Max Commencal has been in the bike industry for decades. And it shows.
From his commitment to aluminum frames and innovative high-idler chain dynamics, the Commencal brand is very much a technology trend unto its own.
The Andorran company’s latest release is a shorter-travel e-MTB. While the original Meta Power pairs a 170mm fork with 160mm of rear travel, this new TR variant trims that down to 150mm up front, with 140mm at the back.
Commencal has recognized that not all e-MTB customers live in exceptionally steep terrain, where the autonomous shuttling ability of a long-travel e-MTB is valuable. For those riders who want to cover a lot of mileage and technical descending, but don’t require all the suspension travel, the Meta Power TR is ideal.
The shorter-travel suspension configuration has also been balanced by some geometry adjustments. Compared to the long-travel Meta Power, the TR has a steeper 64.5-degree head angle and longer overall reach.
Designed to offer a touch more trail feedback for those who value the responsiveness of slightly less suspension, the Meta Power TR's reduced travel should give it a livelier ride feel on jumps, drops and technical sections.
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Commencal Meta Power TR: specifications, price and availability
Providing the pedal-assist for this e-MTB is Shimano’s new EP8 mid-drive motor, which draws energy from a 630Wh lithium-ion battery pack.
Form has always paired with function in all Commencal’s designs and the Meta Power TR is no exception.
The company’s designers have managed to shape this e-MTB with a relatively unbloated down tube and bottom bracket junction, using the EP8's compact dimensions to their advantage.
Commencal is marketing three variants of its new Meta Power TR. The signature version prices at $7,199 and has Kashima coated Fox suspension bits and a polished chrome finish.
At $5,699 there is the mid-range Race specification, which features a RockShox combination of Lyrik Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock.
You can go even cheaper, at $4,999, which buys you the Meta Power TR Ride, running a RockShox 35 Gold RL up front and Deluxe Select rear damper. Commencal offers a choice of Sand or Gun Metal colorways.
