Commencal’s 2021 META AM 29 goes steep and slack in all the right places

Trailing the launch of Commencal’s new META TR 29 is it’s burly all-mountain brother; the 2021 META AM 29. Sticking with the 160 mm platform, Commencal have made some significant geometry adjustments to make the bike “more dynamic and more comfortable during suspension travel”.

Taking feedback from their EWS racers, including Cecile Ravanel and Antoine Vidal, Commencal set out to create a ride with reduced leg fatigue. The goal was performance-oriented; to let riders continue to go fast, even towards the end of long race stages. Here’s a quick introduction to the 2021 META AM 29 and its four build models (for now).

2021 META AM 29

The 2021 META AM 29 is a 160 mm travel all-mountain/enduro bike with a 170 mm fork and a suspension layout almost identical to that of the new META TR. It’s a linkage-driven single-pivot suspension design. The shock sits parallel to and directly underneath the top tube with clearance for the new FOX X2 air shock and the Ohlins TTX 22 M Coil shock.

For stability, Commencal have decided to lengthen the bike for 2021, speccing a 40 mm stem as standard. In addition, they’ve reduced the fork offset to 42 mm or 44 mm (model dependent) lengthening the trail figure.

Double-row enduro bearings add stiffness to the frame, allowing a more homogeneous deformation instead of the frame displaying more notable flex at the pivot points.

Updated Geometry

2021 sees some big changes to geometry of the Commencal META AM 29 enduro bike. In the cockpit, riders will now be reaching much further to the bar. Reach on the medium has increased 25 mm to 470 mm. The S-XL frame sizes now span a reach range of 445 mm to 520 mm.

With that change comes a dramatically shortened seat tube; now 420 mm in medium, a reduction of at least 20 mm across the size range.

This means riders can now make use of the super long travel dropper posts on the market, and chose their frame size based on their preferred reach figure without having to worry about clearance.

Most notable of the geometry changes are the much slacker head angle and much steeper seat tube angle. The HA slackens off almost 2° to 63.6 degrees. With that, Commencal spec the 2021 META AM 29 with a shorter offset fork of 42 mm or 44 mm, depending on the model.

The resulting wheelbase presents an increase of 40 mm, now at 1258 mm in medium. Chainstays add just 1 mm to this figure, measuring up at 433 mm, consistent across the size range.

The seat tube now sits more upright at an angle of 78.5° bringing the rider’s pelvis further forward and closer to the BB as a result. Said BB is higher for this model year, now with a -21 mm drop.

Frame Details

All models of the 2021 META AM 29 enduro bike are alloy, housing press fit bottom brackets and ZS44/ZS56 headsets. Rear end spacing is boost, at 12 mm x 148 mm. Cable routing is internal throughout.

The seat tube has a 34.9 mm internal diameter. The downtube as well as the drive-side seatstay and chainstay get get rubber protectors to keep them safe from rocks and chain slap.

Pricing & Availability

For now, Commencal are offering four build models of the 2021 META AM 29. Pricing starts at $2299 excluding tax for the budget option Origin build.

You won’t get a dropper post with the Origin but you do get a RockShox Yari RC 170 mm fork, a RockShox Deluxe Select Shock, Shimano MT501 2-pot brakes, an 11s DEORE drivetrain and E13 LG1 DH Base rims home to VEE TIRE Flow Snap 2.35″ tires.

The Essential is a middle of the range build, offering 4-pot SLX brakes, 12s SLX drivetrain, the FOX 38 GRIP Performance fork and a Float DPX Performance shock for $3499. It gets a dropper seat post too, and DT SWISS E 532 rims home to Maxxis Assegai 2.5″ tires. This build gets a Heritage Green frame finish.

In addition to the top-end Signature model, Commencal are also offering the 2021 META AM 29 with complete Ohlins suspension. This model gets the Ohlins RXF 36 M.2 AIR 170 mm fork and the TTX 22 M coil shock. Other spec includes Shimano XT 4-piston brakes, the 12s XT drivetrain and a DT SWISS EX 511 custom wheelset with DT 350 hubset and DT Comp Spokes.

Two other mid-range models of the 2021 META AM 29 are on their way with an as-yet-unreleased fork. Stay tuned!

CommencalUSA.com