sylvans

Kaz et al, Anyone with enough time on the Maven Base ready to compare power with Saints? Enduro rig is getting one of the two, to replace TRPs/220 rotors, with Saints in the lead to match the big bike. Asking for a Clyde with a steep local.🙏🤙

Thanks Kaz, useful stuff.. If RAAW ever provides you the opportunity to test your setup with a Rocker 65 linkage and standard sized shock, I’d be interested to hear your take. As a 6’2/195# S2S local, constantly trying to find frames with more stack, and more progressive kinematics to run a coiled trail bike, wondering if this could be it. Megneg is a great non-coil option for us fatties, and the mulleted Torque looks to be a contender save the stubby rear end, but would be nice to find a frame I can keep for a while. Cheers.

@mikekazimer: Great reviews as always Kaz. ^Those HTAs are correct if you compare the V4 in low; in high, you'll find the entire chart eerily similar, save the 5mm reach/WB reduction, and extra 5mm ETT, accomplished by the slightly slacker STA. But as you say, very close. See y'all in the lift line. For anyone interested, measured BB height on my V4 in high (same listed 'drop' as the V5), at 353mm, which is also what you get when you divide 27.5 by 2, convert to French units, and add 4. Probably coincidence though as I doubt the chart, my measurements, and assumption that Commencal uses a BB drop formula that simple, are all accurate. Actually like the slightly higher BB on the trail bike, for not clipping pedals on the up; and sized right, these bikes have zero concerns in the steeps.

Thanks for this. Went a similar route and it completely cleaned up the slow speed handling. When in between sizes, move the chart. Also find myself cleaning techy climbs at an alarming rate, like Grave Digger in his prime. Could be New Bike Syndrome.

For posterity, picked one of these up as a Sea to Sky trail bike. XL for my 6'2 (6'3 arms, 35" inseam); ETT on the L was too short for climbing. Coming from a Carbon Sentinel (435mm stays), on the XL, the longer stays (445mm) are much more predictable/balanced. Loved my Sentinel and got used to its style (all over the front wheel), but the Meta SX fits me better, to the point that I extended the stays on my Sender Mullet as well (435-445). It is heavy and long, but as others have said, she cruises up tech and fire roads at her own pace; I do climb a fair bit but have legs and lungs and don't mind suffering. On the downs its a mini-DH bike; fucking rad, eats chunk, but supportive enough to get airborne. Reminds me of a charger ski; has a min speed (walking pace), but above that it gives no fucks, and corners great. Don't buy it for flat land, but for steep ups and downs, no complaints. And the spec on the Team needs nothing (save maybe a bar), the value is there. Carbon Patrol may be my next bike down the line once there's a RS version available.