[Szy_szka]

Any practical differences between the rear shock systems featured on the V3 versus V4? Should one be preferred over the other?

Looking for a friendly advice from the current owners.

 

[Mr Pig]

No idea but I'm interested in the replies, as I have a V3 ;0)

It's interesting that they used to use the V3-type suspension system on all of the bikes, from XC to down-hill and, while they've moved to other designs in all of the ranges, the V3 design is still available on 2016 down-hill bikes. It might be an indication of where the strengths of the design lie? Just a guess.

Why are you interested anyway?

 

[Szy_szka]

Well, I think I am ready to get my first FS bike and I want to find out whether I should 'save' the $300 and go with the 'entry level' Meta AM V3 ($1,800) or 'splurge' and go for the Meta AM V4 ($2,099). I am somehow arbitrarily ruling out the models with the MARZOCCHI 350 R fork (it's not an air fork); both of the ones listed above come with Rockshox Yari RC Air.

For about the same amount of money I can also get Diamonback Mission 1 (available at 40% discount due to corporate purchasing program) and, essentially, this is where I am right now: trying to 'research' the three Meta AM V3, Meta AM V4 and DB Mission 1 to death to make sure I am buying the 'right' bike.

 

[Mr Pig]

What do you want to do with it?

I have a V3 Meta SL. It's a 120mm travel bike which they no longer sell but it's basically a cut-down version of the V3 Meta AM. Even at just 120mm I can tell you it descends really well. The bike is very stable, goes where you point it and feel like driving an off-road truck! Very confidence inspiring.

It also climbs surprisingly well. Not as well as a hard-tail but it's not that far away.

I'm sure the AM will be different, possibly even better going down, worse going up, but there you go. Very hard to pick bikes over the internet! Big gamble.

 

[Fredje]

I have had a 2012 meta sx and I am now a year on the meta am v4.

The bikes are kind of similar but have some subtile differences. The new v4 pedals/climbs slightly better and feels more firm around the sag point. I truly adore this firmer feeling, it gives me more confidence while pushing the bike.
The feel of the meta sx approaches the feel of a coil. Souple, endless travel, making it bomb through sections, but it can be a lot of bike on low speed stuff.

I hope this helps

 

[Szy_szka]

Thanks!

 

[Mr Pig]

The feel of the meta sx approaches the feel of a coil. Supple, endless travel, making it bomb through sections, but it can be a lot of bike on low speed stuff.

Yeah, I think the SL shares the same DNA. These bikes were designed to go fast and feel really good when they do. It's taking me a while to learn to trust the bike because you can hit stuff so much harder and faster and the bike will just deal with it. It's a bit worrying! You're less likely to crash but if you do it will be epic! ;0)

By contrast at lower speed the bike feels heavy. It climbs well, oddly, but on the flat it doesn't exactly dance along. It's a tonka truck of a bike but I like it. I love the felling of being utterly planted when going fast because that's when it matters.