Commencal is a serious brand, but they’re especially serious about having a good time on two wheels! They’ve just announced the new Meta TR SX, featuring a build spec that favors fun and versatility over all-out race performance.
Commencal began cranking up the fun meter by adding 10mm of rear travel to the Meta TR SX, bringing this model up to 140mm. They then put some 29” wheels on it, and assembled a build spec of solid components that can handle rowdy rides, like a two-position coil rear shock and four-piston brakes.
Built for the do-it-all rider who likes to shred trails but also hit some jumps or pumptracks, the 2020 Meta TR SX is a competitively priced ride that could make a great option for those who own one bike only.
Commencal 2020 Meta TR SX frame specs:
The new Meta TR SX’s frame is made from NEC and Ultra SL triple-butted 6066 aluminum. Following Commencal’s familiar linkage-driven single-pivot suspension platform, the TR SX offers 140mm of travel. Other Meta TR models provide 130mm’s of squish, but Commencal slapped a longer 55mm stroke shock in the SX version. Commencal also chose a coil shock to give this bike a lively, responsive ride that should reward poppy, playful riders. The SX model comes equipped with 150mm forks.
As for fitments, the Meta TR SX runs Boost-spaced 15x110mm front and 12x148mm rear axles. The bottom bracket is a BB92 press-fit type, and ISCG 05 mounts are included. There are mounts for one water bottle atop the SX’s down tube.
Suspension pivots rotate on Enduro bearings, and the frame has internal cable routing through the front triangle. On the rear drive side, the derailleur cable hides underneath the chainstay protector.
Geometry:
The Meta TR SX maintains ‘almost-standard’ geometry for a current trail bike, with a 66.5° head tube angle and 76.5° seat mast. For a bike that’s meant to be playful, it does have a generous reach of 455mm (on a Medium frame). Out back, 434mm chainstays should keep things feeling stout and whippy.
Components:
Commencal strives to provide good suspension packages on all their bikes, and the Meta TR SX gets the Ultimate treatment from Rockshox. The SX comes with a 150mm Lyric Ultimate fork, which is mated to a two-position Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate rear shock.
SRAM supplies most of the SX’s 12-speed drivetrain with their GX Eagle components (and that’s a 32t chainring up front). Commencal left braking duties to Shimano: Four-piston XT brakes with 203mm rotors front and rear should easily bring anyone to a halt.
The SX gets a pair of e*thirteen LG1 EN+ wheels, wrapped with e*thirteen’s 29 x 2.35” TRS Race All-Terrain skinwall tires. KS Lev Integra dropper posts with Southpaw levers come on the SX, with 100mm models on Small frames, 125mm on Mediums, 150mm on Larges and 175mm on XL frames.
The Ride Alpha cockpit includes a 780mm wide, 27mm rise 7005 alloy handlebar and a stubby 31.8 x 40mm Ride Alpha stem (the Meta TR’s come with 50mm stems). Commencal also chose Fabric’s trick-friendly Magic Elite saddle and squishy, large diameter Funguy grips for the Meta TR SX.
For a bike that is designed to get rowdy, there is one notable omission in the build spec: There’s no chain guide or bash guard included. The frame is well armoured with a down tube protector, plus chain and seat stay protectors.
Complete bike weight is listed at 33.9 lbs (size not specified, pedals not included).
The 2020 Meta TR SX retails for $3999. It is available online or at Commencal dealers in Chalk Grey only.
