08 5.5.2 or 09 5.5.3

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May 22, 2012, 06:26:16 PM

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Total Voters: 287

[swalker]

Alreet.

Decided to get a Commencal & was set on goin for a 08 5.5.2 but now wonderin whether to go for the 09 5.5.3.

So was after some general advice on the difference in spec between the 2 bikes as im not too well up on componentry. 

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[hanleyrh]

My opinion is that the 2009 5.5.3 is a better specc'd bike than the 2008 5.5.3. The fork is much better for a start. The 2008 5.5.2 will have a higher spec than the 2009 5.5.3 but the 5.5.3 will have the benefit of the newer updated frame (stiffer linkage and integrated headseat). If you take a look at our website we have lots of info on the 09 Meta's on the news section www.bikeactive.com

[Grammo]

Think I would go for the 09 5.5.3 and get a rear shox with a lock out on the rear, either swap it at the shop or sell it and get a second hand fox RP2,RP3, RP23, or similar. You can get some good deal on new parts on ebay from america or HK. Put the 2.35 highroller on the front, it turns into corners sweetly. The juicy 3 are good cheep brakes. Not sure about the stock fork though.

[themossman]

09, the pro pedal option on the shock isn't worth worrying about (I never use mine, bike climbs well enough without it on). If spec isn't an issue (there isn't a vast difference between them) then it comes down to colour. I like the subtle black/gold colour of my 08 552, but I do like the new fade in paint job.

[steveb]

The 09 frames are quite a bit beefed up over 08, if this is important to you, then an 09, otherwise it's a no-brainer, cheap 08 552.

[swalker]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Decided to go for the 552 08 last night, but after google searchin & sifftin thro all the dealers listed on the Commencal website i couldnt find any smalls at a reduced price anywhere. (had a £1500 budget)

I had a cuppla phone numbers jotted down of dealers who dint have websites to give em a bell this morn & struck gold wi the 1st one i phoned, they had a small in stock reduced to £1349 & were only 20 mins away from where i work.

Bobbed round at dinner & laid down the bucks & can pick it up tneet.

Ps. They got a few mediums left as well but i think they were £1400-£1500.

Royles in Wilmslow if anyones intrested.

[steveb]

Nice one, and a local shop too so bonus.

[themossman]

Nice one! I have the same bike (you wont be disappointed)

[hermit43]

Popped into Royles today, they had 3 ex demo 4.2s outside waiting for owners, i think 2 of them were £1199 (1 Med and 1 Large) and the other £1299.

[Karen Davies]

Ive got a small 08 552 and love it - confidence inspiring and fun to ride, you wont regret it.  Couple of things to watch out for, the 08 quick releases were a bit dodgy - mine kept working loose, but the shop may have swapped these out as it was an issue on earlier 08s.  Also my rear hub got some play in it after a couple of months, this was cured with a regrease and some new bearings but I changed the wheelsets to DT swiss with hope hubs.  Also had to change the bottom bracket after a few months.  Everything else has been fine.  You might want to change the 2.1 rear high roller to a 2.35 to match the front, guess it depends on what riding you do.  Oh, and also it is worth buying a spare rear mech hangar, they are quite soft and I have bent mine a couple of times, however, if you have a new one and the old isnt too badly damaged you can usually pull it back into shape with some pliers to match the new one, but I guess you can only do this so many times before it becomes too weak.

[swalker]

Yep Iain seems a decent little shop & they should have a full website up n runnin soon.

Thanks for the tips Karen i will bear them in mind, gonna stick wi the current build at the mo & see how it goes after a bit of abuse.

Anyway picked my bike up after work but not had chance to have a blast yet, will have to wait till tmorrow.