Commencal's Monster Trail Bike: Meta AM V4-2

Aug 22, 2016 at 18:41
by Richard Cunningham  

Commencal V4.2
The top-drawer Meta AM V4-2 World Cup is a SRAM Showcase: 12-speed Eagle drivetrain, RockShox Super Deluxe shock, Lyrik fork, and a Reverb Stealth dropper post.

bigquotesAn enduro bike is a downhill bike that knows how to climb. - Commencal

Commencal's Meta AM V4 series is intended to be the Andorra-based brand's most capable trail bike, and last year's version was one of the best descenders in its class. Today, Commencal is releasing the new version - the Meta AM V4-2 - with an extra helping of everything we raved about in that previous review. The suspension is more capable, with RockShox's new Super Deluxe RC3 reservoir shocks on the top models, backed up with 170-millimeter Lyrik RCT3 forks. The rear suspension's rate is slightly more progressive to increase bottom-out resistance, rear-wheel travel is increased to 160 millimeters (up from 150), and the geometry is pumped up with a steeper, 74-degree seat angle and a slacker, 65.5-degree head angle. The reach, which is contemporary by today's standards, is retained from last season's Meta V4. With those numbers, one can understand why Commencal strongly suggests that their latest Meta V4-2 is intended for enduro racing.

Commencal Meta AM V4-2 2017
The wider 12-speed gearing offers Meta AM V4-2 riders easier access to trails that lack shuttle or lift service. SRAM Eagle appears on the World Cup and one Race model.


Components have also been chosen to ensure that the dash-two V4 can handle anything a world class rider could dish out. Rims are wide (30mm ID Spank Oozy for the World Cup level bike), every model sports a one-by SRAM transmission, with 12-speed Eagle for the top models and the cockpit pays homage to the current wide bar/short stem mandate and the top three bikes have 150mm RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper posts. Tires? Can't argue with Maxxis HR II and DHR II 2.3-inch in the EXO casings. Commencal finishes off all of its range with its house-brand Alpha components, which helps trim the asking prices of the new Meta AM V4-2 to only $2199 USD for the entry-level Origin, $2499 for the Ride, $2999 for the Essential, $3499 for the 11-speed Race, $4099 for the 12-speed Race Eagle, and $4599 for the 12-speed World Cup model. Delivery is slated for November, and you can buy one directly from Commencal

Meta AM V4-2 suspension curves
The new Meta's suspension kinematics have been altered to be more gravity-specific.

Commencal Meta AM V4-2 2017
Armored downtube and ISCG tabs. The swingarm is widened to 148 Boost specs, and no front derailleur for the V4-2.
Commencal Meta AM V4-2 2017
The Meta's signature recessed top tube has been reconfigured to fit "Metric" or standard shocks.

Commencal Meta AM V4-2 2017
Four models are offered ranging from $2499 to $4599. The second-tier Meta V4-2 Race (black) is also available in a 12-speed Eagle option.


Key Frame Details
Meta AM V4-2


Watch Commencal's V4-2 Video

COMMENCAL

by commencal-bikes-skis
Views: 14,378    Faves: 141    Comments: 12


Meta AM V4-2

Meta AM V4-2

Meta AM V4-2


MENTIONS: @COMMENCALbicycles


Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
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227 Comments
  • 239 5
 $4600? That's a no scope head shot. Why are there other bike companies again?
  • 55 0
 I'm looking for a $2.8-3.5k bike, and I'm looking for all in every brand on the market, I think Commencal is the right one for me spec/price.
  • 48 0
 its actually 4100 on commencals website if you preorder it now.
  • 65 10
 Aluminium will do that to a price.
  • 34 0
 No scope headshot. I love that
  • 20 2
 People over 6' need bikes too I guess.
  • 37 3
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: alu frame + direct sales. Commencal must be the only direct sales company that doesn't have a bad reputation with waiting times and snapping frames. Also their prices, geometries and spec lists are super dialed. That shock position also almost makes it look as clean as a hardtail, which I like. Big fan of Commencal Bikes.
  • 17 3
 Y'all should check out Bird Cycleworks. Direct sales with transferable lifetime warranty. And the Aeris is shhhhhhhweet.
  • 8 3
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: Eventually so will Carbon fiber. Forged then machined aluminum parts require substantial investment in tooling. While aluminum is generally lower cost per pound a design change is lower cost with CFRP instead of aluminum despite the higher cost of CFRP. While we are still in the "luxury" stage with CFRP, there's no massive investment in stamping equipment which can dramatically increase the economics of producing a low volume frame. Think the Corvette. It was the cost factor which motivated the use of CFRP instead of Aluminum. Since most CFRP manufacturing is based in China I see no reason other than the "luxury" aspect being the main motivational factor for price.

Now I could be wrong...but honestly I see the price of CF frames going down as more companies make the shift to an all CFRP manufacturing process. ESPECIALLY since most of the frames are outsourced to China.


That isn't to say companies aren't being charged a higher price tag for CFRP. And if I'm off base on this please somebody let me know. I'm just basing this off of the reasoning behind using CFRP in the auto industry vs aluminum.
  • 64 0
 @m0dest: commencal however refuses to use carbon manufacturing in Asia because of labor conditions.
  • 24 3
 @R-trailking-S: That's good. I wish we could bring manufacturing back to the US. I would gladly pay a few hundred more honestly. Our skilled workforce is diminishing.
  • 18 8
 @m0dest - carbon fibre is a very broad term as Max Commencal said himself. It is off course possible that some terribly shtty carbon frame will be cheaper than a quality alu, but quality CF will alway cost premium due to the cost of material/ tooling and man-hours needed to make a decent CF product. Also, body of a Corvette is a relatively simple job compared to a bike frame. People do CF hoods or bumper covers in their garages.
  • 4 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Fair enough. I was factoring the shitty labor conditions in China and the cost of not paying human wages. I have to edit this statement...I had a friend that designed tooling for K2 and made a few trips to China to guide the manufacturing process....apparently their skilled workers get paid decent wages. Comparable to that in the US.

Honestly I think if you consider milling the tubing, forging/machining critical parts, welding, heat treating etc. you can probably bust out a quality CFRP frame within a comparable time frame to it's counterpart. I just don't see it.
  • 14 4
 @m0dest: A low quality alu ht frame costs less than 10$ to make in Taiwan. There was an article on Bike Radar or Cycling News about costs of production at Giants factory. Now my own query for a batch of 100 frames in 3 sizes came around 80$ a frame in 606something alu. A quality alu fs frame without shock costs like 100-120$ to make if we consider 1000 or more units with no hydroforming being involved. I guess Commencal doesn't pay more than 250$ for that frame. Now I know exactly how much a top tier fs frame costs to make and that is almost 4 times more. You just can't beat that disproportion. The smaller the maker the closer those numbers get but talking company like Commencal, there's no way they can make carbon financially viable without starving children and eating puppies.
  • 13 0
 @R-trailking-S: nice to hear that someone cares about frames not being bonded by 10 year old without mask in basements without ventilation for 100€/month and then those frames are sold for 3000€
  • 5 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I totally agree with what you are saying. When I graduated UBI and wrenched in early 2000s it was well known the cost of cheap bicycles. We had a lengthy discussion about it at UBI. At that time it was more about why Titanium frames were so expensive and it boiled down to the cost of tooling.

And I completely agree that Chinese manufacturers are charging more for CFRP.

In my own query for electronic enclosures about four years ago the cost of the CF units were about 5 times the cost for 100-300 pieces than aluminum. Nothing special...just aluminum.(also different manufacturers)

Now I'm talking stomp box cases(electronics enclosures) not bicycles so obviously the cost is lower and the design process not very critical but rather what was aesthetically pleasing and what was going to work and be cost effective time wise for the build. I often wondered was I going to be paying a "luxury fee" for that carbon fiber case? Or was it really that much more expensive?


In the end I ended up going with a Canadian company and sticking to using Hammond enclosures.

Thanks for shedding some light to your query. Very useful information.
  • 6 7
 @Mattin: Commencal must be the only direct sales company that doesn't have a bad reputation with waiting times and snapping frames


forgot about the meta's then and they had an issue with seat post length and seat tube insertion too.
  • 6 4
 @poah: Don't quote me on this, not from the horse's mouth but I read recently that Commencal's customer service is practically non-existent and that obtaining replacement parts takes months.

Still digging on this bike though.

Devinci is high on my list considering they are making their aluminum frames in house. but my old trusty 09 Norco Shore is still on it's first set of bearings and it doesn't seem to be flinching anytime soon.

My next frame is teetering between these 3 companies, then again I can't even buy a bottle of liquor without staring for at least 5 minutes.
  • 1 0
 @Donodh: That's the Race, not the World Cup. The WC isn't listed on the US site.
  • 2 0
 @sicmoto: I wish I'd seen this before I bought my Rose Granite Chief...not that its not a good bike, although it would have been nice to buy from a UK manufacturer. Oh - and the spec vs price ratio is incredible on the Bird!!!
  • 2 0
 @arna86: I was after a replacement for my Mondraker Foxy with similar geometry, took me serious hunting to find them. Apparently they're real common in England? I'm in Ireland and have only seen mine and the two my friends own as a result.
  • 1 1
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: 25,4Lb / 11,5Kg for $2.7K Commencal Meta trail racer... I cannot find a bike for that price for 2 month of visiting a lot of websites in USA. Most similar offer a Gt sensor carbon on jenson USA for 2.7K, but isn't my choice actually.
  • 3 0
 @R-trailking-S: While I respect that, I bet he has an iphone or android uses a computer, abuses water for manafacture of alloy frames, labour is abused in nearly every industry at some point in this industry well as others. I dont know the answer, other than consumers being smarter which will never happen.
  • 1 0
 @FabienTT: where are you getting those weights? I'm seeing 14kg
  • 1 0
 @Maverickdh00: yep Iphone here. The best way to succeed is to adopt the ways of the masses. As it stands its two years old and has years of life left and lots of compatibility with a 64 bit processor. Sometimes you have to lose on one front if you want to make a difference. By the way supply side is voodoo, you could just crack down on companies from a government level.
  • 2 0
 @m0dest: this was before they had a US HQ.... their customer service in the states is pretty good from what I hear.
  • 3 1
 @sicmoto: I ride in Cannock, Swinley, BPW and Afan and I've actually not seen a single Rose bike anywhere besides mine in the past year that I've owned it. I really like the way it rides- its confident, stable and it climbs and descends better than a number of other bikes I tried before blind purchasing this one....... however, I've had quite a few build quality (and subsequent reliability) issues that would prevent me buying from rose again.......The PF BB started creaking after about 60km of riding, all of the pivot bearings are completely knackered, i.e creaky and clicky after less than 100hrs of riding due to a slightly misaligned rear triangle from factory and the bike arrived slightly damaged (admittedly this could be down to the courier) however, when I emailed Rose about this, complete with photos of the bike in its box still, they refused to back down, stating that it was normal to expect marks like that on a raw finish bike.....hmmm. Oh - and the reverb stealth arrived with about 90psi in it. Shame really as the bike itself, minus its faults rides great.
  • 6 1
 @WAKIdesigns: The costs you give are not far from the reality but what makes you think Aluminum is more ethic than Carbon. The companies manufacturing carbon and AL frames are most of the time the same and at the same location. From what i saw, money flowing nowadays to carbon factories makes them much nicer than the Al one where companies are reluctant to invest in new equipment as it's a market that decreases. If you think that the carbon bikes are made by starving children (which is wrong) then the same apply (or worst) to the Al
  • 1 0
 @dtm1: excuseme bro, is the Meta TR V4 XC trail race black. $2.7K
  • 2 0
 @m0dest: 2nd bike from them... Had issues with the meta v4 due to shipping damage. Commencal's customer service has been on point, fast, and more than fair.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: "Also, body of a Corvette is a relatively simple job compared to a bike frame. People do CF hoods or bumper covers in their garages."

That's an absurd statement to make. You could say the same thing about people welding their own bike frames together in their garage, which I was doing when I was a kid with my dads welder. Your regular Joe isn't and cant just make a CF hood or any other body panel in a basic garage.
  • 1 0
 @FabienTT: selling one for $2.6 with the race plus spec HOLLLARRRR
  • 3 0
 @m0dest: I recently broke my maxle. Contacted Commencal and got a replacement from France in my hands within in a week.
  • 2 0
 @novajustin: Right on!

Given the heads up I'm pretty positive the Race Eagle black is going to be my next ride.
  • 2 0
 @sicmoto: I just re-read that - if you mean seeing a Bird Aeris, I've only ever seen one and that was last week in Swinley. It looked great too Smile
  • 1 0
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: orange.
  • 1 0
 @FabienTT: should have a look at solidbikes.de. Great bike for a great price!
  • 1 0
 @arna86: swinley is a hot spot for them. Could be wrong but i heard the company is based down the road from swinley. Ive seen few there on a regular basis
  • 5 1
 @FlorentVN: I never said carbon bikes are made by starving children nor I intended to say it like I meant it. On the contrary, it was cynicism aimed at people boosting their ego by pointing fingers. Then I don't think that aluminium is more moral than carbon. I would not consider neither of materials or any other material, be it steel or bamboo in ethical terms. I actually feel contempt for people who elaborate on such considerations and I recommend preachers to go fk themselves before they open their mouths to tell people what's right or wrong. If someone choses frame material based on carbon footprint it makes, he should really get a NHS sponsored week in the mountains with high dosages of DMT and THC to remove that mental "rainbow" stick from his "green" arse.

@OFF2theGYM - a properly fastened, crappy body panel will not put your life on the line in the same way as crappy CF frame. My dad made some nice RC aircraft wings of 2m span and fuselage in his garage and he is no rocket scientist. Yes he was taking advice from one of the best in the business but still, he made it. Sht flies like a dream.
  • 5 1
 @WAKIdesigns: be aware of those people. It's a new cult rising way faster than we can handle. They are the biggest threat to our society. The scariest thing is that anyone can get this mental disease. Next thing you know your neighbour or your brother can become one. They are willing to kill against killing. They will knock on your doors and try to violently force you their beliefs. They will terrorize the world until they will become our new rulers. These people are called "vegans". *shivers in fear and runs away*
  • 5 0
 @Mattin: how dare you? I have nothing against vegans, I gladly welcome their sacrifice. You probably inhaled too much chemicals sprayed from passenger jets and your brain got damaged by wifi signals during the night. Do you even turn off your phone and router at night? If you live in a block of flats you should go around the apartments and ask neighbors to shut their electromagnetic emissions. I am sure you also got vaccinated as a child so you are damaged through and through! Have you at least attended Montisori school?
  • 4 2
 @WAKIdesigns: I have too many vegans around me who all can't stop talking about the fact that they are vegans and seriously try to force it on everyone. It's becoming a new type of Jehovas Withnesses over here. Doesn't really help that I live in the hipster neighborhood of a hipster city and join regular fixed gear rides (although the vegans are actually the ones on road bikes).
  • 1 1
 Don't get me wrong, I don't hate them for being vegan. I hate them for being a dick about it. There are actually some vegans who don't try to force their beliefs on others and can talk about other things as well. Those people are still cool.
  • 1 0
 @Mattin: take it easy, I don't give a flying crap, they can defend themselves. I try to eat less chopped pieces of brutally killed animals but from purely selfish reasons. At least 3 purely vegetable meals a week. I like good nuttition, that's it. I actually dislike animals, particularly house pets. The only animals I like are those which can potentially predate on humans. Oh I'd love to watch an animal lover getting ripped to pieces by a bear or a shark, or a bunch of chimps. I'm weird like that...
  • 1 0
 @marcusbarry1997: thanks man, Europe is far from my country and isn't easy to import to USA where I'll be for a very short time
@dwells show me your bike photos !
  • 1 0
 @FabienTT: www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2034480
  • 2 0
 @m0dest:
Or just buy the Race model and get an Eagle groupset with the price difference:
www.alltricks.com/C-195840-eagle/T-54921D
  • 1 0
 He´s in Andorra, the Commencal dude must get some tax benefits sitting there, plus frames from Taiwan and direct sales.
  • 1 0
 @FabienTT: En Colombia le van a clavar impuestos por la bici, tenga en cuenta eso.
  • 1 0
 @m0dest: Even in aerospace or car manufacturing, the cost of a finished part in steel is $2 a pound. Alloy is $4, and carbon is $12.50. The price is still higher due to hand finishing. Advances are being made in automation (Volvo leaf springs, BMW roof pillars) but it will take time for that technology to trickle down- but that sort of automation is the future of carbon manufacturing.
  • 1 0
 @javijavi: hay gente que la compra nueva, la usan por "dos cuadras" y le hechan tierra para que pase por usada y entra sin arancel. Muchos amigos han realizado el mismo proceso.
  • 3 0
 I think it's mainly a problem of supply and demand. Alloy is getting cheap as there are so many factories around craving for job while Carbon is mastered by too few companies that can keep the prices high. Yes they are reducing costs a lot by manufacturing in Vietnam and even Myanmar now but why would they reduce the costs while so many customers are on the waiting list...
The price of carbon bikes is not based on costs, it's for now solely based on what the customer is willing to put. When quantities for a size are over 200pcs a year, cost of the tools and equipment is mostly a story for people to swallow the pill.

This situation is great for both type of bikes. Carbon bikes profits for suppliers and brands have never been so high and they still have trouble to supply enough to cover the demand. Meanwhile, as there are less and less competition on AL bikes segment, cost are decreasing significantly while retail price doesn't need to be lowered much to seem cheap in comparison with carbon bikes. --> More profit for all brands either they follow the carbon or the AL route.

The fact that everyone is surprised that bikes can be that "cheap" and wonder how they do is a sign that the market in developed countries has accepted the average prices proposed as a norm. Commencal is doing a good job proposing bikes cheaper than other brands but even if the Origin Meta V4 at 2 200$ seems cheap, for a brand that sells directly to the customer, >100% gross profit is still much.
  • 113 5
 "Commencal shoots the arrow- oh, it's a beautiful release folks! Flying straight and strong, past the haters, past the price point barrier, through the good component spec window, could it be on its way to the bulls eye?! Could it go... all... the... way... PRESS FIT! Ohhhhh, and just outside the mark! With the rare chance to wrap up the market, it appears they land just outside the elusive center of the target!!" Why... WHY?!!!
  • 18 0
 I have the V4 and pressed my own shimano pf92 bracket in myself with a little greese, threaded rod and large washers. No creak or problems yet!
  • 8 0
 The PFBB in my '15 AM v4 hasn't made any noise yet.
  • 7 0
 @inverted180: my (plastic) shimano pfbb has been awesome. light, cheap, and super easy to bash in & out (i get all neanderthal on its ass & just slam it in with a bfh and block of wood). totally on board with pf now.
  • 8 0
 @inverted180: there are always people who don't have problems with PF BBs. But then, there are also always people who do have problems with them...
  • 5 5
 I would not press the pressfit in/out without a quality tool, just as I would not try to bash a bearing out of a frame. Non-perpendicular extraction/installation damages the bore of the bearing which will develop inaccuracies and even more creaking everytime you replace the bearing. The issue with pressfits is mainly with large crank shaft diameters, because inboard bearing balls get so small, they can get obliterated. Outboard bearing on another hand can handle such design. Bikes which cannot utilize the benefit of Pressfit BB, that is wide bb shell with plenty of room for welding in tubing or pivots, should not be designed with it. Outboard bearings everywhere possible
  • 3 2
 no problems with my press fit either, my frame is aluminium which is maybe better suited than carbon for press fitting, fitted properly there's nothing wrong with press fits
  • 5 3
 Do you run a threaded headset on your bikes?
  • 7 8
 @gonecoastal: nice try, yes there are frames with head tubes into which you can press a bearing directly but the ones which are made to accept headset cups tend to work better Wink In the same way as headsets (or hubs) which have bearing assemblies fitted into the cup work better than headsets where the cup is at the same time the outer race of the bearing. So basically pressfit BB is as good as Shimano cup and cone hub vs hub using machined and sealed bearings. Yes there are people who swear by them and actually would turn down a date with Harley Quinn only to be able to clean an old Shimano hub and lubricate it with a special compound of grease then find that perfect preload using spanners mmmm uuuuh yea, ooooh mmmmmmmm...
  • 6 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I have no idea what a Harley Quinn is. Likely spending too much time riding bikes or arguing about bikes online. Or dealing with Apple Support... :/
  • 3 4
 @gonecoastal: she's daddy's little monster
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: ^^ This. I would much rather have a 24mm spindle crankset with decent size bearings than a 30mm with tiny ones, I can't say I understand the move towards 30mm spindles for this reason.
  • 2 1
 @metaam: yes, but I wanted Hope crankset sooo much... my BB92 bearings creak already. Not much but still. Now I'm looking after NOS XTR m985
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: i've had nothing but trouble with mine. Engagement issues in the beginning, now with creaking. If i could make the chainline work with a Saint crank on a Hope 24mm BB, i would, but it just wasn't going to happen. It's been the biggest headache ever using their crank and 30mm threaded BB.
  • 1 0
 @matthewkuhl: this is the second time I am disappointed with their product. First was that funny chain guide and chainring with integrated bash. My chain was falling off all the time despite having clutch rear mech. But still, Race Face cranks also use 30mmspindles.
  • 95 0
 I've never Meta Commencal I didn't like.
  • 49 1
 Just be sure you really like it v4 you buy...
  • 45 1
 AM considering it.
  • 4 13
flag rallyimprezive (Aug 23, 2016 at 17:03) (Below Threshold)
 Oh it's about to Commence all! Pretty weak, I know.
  • 3 4
 @rallyimprezive: Uggh - just keep your commencal to yourself...

Sorry. I'll see myself out.
  • 4 1
 These comments are all so meta.
  • 35 2
 *posts current bike for sale immediately
  • 7 0
 exactly what i have done lol
  • 31 5
 This "raw" finish makes me throw money at the screen. Holy crapomoly. Hey Commencal. Nect year I will be buying your 20" hardtail bike for my daughter. pleeeeease release it in silver!
  • 23 1
 go ask her first ehat colour she likes you egocentric bum ;
  • 43 7
 @donpinpon29: 5 year old kids don't know what they like. You can manipulate them like guys wanting carbon rims.
  • 7 1
 Call me crazy but I don't like the raw with the RS products. Raw with Kashima however, I'd sell my first born child for...
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: mine know real good which colour they prefer: the one thats gone!
  • 1 0
 Gotta throw some purple ano on there (pedals, bars chainring etc..) to make it really sing : )
  • 17 4
 The 160mm market is probably the most saturated right now but looking at those it looks like Commencal are going to be right in at the thick of it.

Massive spec for the money, look good, geo seems good and no carbon in sight - If the frames are reliable they will be solid bikes for privateer racers and guys that just want to ride (Not saying carbon is unreliable but you do tend to have more issues there without opening a can of worms on that one) . I would be interested myself if I hadnt just bought a new bike.
  • 19 3
 I have to say this is the most beautiful aluminum bike I have seen for ages. Beats a ton of the carbon ones as well.
  • 5 1
 Kona process 153deluxe is a serious bike too... And one of the funniest to ride 4 sure in this world
  • 4 1
 @RedBurn: Amen brother
  • 12 1
 FFS. How do I explain to my wife now that I need to sell my current V4 to buy the new one, which looks exactly the same but with added awesomeness???? Tips welcome.
  • 38 0
 I always hear It's much easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
  • 31 0
 just get the same color, she'll never know!
  • 22 0
 Just remember that those extra 10mm of travel will make up for any soreness from sleeping on the couch.
  • 11 0
 tell her your frame snapped so you got the new modell of the warranty
  • 3 0
 @sledMXer: This!!! I do this with my snowmobiles. Works like a charm.
  • 6 0
 get another one for her. an another one for me while youre there
  • 5 0
 This one goes to 12.
  • 3 0
 @schwaaa31: Yep, as long as they are the same color, she wouldn't know the difference from a new one versus a 10 year old one. "Ah, yeah, it's the same one, I just polished it up a little bit!"
  • 1 0
 you don't. go with similar color and she won't even notice Wink
  • 6 1
 I already gave her the tip.
  • 11 1
 amazing spec for an amazing price, no company can't beat that at the moment, major props to commencal, thats how it's done! will def get one when my bikes are sold!
  • 1 0
 I understand people claiming the price is good, it's true. But "no company can beat that" goes too far... Example : radon swoop. 170/170mm, currently 2400€ and specced approx like the 3000€ Commençal.

Don't get me wrong though, I love people getting excited about Commençal bikes, I love them too
  • 2 0
 @Uuno: does radon ship to canada and do it without duty fees / taxes ? most eu based company don't even ship here and when they do its via the us and u have to pay an extra almost 500-1000$CAD of duty and taxes when it cross the border, don't have this major problem with commencal.
  • 2 0
 oh and after viewing radon website, if i convert this in CAD, radon much more expensive than commencal.
  • 13 3
 Any idea if they are going to make this in a tandem?
Sure would make for a sweet dual hucker.
  • 4 0
 I mean, why else would you stick a "dash 2" on the end of a model name?
  • 2 0
 @MTBrent: Whoa, didn't even occur to me. Nice catch. Good to see that we aren't being let down as a tandem community.
  • 2 0
 @MTBrent: Also, the rear linkage engineering seems perfectly adaptable for tandem sender. Keep that same top tube set up and that frame becomes one rigid tandem setup!
  • 11 3
 Wow, this pricing is awesome!
  • 4 0
 Bought a commencal meta last year on sale. Very good bike for unbeatable price, clean design, internal cable routing , 1x, for less than $1,900. I took the entry level, but I should have gone for the one above (essential), better equipped for still a very decent price.
Kinda refreshing to see bike reviews that I can afford and not a $6k+ bike ...
  • 5 1
 Commencal Bicycles -- well done! Thank you for making great bikes at a reasonable price point. n bikes are very nice indeed (I have one), but it's nice to know that there are companies that understand their target market.
  • 1 0
 Cool how they heard the gripes about the slack seat angle and fixed it. Of course with Al its much easier to adjust. I rode a demo last spring and it ripped downhill but was a dog up w/said slack sa.
  • 6 1
 $3,400 for top suspension and X0 on the Race model? There has to a catch somewhere, does the bike weight like 50lbs or something?
  • 6 1
 Anyone interested in giving me my money back for a CF capra? Cuz after 7 weeks of unanswered emails I'm getting the feeling YT doesn't want to.
  • 2 0
 i love my supreme fr and my meta sl1.....i am loving the weight if this newer bike as its only a a tiny bit over a kilo heavier than the sl1 (when looking the top of the range v4.2) and my sl1 doesn't have a dropper fitted yet. I have managed to get my supreme fr down to 16.6kg so am tempted with this new v4.2 but the things holding me back is that the commencal supreme fr has a slacker head angle, more travel, 12x150mm bolt through so still a better bike for rougher trails and were this newer v4.2 has it stumped then the meta sl is better the other way around eg on longer rides with more climbing.....looking for excuses to change but not sure it worth selling the 2 bikes on. mind you one in between bike does sound good but surely i am better of just choosing between 2 better suited bikes than this in between one or am i wrong? was already looking to raw the supreme fr so may just do that instead lol.

also just looked on the commncal site to see if they do a frame only option (none yet) but noticed the v3 supreme fr frame is 4kg vs 3.15 kg of the existing v4. And i guess this one will be heavier so there will likely be relatively little diference between this new v4.2 and my 2013 v3 supreme fr. This does look a really nice bike though and if they did one with 26" wheels (sorry its just what i like) , with a 12 x 150mm bolt through axle and perhaps did a fox specced one with the polished frame and kashima colour....that would be hard to refuse.
  • 3 2
 Choosing a new bike is getting hard these days. I keep lusting after the new Commencals. When there are so many rad options out there I'm having a hard time jumping off the fence and making a decision. I think I'll wait until Interbike to see what's coming out. Saving my pennies.
  • 1 0
 I spoke with Commencal USA on the phone when i was inquiring about their bikes. They were nothing but super friendly and helpful. I have a new carbon bike, and i am thinking of selling it and going back to AL. I think I may go the Commencal route. .....Or the new AL enduro...hmmmm
  • 2 0
 Agreed. I haven't had the greatest LBS experiences in my area, but I was still a bit hesitant to go with an online-only dealer. Commencal was very helpful, answered all my size questions, confirmed delivery dates, prices, etc. I got a Meta V4 Race brushed edition a couple of months ago (with Lyrik). Received the shipment on time, bike was packaged very well, they even sent me a Reverb bleed kit for the post installation. Plus - I've been really happy with the bike! For my riding style/area (Georgia), it does everything well. I've seen lots of size questions on forums... I'm 5'11" and went with a size LG frame. Very comfortable reach-wise, etc., but the seat post is less than half an inch from as low as it goes, so maybe keep that in mind.
  • 1 0
 Love the raw looking frame always a classic, but PFBB is a fail, why oh why even the pioneers big S are going away from that, being alloy threaded and Id serioulsy have looked at one of these myself, always been intrigued by the Meta.
  • 1 0
 Anyone who owns the V4 knows about the wide rear triangle and the occasional heel rub on the seat/chainstay. I even had my hi-top shoe collar get snagged on the seatstay when I backpedaled to adjust my foot placement (thought my foot got caught by the spokes and scared the shite out of me). So while Commencal addressed the issue of the seat angle and the tight fit of the shock on the top tube tunnel, I wonder if they fixed the seat/chainstay problem.

But it's a nice looking bike for sure Smile
  • 2 0
 I have a Race Eagle for Review, and I will be looking for that chainstay issue fix as well.
  • 2 0
 @RichardCunningham: Thanks! So far I haven't had heel rub in a while. I use flat pedals and I started placing my foot a bit more forward (ball of foot in front of axle which is apparently the proper way anyway) and it seems to have solved that problem.
  • 2 0
 @RichardCunningham: Would I be dumb to get one as my only bike for everything from smoother/flatter trails to the occasional bike park trip? Not many bikes sitting in the $4600 CAD region (without dropping to bottom end components) and the spec on the Race looks like serious bang for the buck
  • 1 0
 @RichardCunningham: Hey, I'm wondering if there's enough room between frame and the shock body. As any unpleasant contact, friction can damage shock or frame over time - like it happened to my friend on his stump jumper where the brain expansion valve was sticking too close to the frame - eventually damaging the rear end.

Thanks.
  • 1 0
 I've looked at the geo chart over on Vital MTB and reach on XL is only 471mm. I've got 477mm on my XL spitty and to be honest could do with more as its a bit short even with a 50mm stem. Ideally I'd run a 30mm stem on this beast. perhaps a bit too short for me I think
  • 2 0
 How tall are you? I'm 6'2" and the XL seems like it would be a decent fit for me, compared to other bikes I've ridden
  • 1 0
 @src248: hi mate, I'm 6'2" and a half but with long arms so prefer longer reach. I struggle with 20inch seat tubes so must have relatively shorter legs as well.
  • 1 0
 @fingerbangextreme: Hmmm, I've been on too short bikes for a long time, trying to figure out what size of bike would actually work best for me. Thanks for the input
  • 7 3
 I've never been a fan of Commencals full stop, but this looks so *right*.
  • 3 2
 Awesome frame, builds and price points for everyone. I was really enjoying my V4 until I dislocated my foot.

1 Request, can we get a Raw Edit of that video? There should be a rule, no music or slow mo of Brannigan.
  • 1 0
 Did they fix the heel rub issue? Seems like if you are going to redesign a bike (and i know they had to redesign the rear triangle because the went to boost) that they should have.
  • 4 0
 So,170mm travel is "trail" nowadays?
  • 1 1
 I feel like if you're going to market something as a trail bike for downhill riders, it should at least have clearance for a coil shock. Which I know it says it can fit all shocks, but I am very skeptical that a vivid would clear that top tube. really cool otherwise though
  • 4 0
 same price in $ as £ - brexit sheehite
  • 1 0
 crappy conversion on Google suggests that you can save a grand buying $Can or $ (-minimal fees)
  • 1 0
 @browner: Yeah looked it up and it was dirt cheap if you want to buy in Canadian dollars compared to Euro.

I wonder if they would send them from europe or from a warehouse in Canada if you did that. Then you'd end up with customs instead
  • 2 0
 Commencal.. the company that gets mtb riders. A great bike for a great price... with the stuff that you actuality want to put on the bike.. so even further savings
  • 2 1
 Was shocked at how cheap the two entry level models seemed, but then realized they don't come with dropper posts. Not stoked on the 437mm rear stay length either (geo chart over on VitalMTB).
  • 1 0
 Awesome bike, alu is nice material to make frames;
fortunately they add nice features as boost, and protectors, the only one think looks odd to me - geometry numbers, tall people ride bikes too!

Always wanted to buy
  • 1 0
 I hope the real trail version (short travel) of this bike gets the same redesign with shorter chainstays and decent reach. If it does I'm going to start saving money.
  • 2 0
 best bike company at this time! great prices and design. Love the yellow one!
  • 3 0
 They certainly know how to make a super rad production video
  • 2 0
 Commencal's promo videos are always great
  • 2 0
 Commencal must be doing something right when they can get a Sram hater like myself drooling over this bike. Bah-gawd.
  • 1 0
 How does it work with the metric shock? Does it mean it doesn't fit a fox shock? So annoying another standard....
  • 2 0
 @MTB-Colada: Seems like it will "accept any rear shock" according to the video. I know my riding partner has the 2016 and swapped the Rockshox for his Fox CTD. Seems like this won't be an issue with the 2017.
  • 2 0
 Any company that actually shows their rear suspension action working in their promo video deserves a round of applause
  • 3 0
 Please people buy this !! Good pricing and good company.
  • 1 0
 Are the prices listed the pre-order prices only? If you look on their website it looks like the prices listed might be discounted for pre-ordering.
  • 3 1
 I LOVE THIS F***ING BRAND!
  • 12 10
 nice bikes... but Press Fit?
  • 13 2
 I'm sure this is the unpopular opinion, but I've never understood the hate for press fit BB's. I've had more threaded bottom brackets come through the shop creaking like crazy because they had no anti-seize applied from the factory than pressfit BB's. It seems to me that the chief source of crappy pressfit interfaces comes primarily from using a cheap, plastic-cupped BB (SRAM.........looking at you) and not from any frame issue.

Wheels mfg makes an alloy pressfit BB with rubber seals on the sleeve and inside the cups, coupled with a little bit of sleeve retainer or blue locktite it makes a great fitment and I've never had an issue at all with it. Plus they make an anodized red one. Red is always cool.
  • 1 5
flag ccolagio (Aug 23, 2016 at 9:25) (Below Threshold)
 in that same notion - with soooo many capable 160mm bikes out right now, i personally would never buy one with a special mount rear shock.
  • 5 1
 @ScottStedman: I totally agree with you! PressFit BB is a great standard, no special tool required, easy maintenance, no way to f**k up your your frame for a thread. And guy you need to know: a wider BB (pressfit is 92 mm when BSA is 68 mm) allows frame makers to build stronger frames, with much more space to weld the BB / seat tube junction
  • 2 1
 In my 12 years of cycling and nearly 30 bikes ive owned during that time, nearly all of them having threaded bb's (only 2 had BMX style mid bb's), ive never had a single issue with the threads on my bb (neither on the bb or in the frame). Note that most my bikes were built by myself from scratch, also broke and bent quite some cranks and also quite some that I upgraded in a later stage, so I dismounted and minuten quite some bb's over the years.

Switching to press fit is fixing a problem that does not excist. I can understand it on Carbon frames but not on alu frames. Also, mid bb's are the same concept as press fit, just the BMX version. How is it that mid bb's never tend to show any problems, but everyones mid bb is creaking like a door inside a hounted house? They must have done something wrong there...
  • 2 0
 @ScottStedman: I have a bit of a tolerance issue on my BB92 frame. I had been trying to run the aluminum cups but those creaked. I went back to plastic and those seem to make it an entire season. Aluminum may be better if you have a true fit but plastic will better take up manufacturing tolerances.
  • 1 0
 Weekly hard riding on my AM bike with a PFBB for the last 2 years, and never had a squeak from it. It's had one full service in that time (3 months ago) and it was still in good condition. They must be OK in some regard.
  • 4 0
 @ScottStedman: That all makes perfect sense to me - epecially the part about plastic cups *Sram* and red being cool. But we don't tolerate logic round here, kindly see yourself out.
  • 8 6
 I'd like to see a threaded BB!
  • 2 0
 Yeah, same here, but anyway it will be my future bike Big Grin
  • 4 3
 Finally, a paint job that i like on the meta v4. Until now the paint job had always been a little off puting for me...
  • 3 2
 Didn't think it would be possible to ride as hard as a beat like that. worked out pretty well!
  • 4 3
 Asian build aluminium frame + house brand componentry = great consumer pricing. Though to beat.
  • 3 2
 Loving the extra travel and more progressive rear end. And for this price you just can't beat it.
  • 2 0
 anyone know the weight on these??
  • 1 0
 14,04 kg according to the website on the race model
  • 2 1
 Commencal, so now my Santa Cruz V10 DH Bike is an Enduro Bike? Really confusing times!
  • 2 0
 That music just made me wanna shake my ass while riding a bike.
  • 1 0
 Hahaha - it could almost be a Nike ad or something Smile
  • 2 0
 Bikes look killer awesome tup
  • 1 0
 Love, I mean LOVE my meta V4. These guys got it figured out. Just am now lusting for more....
  • 2 1
 As I recall the Eagle drivetrain alone was getting towards 4600$ so that works out pretty good.
  • 1 0
 I think I may have found the one that will finally allow me to release my death grip on my 26" SC Butcher...
  • 4 2
 That first picture tho!
  • 4 3
 Commencal - give me the V4 pivot/layout in a trail/enduro bike already!!
  • 8 1
 Be patient, I saw an enduro/FR version of the DH V4 few weeks ago in Andorra!
  • 1 0
 @KoalaDesBois:
Im loving the move to 170mm + bikes, it seems that freeride aint dead just yet !!

For those of us that dont have true downhill within easy reach, these new long travel trail/ enduro bikes are awesome.

Ive just ordered the Knolly Delerium and cant wait to get out on the hills.
  • 1 0
 @Spicey516: it's funny you mention this - I was talking to my buddy about my 2015 Rune and I was explaining it was everything I was hoping my 05 Stinkey Deluxe would be back in 2005 but wasn't. I think some of the 160-170mm travel bikes are finally the "freeride" bikes we had been promised all those years
  • 1 0
 @Grmasterd:
I had a stinky deelux the last with the 888 marz forks on it 2008 i think, and have been looking to replace it for some time.
The delirium seemed to fit the bill so i decided to splash out.
All the reports so far have been very positive so hope fully it will be the successor to the Stinky !!
  • 1 0
 @Spicey516: That video showing the Delerium switching from single crown to double crown forks really made me question my future purchases. Being able to swap forks instead of having two bikes is huge.
  • 3 2
 awesome bike. been wanting to pick up a meta v4 for a while now.
  • 5 3
 That's a SICK teaser!!!!
  • 3 3
 That thing is so good lookin’ I wouldn’t care it isn’t carbon...for long.
  • 2 0
 I've turned in to a bit of a "carbon snob" too, but I rode the Meta AM at Outerbike and loved it. I didn't think I'd consider anything but carbon, but after that test ride I decided I could still ride an aluminum bike.

My son has a Supreme DH Jr., and we had some rear brake squealing issues with it. I contacted the US Commencal office and they got me new rotors and pads front and rear. Great service from these guys for me!
  • 1 1
 @sledMXer: I know me and me likes carbon. I’ve had the opportunity to go back and forth and I always go back to carbon. I don’t even mind buying used since companies like Calfee exist and can fix just about anything for a few hundred bucks.
Sure is a good looking’ bike though.
  • 4 3
 Since when a 160/170 mm bike is considered "trail" ?
  • 3 0
 Spesh put their 170/170 Enduro in "trail" category on their website Wink
  • 2 0
 gotta be a hell of a trail Smile
  • 2 1
 Can anybody tell me how to pronounce Commencal? Is it like common-sal?
  • 3 1
 I think that's about right.
  • 1 1
 yeah but more euro'y
  • 1 0
 "raw as f*ck" comes to mind
  • 1 0
 Damn I missed polished ALU...
  • 1 0
 "More room for water bottle"? Looks like a fella could pack a growler!
  • 1 1
 I've heard that Commencals fit really small, does anywone know if thats true?
  • 1 0
 Got a meta M, I'm 5'10. Fits well
  • 1 0
 I'm 5'10" and my buddy is 6' and he bought a medium so he could throw it around more. I've ridden it and the fit is nice. I ride a medium Giant Trance and it's a quite similar in fit. Seems pretty spot-on to me sizing-wise.
  • 1 0
 I'm 5'10" and I ride a Medium Supreme FR. They fit well.
  • 1 0
 What's that track in the video?
  • 2 1
 That might be my next bike.
  • 1 0
 Why is it not FSR? Didn't specialized's patent end awhile ago?
  • 1 0
 Did they narrow the seat stays or not?
  • 1 0
 Smexy
  • 6 6
 I kinda liked their 150/160mm options better
  • 4 4
 Down tube protector on an aluminum bike?
  • 11 0
 I have a current V4 and I have a decent sized dent on the bb shell from loose rock at a race... Down tube protectors welcome.
  • 1 0
 Yep, needed one on my suppressor. Rocks made an ugly mess on first ride, fitted a guard to hide chips and scratches as well as to prevent more.
  • 1 0
 superbe !!!!
  • 2 2
 sick looking bike but the weld above the shock freaks me out
  • 1 0
 One of each color please
  • 1 1
 everything is right but metric shock??
  • 1 0
 That's such a non-issue here. It even says in the video it fits any shock so if you like your old one, swap it. It's not limiting anything. Only making it more upgradeable in the future. If that's the biggest quibble they scored.
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