Issue #010 Review

Grouptest: EWS Race Bikes – Commencal Meta 27,5 Review

20.08.2014
by

The Meta AM factory is an instant eye-catcher! Its neon-yellow paintjob, internal cable routing, and high-end spec certainly make heads turn. When buying a Commencal Meta AM the customer has the choice of all three wheel sizes. For the test we received the 27.5” model of the bike with 150mm of travel at the back. Several changes had been made to the standard specification. The Meta gets BOS suspension with 160mm travel instead of the standard 150mm at the front and a complete SRAM XX1 groupset. The package is rounded off with grippy tubeless Maxxis Highroller II tires and an E 13 chain guide. The whole thing tips the scales at 13.8 kg.

Commencal Meta AM Factory (2 von 13)
The andorrian racing horse competed against the fastest competitors at timelap.
2‘03.58
The Commencal layed down a respectable time of 2‘03.58
Commencal Meta AM Factory (13 von 13) com-weight-e
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Due to the vast array of adjustment options, we needed quite a bit of time to get the perfect set-up on the BOS Deville fork and start the first timed run. When riding the Commencal, the rider is positioned centrally on the bike and everything appears balanced and correct.

From the start, the Meta AM is rather slow to accelerate. The high weight of the aluminum frame and the heavy in-house wheels are noticeable. When it gets going, however, there is no stopping the Meta. Thanks to the superb BOS fork, the bike remains glued to the ground and flattens even the smallest bumps smoothly. However, this also means that in some sections there is too little feedback from the ground and the rear end dives steeply in troughs and berms. It could be more progressive so that the rider can maintain more speed out of bends and bumps. The reliable grip allows the bike to be maneuvered easily, and it handles very well. The only things hard to get used to are the cacophony of the rattling cables and the Formula brakes, which have good bite and stability but suffer from a lack of modulation.

Ride Alpha. Stem, bars and grips are all part of Commencal’s own brand and impressed us with nice width (790mm), top grip, and good ergonomics.
Ride Alpha: Stem, bars and grips are all part of Commencal’s own brand and impressed us with nice width (790mm), top grip, and good ergonomics.
Lacking modulation. The Formula T1 brake has only two modes: on or off. Even a slight pull on the lever feels like throwing an anchor overboard. This lack of modulation can cost valuable hundredths of seconds on the course.
Lacking modulation: The Formula T1 brake has only two modes: on or off. Even a slight pull on the lever feels like throwing an anchor overboard. This lack of modulation can cost valuable hundredths of seconds on the course.
Nice and plush. The BOS Vipr shock complements the rear end of the Meta perfectly—it is soft and responsive, ironing out even the biggest hits smoothly. The suspension keeps the bike firmly glued to the ground.
Nice and plush: The BOS Vipr shock complements the rear end of the Meta perfectly—it is soft and responsive, ironing out even the biggest hits smoothly. The suspension keeps the bike firmly glued to the ground.
Irritating. Small thing, big effect. Some of the rubber framesavers were missing from the cables on the Meta, which unfortunately caused loud rattling noises during the ride. This is a problem which is easy to solve, though.
Irritating: Small thing, big effect. Some of the rubber framesavers were missing from the cables on the Meta, which unfortunately caused loud rattling noises during the ride. This is a problem which is easy to solve, though.
e_data2 e_geometry

The Commencal Meta AM Factory is available for 4.399 EUR.

Conclusion: The Commencal Meta AM offers no surprises. It carries the rider through difficult terrain majestically. However, it could not gain the best time
because of its weight and lack of zip due to the comfortable but overly soft suspension.

Go back to the article: Grouptest: Enduro World Series Bikes

You can read an in-depth feature about the EWS Race Bike test and our conclusions in the ENDURO issue #010! As usual it’s free & only digital for iPad, Android-Tablets and Online-Viewer: Issue #010.

Text & Photos Christoph Bayer

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