Skip to main content

Commencal Meta AM V4.2 Race


Commencal have a knack of getting frame stiffness just right, and the Meta AM V4.2 is no exception. There’s enough give to prevent it feeling harsh when you’re slapping turns or pummelling through boulder fields but it remains taut under power and surprisingly efficient on the climbs, especially considering its 14.7kg weight. At higher speeds, the suspension balance between the top-end Lyrik fork and Super Deluxe RC3 shock is fantastic, with superb mid and end-stroke support that creates an incredibly stable ride through the wildest sections of trail. It’s quiet too, with no nasty chain slap or cable rattle, so you’ll not need to faff about with mastic tape as soon as the bike lands on your doorstep.

The tall 490mm seat tube was the only real issue for some testers, who found they couldn’t slam the saddle low enough on steeper descents. (It’s worth noting that there’s a 50mm difference between the seat tube lengths on the medium and large frames.) If you do have long enough legs to make it work for you though, you’ll not be disappointed with how the Meta feels on the trail.

The spec is great – as you’d expect of one of the most expensive bikes on test, which ended up coming in just over our $4500 threshold. Highlights include some of our favourite rubber from Maxxis, quality Mavic rims and the crisp, accurate shifting and wide gear range of SRAM GX.

Minor issues to note include the broad back end, which caused some testers issues with heel rub, both when pedalling and descending. Not everyone experienced this to the same extent though. After a hard week’s riding in Italy, all of the Meta’s pivot bolts had worked themselves loose, so pre and post-ride checks are well worthwhile. We’d also recommend getting rid of the tubes as quickly as possible, as the Meta was the bike that suffered the most punctures of the final six.

 With a hard-to-fault spec, sorted suspension and great ride feel, the Meta AM is tough to pick fault with, but the tall seat tube and heel-clipping back end mean it won’t suit all 

SPEC
Frame Aluminium, 160mm travel
Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 Solo Air Boost, 170mm travel
Shock RockShox Super Deluxe RC3
Drivetrain SRAM GX with X01 rear mech (1x11)
Wheelset Mavic 427 rims on Formula hubs, Maxxis High Roller II EXO 27.5x2.4in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO 27.5x2.3in (r) tyres
Brakes SRAM Guide RS, 200/180mm
Bar/Stem Ride Alpha, 780mm/ Ride Alpha, 50mm
Seatpost/Saddle RockShox Reverb Stealth 150mm dropper/ Ride Alpha
Weight 14.7kg (L)

Price $4555
Labels

Popular posts from this blog

Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

READ MORE >>

Chromag HiFi 35 (50mm) stem

This is a seriously solid stem. Chromag use 5mm Allen bolts throughout, which makes it that bit easier to fit because you don’t have to swap tools. Once torqued up to the recommended 6-8Nm, it clamps both steerer and bar solidly, with no appreciable flex. We couldn’t get it to twist on the steerer, either in our static test or when riding. It’s also available in a 35mm length and three other colours. At 204g the HiFi is the heaviest stem on test by some margin, despite being one of the more expensive offerings here. Price $112

READ MORE >>

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

READ MORE >>

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

READ MORE >>

Canyon Strive AL 5.0 Race

Canyon share the same direct sales model as Radon, YT and Commencal, which means the Strive also comes with a stunningly good spec for the money. On top of that, it’s one of the quietest bikes here. Even on the choppiest Italian trail we rode, the Strive pattered down without a peep. It needs some volume bands in the shock to get the back end ramping up for the really big hits, but once sorted it’s a wonderfully efficient machine that carries speed incredibly well. The sizing feels spot on too, and it’s always nice to see manufacturers speccing longer dropper posts where possible. Our large Strive had one of the shortest seat tubes here, at 460mm, and used a 150mm drop Reverb. This meant none of our testers had any issues with arse-tosaddle clearance on the steeper trails we rode (unlike on the Commencal, with its 490mm seat tube). What we did notice when the trail began to drop away rapidly was the head angle. On our test bike it measured in at just under 67 degrees, making it ...

READ MORE >>