Meta 666 sizing (Top Tube length) and ride comparison to SC Heckler

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May 22, 2012, 04:32:57 PM

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[mrsmythe]

Hi,

this is my first post, i've got some questions i've been running through my head for a while and so this'll probably be a long one, please bear with me 

From looking at http://www.commencal.com/news/bicycles/geometry/meta_666.pdf the medium has a 22.5"TT and the large has a 23.3" TT with these measurments taken from the steerer tube to the seat tube as opposed to to the theoretical seat tube position which looks like it would be 50 or 60mm further back at front mech sort of height(if someone knows the correct horizontal measurement that'd be great) with the slack 69* SA reducing the 50 or 60mm to 20 or 30mm when compared to a bike with a 72* SA (1* is roughly equal to 10mm horizontally, 3* = 30mm).  So what I am trying to figure out is what size frame would be the right size for me (I'm 6 foot and am just under a 32" inside leg, shorter legs longer body) and would be comparable to my current Large Santa Cruz Heckler (69*HA 72*SA 23.5TT).  The SA diff on the 666 between the actual seat tube and theoretical seat tube would effectively give the medium 666 a 23.3" or 23.7" TT and the large 24.1" or 24.5" TT.  If these measurements are right then the Medium would be the right size (the large seems too tall as i like low slung bikes due to leg length and chuckability)  . 

Any of you good folks able to help/confirm any of these ramblings? 

Obvioulsy i'd need a good layback post to get my saddle back where I'd need it (used to have a bullit that was lovely with its 23.8" TT and a 60mm stem), I wanna run a 60 or 70mm stem, and am gonna fit a Gamut P30 (I only ever use my 36T ring).

My other question is anyone have an idea how the ride of the 666 compares to an 06 Santa Cruz Heckler (143mm rear travel) with an 08 Pike up front (I've previously had a 4.25" travel 98 heckler and a 6" travel 02 bullit)?  I also run two diff wheelsets, old mavic 317s with 2.1 tyres on hope bulbs and old mavic 521s with 2.3 tyres on hope bulbs so the bike can be used for more types of riding.

The back ground to all of this is that I'm looking at selling my 06 Santa Cruz Heckler and replacing it with an 08 Meta 666.  I had looked at Meta 55s when i was buying the heckler earlier in the year but just couldnt see any at decent prices on ebay so I went for what I was initially after, the heckler and fitted some 08 Pikes (ummed and ahhed between these and some Fox 36s but figured the 140mm of travel was enough).  So the 666 has come into the frame after the battering my hands took in Les Gets this summer that left them sore when clenching them for two weeks after getting home (i could've ridden more slowly when there, but that'd've missed the point  ) made me realise i should've got the 160mm fork and I want to have teh suspension balanced at both ends (have read a couple of statements on here stating that a 140mm fork is right for 55 but a 160mm would be too much and that a 666 would be better for that much front travel).  I had been thinking about a second hand Intense 6.6 but someone at work tole me about the 666 he just got from Merlin (cracking deal) and so the 666 is my prime choice.

Ta in advance!

[Zeroman_IR]

I'd go with a medium in your case. Standover on the large isn't great, though suposedly it's improved for the '09 models. I've a medium 5.5.2 myself (I'm 5'10" and a bit and 32" standover) and it fits me great.

[fletch]

Top tube length on my med 666 is 22.5  ( just checked it ).
I came from an 04 heckler running fox 36's to the meta 666 thinking the heckler was THE bike and I was a bit sceptical.
The 666 does everything better except tight switchy ( is that a word ) single track probably due to the longer wheel base. The upside to that is it's more stable at speed.
The heckler did feel more chuckable but you'd expect that comparing a 5" travel bike to a 6" one.
The suspension system on the meta is way more plush and offers way more traction.
In regards to sizing, if you like a smaller feeling bike I would lean towards the med. I'm 5'9.5 and although I,m happy with the med I feel I could just as easily ride a small.
Hope this helps.

[mrsmythe]

Top tube length on my med 666 is 22.5  ( just checked it ).
I came from an 04 heckler running fox 36's to the meta 666 thinking the heckler was THE bike and I was a bit sceptical.
The 666 does everything better except tight switchy ( is that a word ) single track probably due to the longer wheel base. The upside to that is it's more stable at speed.
The heckler did feel more chuckable but you'd expect that comparing a 5" travel bike to a 6" one.
The suspension system on the meta is way more plush and offers way more traction.
In regards to sizing, if you like a smaller feeling bike I would lean towards the med. I'm 5'9.5 and although I,m happy with the med I feel I could just as easily ride a small.
Hope this helps.

Loving the comments about the 666 being better than the Heckler 

Is that Top Tube length measured in the normal way (horizontal distance between centre line of head tube to centre line of seat tube)?  Could you measure the horizontal distance from centre line of seat tube to centre line of the stump for the front mech at the bottom of the seat tube to help confirm my ramblings about the effective top tube length    ?

Basically I like a long top tube due to my slightly longer body but also so i can run a 60 or 70mm stem and be behind the front wheel but still with enough stretch.

Zeroman_IR  and Fletch sound like you're both pointing me towards the Medium, a good layback post should sort out any short falls or i could squeeze a slightly longer stem on to help.  If the measurement I've asked you for Fletch comes back in the 50 or 60mm range then its defo a Medium for me and the Heckler will hit ebay and Merlin will have one less Medium 666 to sell

[fletch]

Yes I've measured top tube in normal way.
Distance from seat tube to stub is 50mm.

[mrsmythe]

Yes I've measured top tube in normal way.
Distance from seat tube to stub is 50mm.

Brilliant    Cheers Fletch!! So if you run your saddle in the same position on the seatpost you would on a traditional twin triangle frame you'd have a 74* seat angle (50mm = 5*), so sliding the saddle back an extra 20mm will give an effective 72* SA and 23.3" TT.  So I'll get myself a Medium and run the saddle either 30mm further back (gotta find a good layback post) or 20mm further back and a 10mm longer stem.

I see Merlin becoming £674.10 better off this wkend

[mrsmythe]

Bought the Medium Meta 666 (cheers for the help with sizing) and to get myself in the right position back over the pedals I've bought an FSA SL-220 which has soo much layback at the head that there are two bolts for the clamp, one fore and one aft of the seat clamp.  Getting the other bits together for it now...