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1. norekon - Member

   Hi Guys,

   I'm just thinking of buying new bike in the next few weeks. At the moment I've got GT iDrive 2.0 (2002). It's about time to change. Also I think that my ridging style slightly evolved from pure XC to more Enduro/AllMountain (and a bit of XC). So that I'm considering two bikes:

   1. Commencal Meta 5.5.2 2009
   http://www.evanscycles.com/products/commencal/meta-552-2009-mountain-bike-ec017321?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle

   2. Cannondale Prophet 1 2009
   http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/prophet-1-2009-mountain-bike-ec016576?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle

   What would you recommend me? I can have them in the same price. Everyone seems to be loving Meta's but it feels almost like FR machine + it has much more complicated rear suspension then Prophet (and after iDrive I was looking for simplicity really).

   How would you rate them in terms of built quality, robustness, faults proofness? Basically I'm looking for some sort of Toyota/VW not Alfa Romeo/Citroen on two wheels

   Many thanks,
   Konrad

   Posted 2 years ago #
2. retro83 - Member

   The build quality is inconsistent on '09 Metas. Personally I would hang off until the 2010 ones are out (they are made in a different factory)

   The Prophet is no longer being made, which might be a problem if the frame breaks..?

   There is nothing complicated about the Meta's suspension, it works really well and requires minimal faff.

   Posted 2 years ago #
3. robyzf1 - Member

   I'v got an 09 meta (5.5 UK edition) and it rules. Long weekends in Wales and Scotland and the bike has stood up to everything thrown at it. The only thing that lets it down? The rider!

   Posted 2 years ago #
4. z1ppy - Member

   Prophet, as Commencal are the new crack n fail.

   Obvious answer is to try em both, as a Prophet owner I love mine and other than the cack paint job on the 09 Prophet 1, I see no downsided...

   Though Meta's are supposed to be ace bike too, just have a bike of a Alfa rep at the moment, due to 'some' frame failures. Otherwise spec wise, in my mind the Meta just edges in front with the fox forks, but then are the Pike and 20mm front wheel going to be a better option for you new AM riding?

   Posted 2 years ago #
5. grumm - Member

   Not ridden a Prophet but the Meta is a very nice bike (as long as it doesn't crack!)

   By the way Merlin often have great deals on Commencal.

   Posted 2 years ago #
6. cp - Member

   merlin are sold out on a lot, but there own SLX build is great value compared to the Evans deal. I assume you're after a medium from the links you provide?

   Posted 2 years ago #
7. norekon - Member

   Hi cp,

   nope - L
   I have them both booked for a test ride.
   It needs to be Evans coz it's on Ride2Work scheme though...

   Posted 2 years ago #
8. Hairychested - Member

   I had a Prophet, lovely ride. Never ridden a Meta but remember somebody saying the Meta's paint was of poor quality and rubbed off from a band with permit at Swinley.

   Posted 2 years ago #
9. ridethelakes - Member

   The Prophet is an awesome bike, I've had mine for about 6 months now and love it. Know a couple of people with broken metas although admittedly one of them was using 36's with it and the head tube went.

   Incidentally I weighed the frame the other week, 6.3lbs which is very light for a bike that can a lot more than the average trail bike. Lighter than Blur LT2. I read somewhere that the meta weighs over 7lbs.

   Posted 2 years ago #
10. norekon - Member

    thanks a lot for all the answers!

    it looks like prophet would be a slightly better option then...
    but meta is so close

    I'll find out everything when I'll try them both this weekend hopefully

    Posted 2 years ago #
11. z1ppy - Member

    ps. make sure the prophet you test has the shock in the FR position

    Posted 2 years ago #
12. glenh - Member

    What if he wants it in the XC position?

    Posted 2 years ago #
13. MRanger156 - Member

    I have a meta and have had a quick go on a prophet. Both good bikes and good VFM. The meta's suspension system is excellent, gives huge amounts of traction and eats downhills for breakfast. There are a few stories of them cracking (particularly the 09) so I would wait a month and get the 2010 version.

    You'll prob be happy with either to be honest though.

    Posted 2 years ago #
14. z1ppy - Member

    glenh - Member
    What if he wants it in the XC position?

    The bike rides a lot better in the FR position, simple.
    Personnally I'd prefer he tries the bike displaying it's best attributes.

    Posted 2 years ago #
15. cp - Member

    ah, the links you provided only had mediums in stock in both.

    Posted 2 years ago #
16. thisisnotaspoon - Member

    When I was tossing up this decision before my knee relapsed (thankfully before the card was handed over!) the medium cannondle is about the same length as a large meta, but IIRC the meta had the longer wheelbase. Might be worth (depending on your size) trying (at least for a car park test) a medium and a large meta and the medium cannondale.

    Posted 2 years ago #
17. norekon - Member

    I'm around 6'2"/188cm.
    Guys in the shop told me that Prophet will be definitely a bit longer than Meta in the same size (different geometry). I have tried Meta in L already and it's good. Now I'm just waiting for the cannondale to be delivered and to compare them directly.

    Posted 2 years ago #
18. onewheeltoofew - Member

    Heckler

    Posted 2 years ago #
19. glenh - Member

    I have both (sort of, a meta 4x and a Rush).
    In my experince:

    The meta has better suspension (going downhill) - very good grip.
    The prophet probably pedals better, is lighter and is longer in the top-tube, so better for longer days out.
    Th C'dale is better made than the Commencal.

    Posted 2 years ago #
20. norekon - Member

    Heckler is above my budget (around £1500). And it needs to be from Evans.

    Posted 2 years ago #
21. GEDA - Member

    I just got one and have been riding a prince albert and Patriot till then. I have swapped the brakes as I don't like the Juicies and put my hope wheels on but the bike seems pretty good. I really did not like it in XC mode as it was far too twitchy coming from the bikes I ride. FR mode is a lot better and the bike seems very quick and sparky which is what I wanted. The frame is also warranted for life and Cannondale are part of a big company so hope they do not go under. You would probably get a similar frame if they did not have any. Say the Rise or moto?

    Anyway like it but would swap the brakes for some SLX for example. I am splashing out on some Hope tech but maybe I am a bit stupid.

    It does not seem to climb technical stuff as well as the PA or the patriot as it is still a bit twitchy.

    Prophet in action

    Posted 2 years ago #
22. norekon - Member

    one more thing:
    maybe a bit silly but still - very important

    on my current bike (GT iDrive) sometimes I'm able to to cycle with my girlfriend in London along the Thames, in Greenwich Park or even go to Brighton...

    on which of the above mentioned bikes would it be less harmful?

    Posted 2 years ago #
23. GEDA - Member

    What do you mean by less harmful? I suppose you mean easiest to ride long distances. I suppose the Prophet in XC mode judging by the comments about as it is faster on the flat.

    Posted 2 years ago #
24. norekon - Member

    you are right GEDA, by less harmful I mean more pleasant and easier to ride long, flat distances...

    so again - prophet wins

    Posted 2 years ago #
25. peteimpreza - Member

    Prophet wins here too. Just reserved a Prophet 2 in medium at my local LBS. The last one in Europe by all accounts.

    Posted 2 years ago #

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