2022 Commencal Meta SX First Ride Impression

[@violetaknippel7534]

Pretty scary ride, always be careful my son, mom loves you.

[@mtbohana]

Love you mom!!!!

[@andrewrodgerss]

Really nice build, seems to be riding really smooth! Some fast flowing trails over there.

[@mtbohana]

Andy! What's up brother. Now we just need some of the rain you get. It's so dry out here. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@andrewrodgerss]

@@mtbohana Would happily send some over haha, we get enough of it. Enjoy the new bike 🤘🏼.

[@melodyfrench9576]

How do you find going over large rocks and roots compared to the AM? And how would you recommend it for a enduro race?

[@mtbohana]

@@melodyfrench9576 I'm honestly surprised how well the Meta SX handles the rocks and roots. I was expecting it to be worse than the Mera AM, but I don't notice any negatives of the smaller 27.5 through the rough stuff. So far I've been faster on my Meta SX compared to my Meta AM and it's easier to get in and through the turns. If I was going to race I would go with the Meta SX. Thanks for watching and if you have any other questions, I'm happy to answer them for you.

[@Pozitivi]

Awesome! the Meta SX looks so cool!

[@mtbohana]

Did you see the new Meta SX V5. It looks so good.

[@Pozitivi]

@@mtbohana ✊🤘

[@nicorawmtb]

Nice video ! The meta SX is a bad climber ? Do you think it can handle big day on the saddle ? Or it is too slow/sluggish ? I’m torn between this one and the Rallon and I need à bike that climbs well

[@mtbohana]

It's not a bad climber at all. I live in California and everywhere I ride I'm always climbing. I mean, it's no XC bike, but for a big enduro bike it does really well on the climbs. Once you point it down hill the thing just rips. Also, sorry for the late reply. If you have any other questions just let me know. Also check the video discription and come join the Commencal subreddit and discord channel. Always a good place to get info on Commencals from other riders.

[@JLambinator]

This looks like such a fun bike! Great vid. At 6'2" I feel like I'm right between L and XL. Don't suppose you've measured BB hieght or standover? Two data points Commencal doesn't provide.

[@mtbohana]

Sorry for the late reply. I've been fighting Covid. At 6'2" you are right in the middle of the L and XL. Large goes from 5'10" - 6'3" and XL goes from 6'2" - 6'11". Commencal now makes size-specific chainstay lengths for their bikes. So now the L and XL won't have long front centers and will handle really well. When I'm feeling better I will measure the bottom bracket and standover height for you, though my bike is medium. Thanks for Commenting and watching.

[@Tequila628]

Bro, I'm also 186cm, I've read numerous people reporting that with our height L was a bit small for them and they felt right at home on XL. I have 91cm inseam and long arms, tried a bike with 500 reach and 650 ett and it felt perfect. So I'd go with XL SX.

[@tylerpaulmtb1926]

Awesome vid dude!! Really enjoyed watching this, sub 👊 really wanna ride here one day 🤞

[@mtbohana]

If you are ever in San Diego hit me up. I will show you around for sure. We have a lot of fun places to ride and the weather is always nice. Thanks for the watching, commenting and the sub.

[@WilliamCronin]

funny finding you here

[@magacho9431]

Good review bro, I'm thinking between a meta sx or clash, still looking for testers ^^ Cheers from Brazil

[@mtbohana]

Thanks for the kind words. What type of riding are you going to be doing?

[@magacho9431]

@@mtbohana mix between enduro and downhill. eventually some XC tracks as well, I used to do DH 10 years ago, so I was thinking that I would feel better on a bike with bigger suspensions, but I know that meta sx will be more agile, so still pretty confused with the choice

[@mtbohana]

Go Meta SX. The 29er front tire will help you get over the rough stuff and the 27.5 rear keeps it nimble. The suspension is super plush too. The bike has good suspension kinematics and a steep seat tube angle which helps a lot with pedaling efficiency. You don't get any bad pedal bob on this bike unless you are standing up and mashing the pedals. You will love this bike once you ride it. I say get it.

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

Nice riding dude, and sick rig. Where is this trail? You DO have the same stem as me!! 👌🏼

[@mtbohana]

Thanks brother. I had to get the matching I9 hubs to make it looks like I know how to ride 🤣🤣

[@b4bnik]

Very dangerous positioning of your right thumb there, good review

[@mtbohana]

Yeah, I hurt my thumb earlier in the day. I normally don't ride like that. Thanks for watching.

[@b4bnik]

@@mtbohana oh that makes sense, no problem haha. i was confused about that because you are a pretty darn good rider.

[@mtbohana]

@@b4bnik Thanks for the kind words brother.

[@bryananthony8731]

Nice review I’m considering getting this bike and there are very few reviews. How do you like the sizing. What’s your height and what size frame did you get? Thanks

[@mtbohana]

Hey Bryan, sizing is great and the bike fits really well. I'm 5'9" and got a medium. If you have any other questions just let me know. More than happy to help.

[@jonas6900]

Great video thanks. I also wann to go with a Meta sx but not sure about sizing. I am 5'8(172cm) tall. Commencal chart says m nur i read alot saying "downsizing". What is your recomendation? So you have an advice?

[@mtbohana]

I'm 5'9" and ride a medium. A lot people say downsize which was true on the Meta AM due to that bike having a long front Triangle. Also the AM had the same size rear triangle for all the different sized bikes. So if you got a large or XL the bike ends up having a long front center. On the Meta SX the rear triangle length changes now depending on what size bike you get. So the bike is more balanced front to back. No need to downsize. The medium fits me perfectly. According to Commencal's sizing chart you would be a medium. What type of riding are you doing?

[@jonas6900]

Hi thanks for your answer. It would bei an all purpose Bike. Pedaling bike tours and tough bikepark riding

[@sdisan]

Sorry if i missed that, but may i ask you which frame size are you riding and how tall you are?

[@mtbohana]

I'm 5'9" and I ride a size medium frame. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@calinfloyd]

Is that a raw frame or metallic finish?

[@mtbohana]

It's Commencals "High Polished" aluminum frame that comes with a clear coat finish. You can only get this color by purchasing the frame only and it cost a $100 extra compared to the other painted colors. www.commencalusa.com/frame-commencal-meta-sx-high-polished-2022-c2x33305345

[@maxencegregoire8618]

you say the SX is better everywhere, but if it really a better descender? meta am is more aggressive on paper if im not tripping, how about the chunky rock gardens AM vs SX

[@mtbohana]

According to Strava, I have been faster on all the descents on the Meta SX. Most of my riding is a slow climb up and bomb down the hill. The SX just feels easier to ride. With the smaller rear wheel, I can get really far off the back of the bike. On the Meta AM with the bigger rear wheel, I was always buzzing my butt. Also, the rear end of the Meta SX is way stiffer than the AM. You can really feel it in the rough stuff. As far as chunky rock gardens I would pick the Meta SX. As you can see in this video it handled it perfectly and with the stiffer rear end, the bike feels more solid and tracks the line you want way easier. If you have to do a lot of fire road pedaling or really long fire road climbs, then the Meta AM would be faster. For me, I don't mind being a bit slower on the long fire road climbs with Meta SX, because I'm so much faster going down compared to the Meta AM. How tail are you and what type of riding do you do?

[@SAMMY3951]

META AM OR META SX. WHICH ONE IS BETTER??? Thinking of getting commencal but 😕

[@mtbohana]

Meta SX 100%. Bike feels amazing. What's stopping you from getting a Commencal. They make really strong bikes and their customer service is always on point.

[@renzlawmtb8305]

Sick! Just based from ride feel which one you prefer vs the AM?

[@mtbohana]

The SX does everything better except for climbing fire roads. The 29er on the Meta helps you get up those long boring climbs. Once I get into the single track/technical climbs I don't notice missing the 29er in the back and I feel like having the 27.5 helps because it easier to move the bike around. The Meta AM kind of feels like a bus in those situtaions. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Hoschenjager]

@@mtbohana do u never think that the full 29" accelerate as much as the mullet?

[@mtbohana]

​@@Hoschenjager The only time I miss the acceleration is during the long fire road climbs. Everywhere else I don't notice it. Though most of my riding is a slow pedal up, then ripping down the hill. The SX is so much easier to get into the turns. I feel like I'm carring more speed into, through and out of the turn so I don't have to pedal as much when I exit the turn, I'm already up to speed.

[@TopToBottomMTB]

🤘🏻Yew!!

[@mtbohana]

Thanks brother.

[@eskility]

What wheelset do you have here? Industry9?

[@mtbohana]

Gold Industry Nine hubs and Stans Flow EX3 rims.

[@teamohlesgars]

Nice sesion 💪

[@DownhillExperience]

Bernard 😉

[@mtbohana]

Thank you.

[@JC27813]

Thanks for the vid. You are one of the first to give an impression of the SX. Seems like you are liking it. Is SX > AM?

[@mtbohana]

I'm loving it. Yes, the SX does everything better except for climbing long boring fire roads. Once I get into single track/technical climbs the SX feels better. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@gabuchan123]

Where is this trail?

[@mtbohana]

Carlsbad California. Where do you live?

[@gabuchan123]

@@mtbohana Blackcomb

[@mtbohana]

@@gabuchan123 Lucky.

[@carloscorona7337]

What bike Sx recommend me S or M? I'm 168cm

[@mtbohana]

The small frame goes from 158cm to 170cm and the medium frame goes from 168cm- 180cm. So you are right in the middle of a small and medium. If you want a more playful bike go with the small. If you want something with a bit more stability I would go for the medium. I'm 175cm and I ride a medium. Commencal Meta frames tend to run a bit big so maybe the small would be the best fit.

[@btarr13]

Hell ya.. Nice footy🤘🏻

[@mtbohana]

Thanks B. Aliso tomorrow.

[@Coerced]

About the climbs: I honestly think you're either sharing a placebo effect with us or you're just identifying your struggles wrongly because a smaller wheel doesn't make you need extra pedal strokes in order to get up. Not with a bike that can shift because you just shift to a heavier gear. Scientifically speaking the only 2 things that change (and affect efficiency), I believe are 1) weight because of a smaller wheel, which mostly works in your favor during the climb, and 2) impact angle between wheel and trail, which increases with a shorter wheel and works against you. Arguably less BB drop also affects ease of pulling up the frontwheel, but that doesn't mean much on a climb that's not very technical. I get the image you're describing of having a shorter wheel circumference which translates into less distance per stroke, and I get that image would mentally work against you but that image is also wrong because the gears decide the ratio between rotations of the pedals and the wheel.

[@mtbohana]

It doesn't matter that the 27.5 bike can shift because I can shift on the 29er bike too. If I'm in the 12th gear on the 27.5 bike and shift to the 11th gear, then I can do the same on the 29er. Gear for gear, the 29er will have fewer pedal strokes compared to a 27.5 wheel. I hope I'm understanding what you are saying correctly.