Commencal bikes have a canny knack of feeling like they have more travel than they actually do, and this Meta 4X is no exception. It’s a result of the excellent linkage system and the benefit is that with this frame you get the kind of snappy feel and acceleration that you’d expect from any good 100mm travel bike, but then you also get the grip and comfort that you’d normally only associate with a longer travel bike. All that adds up to make a frame that’s far more versatile than its name suggests, especially with the adjustable head angle system. We’ve used a Meta 4X for everything, from a five hour epic, right through to uplift days, and never once has it felt out of place. We think it’s great value too.

Price: £1249.99
www.madison.co.uk
www.commencal.com