Hi Derek

I’ve had a V4 Origin (base model) for a month now. For the money it’s a fabulous bike. It replaced a SC Nomad C fully kitted out with my ideal spec list and the V4 outperforms the Nomad in almost all areas.

My only gripes are the wheels (Front pretty much folded as I was railing a smooth berm, throwing my over the bars. Rear free hub bearings seized solid after <50miles) and the fact it doesn’t come specced with a chain guide. I might have been unlucky with the wheels.

I switched some parts out on my bike (and replaced the wheels, obviously) but the Essential spec list looks pretty spot on. As Hob Nob said, the standard bike comes with a RS Revelation but the limited edition comes with a Pike for €100 less, so, if you go for a V4, make sure you get that one!

As for warranty, Commencal were very responsive to my wheel issues and agreed to send a replacement. However, that was 3 weeks ago and I’m still waiting. I haven’t really chased it up following the original claim but if I’ve heard nothing in the next few days I’ll drop them another email.

So, there you go. Fun, fast bike capable of pretty much anything but running on wheels which may self destruct.

Ali

Yes Mark, you’re welcome to try it out but I can’t do this sunday or next weekend I’m afraid. 21st/22nd is probably the next time I’ll get down. There’s a little shop in Stockton called Springs and Things, run by a guy called Glen. He stocks a few Commencals so might have an XL or even a large so you can get feel for the sizes.

I try to ride a good mix of stuff at Hamsterley. The black plus transmission/nitrous is a good loop. I know a bit of the natural stuff but definitely not all. The DH trails are great too.

rwills2, I was worried about going XL, particularly going from a Large Santa Cruz, which size up notoriously small. It hasn’t been an issue for me though. I figured there is always the option of a super-short stem, which I might still try just out of curiosity.

I’m based in Newcastle. Hamsterley is my usual haunt. You’re very welcome to take a spin if you’re up this way at all.

Mark, if I’d had more time I probably would have done a full build. I’m going to end up replacing everything anyway. Like you though, I figured £600 extra for a full bike was worth it.

The chainstays are indeed quite wide, and my AM45s do rub them a bit, but that also happened with my Nomad and it’s never really bothered me.

I had a chat with a guy at Commencal when my front wheel folded first ride out and he says the Alpha wheels on the higher end models are different. The “better” wheels are listed as handbuilt on the website where mine are machine built. I’m not sure if that’s the only difference. If I were spending several K on a bike I would hope not..

No problem Mark. I was looking at the same bikes as you and also decided I couldn’t wait for a Canyon. The Foxy was tempting as far as the frame but I needed a full build and they’ve made some horrible component choices for that bike IMO. YT just not big enough. I’m still wondering if I should have gone for a base model Spectral and upgraded things though.

I’m just shy of 6’2 and glad I went for the XL. I was worried about ST length too but it hasn’t been a problem at all. The geo is great and I’ve been very impressed with the all round capabilities of the bike. Coming from a Nomad C, the Meta is not as stiff, sadly, but actually faster on the ups and more fun and lively on the downs. Suspension is a match for the Nomad (i.e. v.v. good) except that there’s no room for a Cane Creek shock, which I think would make it exceptional. I don’t think there’s a better performing fork out there on a £1600 bike than the Marz, though I fear reliability issues. I upgraded the brakes straight away, so not sure about those. 1x drivetrain is ideal for me but ridiculous that the bike doesn’t come with a chain guide. The wheels seem to be made of cheese – front lasted 3 miles, rear about 50. Apart from the wheels, I’m very happy with it.

Mactheknife, I bought mine from High on Bikes via ebay when I discovered Next Day were out. Same price and delivered to my local Argos in a couple of days.

I took my first ride on one today. Instantly felt better than the MM it replaced, and usually I take a while to get a feel for tyres. Northwind knows his stuff when it comes to rubber.

dl=0Meta V4 XL

That’s the best I’ve got at the moment. I can do you more if needed.

Ali

When do you want it? I’ve got a hard case you can borrow. It fits my large Nomad fine by removing wheels and forks.

Thanks Northwind. I think I tried the Baron after reading one of your posts a while ago so will give the Shorty a try next.

Trail King on the rear has been a revelation for me. Rolling speed to grip ratio is miles better than anything else I’ve tried and I’m enjoying the big volume in the 2.2. Combined with a Baron up front they handle everything. I thought I’d found my perfect winter combo but just upgraded to 27.5 and discovered Conti are yet to do the same with the Baron. I’m grudgingly going to try a Magic Mary up front next.

Sorry Vortex, meant to post a link:
T275

I’ve also had my order cancelled this morning.

I’ve been hugely tempted by by one of these Intense Tracer 275 full builds but I’ve finally admitted they don’t make them big enough for me. Still, under £2k seems an absolute steal given that the frame alone cost that a year ago.

I just bought Saints for £35 from CRC..

I had a 161, which as far as I’m aware is an identical frame with a slightly less bling paint job. It’s a very sorted bike and I liked it a lot. Only very minor criticism are it isn’t the lightest frame and the pivots are bushings rather than bearings, so a bit of stiction in the suspension action. FWIW I sold my frame with quite a few extras for a lot less than £750.. Great ride though.

My votes would be for:

Shimano disc brakes – I use Zee but anything from Deore up are spot on for performance and absolutely hassle free.

Hope hubs – Sure, there are marginally better performing, lighter hubs out there, but the Hopes just work. And when they don’t the parts are all readily available. Then if something goes terribly wrong Hope will give you a new one no questions asked. Oh, and the “click” is just right…

Ali

I made the same mistake. Awful stuff. I’ve been diluting it with Stan’s to use it up, which is working fine. Whether that’s the Stan’s doing all the work despite being watered down with the Spesh gloop I couldn’t tell you. It makes me feel less like I wasted £12 though..

@Simon
I did the EWS and K/QOTM. I couldn’t get the time off work to do all the EWS practise days, so only rode Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The extra practise days would have really helped! In terms of fitness, I found the EWS (E2 category) was really relaxed on cut-off times. The days were long but I stopped both days for a leisurely lunch and was definitely treating it as a social event. I never struggled to make start/finish times. By contrast I felt a bit pushed for time in KOTM. In the end I finished with a good margin to spare but that was with just a few short breaks.
The big challenge of the EWS was the technicality of the stages. In my opinion there was nothing in KOTM that came close to the difficulty of the EWS stages at the golf course. I had no problems last weekend (apart from a great tumble over the stage 2 drop which I’d cleaned with ease the day before) but I don’t mind admitting I really struggled on the EWS. Having said that, I can’t wait to do both events again next year!

Only available at this price in purple, but I’ve got one of these Camelback Assets and it’s great. I have an Osprey as well, which is more comfortable but the Camelback is a more versatile pack.
http://www.ratrace.com/345378/products/camelbak-asset-purple-2-litre.aspx?origin=pla?kwd=&gclid=CjkKEQjwh7ucBRD9yY_fyZe398gBEiQAAoy4JCTxf1AuMNBvDrblqtEUOR_P-l76EHDWZvzHGrcN0B_w_wcB

Hi Wysiwyg, great shots. Do you have any of 522? I’d be more than happy to send a few pounds your way. Thanks.

I’m definitely going to inform my insurers of the terrible service, but the only reason I was offered double my insured value as settlement was because I agreed to go through wheelies. The cash settlement they offered was only the insured value. Very fair, in my opinion.

Check out this Osprey pack too. I just bought one and love it. Forgot it was on my back most of the time. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=76695