Commencal Meta HT 1 Year Review // One Mean Hardtail 

You're right, hardtails achieve a different kind of ride. It's like electric and acoustic guitars, neither is better, they each produce their own "ride." Sweet vid man. Wish I was riding.

I've been looking at this bike for months now and I have to say that this is the best review of the bike out there. What a awesome bike and video. Thanks!!!

Definitely sticking around to watch more of this guys stuff, I don’t know how he doesn’t have more subs

I love my meta ht, got extremely lucky and found a used 2020 model in my size. So in stead of waiting 6 months on a new one I've been able to ride it since August. Great review man, love your channel btw!

Bro Fantastic review! Im a fellow Meta HT RU-vidr love this vid and I think you nailed it with the pros and cons!

I love watching your dog chase after you after

4:58 Kashima coated Paws. Fantastic video.

I've been meaning to get one, basically a HT. I do own a 2018 Meta AM 27, love that bike!

Awesome review man! I just got my Meta HT in a couple days ago. Went with the Race version because I wanted the Lyrik fork and fill the void for a long travel enduro hardtail. I already have a 27.5” full suspension trail bike and a 26” dj, so I decided on a 29” which is my first ever in that wheel size. I had the medium 2016 Meta HT Race and that was one of my all time favorites, a true do it all hardtail. After much deliberation, I went with the medium again. The Commencal rep also suggested a medium (I’m in between sizes at 5’6”). You’re right about the geo, the small was only 400mm reach, and the medium at 420mm which was the same as my perfect fitting size small trail bike. Not gonna lie, this thing felt like riding a clumsy monster truck when I first took it out lol. And I couldn’t use the full extension of the 150mm dropper, I had to stop it about an inch short. There were times on the trail where I wondered if I should have gone with the small or 27.5 because I felt so high up. Towards the end of my ride, I adjusted my riding position and centered myself more, even on the downhills and started to really get a feel for this new geo. What I was doing wrong was trying to ride this beast like I was my full suspension (Santa Cruz 5010). Letting the bike rail into the trail for its natural line proved to be a much more enjoyable ride if that makes sense. I’m loving the Lyrik fork, it really eats up a lot of stuff my Fox 34 couldn’t. Gonna take it out for a few more rides and keep tweaking as I go along. I already shortened the dropper cable by 5” so it’s not flopping around. And I’m planning on swapping out the dropper for a 125mm, and going tubeless. Other than that, I don’t see an immediate need for any other upgrade.

I appreciate that you put out a cush core video, a ride video with this hardtail, and then kinda combined all that with this review. Good continuity to your content

I just bought a 2019 meta, I love this bike and it’s a great hardtail enduro. I love your vids and have recommended you to many of my friends. Keep up the great vids👍

I had a bad experience with my SX eagle drive train that came in my Roscoe the clutch in the SX rear mech it was just too flimsy for me so I went with the solid GX counter part and never looked back. Yeah I agree hard tails are just so much fun to drive i barely take my full squish out. Good video mate and killer bike.

Love this bike, had mine for little over a year. It shreds like no other--great review.

super informational video, much better than others ive seen, youve earned yourself a sub for sure.

Love the Boy running you down. Laugh out loud

Happy 5 thousand subscribers. Glad to be part of it!

I'm at a tossup between this and a Nukeproof Scout. They are so very similar. Waiting for the 2021 models to drop. Good review. Gives me a bit more to think about.

Awesome review, it is very informative and I like how you break down the various details.

Sweet review! COMMENCAL mikes some nice bikes. A good HT is as good as a full squish, plus makes you a better rider.

I'm an owner of a 2017 META AM HT Essential. That bike does from a Sunday city park ride to Whistler downhill !

Subscribed! I just bought the 2020 Meta HT Origin (i.e. the lowest spec one) partly based on your review. It comes on Friday and I am super excited to get my hands on it! It's my first real MTB since I was a teenager so, as you said, I wanted to make sure I got a progressive frame that I could grow into and upgrade as I got better. I think my first upgrade will be to put a fairly cheap dropper on it and eventually upgrade the 10 speed drive-train to an eagle NX when I have the money. Luckily the Origin comes with the 2.6 tyres stock, so hopefully I won't need to swap them out for a while.

Dude your vids keep getting better and better! I’m hoping the Idaho hard enduro still happens -Chris

I switched out my 2.8s for maxxis dhf and dhr ii 2.6s. I find 2.6 to be the sweet spot. Sharper in turns and less bouncy while still getting the benefits of running lower psi in a bigger tire.

Absolutely mint review, straight,to the point and honest. Thanks

I just watched one vid from you, and you already got a new subscriber. Keep the good stuff comin 👌💯

I'm really glad I found your review! There isn't a ton out there about this bike, and you definitely have the best review out there on it. If I may ask, how have you found the bike for techy/rocky uphills? Do you find that, without having rear sus, it's bouncy and hard to keep traction while going up rocky climbs? Thanks again for the great video!

You deserve more subscribers

I just got the 2018 Commencal full squish from a buddy and I love it

1:03 Nailed it!!! Great quote

Honesty all and all a well built hardtail is a much better then a full suspension. Way more nimble and climbing ability is on a different level and faster. Only thing full suspension has on a hardtail is rear suspension that takes bumps better.

Thanks for that video. I think its sealed my decision to buy one!

I'm thinking of getting this bike, so beautiful!

I have this exact same bike. Good review.

I have a meta ht 29 coming next week , cant wait . I actually like the shorter reach since I haven’t ridden the new long low and slack stuff ( im still on 26” with a 410 mm reach ) . The only worry i have is the long seat tube , hopefully the seat wont be to much in the way on the dh .

awesome as always!!!!

Love the color way! Been looking around for these, seem hard to come by used.

this should be re titled as “this is how to do a review on a mtb"

Hi Shredist ! U can buy a Marzocchi Z2. Its for 27,5 and 29er Wheels !

Great video, you have a new subscriber! I've been eyeing this bike for some time... What do you think, for a taller rider (6.3) is it better to go for the 29er (race) with 2.4 tires? Based on your thoughts about the not so great 2.8s on the 27.5er essential

I have just bought this bike and I love it. The reach is very short I am going to fit a longer stem and probably change the tyres

Great video! I have one of these; I absolutely love it... There is one thing tho... I have got mad chain slap. I would ride at a decent speed and stop pedaling. Then the chain jumps under the chainstay right behind the front sprocket. The chain then comes back up, which shaves the frame. I wrapped around an old tube with some rubber inside to prevent it from shaving. It works but, I have to change it regularly which, is a hassle because I have to take off my crank. Also, when it doesn't jump down, it hits the rim and scratches that up. Later I took some links out and, it has improved but, it's still very annoying... Have you had that experience? Or is it just me? That is the only thing wrong with this bike. 100% in love with it still :)

I bought one of these! Just started a channel myself and made my own review

Looks like a solid bike 🤟🤟

Nice review!

Pertaining to your comment about the shorter reach, at 6' would you recommend sizing up to an xl frame? What do you feel would be gained by a little longer reach?

Do you have room in that fork for the 29er wheels? Love the look and want to buy now :) Too bad for COVID need to wait another year. $$$

Hope to see more HT Action. New Subscriber here.

Sick bike my dude🔥🔥🔥

liked the review, liked the vid, I liked the most the chase dog...

I just wanted to ask, are you using your regular eyeglass when trailing? I wanted to do trails to, just afraid of falling flat on my face with glasses on.

it dosent need to chenge the fork if you want to put 29 wheel on front. I have 2018 commencal meta ht essential. you can fit there bearly 29x2,5wt maxxis DHF. workin just fine. Amazing bike this meta ht !!!

Man this seems like an awesome bike! You mentioned a base model that's a little over $1000, but on their site I only see the essential and race versions. Where did you see more options, or do you know what happened to the other models by chance?

Ive been looking for a more agressive hardtail or a full squish for a bit now My first choice on hardtail was nukeproof scout but unfortunately nukeproof doesnt have any dealers in south africa then i found commencal and boy oh boy they sell some sick looking full squish frames Im still torn between between hardtail and full squishight just go hardtail to save money due to the rona doing its rounds on the economy

Some people criticize the frame as too stiff for trail riding, what are your thoughts on that? Especially when you ride 2.5/2.4 instead of plus tyres. Just asking because im strongly considering this frame. Thanks.

I thought the essential model was the cheaper one. I run 27.5 2.6 front 2.4 rear .

Hey just ordered a Meta HT Essential 2021 medium size. I'm concerned on some of the comments on this bike saying that the sizes are a little bit short and I'm always struggling in between a medium and a large. I'm 1.80 cm and wanted to know that for this model if its short or ok for me, cause before ordering it I was not sure which size I should order... mmmm they should have a size m/l just like trek. :/. so whats your opinion on this??? I currently ride a large entry level cross country Large and this is going to be my first "big" purchase. yes I feel confortable on a large but sometimes while climbing I kind of feel the bike is a lill large for me.

I do love mine but wish I had gotten the next size up.

Awesome review man! I have the Trek Roscoe 7 2020 but I feel like I've already outgrown the bike as the geometry is more XC than trail oriented (and upgrading it is difficult because of that). I'm eyeing up this bike as a hardtail I can keep for a good long time until I get a full suspension. My question is is the geo on the Commencal too aggressive? I live in Wisconsin and we have one bike park near me and then a bunch of single track XC and flow trails. Would this bike just be over kill and not be able to go for a nice ride and be able to climb? 65 degrees and 160mm of travel seems VERY aggressive compared to every other hardtail on the market. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hey dude nice review, I was wondering if I should get a size M ir L, because of the reach as you mentioned. I'm 5'9'' by the way.

I run 29 front and 27.5 rear...2.4 is plenty unless you're a pro.

Sweet!

My favorite hardtail bikes very aggressive bikes

Nice video!

Hi! Thanks for the video.

Nice video mate. I'm surprised about the fork not clearing a 29er front as I thought 27.5+ and 29 were typically the same rolling diameter. What size 29er tyre did you put on it?

Fellow Spokane area rider - I am looking at adding one of these to my stable. I ride an Evil Offering now - do you think the race build 29 would be the way to go or the 27.5? Thanks!

Hey man great review, thinking about preordering the 2021, I’m 5’10” it looks like they only have the L coming down the line, you think that would be too big??

Hi mate, wondering if this bike in the video had the coil fork? If it is what’s it like?

Very nice review. Thank you. I love the frame. Would you think L would be good for me? I’m 6.1 and 220lbs. Thanks a bunch.

Short reach was one of the reasons i moved away from the meta honestly, otherwise solid bike, maybe a little stiff though!

How did it come with 2.8" tires but not fit a 29er? I thought the fork would have to be 29/27.5+?

Thanks for this video, I was planning to get a 29 front wheel and make the bike a mullet, but I guess it would need a different fork as well... :(

Hey, for reference how tall are you? I usually ride a large in most bikes but I'm concerned (for want of the better word) about the short reach even though I fall in to the large size category per Commencals website

Thanks for the video. How is the uphill with the new tires??

How's wheels ? What's your overall opinion about spank wheels ?

Is it possible to replace the front star with 34 or 36 teeth here?

I habe the commencal meta ht origin and i can ride everything! And this for 1099 bucks! Amazing!!!

Hey man, Quick question, what’s the difference between 27.5 and 29 wheels in terms of performance? Apologies of it’s a dumb question, I’m relatively new to this sport! Thanks

I have a 2019 with a yari but came with 2.6 and a bad rear hub. Grey and gold. I also made the mistake of the 29" rims. Again great geo on the bike never selling it. cS is not the best when i tried to get my hub serviced or replaced.

Was there a noticeable drop in height switching out the tires? I'm gonna be replacing the rekons on mine but was worried about switching to a smaller size.

Awesome video! I'm selling my full sus Kona 153 process because I feel like its just to much bike for the majority of things that I ride. I do occasionally send it off bigger features and do some jump lines but im over pedaling it up and and on singletrack trails. i originally bought it for a DO IT ALL bike. but I've only been to the bike park with it 3 times. Im stuck on getting this bike or the KONA honzo DL. do you have any experience with the honzo or and feedback on which you think will be a better suit for me? i do want to ride single track and i do want to get rowdy. THANKS!

How stiff, or compliant is the frame? Ya, also what material is the frame? Bc the seats does look super thin, like they were built to flex a bit although I hear that frame is definitely STIFF and can be tuff for all day trail riding?

Sir which insert did you use?

Have you looked at the 2021 HT AM ride? I’ve been looking at this for my first mountain bike curious what your thoughts are on this one

Im looking at the 2020 Ht Race. Assuming it will be fairly similar to this (i know its 10mm less travel though). How do you feel this bike goes as a general all day trail bike? I usually do around 40km on either steep up or downs (not much flat where i live). Is this something you can see the bike doing well?

Nice vid. How is this different from the meta ht origin?

Nice Video

Thanks for the review! My wife is looking at one, could you tell me how the engagement is on the rear hub? Doesn't need to be great, just hoping it's not like 30 degrees or something awful :).

I'd buy one if this year's color options weren't all shit

29 wheel at the front and 27.5 at the rear wheel you Think that’s a good combination

Hey man, I’m looking into getting a HT, and I was curious how tall are you? I’m about 5’9” and looking at the geo it says I should lean towards a medium. But comparing some of the figures it seems I’d enjoy a longer reach bike.

What’s your favorite bike you’ve ever ridden?

Did you notice any problems with the BB height being too low after swapping out the 2.8" tires to smaller 2.5"/2.4"? Thinking about doing the same on my 2020 Fuse 27.5 but afraid of more pedal strikes!

I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to take my canyon grand canyon 29rr Hardtail from 2012 and fit a 140mm fork on it to make it slacker and more Enduro oriented instead of its current xc focus. What do you think?

I still sceptical to pull the trigger on this bike because of deciding between the medium and large. If i were to large i am worried that the dropper wont work for me. I am 5’10

I'm not sure if you answered this question in one of the previous comments. I'm trying to figure out what size I should be looking at for this bike. How tall are you?

What do you think about the Spank wheelset in comparison to other wheelsets you rode so far?

How does it climb and behave on long pedals? Been looking into getting one myself, because my old school heavy full sus is useless at climbing and long pedals.

Trying to decide over this and a marin san quentin 3?

How about dartmoor primal whichnis da best hardtail?