I do indeed have an Anthem X 29, it suits me & my riding style down to the ground if I’m totally honest, I’m much faster and therefor have more fun than when I had my 26er Nicolai Helius CC.
On a recent group ride one of the guys asked why I’d bought a 100mm 29’er FS, I said I can’t really jump, don’t ride mega techy rock strewn trails and like covering ground quickly so why buy a bike that doesn’t play to my strengths when I can get one that does and lets me ride other stuff too.
The Anthem is a cracking bike, proper fast, pretty light (mines a fraction over 11kg in a medium), handles really well, climbs excellently – almost as fast as my FF29 on smooth trails, but much faster on anything rougher – descends really well, and despite having “long” chainstays doesn’t exactly get held back in twisty woodland singletrack either.
Personally if you like long natural rides in Wales etc, marathons, old school Enduro events, XC racing and ripping up trail centres it’s the bike for you. If you like air time & radness, go for the Trance. Don’t get me wrong it’ll do tech, just not as well as something with more travel IMHO.
The Anthem is the fastest MTB I’ve ever ridden, and it makes me want to ride it faster every time I go out on it.
Sizing wise – I’m a bit of an odd shape – I’m 5’11” and have a medium with the seatpost 10mm below minimum insertion, the saddle is 10mm from the furthest back and the stem flipped with one 5mm spacer under it, fits perfectly. The large just felt massive, but is bang on for my mate who’s 6’1 and a bit with a remarkably similar set up.