Upgrade from Anthem2

[Iwan Kemp]

Bit off topic Crow but why did you decide to go for the Mbuzi rather than a Shova ST? Rode the ST this past weekend and it's more machine than I will ever be able to break!

 

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https://www.bikehub.co.za/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=47030

 

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Did a bit of a search and think I answered my own question.

 

 

 

Ja, that thread makes for some interesting reading after a couple of months.

[Borriz]

Correction! It is not Anthem1,2,3,X The AnthemX is a completely new bike. Yes more travel up front and back, but biggest difference is suspension design - i.e. back shock goes from horisontal to vertical.

As for the geometry design - you won't believe it but the claimed twitchyniss on Anthem is real. The Anthem X loves climbing and because of the more travel you sit bit more upright and therefore your weight is slightly further back which gives tracktion. This though poses another slight problem and its when the slope increase quite a bit. The effect is that you need to lower your upper body to accommodate the "further back seating position". But this doesn't outway the relaxed nature during less steeper climbs.

 

The Anthem is XC and fairly aggressive ito riding position. The Anthem X is more relaxed and with more travel you can do higher drop offs.

 

The Fox RP23 makes huge difference as well. Have Manitou on Anthem and don't rate it.

 

Make sure you service the pivot bearings every 8 months. If you hear a creek while you stand and peddle then it them!

 

PM me then I'll send you picture of my "Snoop" - cause I look like a pimp on it :-)

[cat-i]

 

The Anthem X "just" won the "Bike of the year" comp of one of the British MTB mags.  Go check it out in CNA.  They also rave about the Trance X.   Some of the mags talk about 120mm travel being the new 100mm travel?..

 

I have to agree with Crow' date=' the Morewood Marathon looks sweet.  It's currently at the top of my Droooooool list. The Giant frames are just below it.

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havent read the article, but i agree with anyone and any article that raves about the tranceX.

 

i haven't used up all the travel (shock probably pumped too hard, but i like it like that) - it's the geometry of the bike that just gives the bike personality ... you can pick a line, change your mind, and the bike goes with the changed line - this was not possible on my hardtail.

 

people say that the trance wasn't built for xc, and xc wasn't the reason why i bought it - but it behaves very well on ride2rhodes recently - there were a few boring district roads, one particular stretch of boring road with the wind from the front, that the bike didn't enjoy - but then again, that would have been hard on any bike, considering that i never trained district road.