commencal meta trai

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

First Look

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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.

commencal meta tr
The Meta Trail V4.2 is the latest trail bike from Andorran brand Commencal.
commencal meta tr
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
commencal meta trai
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.

commencal meta trail fox float shock kashima
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.

commencal meta trail fox float shock kashima
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.
commencal meta trail
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.
commencal meta trail gx eagle sram
The SRAM X-Sync 2 chainring means most riders won’t have to worry about a chainguide.
commencal meta trail gx eagle sram
The drive-side chainstay is wrapped with rubber armouring from front to back.
commencal meta trail shimano xt brake
Rear dropouts are spaced 148mm apart, while the disc calliper tucks inside the frame via 160mm post-mount tabs.
commencal meta trail
The top-tube mounted shock provides a tonne of clearance inside the mainframe for a water bottle.
commencal meta trail
The curved top tube looks lovely and also increases standover clearance.
commencal meta trail maxxis minion ss
No bridge on the seatstays means huge mud clearance and room for up to a 2.5in wide tyre.
commencal meta trail maxxis minion ss
The Minion SS may be a little optimistic for the British springtime…
commencal meta trail maxxis forekaster
… but the 2.35in Forekaster is much more like it.
commencal meta tr race
140mm of front squish thanks to the Fox 34 Float Factory Series fork.
commencal meta trai
There’s an EVOL air spring and the FIT4 damper hidden inside.
commencal meta trai
Kashima-coated stanchions are desi……ah who cares – they look dope!
commencal meta trai
Commencal’s in-house component brand, Ride Alpha, provides the 780mm wide riser bar for the Meta TR Race.
commencal meta trai
A tiny Eagle.
commencal meta trai
And a little Southpaw.
commencal meta trai
A blocky 50mm stem length is used on all four frame sizes.
commencal meta trai
The soft-compound grips use a single inboard locking clamp and a subtly ergonomic profile.
commencal meta trai
We’ve already spoken to James about the sticker.
commencal meta trai e*thirteen
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.
commencal meta trail ks lev dropper
#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.

commencal meta trai
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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