I had another browse of some reviews last night, and got a bit despondent over the details.
Essentially, they seem to state that the new Anthem 29er & Oiz are really “For Race Only” with two reviews – specifically for the Oiz stating the rear ends start to get uncompliant and bounce around on the rough stuff.
That pretty much leaves me with an (expensive) Spark 120mm or ‘Dale SI SE2 to look at for Marathons & Trail. The Spark has a 67.5 HA – slack for XC – and the ‘dale 69.5 but no remote lockouts which would be very useful during Marathon racing.
I think I’m going to have to get saving for a 120mm Spark with the 3 stage remote lockout being ideal for what I need, but the Carbon ones are going to mean spending £4k or thereabouts. Ouch. I can’t stretch to a Turner, and even at cheaper prices a Canyon Lux seems to be “long, steep and slightly unweidly” – perhaps the geo is getting long in the tooth.