Feature

Pro Bike Check: Cécile Ravanel’s COMMENCAL META AM V4.2

23.10.2016
by Manne Schmitt

Win after win – Cécile Ravanel is riding the wave of success right now – on a brand new bike. We took a closer look at the COMMENCAL META AM V4.2.

Cécile Ravanel dominated the Enduro World Series 2016, riding to 7 out of 8 victories with her COMMENCAL META AM. Given three-times EWS World Champ winner Tracy Moseley’s retirement last season, 2016 was looking likely to have more space for Ravanel – but few would have really counted on such podium supremacy as she showed. Ravanel didn’t just ride to a couple of wins, but delivered an astonishingly high performance over the whole season. At the third EWS round in Wicklow, Ireland, we took a Bike Check with her, but by the time the EWS final came around in Finale Ligure, Italy, it was high time for a double-take as she was out throwing herself down the trails on the new COMMENCAL META AM V4.2.

Enduro World Champion Cécile Ravanel from the COMMENCAL Vallnord Enduro Team clinched yet another win in Finale Ligure on her COMMENCAL META AM V 4.2.
Enduro World Champion Cécile Ravanel from the COMMENCAL Vallnord Enduro Team clinched yet another win in Finale Ligure on her COMMENCAL META AM V 4.2.
Cécile rides a medium-sized COMMENCAL META AM V4.2, and the race-ready bike tips the scales at 14.5 kg.
Cécile rides a medium-sized COMMENCAL META AM V4.2, and the race-ready bike tips the scales at 14.5 kg.
Last year’s World silver medalist, Cécile had to ride with the start number 2 at the EWS 2016. The KS bars are 760 mm wide, and she relies on a RockShox Lyrik fork with 170 mm of travel.
Last year’s World silver medalist, Cécile had to ride with the start number 2 at the EWS 2016. The KS bars are 760 mm wide, and she relies on a RockShox Lyrik fork with 170 mm of travel.
Cécile’s overall season victory wasn’t even up for question before the round in Finale Ligure – as proven by the additional logo on the frame.
Cécile’s overall season victory wasn’t even up for question before the round in Finale Ligure – as proven by the additional logo on the frame.
At the rear Cécile has a RockShox steel spring damper from the BlackBox program, and she can lock it out from the bars.
At the rear Cécile has a RockShox steel spring damper from the BlackBox program, and she can lock it out from the bars.
Cécile’s left hand controls the KS LEV INTEGRA seatpost with its 150 mm adjustment, as well as the grip shift to lock-out the rear shock. Her grips are the SB3 Silicone from Race Company.
Cécile’s left hand controls the KS LEV INTEGRA seatpost with its 150 mm adjustment, as well as the grip shift to lock-out the rear shock. Her grips are the SB3 Silicone from Race Company.
The 760 mm bars are attached to a 45 mm stem from KS and an AEROZINE Titanium headset and titanium screws.
The 760 mm bars are attached to a 45 mm stem from KS and an AEROZINE Titanium headset and titanium screws.
The carbon chain guide from E*thirteen Components keeps the chain securely on the 34T SRAM Eagle chainring. She can build up rapid speed pedaling on the 170 mm cranks and the Crankbrothers Mallet E pedals, which won the coveted Design & Innovation Award.
The carbon chain guide from E*thirteen Components keeps the chain securely on the 34T SRAM Eagle chainring. She can build up rapid speed pedaling on the 170 mm cranks and the Crankbrothers Mallet E pedals, which won the coveted Design & Innovation Award.
The SRAM XO1 Eagle cassette and derailleur have been part of the bike’s set-up since the middle of the season.
The SRAM XO1 Eagle cassette and derailleur have been part of the bike’s set-up since the middle of the season.
For both front and back wheels, Cécile rode in Finale with Hutchinson Toro 27.5x2.35 Enduro TPI on American Classic All Mountain rims.
For both front and back wheels, Cécile rode in Finale with Hutchinson Toro 27.5×2.35 Enduro TPI on American Classic All Mountain rims.
Cécile has mounted a futuristic-looking Tioga Spyder Outland saddle on her COMMENCAL.
Cécile has mounted a futuristic-looking Tioga Spyder Outland saddle on her COMMENCAL.
Husband and teammate Cédric Ravanel celebrates with Cécile and her friends with the first beer on the beach straight after the race.
Husband and teammate Cédric Ravanel celebrates with Cécile and her friends with the first beer on the beach straight after the race.

For more info on Cécile Ravanel, head to her website.

For more bike checks, take a look at our Bike Check Overview Page

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Words & Photos: Manne Schmitt

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About the author

Manne Schmitt

As the proud father of Robin and Max-Philip, Manne has been there from the start and is the wise elder of the editorial team. He won his first cycling race in elementary school at a school sports day. After less successful attempts at football, he found his passion for cycling via endurance racing in 1989! The world of racing still consumes him and no one in the team knows the EWS pros better than Manne. As a former head analyst of a state agency, he knows how to do proper research and finds exclusive news that no one else has. He supports his sons in day-to-day business dealings as the authorised signatory for 41 Publishing – viva la familia!

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