Hardtails don’t require the same reach or seat tube angle numbers as full-suspension bikes do. Testers reported that the bike fit comfortably despite seeing numbers we’re not used to. The 445mm reach number on the size large seems short, but with the slack 74-degree seat angle, the toptube is actually longer than the Stumpjumper. It sports a 65-degree head angle, runs a 160mm fork, has short 432mm chainstays, and a roomy-enough cockpit. Most importantly, the geometry is appropriate for what the bike is trying to be, which of course is in the name: All-Mountain. It’s actually really nice, and we don’t even have to add the caveat, “for a 1,500 dollar bike.” The Meta HT frame will compete with any trail hardtail regardless of price. The frame is a real standout when compared to some of the hardtails in the mix. But big tires can’t make a bad bike good, and luckily the Meta HT has solid bones. We still all agreed that 2.8” tires don’t need to be on full-suspension bikes, but trail hardtails are the perfect application for plus, where the extra meat improves climbing traction, descending stability, and technical prowess. The Commencal had us rethinking the death of plus-size. The Commencal Meta HT and Diamondback Sync’r both sport 27.5×2.8-inch tires, but there’s only one that testers would want to bring home with them. Just make sure you ride steep enough terrain to make use of it, otherwise, it’ll be a bit tiresome.Of the nine bikes we tested for the value bike Field Test, two had something we’d basically forgotten about: plus-size tires. Beyond the shock issue we developed and the slow hubs, this bike is kick ass. Combine that with an ability to gobble up the chunkiest of rocks, a $4,199 price tag, killer aesthetics and we’ve got a bike that really excites us. Small bump performance is above most bikes in the category. There are lots of smooth, sexy looking plastic bikes out there at similar price points, namely the YT Capra, and in our opinion, the Commencal Meta AM is an easy choice for our chunky terrain and riding style. We’ve had plenty and realize that material doesn’t make or break the ride. Having a carbon bike isn’t a deal-breaker to us. If we had to leave aggressive, speed-thirsty all-mountain riders with a simple take away note, it would be “Hell Yeah!” In fact, we know for certain that we’ve sold a couple of these bikes already to people we’ve met on the trail or friends who have sent us texts asking for recommendations. With the spec’d 170mm fork, the stack height measures 24.09 inches (612mm) and the seat tube angle sits at 74 degrees. Our size large test bike sports an 18-inch (458mm) reach, 65.6-degree head angle, 47.83-inch (1,215mm) wheelbase, and 17.20-in (437mm) chainstays. We felt DH bike level confidence on everything from 40MPH singletrack to chunky rock gardens. Geometry on the Commencal Meta AM V4.2 is great for aggressive and downhill riding. It was a notable performance detractor and something that made climbing and coasting a regular point of complaint. What we never could get on board with however was the drag of the rear hub.

The saddle is tolerable for short rides, and after spending the first few rides tweaking the roll of the bars, we grew to accept them. Things we didn’t love from the spec include the hubs and Ride Alpha’s bar, grips, and saddle. Shimano XT brakes and an SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain stop and move the bike while e*thirteen wheels and Maxxis Minion tires keep us rolling down the trail. The NZ Edition comes spec’d with a 170mm Fox Factory 36 Float Boost fork and a 230圆0mm Fox Factory DHX2 coil shock to handle the 160mm of rear-wheel travel.

Commencal meta ht review