The Commençal Meta HT has stood for uncompromising, unfiltered mountain biking fun since its debut in 2014. Good geometry and a stable frame. The bike was never particularly complicated. No lengthy tuning of the suspension and negative suspension travel, no meticulous inflation of the tyres to 0.1 bar difference to the ideal value - get on and go, that was the motto.
New geometry and compatibility with 650B+ and 29 inch
And Commençal is sticking to this concept for the new 2018 Meta HT. No wonder, as the concept has proven itself in recent years. The main new features are the compatibility with 650B+ and 29-inch tyres and the slightly adapted geometry: the head angle has been slackened by half a degree and is now 65 degrees, while the chainstays have grown by one millimetre to 429 mm. The seat angle has been steepened by one degree and is now a comfortable 74 degrees. Above all, the reach has increased significantly: from 412 mm on the old bike to 445 mm on the new bike. The bottom bracket slid upwards by five millimetres to a still impressive 40 mm bottom bracket drop.
All in all, the bike remains true to itself. The slack head angle, not too long chainstays, steeper seat angle and longer reach are all to be welcomed. The bike comes with plus-size tyres and correspondingly wide rims as standard, but 29-inch wheels also fit easily into the frame. The missing front derailleur is unlikely to bother the clientele. Especially as the bike has become a little cheaper: 1599 instead of 1799 euros are due for the aluminium top model. In return, you now have to make do with a 160 Rockshox Yari instead of a Lyrik. There are worse things, as our Test duel between Lyrik and Yari shows.
1599 and 1099 euros
If you want something even cheaper, the Commençal Meta HT AM Origin is the bike for you. For 1099 euros, you get the same Sram NX 11-speed groupset as the top model but cheaper brakes (Tektro HD M-285 instead of Sram Level), cheaper wheels (WTB Scrapper i35 instead of Spank Ooozy Trail 395) and only the Rockshox Recon with 150 mm travel instead of the 160 mm Yari. According to the manufacturer, both bikes should weigh between 13.2 (Essential) and 13.5 kg (Origin). However, Commençal pro George Brannigan shows in the video here that the affordable bike is also a fun machine:
Commençal Meta HT AM CRMO
The steel version of the Meta HT AM, like the Essential model, has the Sram NX single-speed drivetrain and Level brakes. However, Commençal focusses on more downhill trail capability here. The higher-priced Rockshox Lyrik RC and chunky 27.5-inch Maxxis tyres provide comfort and grip ex works. At the front, a 2.5-inch wide Minion DHF keeps the bike on track, while a 2.3-inch DHR II works at the rear, both mounted on 30 mm wide E-Thirteen TRS rims. A Kindshock dropper post is also on board. The price is slightly higher than the Essential model - 1999 instead of 1599 euros. However, the added value of the fork and the dropper post alone almost make up for this. With the 2.9 kg steel frame, the total weight according to the manufacturer is 14 kg and therefore slightly higher than its aluminium counterparts.
All information about the new Commençal Meta HT AM and CRMO including geometry table and equipment can be found on the Commençal website.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
