[AdamBike]

Used 2020 Specialized Fuse Expert 29 for $1675 pickup about 2 hours away. Cosmetic scratches on frame and cranks but said it’s mechanically running good after about 18 months of riding. Tires setup tubeless already. No pedals.
Retail was $2150 plus tax (so probably around $2300 total).
Seem worth it and have potential for resale without loss if not a good fit?

Or used 2020 Commencal Meta AM HT Race for $1650 (retail about $2100 plus tax or shipping). Any votes for this over the Fuse? Both hardtails primarily trail riding and some pump track and small jumps. No downhill park type stuff really.

 

[manteufel]

I have a fuse expert, I like it more than my full suspension that is worth 3x the price. Such a good climber and good geo.

Unfortunately I havent been riding with it lately…I am getting old and the Hardtail is tough on my body.

in my opinion the bike is worth the price.

 

[Floyd1715]

I have a 2021 Meta HT and love it. Currently running it SS. People love the Fuse but it felt too stiff to me.

You are going to get more travel with the Meta and probably a better overall fork (Lyrik/Yari vs the RockShox 35 Gold RL).

Also. Not sure if the 2020 is the same, but my 2021 handles both 27.5 and 29" wheels

Both look like decent deals. Especially in todays used bike market.

 

[AdamBike]

Did the Meta feel stiff too (I’ve heard it is), less so than the Fuse?

 

[ugadawg]

I haven’t ridden either, but it might be easier to resell the specialized if you don’t like it, since casual or beginner mountain bikers have probably heard of specialized over commencal.

 

[Floyd1715]

Did the Meta feel stiff too (I’ve heard it is), less so than the Fuse?

I don't think so. I thought the Fuse felt stiffer to me.

In terms of resale, I don't think you would have any trouble selling either for what you paid at least if you found you didn't like it.

 

[manteufel]

Did the Meta feel stiff too (I’ve heard it is), less so than the Fuse?

You should check the youtube channel hardtail party,
I think he has reviewed both bikes.

 

[AdamBike]

You should check the youtube channel hardtail party,
I think he has reviewed both bikes.

Thx actually did get to check those out. Great review for the Fuse (Comp) and a more negative one overall for the Meta… but have seen many other good feedback for the Meta elsewhere.

 

[AdamBike]

Also the Fuse fork has not been serviced as LBS wasn’t able to get kit apparently. So I’m not sure how much that factors in, since it’s a used bike it will likely be a needed cost soon. (Not sure status of the Meta fork.)

 

[FrankS29]

Thx actually did get to check those out. Great review for the Fuse (Comp) and a more negative one overall for the Meta… but have seen many other good feedback for the Meta elsewhere.

As with any review, there will be a large amount of opinion and personal preference involved.

He has some very specific stuff that he loves in certain bikes that may or may not be good for you.

I approach all reviews with a “consider the source” mentality. Not saying he is a bad source at all, just understanding that what brings a smile to his face may not do a thing for me.

You have to know what your looking for in a bike and filter the data points you’re going to get through your own wants and needs.

 

[Karmatp]

I have the fuse set up single speed and it’s amazing. I don’t know much about the meta but I can say the fuse is an incredible bike.

 

[AdamBike]

With those who have or have ridden the fuse, have you found the lower front end/stack to be any trouble or discomfort? I know riser bars could help.

Also, any other votes for the Meta?

 

[Karmatp]

With those who have or have ridden the fuse, have you found the lower front end/stack to be any trouble or discomfort? I know riser bars could help.

Also, any other votes for the Meta?

Funny you ask this. I never noticed it and it never bothered me when it was my only bike for about a year. I picked up a Ripley last March and the stack height was much higher. It felt a little weird going back and forth between the bikes, even though I mainly ride single speed. Probably 5 months or so ago I picked up some rental fatbar light bars and I decided to go from to 20mm rise to 30mm, I like how it feels.
So, to answer your question. I rode my fuse all over the place and loved every second of it when I had the stock bars. I don’t think the stack heigh is a negative in any way, but, if you chose, throw on some higher rise bars and your all set.

 

[eb1888]

I'd vote for the Fuse . . .but I'd look for a new fork.
When you read the posts on the 35 Gold you'll find the damper is not upgradeable.
It's a 35mm stanchion RL with a motion control damper. That has minimal small bump(high speed) compliance.
It also gets overwhelmed with bumps at higher speeds. Basically stops working because it can't cycle fast enough.
It's a RL fork with 35 instead of 32mm stanchions. 130mm travel.
The interior stanchion dimension won't fit a Charger damper upgrade.
Specialized has dropped that fork. 22 comes with a Fox 34 with a Grip damper. GX instead of NX drive.
Comp has a 32mm RL.

 

[AdamBike]

I'd vote for the Fuse . . .but I'd look for a new fork.
When you read the posts on the 35 Gold you'll find the damper is not upgradeable.
It's a 35mm stanchion RL with a motion control damper. That has minimal small bump(high speed) compliance.
It also gets overwhelmed with bumps at higher speeds. Basically stops working because it can't cycle fast enough.
It's a RL fork with 35 instead of 32mm stanchions. 130mm travel.
The interior stanchion dimension won't fit a Charger damper upgrade.
Specialized has dropped that fork. 22 comes with a Fox 34 with a Grip damper. GX instead of NX drive.
Comp has a 32mm RL.

Thx for the insights about the fork, that has been a point of hesitancy for me (and seller hasn’t been able to get it serviced so it will likely need it). Not sure if I’d be planning to replace the fork anytime soon unless I find it’s a long term bike for me. Trying to be budget conscious with the bike I go with initially.

Anything negative about the Meta to you that made you vote Fuse? Meta comes with a Lyrik select +. Bit different bikes and intention it seems though.

 

[FrankS29]

I wouldn’t overlook being able to build up what you want either.

There are some good HT frame only options out there and you can spec it the way you want it.

The Fox 34 Rhythm is a great budget fork and can be found as a take off/used for pretty reasonable. DVO D3 stuff can be found really reasonable as well.

Slap a PNW or OneUp dropper on it and your desired drivetrain and wheels…

 

[eb1888]

A Meta is focused towards running park level faster rougher terrain, imo. If you mainly want to ride that the Fuse will fail without a fork upgrade. One ride and you'd know unless you're an adrenailine junkie with very high skill levels. I don't have that stuff readily available. 150mm travel would suck all the fun out of my trails.

 

[FrankS29]

There are draw backs to each bike IMO, I like that the Meta comes with better wheels and fork (both expensive upgrades), but I don’t like old school geo (short reach, tall seat tube…)

The Specialized has better geo (IMO). However they were cheap where it can really count, wheels and fork.

This is why I usually build up my bikes. Pick the frame that fits me the best and build it up to my taste.

By the time you buy a bike and start to upgrade parts like wheels and fork, it ends up costing more than just buying what you wanted to begin with.

 

[AdamBike]

All helpful components to consider so far. Initially I’d like it to be ready to roll as stock (not having to put too much into upgrades) and take some mild abuse (small jumps, drops to flat, pump track) while also being fun for more casual rides and mellow, semi rooty/rocky trails with short ups and downs (nothing extreme).
So I suppose the fuse might be a better all arounder for fun, but the Meta may be better parts and able to handle being aggressive at times without angst of bending something. I like the versatility of the fuse but I like the more compact and upright position that the meta gives (both are mediums).
Some concern is wondering if I might be overbiked with the fork and head angle of the Meta, as at least 50% of the time will be mellow rides and just pedaling around (or will it still be fun for those casual times? Don’t have much experience with modern geo and slack head angles for relaxed riding and popping around). But some concern with the fuse is needing to upgrade the fork and wheelset soonish.

 

[LewisQC]

There are draw backs to each bike IMO, I like that the Meta comes with better wheels and fork (both expensive upgrades), but I don’t like old school geo (short reach, tall seat tube…)

The Specialized has better geo (IMO). However they were cheap where it can really count, wheels and fork.

This is why I usually build up my bikes. Pick the frame that fits me the best and build it up to my taste.

By the time you buy a bike and start to upgrade parts like wheels and fork, it ends up costing more than just buying what you wanted to begin with.

1+
Geo is a little bit old school (particularly reach) on the meta, except for HTA. Seat tube isn't that bad but also on the long side compared to recent bikes (we were able to fit a 170mm dropper on my daughter's medium). The frame is really light, though on the stiff side... If you have fast flow-trails this might be a good thing. If you're riding jank all the time like hardtail party, this might be less ideal... Still a fun little bike...