Snowboard Review: 11-12 Rome Anthem

Location: Winter Park, CO

Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to softpacked to icy groomers.

Setup: I rode the Rome Anthem with Rome Mob bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Size: 157cm.

First Impression: Anthem is still that comfortably charge the mountain board.

Weight: Average

Flex: Longitidinally stiffer flex and a definite more aggressive freeride board.  Torsionally had some give but required more effort for me to get quick response out of it.  Stiffer underfoot but still capable of presses because of the rocker (just not very much).  The rome anthem features hybrid ripit camber which is positive camber for most of the mid-body of the board and ends about 15cm before the contact points, rocker in the nose and tail for adding float and glide out and into turns.

Turning: Once I got the anthem on edge, it really held an amazing carve with long radius turns and staying stable on edge.  It was fun to look back and just see the line in the snow of S turns drawn out on the mountain.  Shorter turns were more effort for me to get into from the stiffer flex.  The best part about turning on the anthem was it’s predictability and nothing to adjust to, you just rode through everything smoothly.

Stable: No problem with stability on the anthem and you practically think you are on camber because of how well it holds an edge and stays stable on the mountain.  No matter how fast you go or what conditions you ride through, the anthem stays with you and holds a smooth ride down the mountain.  I encountered some bumpy spots and rougher terrain but had no problem with the anthem cutting through it.

Pop: Just a couple ollies and playing off rollers on the anthem but it had good pop and snap to it.

Switch: The anthem is directional and I didn’t test it switch riding because it was too much fun hauling regular on it.

Overall Impression: The anthem has definitely progressed into that freeride board but also with the hybrid ripit camber you get a taste of new technology with it so it can handle the powder with extra float but still give you that camber ride down the mountain.  It’s an aggressive board that can charge and just a good predictable ride.

Shay’s Honesty Box: The anthem is that trustworthy charging board from Rome, it’s hands down meant to go fast and be stable on the mountain.  I found the mobs a bit too soft for the board but still the board handled the mountain no problem.  I would have liked to ride the anthem hybrid ripit camber in pow conditions to test the rocker in the nose and float, but another time.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Rome Anthem or shop their full line of Rome snowboards

 

On Snow Photo

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Rome Anthem description

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Review Disclosure: I rode this board at the SIA on-snow.  Please be aware boards may change, this review was done in February 2011.