Commencal has rejigged its 29er enduro bike with some rather daring frame angles.
Suspension configuration remains statistically unchanged, with 160mm rear and 170mm fork travel, but the new Meta AM 29 is even more equipped for those rowdiest descending trails.
The Andorran bike brand has retained all-aluminium construction for its long-travel 29er, but the 2021 model year frame features some radical geometry numbers.
Best enduro mountain bike: carbon and alloy enduro mountain bikes for all skill sets
Best full-face mountain bike helmets of 2020
Best knee pads for mountain biking 2020: all of the best MTB knee pads reviewed
Commencal’s engineers have stretched and slackened the Meta AM 29 frame. Reach numbers are much greater, growing by 35mm on a size large, totalling 495mm. This 7% increase in reach should aid the Meta AM 29’s high-speed descending stability, but Commencal has also significantly slackened the bike’s steering angle.
The new Meta AM 29’s head angle has relaxed by nearly two full degrees, resetting from 65.5° to 63.6°, which gives it steep terrain capability equal to many triple-clamp downhill racing bikes.
Balancing the Meta AM 29’s radical new geometry is a shortened fork offset, speeding-up handlebar to axle steering input.
Commencal has carefully incorporated some clever frame details to the Meta AM 29. Double-row enduro bearings are more resistant to rear swingarm side loads, promising reduced pivot wear. The rear triangle’s tubing profile has been slimmed down too, creating better clearance for rider calves and ankles, especially during extreme lean angles when negotiating technical terrain.
Cable routing has been tidied and the seat tube height trimmed, to enable longer travel dropper seatposts. Although climbing is unlikely to be the Meta AM 29’s forte, Commencal has steepened this enduro bike’s seat angle from 76.5° to 78.5°, to place riders in a slightly better-pedalling position on long fire road uphill sections.
Commencal is offering its new Meta AM 29 as a frame only option, without shock, starting at $1,568. The range of build kits starts with an entry-level bike at $2,465.
Enduro riders keen on taming some double-black rated terrain will prefer the premium Signature build. Priced at $5,940, it features either Fox’s new 38 upfront, or the choice of Öhlins latest fork and coil shock combination.
