First Look: 2024 Commencal Meta SX V5
Last week, you maybe have seen the release of the long-awaited, full 29" Commencal Meta V5. In many ways it was exactly what you might have come to expect from the Andorran brand: all metal, race proven and all at relatively decent value for money. One thing that was missing from the picture though was a mixed wheel variant.
This is where the Meta SX comes in. It is built with geometry that echos the 29" version when run in its lower position, although there are some key differences.
This is where the Meta SX comes in. It is built with geometry that echos the 29" version when run in its lower position, although there are some key differences.
Meta SX V5 Details
• Wheel size: 29/27.5"
• Aluminum frame
• 165 mm rear travel, 170mm fork
• 64° head angle
• 442 (S/M) or 445mm (L/XL) chainstay length
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $4,500 - $6200 USD
• commencal.com
• Wheel size: 29/27.5"
• Aluminum frame
• 165 mm rear travel, 170mm fork
• 64° head angle
• 442 (S/M) or 445mm (L/XL) chainstay length
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $4,500 - $6200 USD
• commencal.com
Unlike the 29" version, there is no flip-chip to be found on the SX bike.
Clean and simple lines of the new Meta will surely prove popular.
FRAME DETAILS
As with the standard Meta, their big takeaway is the shift to the brand's new Virtual Contact System (VCS) kinematics, which you may have seen on bikes like the Tempo. The system, which utilises a swing arm and two co-rotating links, the upper of which drives a yoke and subsequently the shock, might share a similar name to their High Virtual Contact System but it's fundamentally very different from the six-bar system you find on the Supreme V5, in the layout at least.
The frame uses internal, non-headset, routing which anchors the cable in place on entry and exit. There are water bottle mounts on the downtube, which look to be sunk low within the tube, presumably for clearance, and on the underside of the top tube. There is also a downtube protector, chain slap protection and a universal derailleur hanger.
GEOMETRY
The bikes of 2024 look to have dialled the reach figures back slightly. It seemed at one point that reach values would just grow forever, but thankfully the geometry of the SX looks to be very much on trend with not going too large, instead looking at other areas of the bike to offer some length and stability. The bike uses two different chainstay lengths, either 442 or 447 depending upon the size. This, combined with the 64-degree head angle and the relatively high-stack value should give a bike that feels planted on the front, whilst also being able to tackle very steep terrain. The head angle isn't as slack as some other bikes out there, with it being almost conservative in comparison to some bikes that are well south of 64 degrees. That said, a good bike is all about balance, and we look forward to receiving one for review.
There are four complete models of the Meta V5 available, with prices ranging from $4,500 for the Meta Essential and going up to $6,200 USD for the Meta Signature.
Meta V5 Signature: $6,200 USD.
Meta V5 Race: $5,500 USD.
The Meta V5 Essential is available in two colourways: $4,500
The Meta V5 Frameset: $2,200
We look forward to receiving a test bike, and shedding more light on Commencal's VCS system over the summer.
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My Meta AM lists BB height as “-21”…
Just be glad they don't use an excentric bottom bracket for people who want to run single speed or Rohloff.
Just like Nukeproof, even though you get carbon there.
Going from price/performance brand to boutique price range - not so good.
Maybe less WC teams and more affordable prices? We have enough boutique brands, need more P/P brands
But who knows what Federico will conjour out of his hat.
But is it just me or are these prices out of control? I know inflation has been crazy but even relative to other brands - they are now putting themselves in the price range of shop brands and are not competitive with any of the other DTC brands like Canyon, YT, Polygon, etc. And as much as I love my Meta, considering the frame quality in terms of alignment, hardware, build, it'd be tough to choose them vs a shop brand at the same price or at a premium vs the other DTC brands.
The frame prices are dumb, but I do think the 4500€ Essential (or the 4100€ Meta 29 essential) model seems like a pretty good deal all in all, way more appealing than either Propain Tyee or Canyon's Torque. Tyee has cable tourism (and while looks are highly subjective, I do kinda hate the look of Propain's suspension layout) and the Torque has stupidly short chainstays. Only heard praise for the previous generation of Meta SX as well and the geometry seems to be pretty bang-on. Thinking I'll sell my current bike and get one.
My Bad…. has no grammatical value (old man shouting at clouds)
For all the sizes to ride like the medium the chainstays would have to be 430, 442, 454, and 466mm.
You’re right though, the shorter stays will make it less maneuverable, but that’s a trade off they were willing to make to keep the bikes similarly capable - I’m assuming. The mullet will still maintain some of its benefits, but it probably won’t be any better in the super tight sections.
I feel like we're at the point where bike companies are obviously looking at long travel MX as it's own separate thing - they know the benefits are there (and appreciate them when they consider bike handling/design). I like it.
Remember years ago when 29er's sucked, but the market remained committed until geo was figured out? I feel like we're starting to turn a similar corner with long travel MX bikes.
3700 pounds (6100 cad) for the privateer 161 which sits, spec wise, between the Race and Essential build for the Commencal v5, priced at 5900 and 6900 cad respectively. Pretty similar price points.
So no plans of making a 170/160 Meta full 29er?
Seems to me like you are kind of missing the classic Enduro Rage Bike for rough stuff. At least what I would go to for racing at european venues like Finale, Canazei, La Thuile, Reschen/Nauders etc.
I know there are venues like Pietra Ligure and others where less travel works well too... and not everybody can ride like Rhys Verner
3,3 kg / 7.27 lb, raw without accessories
That's pretty decent for a long travel alloy frame. I'd expect a size Large to be around 9lbs with a SuperDeluxe air shock - on par with Knolly's alloy frames as well as some of the burly carbon frames like the Norco Range and Spesh Enduro.
Glad to see more ZS56/ZS56 frames!
this bike looks sick, too bad about the PF bb because everything else is super dialed
Steep trails have existed long before sub 68 head angles.
“Huh, right-o then”
*crosses name off riding bud list*