Both bikes climb similar, I always opt for the more travel because of the trails I ride.
Commencal Meta or TR for Bay Area
I’ve been riding mostly in Marin for the last couple years on a tallboy which is great but I am thinking about another bike and I always liked the look of commencal bikes.
Is a Meta AM too much for the steeper trails in the Bay Area?
I like the idea of having a big bike for scary stuff….
I guess a Meta TR might make more sense for most of my rides but it seems fairly close to a Tallboy.
Is a Meta AM too much for the steeper trails in the Bay Area?
I like the idea of having a big bike for scary stuff….
I guess a Meta TR might make more sense for most of my rides but it seems fairly close to a Tallboy.
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Me and a few of my friends ride a Meta AM, but for 95% of the trails in the bay area it's totally overkill. If you're doing park days in the summer it's a great compromise.
As mentioned above the AM and TR aren't that different, the TR has less travel but weighs and pedals almost the same.
If I had to choose a new 'one bike quiver' I would look at a modern carbon all mountain bike. 160/150 travel, <33 lbs. Something like a Norco Sight or a RM Altitude.
As mentioned above the AM and TR aren't that different, the TR has less travel but weighs and pedals almost the same.
If I had to choose a new 'one bike quiver' I would look at a modern carbon all mountain bike. 160/150 travel, <33 lbs. Something like a Norco Sight or a RM Altitude.
I had the latest Meta TR.
I have a Privateer 141 now, which I quite like.
The Meta and 141 have almost exactly the same geometry, except the privateer have proportional chain stays and the HT might be taller. If you're more into jibby stuff, Meta TR will be the way to go. The 141 feels much more balanced than the TR did. Neither are for weight weenies, if that matters to you — doesn't to me.
If I was buying something again, the 141 would be up there, but the Spesh Alloy Stumpjumer Evo would rival it. I love the storage thing and all those geo adjustments (and option to mullet it with the link) appeals to my nerd tinkerer side.
I have a Privateer 141 now, which I quite like.
The Meta and 141 have almost exactly the same geometry, except the privateer have proportional chain stays and the HT might be taller. If you're more into jibby stuff, Meta TR will be the way to go. The 141 feels much more balanced than the TR did. Neither are for weight weenies, if that matters to you — doesn't to me.
If I was buying something again, the 141 would be up there, but the Spesh Alloy Stumpjumer Evo would rival it. I love the storage thing and all those geo adjustments (and option to mullet it with the link) appeals to my nerd tinkerer side.
Personally i'd agree with @RBoardman. Most of my rides are fire road up -> steep singletrack down, so more travel doesn't take anything away from me and if they climb the same i'd go for more travel.
The bay area has a fairly wide range of trails, but if you already have a tallboy for smoother stuff i'd go for a big bike.
The bay area has a fairly wide range of trails, but if you already have a tallboy for smoother stuff i'd go for a big bike.
I'm also on a Privateer 141 and I think it's been a blast for nearly all bay area riding. It comes alive the steeper the trails get (on both the ups and the downs). The geometry is progressive I am not left wanting for more travel. I think its a very similar bike to the Meta TR. If most of my riding was on sanctioned bay area singletrack, I'd probably opt for something closer to a Tallbaoy than a Meta TR / Privateer. I say this because the weight, long front center and steep seat tube angle makes it slightly less than optimum on trails with mellower grade. But once the grade tips up or down, it's then more in its element and the geometry puts you in a great position.I had the latest Meta TR.
I have a Privateer 141 now, which I quite like.
The Meta and 141 have almost exactly the same geometry, except the privateer have proportional chain stays and the HT might be taller. If you're more into jibby stuff, Meta TR will be the way to go. The 141 feels much more balanced than the TR did. Neither are for weight weenies, if that matters to you — doesn't to me.
If I was buying something again, the 141 would be up there, but the Spesh Alloy Stumpjumer Evo would rival it. I love the storage thing and all those geo adjustments (and option to mullet it with the link) appeals to my nerd tinkerer side.
I have no problem making use of a 160mm bike in marin. When comparing the two Metas i see no reason to go with the TR over the AM.
Huh? 160mm of travel is definitely not totally overkill for a huge amount of Bay Area trails. This bike would be great for a lot of riding around here.Me and a few of my friends ride a Meta AM, but for 95% of the trails in the bay area it's totally overkill.
Do riders tend to size up when moving to a bike with a steeper seat tube angle?
I have a 2020 tallboy XL and it feels perfect. I got a large Marin alpine trail recently and the bike feels smaller than I would have thought for the reach number, even when I’m standing up and descending. Thinking I will probably sell it and get an XL alpine trail or maybe a commencal meta
I have a 2020 tallboy XL and it feels perfect. I got a large Marin alpine trail recently and the bike feels smaller than I would have thought for the reach number, even when I’m standing up and descending. Thinking I will probably sell it and get an XL alpine trail or maybe a commencal meta
Effective top tube is a measurement I pay a lot of attention to. That number might have fell out of favor to STA° and reach numbers lately.
Steep seat tube angles can make a bike feel shorter.
An XL Tallboy will be even more slack because the amount of post pushing a tall rider rearward.
The 2020 XL tallboy effective TT is 646 in high/647 in low vs the L Alpine Trail coming in at 615. That's a lot!
Steep seat tube angles can make a bike feel shorter.
An XL Tallboy will be even more slack because the amount of post pushing a tall rider rearward.
The 2020 XL tallboy effective TT is 646 in high/647 in low vs the L Alpine Trail coming in at 615. That's a lot!
I bought my son a Meta AM for Christmas, and earlier in 2021 recommended one for my best friend. They both use it for local trail riding here in eastern PA and bike parks. Great bike and especially Commencal's customer service have been phenomenal and I'd highly recommend them. My friend had a noise coming from his rear hub about 2 ride in. He called Commencal Monday morning at 9am mountain time, they asked him to text a video of the noise. By 9:30am they diagnosed the issue, and a new hub was delivered the next day. They told him to take it to a bike shop of his choice for installation and they'd reimburse him. After he submitted the receipt, they PayPaled him the full cost within 48 hours and followed up with a call and email to make sure he was satisfied, which he was.I’ve been riding mostly in Marin for the last couple years on a tallboy which is great but I am thinking about another bike and I always liked the look of commencal bikes.
Is a Meta AM too much for the steeper trails in the Bay Area?
I like the idea of having a big bike for scary stuff….
I guess a Meta TR might make more sense for most of my rides but it seems fairly close to a Tallboy.
The size large and XL are really big so size down if you're in the middle. But yeah, great bike at a great price, and we were really impressed with their customer service, which is obviously pretty important if choosing a direct brand. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice people
Geometry is complicated
And good customer support is important
Geometry is complicated
And good customer support is important
If it helps, my son is 5'8 on a medium, and my buddy 6'1 on a large. Both are very happy with the sizing.Thanks for the advice people
Geometry is complicated
And good customer support is important
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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