So what’s new about the 2021 Commencal META TR 29? Lots! Commencal have rebuilt their 29er trail bike with a modern geometry that clearly wants to rip. No surprise then to learn this year’s model is both longer and slacker than its predecessor.
Video by @Gaetan Clary
In terms of travel, the 2021 META TR 29 is more comparable to the affordable SX build released earlier this year; 140 mm rear wheel travel is now paired with a 150 mm or 160 mm fork, model dependent. Everything you need to know about Commencal’s new trail bike is right here.
2021 Commencal META TR 29
The 2021 Commencal META TR 29 still uses Commencal’s linkage-driven single pivot suspension platform. At first glance, it doesn’t look heaps different to the 2019 version, though it now supports 140 mm rear wheel travel as compared to the previous 130 mm.
There are a few differences to the linkage design that allow for this additional travel, and some other differences that probably bring additional lateral stiffness to the frame.
Note that the rocker now bridges around the front instead of at the rear of the seat tube in a one-piece design. The META TR 29 now uses double row Enduro Bearings said to be stiffer and more reliable.
The new suspension kinematic is said to give the bike a more lively ride feel while also reducing the necessary leg work for the rider, reducing fatigue. Commencal have gone with a more compact rear triangle design meant to provide more heel and calf clearance. Let’s take a look at the numbers…
2021 META TR 29 Geometry
The 2021 META TR 29 is undeniably a long trail bike. Reach is increased across the S-XL frame size range, now stretched to 440 mm in small, 465 mm in medium, 490 mm in large and 515 mm in XL. The chainstay increases just 1 mm to 435 mm, consistent across that size range.
The head tube angle slackens off two degrees to 64.5°. With that, Commencal now spec the bike with a shorter offset fork. The seat tube steepens up considerably too, now a very healthy 78.6°. It also shortens considerably, to 440 mm in large.
This will give masses of clearance for super long travel dropper posts – the only consideration being how close the rear wheel gets to the back of your saddle in a bottom-out situation. That said, the steeper seat tube angle should take care of any issues in that department.
This will be a roomy bike for sure, giving the rider a big cone of movement over the BB.
2021 META TR 29: Six Pricing Options
The new Commencal META TR 29 is available to purchase as a frame only, with five complete build models also offered. Heritage Green and Matte Graphite are your two color options if opting for the frame only; $1,399 and $1,499 (tax excluded) will get you one, respectively.
At the most affordable end of the range is the Origin build in a class British Racing Green finish. $2,199 USD will get you a RockShox Deluxe Select shock, RockShox 35 150mm fork, Shimano Deore 11s drivetrain, Shimano MT 501 2-piston brakes, and VEE TIRE Flow Snap 2.35″ tires on E13 LG1 rims.
Next up is the Ride model, available in the Sand colorway. This one gets a 12 speed drivetrain in the form of SRAM’s budget option SX Eagle, the Deluxe Select + shock, Revelation RC 150 mm fork and Shimano Deore 4-pot brakes. This time, Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ tires sit on the same E13 LG1 wheelset. Pick up the META TR 29 Ride for $2,699, tax excluded.
$3,299 US (tax excluded) will get you the 2021 Commencal META TR 29 Essential build in Heritage Green. It gets Deore 4-pot brakes, a FOX Float DPS shock and Fox 36 Performance Grip 150 mm fork. It also gets a 12 speed Shimano SLX drivetrain, and DT SWISS M502 rims on Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ tires.
The Race build is where spec, and pricing, starts to get serious. This build is one of two “overforked” build options. A RockShox Lyrik Ultimate delivers 160 mm travel up front and a RockShox Super Deluxe Coil takes care of the rear end. The META TR 29 Race model gets SRAM G2 RS 4-piston brakes, a 12s GX Eagle drivetrain and a DT SWISS M 1900 SPLINE wheelset home to a Magic Mary/Nobby Nic tire combo. This one costs $3,999 excluding tax.
At the top end of the range is the all-singing all-dancing Signature META TR 29. This build is priced at $4,799, tax excluded. It gets top of the line spec including FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock, FOX 36 Factory fork with Grip 2 damper, Shimano XT 4-pot brakes, 12s XT drivetrain, and a DT SWISS XM 1700 Spline wheelset home to Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ tires.
Frame details
The 2021 Commencal Meta TR 29 is an aluminium frame full suspension mountain bike with a boost (12 mm x 148 mm) spacing rear end. It houses a press fit bottom bracket and a tapered ZS44/ZS56 headset.
Cable routing is internal. The upside of the downtube offers bosses for the mounting of one water bottle.
The frame features rubber protection at the drive side chainstay. This should guard against chain slap and keep the bike running quiet. The underside of the downtube also gets rubber protection to safeguard against rock strikes.
