When it comes to racing, we all know the pros get to ride the best quality parts and latest technology their sponsors can provide, but from a marketing perspective aesthetics are just as important. Bikes and components get a lot of visibility at big events, and Commencal blatantly states that their flashy Race models are meant to be a showcase of their brand, and the company’s sponsors and partners.
Following in the footsteps of 2015’s Rockshox inspired black colorway, the 2016 Meta AM V4 Race’s paint sports an eye-popping red and black scheme, matched to Rockshox’s Pike fork and Monarch rear shock. The Meta AM V4 was built with enduro racing in mind, and accordingly sports a nice selection of suitable componentry with front and rear suspension that’s specifically tuned for the Race model. Read on for more details on Commencal’s first bike from the 2016 model year…
The Meta AM V4’s frame is made from 6066 triple-butted aluminum, which Commencal prefers over carbon for durability reasons. The Meta AM rides on 650B wheels and 150mm of rear travel. It also features a tapered head tube with semi-integrated headset, BB92 press fit bottom bracket with ISCG 05 chain guide mount, and 142x12mm rear axle spacing. This frame is specifically built to accommodate 1x drivetrains only, and does not have any mounts for a front derailleur.
Head angle is a reasonably slack 66º, with a fairly steep 72º seat tube for good climbing efficiency. The rear end isn’t long, but not ultra-short with its 437mm chainstays, and top tube measures 591mm on the medium sized frame.
One curious thing about the 2016 frame is that Commencal has not pursued the high-pivot point design we saw on the Meta SX HPP prototype pictured above. This concept bike inspired the radical changes in their current Supreme DH V4, and Commencal seemed quite pleased with the Meta HPP’s ability to carry speed. The new Meta AM V4’s rear suspension design remains unchanged from 2015, leaving us to wonder if the HPP concept is in consideration for the AM’s future, or is simply better suited to gravity riding…
The Meta AM V4 Race boasts a high-end build spec including a tunable suspension set up from Rockshox with a 160mm Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork up front and a Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair shock in the rear. Rockshox also supplies the 125mm Reverb stealth dropper post. The bike rolls on E-thirteen TRS+ tubeless ready rims mounted with downhill-friendly Maxxis Minion DHR II tires. SRAM takes care of the 1×11 drivetrain with an X1 shifter and X01 rear derailleur, and brings you to a halt with Guide RS brakes on 200/180mm rotors.
According to Commencal’s website, the complete Meta AM V4 Race weighs in at 29.3lbs (without pedals, frame size not given). The bike comes in sizes S-XL, and is now available for pre-order to North American customers at $3,799 USD, delivery expected in August.
