[Closed] Commencal meta am v4, any good?

I have not got one, but they look great.

I am looking at the SL on sale: 26er only which suits me fine. 120mm rather than 150mm. Saw one in the flesh at Rostrevor and it was beautiful and burly.

Good luck!

Interested to see anyone's views as well. It's the demo thing, isn't it?

Yep, even though there great value, it's still a lot of money without a demo.

Any one else got any info?

I've had one for a few weeks now. Custom build from frame. Goes up and down better than the V3. Monarch plus debonair rear is excellent. Only ridden local natural stuff so far but impressed. Total bike with X01 in a medium is 13kgs. I already had a lot of parts or would have bought the race spec, seems good value. Hope that helps.

I have one. Race version in medium. Great bike, but what specifically do you want to know?

I'm looking at the essential model, and just kind of need reassurance that it's not going to be a dog, and will handle the lakes rocky trails without any trouble.
Is the own brand kit any good?

Definitely not a dog more like a fox, spec looks good for money, fit a dropper and your sorted. Not seen any of the alpha / own brand kit, but you can always change those bits in time or when cash allows. I ride mainly Yorks / Lancs and occasionally Wales , loads of rocky descents etc. Plenty of bike for everything I've thrown at it.

Am I right in thinking you can get the 2015 v4 Meta AM 650b for £1600?

Yep there great value!

http://www.springsandthingscycles.co.uk/bikes-c1/enduro-all-mountain-bikes-c11/commencal-commencal-meta-am-v4-origin-650b-limited-edition-bike-yellow-2015-p1085

Alpha own brand stuff seems pretty good. The wheels are Novatech. The stem is 60mm so I may swap that for a 50mm one that I have, but the bars are a nice width and sweep. I'm really loving it and I think it would suit the lakes very well. I tried a large and that was incredibly stable to the point of the bike needing the more gnarr trails to make sense. My medium fits me better and is a good compromise stability wise - it still feels up for some fun on the tamer trails. Most of my riding is local off piste stuff, muddy, rooty, etc.

With the Euro exchange rate at the moment they're a bargain.

Thanks for the feedback, think I'm going to have get one, can't see any negatives really.

Some oddities for you balance it up...

The inboard rear brake calliper means the chainstays are wide, so if you ride heels in you'll rub the stays. I ride quite straight footed and I don't get this but I know of someone else that does.

The paint is thin. Helitape it up if that bothers you.

The downtube fingernail flick test makes it sound like a thin bit of tube, so I've put some rubber mastic tape on the downtube for ding protection.

There's quite a hole where the internal cables exit which could fill with mud. I've put some aquarium filter foam (same as moto foam) in the hole to keep the muck out. Cables look as though they could rub hard on the exit point and the chainstay bridge, so again I've used rubber mastic tape to stop cables sawing through the metal.

Other than that it's a fantastic ride and I'm loving mine.

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Cheers rickos, that's great to know, heals could be a problem, but I'll tape up where I need to.
The amount of rocks we have here, I'll defo be protecting the downtube.

How're they for sizing? I'm 5ft10 but only 19 so will probably grow a bit more. Stuck between a medium or a large. I also have quite an aggressive riding style as a result of riding downhill bikes for the past few years so hoping it'll handle everything.

I'm stuck between a V4 and a V3, persuade me..

V4 has quite a different suspension curve to the V3. From memory of checking out a website by a Spanish(?) bloke that I can't find again, the v3 had a much more regressive rate.

Anyway, if you think you'll grow a bit more then a large might be ok. Also, with your more aggro style you might benefit from the extra stability of a large. So, err, a large? I'm 5' 10" and ride a medium and enjoy it immensely!

If I was you I'd look at the new YT Capra 2015 range. You can pick one up with much better kit than the V4 for less than £2k with the current exchange rate...but you'd have to wait until May. My finger has been hovering over the buy button all day!

Looked at the yt, but I'm getting the commencal on finance, (through a shop, not direct)as I haven't got 2 grand spare at the moment.
Still really happy with the spec per £ on the meta though.
Another question rickos, (sorry ) how's the tyre clearance on the back? Might want to put a 2.4 high roller 2 in there at some point.

I'm a fan of both the Capra and the V4 but the Commencal is the looker of the pair.

Running 2.35 Shortys and clearance is fine. Can take a photo if you want.

Thanks rickos, that's ok don't want to put you out, pressed go on one as my current frame has just sold, so it's coming anyway! 🙂

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I've not had enough time on it to post my review yet, but so far so good. 350CR's seem really good, if a bit sticky at the moment at the start of the travel but they look very well made. More supportive than my Pikes anyway.

I've experienced that big hole in the downtube clogging with mud and I've only done a few miles so far. I helitaped before going out and it looks like i will need to do a fair bit more. I've always had Raw bikes though and i'm used to being ham fisted because I've not had paint to scratch. I'm sure in a few weeks I'll stop worrying, realise it's a mountain bike and enjoy it much more.

I had some really good parts on my old bike which I've swapped over such as the Hope brakes and Renthal bits and bobs. I'll also be swapping over my reverb If I can make it fit (normal reverb and frame only has internal routing, the shock remote hole seems to be the only real way of doing it) and I also have a Fox Factory series shock that will fit.

What size is that above?

Barfly, you wouldn't mind doing a longer review on that fork when you've ridden it some more would you?...looking for a 160mm fork and want to buy something other than a Pike, I can't decide between an X-Fusion Sweep or the Marzocchi 350cr, cheers.

Frame is a 16".

I will post a review up of the fork once I've got to grips with it and have bedded it in. I'm doing a ride of the Wrekin and Ercall woods at the weekend. If you haven't been, it's about as big of a test you can make in terms of climbing on a fork. Coming down is obviously just as steep so it will highlight how supportive it is under braking and on steep terrain. I had a pike on my Nukeproof, loved it but they are all too common nowadays. I like something a bit different, and the 2015 350CR certainly beats it in terms of looks and quality of machining.

Jesus, the last thing id fancy is trying to get my V3 up the Wrekin

Yup heard the V3 isn't a great climber but a belter downhill. The V4 is quite a bit lighter and is meant to be a better all rounder but not as stiff as it's predecessor. I'll either be surprised at how well it climbs or die I guess! It's also the first time 1x10 up the Wrekin. Been running 1x10 since October, just after the last time I went up there.

How does the V4 handle going down? through rough stuff and steep stuff? i imagine it wont take much getting used to but i'm not a smooth rider... You should see the rear rim on my DH bike!

I'll post a 'my two cents' after I've done the Wrekin on Sunday.

I'd join you on my 3x9 23lb xc bike, but suspect I'll be a tad hung over! yes, My v3 frames set is 8.1lbs and looks a little burlier than the v4 but took me ages to get the Lyrik and shock set up right.

Barffy,how did you get on? Any thoughts on the fork too?

It took some getting used to the bigger wheels, but it went well. The bike climbs really well for a 150mm travel bike, better than my Mega did and that wasn't bad either. I really struggled with confidence on the very steep and icy downs the Wrekin has to offer, but i don't think that was down to the bike, more the fact I was struggling to stand on the gradient let alone entertain the idea of riding down it. When I got to the jump/Freeride area I was full of confidence and I was doing things I couldn't find the speed to do on my Nukeproof on the last visit. The bike picks up speed fast and feels stable over the rough stuff. The forks felt sticky at first but have started to bed in nicely. Small bump sensitivity is inferior to the Pike RCT3, and I can't see it improving to be on par with them once fully bed in. On the plus side, what you lose on the small stuff you gain on the larger/repeated hits. The forks stay higher in their travel and don't seem to pack down under braking. I really wouldn't hesitate to buy a pair if I were doing another build, even at this early stage.

Well its finally arrived, i hope it is good. here's the build progress so far.

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Just waiting for a brake mount for the rear, and I've been sent the wrong dropper post, so putting my old thompson post in for now.

Fantastic. How tall are you? The 650b makes the seat tube look shorter than it is! What size shock does it take?

Shock size is 200 x 57.
I'm 5'9" and it's a medium frame. I was surprised how short the seat tube was, now thinking I may need a longer seat post. I'll hopefully find out today if the shim I need arrives in the post.

Think I might need a large..

Still no seat post, but when I get one I'll post a picture of it fully built, and you might be able to tell what size you'll need a little better.

I've got me one of these and lots of parts sat in the spare room ready for building up! Just the wheels to arrive now 🙂

samcamsdad, did the headtube need any prep or could you just press the headset cups straight in? Any peculiarities you've encountered building yours up?

My hope headset pressed straight in no problem, just fitted the new all black ks lev intergra with 150mm drop, no problem with that either (in a medium frame)

Cane creak headset pushed in no problem. No prep needed.
To be honest, it built up quite nice. It takes a little time to thread the cables through the frame and bleed the rear brake, but its fairly easy to do.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, heli tape and mastic tape is well worth it to protect the frame.
The chainstay protector was a bit of a pain to put on,but there's a video on the commencal website to show how its done.
Just waiting for the right dropper post to arrive, so ill stick with the old thompson elite for now.
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Thanks for info folks!

I got prepared to start building tonight but have hit issues already!

The kirk shock they sent has the shaft mount in the wrong orientation, vertical not horizontal! So that's not going to fit. I also noticed they haven't sent any mounting hardware, bushings etc!

This is on top of noticing on Friday after delivery that there was damage to the carbon cranks from transport, and they hadn't put the chain guide in the box!

I've contacted them regarding this but haven't received any contact since a single email reply on Friday afternoon. Have now followed up with details about the shock.

So far not massively impressed which is a shame because the frame looks beautiful!

Has any one else had similar issues with Commencal?

Bike above is looking sweet, jealous!

Yeah there not quick in getting back to you. I've been sent the wrong seat post, emailed last Wednesday and Thursday, and heard nothing back.
Try letting all the air out of the shock and you can spin the shock shaft to where you need it. Worked for me on my monarch.

OK, i'll give that a go, did you get all the mounting hardware with the shock?

Yeah it was already fited, ready to bolt in.

😳

So letting the air out means I can rotate the shaft fine...

Also I actually looked at the mounts closer and there is a reducer bushing in there which is the same width as the housing. Upon measurement the mounts seem to be the exact size specified, whoops. I guess I was just expecting wider, obvious bushings to be required, seems this isn't the case! It is going to make things looks very tidy when mounted!

Must admit, it took me a while to figure it out!!

Did the rear shock mount slide into the pivot ok for you? Seems awful tight?

It was very tight, it does go, but had to force the link a little to get it to slide in.

Excellent, what torque did you crank that one up too? I can't seem to find a torque value written anywhere?

Torque? Erm just nipped it up a bit!!

Just email commencal - that's what I didfor my v3.

Got a MM tune monarch plus on my meta V4 frame and running it with 30-35% sag. Commencal said ML tune is best so I might get mine retuned next service as it feels a bit firm especially on small stuff. I notice a few other people on this thread have the same shock. Do you know what tune it is please?

Really need to throw my leg over a V4 before ordering.

I've got a medium Santa Cruz Butcher (55mm stem) that I like sizewise with a 22.5 TT and 17inch ST. The medium V4 is 1 inch longer on the top tube and similar seat tube length.

Its about 2inches shorter on wheelbase compared to the medium V4 too.

...but the seat tube on the V4 is steeper...

I'm 6ft1 and like smaller bikes but not crazy small..

I'm 6ft1 and like smaller bikes but not crazy small..

Questionable.

You're riding a bike that's tiny already. Somewhere between a small & medium of most normal brands, when by sheer numbers alone, you should be on the L/XL threshold.

No wonder you come up with some of the gems you do on here.

Try riding a bike that actually fits you. Ride a large, at least.

By you're own admission on here you're no Steve Peat, so no need to trot out the line of liking a more chuckable bike. Unless by that you mean you can chuck it in the boot of the car more easily if its smaller.

I,m 5'11" with a 32 inside leg, running the medium with 50mm stem and 785 bars. Feels about right but wouldn't want to go any shorter in top tube.

Im no Steve Peat. Thats true but like anyone I can tell the difference in preference/feel immediately.

Never felt cramped or struggled on medium SC's. Long toptubes with long seat tubes feel horrible for me. The worse was a 24TT Ellsworth.

^ Ive got 2inches height on you and 1inch instep.

You might prefer the medium then? Will be around most of this weekend if you want to try mine, I'm the Bradford side of Leeds.

Bradfordside? I'll cancel my tax/insurance before setting off 8)

I'm sure you could find a safe / picturesque / long route in the car? drop Mrs Hora in Leeds for a bit of shopping? Or why not ride over? get your bike stolen / taken off you by a gang of hoodies and claim on your insurance for a s****y new ride! Win Win.

Anyone got one of these in staffordshire I could sit on.rang around and no one has one in stock. I'm 5'10" and bang on between medium and large. Both shops said to go for the large.its alot of money to buy without sitting on one.
Thanks for any advice

There is a commencal owners club on Facebook, might be worth trying them? Think either medium or large would fit you but would really be best to sit on one to see which suits best, I had a medium V3 so just got the same size again.

I've got mine set up, and I'll be out tomorow afternoon for a ride so I can report back on size better then. But it feels spot on up and down the road. ( medium frame, 5'9" rider).

So, first ride today,a quick spin around Kentmere.
Size feels spot on, but i'm coming from a 15" orange blood, that was very small, so if your taller than 5'9" i'd be looking at the large frame.
It's my first time on 27.5 wheels, and to be honest i found them hard to get going, but once they're up to speed it was fine.
Now I'm not fit at the moment, so climbing was a grind, hopefully not the bike, but just me!
Descending was solid and planted, grip in corners was excellent, but I need to work on the shocks a bit, the rear especially feeling a little dead.
Overall, I'm happy, but it needs some tweaking to get the best out of it.

Finished building mine up on Friday and got two rides in at the weekend! Lovely bike, fast, light fun!

Still need to play with the shock some, so many adjustments to get dialled in but considering how good it feels already I'm stoked!

Thanks to the folk who helped last week 8)

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[url= http://imgur.com/a/1QyO6 ]Gallery[/url]

looks smart that.

What isthe V4? A 4bar or a linkage driven single?

Still a single pivot.

Here's mine in the kitchen, don't tell the wife!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132381571@N05/17064077622

Still a single pivot.

are you sure? looks like a horst link in the photos? There appears to be a pivot just above the rear axle.

Thats what I thought initially?!!

I think single pivot with a linkage is a fair description.

Pivot is on the chainstay for an FSR/Horst Link.

The pivot on this is on the seatstay.

The pivot on this is on the seatstay.

So it is, I was looking at pictures of the black bike, and it was hard to tell whether the pivot was on the chainstay or the seat stay, its clear on the yellow bike, its on the seat stay.

Linkage driven single pivot it is then.

Going off topic now, but what is treks ABP system? linkage driven single pivot or horst link or both/

Going off topic now, but what is treks ABP system? linkage driven single pivot or horst link or both/

In fact, I'm surprised anyone is bothering with them now that the Horst is freely available.

I suppose if you pay Mr Weagle, you get more than the ability to use his split pivot, you get his suspension geometry expertise too.

Going off topic now, but what is treks ABP system? linkage driven single pivot or horst link or both/

Neither, it's basically a split pivot but with a floating shock.

Hi guys, looking to order the Meta next week and not sure which model to go for, Pikes or Revalations? Any opinions?
Cheers
Joe

Pikes for sure. Just brilliant!

Is it just me that thinks these bikes have ram-raided a 1980's sticker shop?