I have a marin riftzone 3 27.5" 2022 and love it but have considered going to to a capable do it all hardtail because I don't want to worry about maintaining rear suspension and pivot bolts ect. And have looked at this commencal meta ht am as a endgame mtb for commuter offraod bike packing and to have fun but don't want to get rid of my current mtb unless I have to any thoughts if this hardtail is a great solution was looking at a nukeproof scout 290 but can't find any and this meta ht seems very robust and long lasting and capable
Hey thank you for watching and commenting! Robust and long lasting I would say yes. The Commencal felt very robust! I actually sold this bike frame, bought a Kona ESD and swapped all the parts on to the Kona. I found the commencal was way too unstable and too high for the kind of riding I like to do. The shorter reach on the commencal along with the high bb and bb drop just didn’t feel right to me. I never felt like I was stable on the commencal. But that’s just my take. This video was only my third ride with this bike and at this point I was still liking it but after about the 8th ride, I knew it wasn’t for me! Such a great looking bike but I can’t go on looks alone!!! Fit and function for me was a no go. I am absolutely loving my new Honzo though!!!
as far as the commencal is concerned I felt that the XL was a bit too big for me. Because of the XL frame and 29” wheel combination, the bike felt large and long. But the reach on the large frame was just too short for me. I have actually sold this frame and have a new frame coming from a different manufacturer. It’s a size large with a 490 reach and adjustable chain stays. So I will be able to get it dialled exactly how I need it. The commencal was a great bike, felt good but a bit unstable going through the tech riding as the bb sits high and the bb drop is shallow. My favourite riding is tech riding, so that was a combination of a bike that rides too high, too long and slightly too big was enough for me to sell it. I’ve kept all the parts from it and swapping them all over to the new bike. I never thought I’d sell the commencal but if it doesn’t fit, I’m not going to get the most out of the bike. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Nice review! Did you have the sensation that frame was harsh or too rigid ? They say that the Meta ht is overly harsh...( especially the older version ) compared to other similar frames.. Did you notice a big difference in the way the frames behaves compared to the ESD?
Hey thank you for watching and leaving your questions! Yes for sure the meta frame was harsh but not terrible. What I noticed most about the Meta frame was the really high bottom bracket and shorter reach. The bike did not feel stable at all. Also, every time I went through techy sections of trail, it would get super squirrelly. I actually “ate it” on one of my local tech sections, a section I’ve done a zillion times before. Overall I wasn’t happy with the Meta frame. Now the difference between the Meta and the ESD is night and day. ESD is a completely different frame though. It’s steel, it’s low, it’s as long or as short as you want it, it has very long reach, is super slack, climbs like a goat, is quiet, has convenient external cable routing and just takes everything! The ESD frame is heavier for sure but to me that doesn’t matter. I think the difference in weight is a couple of pounds when the is built up complete the way I have it. So to sum up; I wouldn’t personally buy a meta frame or build again. To sketchy the way the geo is set up. I would however buy an esd frame again. I personally think that steel is the best frame material for a hardtail. Period. It’s just so good. Also, at first I thought, what am I doing getting such an aggressive bike? But I have to say, the combo of the slack HA with the steep ST and short CS and low BBH is a combination that just works. Thank you again for watching! I can talk bikes all day!!!
@@dirtyforksmtb Wow...thank you so much for this very detailed reply!To be honest I am a bit skeptical about the Meta frame..and your opinion is enforcing this even more. From the geo scheme of the Meta, it is clear that the BB is very high...but I thought that maybe it could be a good thing, at least regarding the playfulness. Higher the BB...easier to lift the front wheel and to move around. I would buy a size medium frame building it as a mullet..MAYBE it would be a bttere bike with a smaller rear wheel and lower BB? Who knows...The strange thing is that , even if they went out with a refined version of the frame 2 years ago..there are no official reviews around..Thy are all quite old reviews .about the first version, with taller seat post tube and less slack head angle. I have had many hardtails ..( maybe 10 different frames? ) and actually I have a NS BIKES Eccentric 29 frame..not so bad..but quite budget quality and somehow harsh . Maybe the best one I have had is the last version of the Nukeproof Scout 29...very neutral and stable..not so long but quite good at everything..I passed it to my gf which she loves it..since it's the perfect size and handling for her.. I could not buy another for me..since Nukeproof is now ut of business and frame are all gone.. ( at least in EU )Now I am selling my NS BIKES frame and I am deciding which one to but..my finalists er..the KONA ESd...Banshee Paradox 29...Banshee Enigma 27,5 , Production Privee Shan GT ( the last version that came out a few months ago ) and ...the Commencal META HT.. By the way..I have read soooo many reviews and articles about your ESD.. :) but I am afraid that it could b too long and not that comfortable pedalling while seated..maybe I am wrong?
@@lucaneuburg976that’s awesome! NS bikes are great bikes. So you’ve been through 10 or so frames, that’s commendable! Got to love the hardtails!!! And good for you for giving the GF the best bike! So from hearing what you are saying and seeing what you wrote about the frames you have researched, that Paradox stands out to me! The Paradox is a beautiful frame and will likely be a perfect fit for what you’re looking for. Albeit it’s an expensive frame but never heard a bad thing about the banshee. I also looked at that frame. It was actually between the Paradox and the ESD. I went with kona in the end because I could get it through a local shop. Therefore if I have warranty issues, I have a reputable shop to help. Otherwise I more than likely would have went with the banshee. As for the ESD, I’ve had that thing out on 6 hour rides and I love it. It’s great on the climbs and a beast in the DH! I even had it at the bike park recently! Make sure to check in again once you decide on your next frame! Always interested!
It sure is. One of our favourites!
Love that trail. Super fun to come down
Best bike ever!
I have a marin riftzone 3 27.5" 2022 and love it but have considered going to to a capable do it all hardtail because I don't want to worry about maintaining rear suspension and pivot bolts ect. And have looked at this commencal meta ht am as a endgame mtb for commuter offraod bike packing and to have fun but don't want to get rid of my current mtb unless I have to any thoughts if this hardtail is a great solution was looking at a nukeproof scout 290 but can't find any and this meta ht seems very robust and long lasting and capable
Hey thank you for watching and commenting! Robust and long lasting I would say yes. The Commencal felt very robust! I actually sold this bike frame, bought a Kona ESD and swapped all the parts on to the Kona. I found the commencal was way too unstable and too high for the kind of riding I like to do. The shorter reach on the commencal along with the high bb and bb drop just didn’t feel right to me. I never felt like I was stable on the commencal. But that’s just my take. This video was only my third ride with this bike and at this point I was still liking it but after about the 8th ride, I knew it wasn’t for me! Such a great looking bike but I can’t go on looks alone!!! Fit and function for me was a no go. I am absolutely loving my new Honzo though!!!
@@dirtyforksmtb have you tried Marino hardtails?
@@waldowsxxghostxx8577 no I’ve never tried them. I see that you can custom build those frames. They look good but have never tried them.
Hi, tell me what size is your bike and what is your height, thank you
I am 6’2” size XL. My height puts me in between sizes LG-XL.
@@dirtyforksmtb thanks
@@dirtyforksmtb
I have the same height and now I’m faced with the choice of taking L or XL))
as far as the commencal is concerned I felt that the XL was a bit too big for me. Because of the XL frame and 29” wheel combination, the bike felt large and long. But the reach on the large frame was just too short for me. I have actually sold this frame and have a new frame coming from a different manufacturer. It’s a size large with a 490 reach and adjustable chain stays. So I will be able to get it dialled exactly how I need it. The commencal was a great bike, felt good but a bit unstable going through the tech riding as the bb sits high and the bb drop is shallow. My favourite riding is tech riding, so that was a combination of a bike that rides too high, too long and slightly too big was enough for me to sell it. I’ve kept all the parts from it and swapping them all over to the new bike. I never thought I’d sell the commencal but if it doesn’t fit, I’m not going to get the most out of the bike. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@dirtyforksmtb you sold your commencal, and if it's not a secret what other bike did you get?
Nice review! Did you have the sensation that frame was harsh or too rigid ? They say that the Meta ht is overly harsh...( especially the older version ) compared to other similar frames.. Did you notice a big difference in the way the frames behaves compared to the ESD?
Hey thank you for watching and leaving your questions!
Yes for sure the meta frame was harsh but not terrible. What I noticed most about the Meta frame was the really high bottom bracket and shorter reach. The bike did not feel stable at all. Also, every time I went through techy sections of trail, it would get super squirrelly. I actually “ate it” on one of my local tech sections, a section I’ve done a zillion times before. Overall I wasn’t happy with the Meta frame. Now the difference between the Meta and the ESD is night and day. ESD is a completely different frame though. It’s steel, it’s low, it’s as long or as short as you want it, it has very long reach, is super slack, climbs like a goat, is quiet, has convenient external cable routing and just takes everything! The ESD frame is heavier for sure but to me that doesn’t matter. I think the difference in weight is a couple of pounds when the is built up complete the way I have it.
So to sum up; I wouldn’t personally buy a meta frame or build again. To sketchy the way the geo is set up. I would however buy an esd frame again. I personally think that steel is the best frame material for a hardtail. Period. It’s just so good. Also, at first I thought, what am I doing getting such an aggressive bike? But I have to say, the combo of the slack HA with the steep ST and short CS and low BBH is a combination that just works. Thank you again for watching! I can talk bikes all day!!!
@@dirtyforksmtb Wow...thank you so much for this very detailed reply!To be honest I am a bit skeptical about the Meta frame..and your opinion is enforcing this even more. From the geo scheme of the Meta, it is clear that the BB is very high...but I thought that maybe it could be a good thing, at least regarding the playfulness. Higher the BB...easier to lift the front wheel and to move around. I would buy a size medium frame building it as a mullet..MAYBE it would be a bttere bike with a smaller rear wheel and lower BB? Who knows...The strange thing is that , even if they went out with a refined version of the frame 2 years ago..there are no official reviews around..Thy are all quite old reviews .about the first version, with taller seat post tube and less slack head angle. I have had many hardtails ..( maybe 10 different frames? ) and actually I have a NS BIKES Eccentric 29 frame..not so bad..but quite budget quality and somehow harsh . Maybe the best one I have had is the last version of the Nukeproof Scout 29...very neutral and stable..not so long but quite good at everything..I passed it to my gf which she loves it..since it's the perfect size and handling for her.. I could not buy another for me..since Nukeproof is now ut of business and frame are all gone.. ( at least in EU )Now I am selling my NS BIKES frame and I am deciding which one to but..my finalists er..the KONA ESd...Banshee Paradox 29...Banshee Enigma 27,5 , Production Privee Shan GT ( the last version that came out a few months ago ) and ...the Commencal META HT..
By the way..I have read soooo many reviews and articles about your ESD.. :) but I am afraid that it could b too long and not that comfortable pedalling while seated..maybe I am wrong?
@@lucaneuburg976that’s awesome! NS bikes are great bikes. So you’ve been through 10 or so frames, that’s commendable! Got to love the hardtails!!! And good for you for giving the GF the best bike! So from hearing what you are saying and seeing what you wrote about the frames you have researched, that Paradox stands out to me! The Paradox is a beautiful frame and will likely be a perfect fit for what you’re looking for. Albeit it’s an expensive frame but never heard a bad thing about the banshee. I also looked at that frame. It was actually between the Paradox and the ESD. I went with kona in the end because I could get it through a local shop. Therefore if I have warranty issues, I have a reputable shop to help. Otherwise I more than likely would have went with the banshee.
As for the ESD, I’ve had that thing out on 6 hour rides and I love it. It’s great on the climbs and a beast in the DH! I even had it at the bike park recently! Make sure to check in again once you decide on your next frame! Always interested!