect on handlebar position.
TrainCraft plans
Build training around the week you actually have
Set a goal, choose when you can ride, and get a structured plan that adjusts as your fatigue and availability change.