Commencal Meta AM – First look

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=428%2C557 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=428%2C557 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=429%2C557 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=45&resize=429%2C557 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-185419 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f.jpg?quality=90&resize=428%2C557" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Commencal Meta AM" title="1309945122486-1bl8eism3uqci-a80be4f" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Commencal Meta AM Commencal

The Meta 5 gained the small Andorran company Commençal a worldwide following when it was launched in 1995, but it’s lost ground to its rivals in recent years. Commençal are fighting back though, with a new Meta AM for 2012.

At the heart of the bike is a new triple-butted 7005 alloy frame frame that bears a striking resemblance to the latest Supreme DH V3 downhill bike being used by the Atherton clan. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise; on their website, Commençal boldly state of the Meta AM that “a great enduro bike isn’t a cross-country bike that can descend, but a downhiller than can climb”.

Commencal meta am: Commencal Despite its downhill DNA, the Meta AM has been designed with climbing and pedalling in mind, too

The new bike has a longer top tube and chainstays than the current Meta, a lower bottom bracket and shock position, and a 0.5° slacker head angle (67°), which should make it more stable at speed and in corners (you can view a geometry chart here ). It’s also said to be both stiffer and better pedalling – the latter thanks in part to a steeper seat tube and a reduced offset.

There’s a tapered, AngleSet -compatible head tube up front, with internal cable routing throughout (including for the dropper seatpost). Other features include a 142×12 rear hub, direct post mount rear brake tabs (180mm), ISCG05 mounts, a BB92 press-fit bottom bracket and direct-mount front mech.

Commencal meta – old versus new: Commencal Old versus new: the 2012 Meta AM, front, compared to the current Meta 55

The Meta AM has 150mm of rear travel, courtesy of a scaled down version of the Contact System EVO suspension design used on the DH V3 – essentially a four-bar rear end, with a floating upper shock mount. This is said to be more progressive than the linkage activated single-pivot suspension of the current Metas, and has been optimised for 2×10 gearing setups.

Check out our massive gallery for more pictures of the Meta AM , along with the video below which shows it in action. There are more details at www.commencal.com . Commençal bikes are distributed in the UK by Decade Europe , who expect to have stock of the new bike in two to three months. It’ll be available in four sizes – S, M, L and XL – and with three spec levels (see below for more on this). Pricing is still to be confirmed.

Unable to load media Specifications

Commençal Meta AM 3

Frame: Commençal Meta AM, 150mm Shock: Fox Float RL Fork: Fox 32 Float RL, 15QR Headset: Integrated w/sealed bearings Stem: Commençal VIP OS Bar: Commençal VIP OS, 730mm Grips: Commençal lock-on Brakes: Formula RX, 180mm rotors Shifters: SRAM X5 2×10 Front mech: SRAM X7 2×10 Rear mech: SRAM X7 2×10 Cranks: SRAM S1000 w/ press-fit BB, 39/26T Chain: SRAM PC-1030 10-speed Cassette: SRAM PG-1030, 11-36T Rims: Mavic XM119 Hubs: Commençal disc 15QR front/142×12 rear Spokes: Stainless, black, 3x lacing Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25in front, Rocket Ron 2.25in rear Seatpost: Commençal VIP, 31.6mm Saddle: Commençal Race Commençal Meta AM 2

Frame: Commençal Meta AM, 150mm Shock: Fox Float RP2 Fork: Fox 32 Float RL, 15QR, tapered Headset: Integrated w/sealed bearings Stem: Commençal VIP OS Bar: Commençal VIP OS, 730mm Grips: Commençal lock-on Brakes: Formula RX, 180mm rotors Shifters: SRAM X7 2×10 Front mech: SRAM X7 2×10 Rear mech: SRAM X9 2×10 Cranks: SRAM S1000 w/ press-fit BB, 39/26T Chain: SRAM PC-1030 10-speed Cassette: SRAM PG-1030, 11-36T Rims: Fulcrum Red Power XL Hubs: Fulcrum 15QR front, 142×12 rear Spokes: Fulcrum Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25in front, Rocket Ron 2.25in rear Seatpost: Commençal VIP, 31.6mm Saddle: SDG Circuit for Commençal Commençal Meta AM 1

Frame: Commençal Meta AM, 150mm Shock: Fox Float RP2 Boost Valve Fork: Fox 32 Float RL FIT, 15QR, tapered Headset: Integrated w/sealed bearings Stem: Commençal VIP OS Bar: Commençal VIP OS, 730mm Grips: Commençal lock-on Brakes: Formula RX, 180mm rotors Shifters: SRAM X9 2×10 Front mech: SRAM X9 2×10 Rear mech: SRAM X0 2×10 Cranks: Race Face Turbine X type Chain: SRAM PC-1030 10-speed Cassette: SRAM PG-1070, 11-36T Rims: Fulcrum Red Power XL Hubs: Fulcrum 15QR front, 142×12 rear Spokes: Fulcrum Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25in front, Rocket Ron 2.25in rear Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Saddle: SDG Circuit for Commençal