Do you like it raaaaw? Check out our new Commencal Meta Trail V4.2 Race test bike

If you’re a subscriber and supporter of Singletrack Magazine, there’s a very good chance you’ll already have your hands on a copy of the latest issue, which has just come fresh off the printing press as of this week. If you don’t have one, the good news is that you can buy one online right here and have it shipped directly to your door!

Speaking of being shipped directly to your door (that’s segue of the day that is…), the bike test in the new issue is all about bikes that can be purchased direct. The three-way bike test includes a Bird Aeris 145, an Intense Primer Expert, and a Sonder Evol – all different in their own way, but all designed to be versatile do-it-all trail bikes that you can buy online.

There was one bike that we originally had lined up for that group test, but production delays meant it missed out on making it into the magazine. Thankfully our Andorran friends have still come through with the goods, and we’ve just received this brand spanking Commencal Meta Trail that we’ll be testing in a standalone online review.

The Meta Trail V4.2 is the latest trail bike from Andorran brand Commencal.

The model shown here is the top-of-the-range Meta Trail Race.

Commencal Meta Trail V4.2 Features

Aluminium 6066 Triple Butted tubing
27.5in wheels
Single-pivot suspension design
130mm rear travel
Designed for 210 x 50 mm metric rear shock
Piggy back compatible
Designed for 130-140mm travel forks
66.5° head angle
74° seat angle
Reach: 415mm (Small), 435mm (Medium), 460mm (Large), 490mm (X-Large)
437mm chainstay length
1x only
Press fit BB92 bottom bracket shell
ISCG05 chainguide tabs
148 x 12 mm boost rear hub spacing
RRP: €2299 – €3499

The baby brother to the Meta AM, the Meta TR shrinks travel down to 140/130mm.

Version 4.2 of the Meta Trail (or Meta TR) was launched back in late-2016, and brought with it an all-new alloy frame and a revised suspension platform borrowed from the longer travel Meta AM.

The Meta TR takes that same frame architecture and shrinks down the travel to 140mm on the front, and 130mm on the rear. Geometry is still lengthy through the front end though, and its suitably slack for sending down steep Pyrenees singletrack.

There are four different Meta TR models available for 2018, topping out with this lovely raw alloy Meta TR Race. For your €3499 (Commencal already has it reduced down from €3799 on its website), you’ll get a Fox Factory Series suspension package, E*13 TRS wheels, tubeless Maxxis rubber, and a SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain. Finishing kit comes from Commencal’s in-house Ride Alpha brand, while a KS LEV Integra dropper post and Shimano XT brakes fill out the poppin’ and stoppin’ duties.

The rear shock nestles into its own nook underneath the top tube.

The linkage-driven single pivot suspension design uses a high and forward main pivot, as well as a compact alloy rocker link that bolts on either side of the seat tube. To compress the rear shock in a more linear fashion, an alloy strut connects the lower eyelet of the shock to a pivot point tucked in behind the rocker. All pivots are running on sealed cartridge bearings for smoothness. Because the shock mounts underneath a fold in the top tube, there’s plenty of clearance in the mainframe for a water bottle.

The alloy strut captures the rear shock eyelet, and uses sealed cartridge bearings at the back to handle rotation as the suspension cycles through its travel.

The main pivot sits high and forward of the chainring. Note how the seat tube also mounts forward of the BB in order to provide the anchoring point for the main pivot.

The SRAM X-Sync 2 chainring means most riders won’t have to worry about a chainguide.

The drive-side chainstay is wrapped with rubber armouring from front to back.

Rear dropouts are spaced 148mm apart, while the disc calliper tucks inside the frame via 160mm post-mount tabs.

The top-tube mounted shock provides a tonne of clearance inside the mainframe for a water bottle.

The curved top tube looks lovely and also increases standover clearance.

No bridge on the seatstays means huge mud clearance and room for up to a 2.5in wide tyre.

The Minion SS may be a little optimistic for the British springtime…

… but the 2.35in Forekaster is much more like it.

140mm of front squish thanks to the Fox 34 Float Factory Series fork.

There’s an EVOL air spring and the FIT4 damper hidden inside.

Kashima-coated stanchions are desi……ah who cares – they look dope!

Commencal’s in-house component brand, Ride Alpha, provides the 780mm wide riser bar for the Meta TR Race.

A tiny Eagle.

And a little Southpaw.

A blocky 50mm stem length is used on all four frame sizes.

The soft-compound grips use a single inboard locking clamp and a subtly ergonomic profile.

We’ve already spoken to James about the sticker.

That damn sticker again. Please do your best to ignore that. Cast your eyes to the enormous hub shells of the E*13 TRS wheelset, which features tubeless compatible alloy rims and a 30mm internal width.

#slamthatdropper

What do you guys think of this Meta TR Race? Is the raw finish and Kashima suspension doing it for you? Or not? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!

We’ll have a full teardown and review coming in the near future on this Andorran thrill seeker, but if you must have more questions answered, whack ’em in here and we’ll do our best to answer them, or head to the Commencal website for all the specifics.

All photos taken by Mr James Vincent himself. He does alright.

2018 Commencal Meta Trail V4.2 Race Specifications

Frame // 6066 Triple Butted Aluminium Tubing, 130mm Travel
Fork // Fox 34 Float, Factory Series, 140mm Travel
Shock // Fox Float DPS, Factory Series, 210x50mm
Hubs // E13 TRS, 110x15mm Front & 148x12mm Rear
Rims // E13 TRS, 30mm Inner Width, Tubeless Ready
Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Front & Minion SS EXO 2.3in Rear
Crankset // SRAM GX Eagle, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring, 170mm Arm Length
Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Speed
Shifters // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Speed
Cassette // SRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Speed
Brakes // Shimano Deore XT, 200mm Front & 180mm Rear Rotors
Stem // Ride Alpha, 31.8mm Diameter, 50 mm Length
Bars // Ride Alpha, 7075 Alloy, 30mm Rise, 780mm Wide
Grips // Ride Alpha Ergonomic Lock-On, Super Soft Compound
Seatpost // KS LEV Integra, 125mm Travel (S/M) or 150 mm Travel on L/XL, Southpaw Lever
Saddle // Ride Alpha SuperLight Foam, Ti-Alloy Rails
Size Tested // Large
Sizes Available // Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Claimed Weight // 13.4kg (29.48lb)
RRP // €3499

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