Personal contact
Of course Commencal bikes might not have been around for so long but in its owner Max Commencal is a man who has more downhill silverwear and titles behind him than any other person. Having had huge success with Sunn bikes in the 1990s and the world’s most successful racers Nico Vouilloz and Anne Caroline Chausson as well as the likes of Cedric Gracia, Mickael Pascal, Fabien Barel, Francois Gachet, he now runs a marvellous company from the heart of Andorra. Recently the business has become direct sales and by all accounts both he and the customers are loving the experience. “We find that riders love to have that personal contact with the people that make the bikes” said Max during a recent visit.
The Meta has been one of our favourite bikes ever since it was first introduced about ten years ago. Since then it has gone through very many versions. We were not massively captivated by the V3 but this the V4 of the Meta has certainly got our attention and from what appears to be everyone else’s imagination. In red, purple, black or yellow the Meta V4 will find a way to your heart through many component packages and will leave a space in your wallet from prices that are every bit as good to be true.
“We find that riders love to have that personal contact with the people that make the bikes”
Four sizes, superb specification and prices apart form the flagship ‘World Cup’ all under three thousand pounds its no surprise that this growing brand is catching fire across the Atlantic spearheaded by that well-known Red Bull Rampager Kyle Strait.
However as much as you can talk about prices and heritage it counts for little if a bike does not deliver. At 150mm rear and 160mm front the ride of the Meta is slightly more aggressive than a Canyon Strive, but less so than YT Capra. Its well guarded under top-tube mounted shock keeps mud at bay and the source of such a strong and lively ride characteristic which uses every single millimetre of what it has available. It’s a bike that is bang in the middle of the action – a perfect all-rounder.
