Things I Love/Hate About My 2019 Commencal Meta HT Essential Build

[@thomasthilkjr2075]

Hey ! I own the Meta HT too, and think this review is just spot on. Been riding it for a year - upgraded the wheels/tyres , breaks and stem/handlebar. Next will be the fork - the yari is just fine - just want a Fox 😁. Again super nice review.

[@urg0nnah8me]

I bought one used for $400 that didn't have wheels, tires, rotors and was disassembled from a dude in our mtb group. I ran it with the stuff it came with, but ended up doing a full PNW cockpit, I put a Rockshox Revelation 160mm and SLX everything else. I'm also 6'2" and find the large to be perfect. Just moved to NWA and find myself enjoying this more than my full squish rides out here. Love the review.

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Yes! thats such a great deal! Sounds like a sweet build! I'm also 6'2 and completely agree that that large feels perfect. Looks like your just as stoked as I am with the bike! Rock on homie and thanks for the comment! :)

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Awesome dude!!! we're like the same baby!!!!!!!

[@annekickton8667]

Nice review & awesome trail! Just ordered the Meta HT AM 29er version. Can't wait to ride it!

[@mattf7132]

Come in yet man?

[@mategoncz4029]

Where did u order it?

[@otisjordan5613]

First guy to talk about the stiffness as a pro, sick I just bought a used one, and I'm absolutely loving the stiffness of it, 150mm fox 36 factory set to 16% sag, and it absolutely rips.

[@HardtailLife]

So rad! I’m feeling the hardtail stoke! 🙌

[@CaliradoKid]

Great vid! Everything out in Norcal is drying up right now. It's nice to see some green!

[@0turtle0]

Plannin on getting a Meta HT and the video took me here. Thanx for the review! You’re awesome, baabbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!

[@cove6433]

don't buy one!

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Haha! Glad you enjoyed the vid! Thanks so much for the comment! :)

[@fear4forrest255]

cool video man, ended up getting a used commencal meta ht 2018 already upgraded with a dropper post, tubeless tires, brakes, longer handle bar, grips, chain guard, protective stickers, helmet, and knee pads for 900CAN. i just started mountain biking and thought it was a good deal with all the upgrades. was that a good deal do you think?

[@jurisx85]

Awsome riding! You got me wondering about the Meta…

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

Dude that thing is rowdy AF!

[@yttech2072]

2020 commercial meta ht am comes with tubeless rims and tires

[@glowble]

Vancouver?!! Which trail is this?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Chilliwack. Just outside Vancouver. Trail called “black forest ham” also known as “black hawk down”

[@glowble]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail thanks bro.

[@TeamCykelhold]

Bought one for my wife. Upgrade list: Brakes, Stem, dropper, fork damper (made it into a lyrik ultimate), crank, bb, drivetrain, tyres. Yes the tyres were terrible, absolutely fail to spec those.

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

That sounds like a sick build! Lyrik Ultimate would be so rad on this bike!!!!! and ya the stock tires did not last long for me. lol

[@TeamCykelhold]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail Yeah and it's pretty cheap too, compared to getting a new or even used fork with a better damper. She loves it, says it's a lot better at dealing with prolonged periods of chatter. But probably the biggest upgrade for her was a Shimano 12sp drivetrain!

[@Raoul11]

Hey , i have a commencal meta ht ride 2020. What is your thought on riser bar? My handlebars has 15 mm rise i dont feel as much comfy while pedaling up hills. I wonder if i put a 30 mm riser bar will its affect a bit the way the bike ride and maybe the weight repartition? Thanks for the amazing review. i honestly really really enjoy this bike its crazy how fast its can go.

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Going from 15mm to 30mm rise will for sure make the bike feel different. I personally love the feeling of a bit of a riser on the front. and it will help shift your weight back while descending. I say try It out you may acutely really enjoy it. It's an easy way to change the whole feeling of the bike for better or worse. That part you will decide. let me know if you try it out and how you like it! Thanks so much for the comment and kind words!

[@Raoul11]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail This would definity help me since i feel all my weight is mostly on the front when i get super agressive. I will buy a new handlerbar and for sure lets you know how its goes. You are welcome , i really like your content keep it up :)

[@Bluejayprowash]

great video sir !! happy someone made this !video comparison. I would love to get this awesome hardtail, but the only frame available is with 27.5 tires. I'm big guy and have had 29ers for few years now. How is it pedaling uphill? seems like it shreds if you could do Black forest ham on it .. :D well done. It is more fun with smaller wheels? thanks a lot

[@Cryton1]

Nice. I've got a meta also. My one dislike was the fork, I had to send it back since it was faulty. The US warranty is quicker. They are based in Colorado and I had to send back my fork. The nice thing is RS is also in CO.

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Oh well that's good! was the warranty through Rocksox then??

[@Cryton1]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail i went through commencal then RS. The fork is yet to be examined and i am not sure if i will get a refund or a new fork

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

@@Cryton1 Thats kind of annoying.... So do they have your fork then??

[@Cryton1]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail it is almost there. waiting on what happens

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

@@Cryton1 Ah I got ya!

[@colten4355]

If you're heading to Kam are we gonna get some Bike Ranch footage?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Ya I can do that! Im on it!

[@colten4355]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail Right on!

[@6541adam]

Hey man, I liked your review of the bike! I plan on pre-ordering a 2021. My current bike has the same top tube length as the L commencal (628mm) but on longer rides sometimes my wrists and palms begin to ache. I'm 6'2" with a +1.75 ape index. In your experience, do you think I should go with an XL given that the seat tube will be lower?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

This is a great question.... because the seat tube hight was crazy high on the old model. hmmm I say if you want a fun playful bike you can toss around go with the large. if you think your going to spend long amounts of time peddling and want a more planted feel. go with the xl. I don't think you will go wrong ether way :). as I am also 6'2 but I tend to run bikes a tad smaller they the new fad. let me know what you end up going for and how you like it!

[@6541adam]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail Thanks Ben! I will let you know what I decide.

[@mike7765]

Hey Ben new subscriber here! Love these videos and your overall stokeness! I want to get the 2021 Meta HT but I'm afraid that the reach in size large is too short at 445mm. I have the Meta AM 29er and the reach in a large is 468mm. It's almost a whole inch longer and it feels so perfect for me. I'm 6ft tall. Should I be concerned? Does it feel a bit cramped? I can't size up to an XL because the seat tube height gets ridiculously tall. Thanks!

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Hey Mike! First off thanks so much for being a Sub! Super rad my man! In terms on Bike. I would still go large. As the XL is quite big. I don't think you will feel cramped at all. Im 6'2 and I Love the way the Large meta feels. I think your solid going with the large!

[@Liljoozy]

why u pushing uphill fam?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Because I'm lazy! lol Nah its pretty steep and loose.I like to save my energy for the down! :P

[@hobiebayley4253]

Ya seriously…. Why do you even own a hardtail?? BOOOOO!

[@Daniel_Cooley]

I'm looking for my first bike and going back and forth between the Vitus Sentier 27 VR or the Trek Roscoe 7. Have you used either and if so would you recommend them? If not what are some other options in the $1,000-$1,200 range that youd recomend?

[@michaelmcclure3383]

I have the Roscoe 7. The Vitus looks really good.. (I think it won hardtail of the year recently right?) I looked at a bunch of online bikes. Like the Ragley Marley. Marin San Quintin and so on. In the end I went the Roscoe because i found one ex rental for a great price and full warranty and bike shop service. It's a great bike for the price, the only downside is the lack of a tru axle in the rear that some say can limit your choice of rear hubs. Also the hub isn't great and people tend to have to replace it. I haven't had to yet. The other thing is the brakes, there are mixed reviews on them. I imagine they are fine for lighter riding, single track and so on, but might be a concern for downhill.. Have you looked at the Roscoe's direct competitor, the Specialized fuse? That has a rear thru axle and is a little slacker. I considered it but it was pretty much sold out here locally. Nice bike! If you're good mechanically then you can buy something online and be fine. If not then there are advantages in buying from s bike shop. For example I'm picking my bike up today because it had to have an adjustment to the gears and I couldn't do it. So that's free.

[@Daniel_Cooley]

@@michaelmcclure3383 Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I looked at the Specialized fuse comp but I think it was $1,600 online. Im not sure if buying a bike is like buying a vehicle in the fact that you can haggle on the price. I'm currently leaning towards the Vitus but I'm just concerned on the assembly. Since this is my first mountain bike I'm not too sure how to put it together.

[@michaelmcclure3383]

@@Daniel_Cooley maybe just take it to a shop for assembly. Get some quotes on it maybe. Probably not too expensive Vitus would be a great choice

[@michaelmcclure3383]

@@Daniel_Cooley actually looks like it comes almost completely assembled kzbin.info/www/bejne/imm4qouLbLCtbdE

[@Daniel_Cooley]

@@michaelmcclure3383 Dang it does, thank you so much man! I have one more question, I'm 6'2 and about 235lbs. Do you think 27.5+ would be better since it's a hard tail and it would absorb some of the shock or do you think 29 would be better since I'm a taller rider?

[@gunshipanropace2gunshipand119]

Great vid there! Just wanted to ask if i can fit 29x2.5 massix assegai on the rear of the meta ht, Cheers🤙

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Cheers my dude!! So I believe the specs say 29'er up to 2.4. but im pretty sure you can fit 2.5 on there easy. As long as you don't have crazy wide rims..

[@jamescliftonbates]

Thanks for the review and great riding! New sub from me!

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Cheers my man thanks so much!

[@mmh53]

bought the 2020 version just weeks ago, put on a 2.4 ardent in the back and a 2.5 minion in the front and love it, also the 2020 version comes with a dropper. Love that trail man, where is it?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Thats super awesome it comes with a dropper now. I feel its a must! Sounds like a solid tire set up. you running tubeless? And this trail is in Chilliwack B.Canada hour east of Vancouver. Thanks for the comment my man!

[@mmh53]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail No atm I am still running on tubes, but will probably switch soon :) nice man, looks awesome, all the best from Austria!

[@brianmankoski9078]

I’m moments away from picking up a new 2021 meta HT curious about the sizes tho...I’m 5’9 short legs what sizing do you recommend?

[@gavinwilliams808]

medium no doubt

[@crsdu3875]

did you get the M? how does it feel?

[@ihavea4]

Love the videos on this bike man, I'm seriously considering getting one once they get the new bikes in stock! You mentioned that buying the 27.5 version means you can't fit 29" wheels, but is there any issue with fitting the smaller wheels if you buy the 29" version first? (total noob here, so this might be obvious to a lot of people)

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Hey DJ thanks for the comment! So i'm actually running a 29er fork right now but with a 27.5. so yes you 100% can run 27.5 wheels on the 29er build :)

[@sethnicholls7861]

@Hans Cabanero yes

[@spicyberms7282]

Rad vid dude! My formula hub on my meta am lasted about a year until a pawl wore off. I may of missed it but are you still rocking 27.5 or 29?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Hey it seems there are a few people that have had that issue! I'm still rocking the 27.5 wheels just because I love having the 2.6 tires! Thanks so much for the comment and kind words my dude!

[@neuronflow]

it's impressive how you can ride and talk at the same time, but the video would be better and easier to listen to with a separation of the two :)

[@hegartyj1]

Great review

[@francoismorneau5010]

I found my rear hub to be shity on mine and I can hear that yours isn't stock right?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Ya stock hubs are the formula hubs. I rocking the Bontrager Rapid drive hubs now.

[@finhouston7500]

Whats shite about the hub just wondering?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

@@finhouston7500 Hey Fin so my hubs were actually fine they just are not very high quality hubs. you find formula hubs on a lot of more lower end spec bikes. they just don't have great engagement and free spin. and on my rear wheel with in a few weeks my free hub body bearings were toast. Im not sure if for 2020 if t hey still use the same hubs.. i will look into it.

[@chlangeee9409]

What wheels do you have on there?

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Im rocking the Bontrager Line 40 wheels with the Bontrager Rapid drive rear hub. Solid set of wheels for a good price.

[@chlangeee9409]

@@BenYorkeMrHardtail hola! Wanted to buy the line 30 but they just sold out today and i dont want tom wait 12-13weeks.......... So my question: Arent 40mm wide rims a bit too wide for 2.6 tires? and do yyou think 30mm upfront and 40mm in the rear is a good combo?

[@nicholkid]

Weird that you say the Large is perfect for you at 6'2, everyone else says these frames are super small. I just ordered a 2021 version in L and I'm 5'11. I think it'll be fine, but you're giving me pause. And you should have led with the 'this is my favorite bike ever" comment!

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

I love this bike so much I have a 2021 frame waiting for me back in Squamish. :) like I said I tend to run my bikes small. But I can assure you I has never hindered my performance on the bike. That being said. the main reason I did not go with the XL was the simple fact that the seat tube hight was wayyyyyyy to tall! so it always felt like it was in the way. but! the 2021 they have lowered the seat tube length quite a bit! so thats going to be awesome!!!!

[@ulyssesmateo4245]

Hey, Bro let me know if you push through the Large size of the 2021 Meta HT AM and Hows the feel of the short reach of the large frame? I'm planning to buy also the Large Origin Variant for October Pre-Order here in Australia. Thank You in advance.

[@nicholkid]

@@ulyssesmateo4245 its gonna be a few weeks still until I get my meta, but there was a guy on reddit who got the essential model already and he's 5'11" and says it feels perfect. So I'm pretty confident in my choice.

[@evantansimore7634]

@@nicholkid honestly its personal preference. Im 5'10 and got the M size 2020 Meta HT 29er race. But i grew up riding smaller bikes (older XC 26" bike, shorter wheelbase) so it's second nature for me. We are both in that awkward height range where you can size up or down, so personal preference is key.