In the new patch(0.98.11) there is a optionall install of Sinuhets formation. It is still a very crude and rough adaption to Chiv. Its basically Sinuhets 7.0 with all the faction names substituded. Byz get Seleucidformation, Berber-numidia, european-barbarian etc. It is still recommended to use the original Darth-formations.

In the new patch we have removed all spearattributes. You are not able to beat Vassal knights with levy spearmen anymore. To the professional(ex men at arms) we have instead added bonus against horses of 4. To semiprof(ex feudal seargents 1 and to levys nothing.
If you want to take down heavy cavalry you should use heavy cavalry with high-tier spearman as backup. Some units have higher bonus against cavalry(byz specialised spearmen, brabancon, italian city militia,genoese militia,saracen caliph guard)

The reason we removed the spearattribute was the big disadvantage it gives against other infantry and the pushing-effect that the attribute has against other infantry making it lose cohesion. With the new settings spears are much more effective against other infantry. You are not longer able to park you burgundian foot knights on a bridge and gain 4 chevrons.
To make sword and axe units valuable they have been given a higher lethality. When they hit they kill.
lethality:
spear/phalanx:0.4
Levy axe/sword:0.7
Mercs and professional axe/sword:0.8
Elite axe/sword:0.9
Twohanded sword:1