For the majority of your trail-riding needs, look no further than the Meta
7-14-08 // Tested: Commencal Meta 5.5.1
Text: Chris Lesser
Photos: Morgan Meredith
COMMENCAL META 5.5.1 $4,000
Even though Commencal is a relatively new company and has only recently found a solid American distributor, the brand has a strong reputation. After designing bikes for Sunn and the powerhouse Sunn-Chippie team in the nineties, French frame builder Max Commencal started the brand in 2000. The line now includes 13 models and sponsors some of the world’s best racers, including Cédric Gracia, the Athertons and Rémy Absalon. Deep roots in gravity racing bodes well for any suspension program, and Commencal’s Meta 5.5 didn’t disappoint.
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This bike is a ripper. Get it on some tight singletrack and it quickly proves it’s a sprightly little beast that feels lighter than its 30-pound weight would lead you to believe. Thanks to its low center of gravity (compliments of a BB height just over 12 inches) and a relatively tight 44.5-inch wheelbase (shod with inimitable Maxxis Highroller tires; 2.3-inch up front and a 2.1-inch in back), this size-large test bike made short work getting down the trail. Corners came quicker than expected, especially given the 5.5’s slackish 68.5/68.5 head/seat tube angles. On some steep pitches the front end felt a little tall, but most of the time it ran like a long-legged XC bike.
The rear suspension falls under Commencal’s “Contact System,” which is a French-to-English translation for the relative fore-aft placement of the main, single pivot. By all accounts, the bike felt well balanced on most any terrain you’d expect to run a 5.5-inch bike.
To locate that main pivot in the desired fore-aft position, while keeping it in line with the middle ring for no-nonsense pedaling performance, Commencal uses a cradle linkage to drive the shock. The cradle, in turn, delivers a progressive linkage curve for traction while climbing (sans Pro Pedal) and a predictable, mellow ramp-up through the bike’s 5.5 inches of travel.
The Meta’s widely-braced, moto-inspired monocoque swingarm failed to yield much even when pushed hard, and any lateral flex on the bike likely crept in through the lighter-duty wheels (Mavic 321s laced to a DT Swiss rear and Commencal front hub). And if we’re talking spec, the
Forumla k24 brakes certainly deserve a nod.
The Meta, on occasion, felt a bit spindly, especially when pointed through sustained rock gardens. But that might easily be cured with an oversized (now standard) bar/stem. A travel adjust would help boost the bike’s all-around cred, too.
If you find yourself in burly terrain more often than not, then the Meta’s satanic older sibling, the 666, might be worth a look. But for the majority of your day-to-day trail-riding needs, look no further than the three-model Meta line, starting at $2,494 for the Meta 5.5.3.—CHRIS LESSER
HIGHS: Uninterrupted seat tube; able climber; custom frametubing per size
Posted Thu Oct 2, 2008, 9:32 AM — By Ralph Justin Uy
how much is this complete bike of this model?
Posted Mon Nov 3, 2008, 4:14 PM — By Bent Udder
I moved to the Meta 4 (a four inch travel version of the 5.5) from an Orange Sub 5 two years ago, and haven't looked back. With an inch less travel that the Orange, the Meta 4 feels a load more steady and stable. Over here in the UK, Commencals are cheap - UKP 850 for a frame compared to 1200 for a similar Orange or Santa Cruz frame.
As the reviewer says, wimpy wheels are not good on a Meta - I noticed a load of flex and deflection in my DT Onyx / ZTR Olympic wheelset that disappeared when running Hopes with X317s or Easton Havocs.
A couple of other things to note that were skipped in the review; the rear dropouts can be removed and new ones for 10mm thru-axles put in their place if you like a bit more stiffness in the back.
Secondly, travel is 5 inches, not 5.5 - the .5 is part of Commencal's naming convention.
Finally, if you're thinking of getting one of these, try the Meta 4 out as well if you can - I test road both, and for downright snappiness and grins-per-spin, the 4 won.
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