Meta 5.5 sizing & weight advice...?

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May 23, 2012, 03:00:29 AM

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[ChrisG1975]

Hi,

I'm about to buy a 2008 Meta 5.5.1 which I've found in the sales... I've been deliberating between a 2008 Trek EX8 and the Meta but think I've convinced myself the Meta is the one...everyone seems to love them and this one seems to be a bargain.   

Its a Large size and as yet I've only been able to sit on a medium in a shop...This felt ok, possibly a bit short but its v hard to tell sat in a LBS without the shocks set up properly etc.   I'm 5ft 11in / 6ft and have quite long arms... The shop is getting a 2009 large in for me to try for size but I'm worried that th 2008 one in the sale will go if I wait too long!!

Any advice on whether this is a good size for me?  I've seen a lot of guys not much shorter than me saying the medium is the one for them...  The Commencal website says 180 -190 cm is good for the large...I'm about 182 cm...  I know its not that simple and a lot is about the reach length and just general feel, I'm just trying to satisfy myself that this will fit enough to grab a bargain before it goes!!

I'm currently riding a 19.5in GT Avalanche 0.0... I think the Meta has a similar reach to this...

Also, the quoted weight for the 5.5.1 is 12.6 kg...  is this for the medium sized bike?  Any info on how much the large weighs??

Any advice gratefully received!!  Many thanks, Chris

[heavy_rat]

I'm 6ft and ride a Large 08 Meta and find that it fits perfectly.  In fact I've never felt so comfy on any other bike before.

[Neil]

Ditto that - - 6ft and on a large 2008 VIP . . man and machine in perfect harmony   

So much of the final weight depends on wheels and other finishing kit so me saying mine is about 30 lbs all in, won't be much help.  But don't worry about the weight - it's on a par with everything else in it's class.  As you say - everyone loves them, regardless of head angles / frame weights blah blah blah . . .it's a good bike - buy it.

[themossman]

My last bike was a 19.5 Avalanche...see pic

.....and now I have a large meta 552 08 (see other pic). I've fitted a shorter stem to raise my body position (I'm 6 3" tho, with 34" inside leg)

Go for it (you won't be disappointed)

[gamelle]

Hi Chris,

Went through exactly the same dilemma as yourself & alot of others I suppose.
I was able to try out a 5.5 medium and a couple of months later a 5.5 large. I found the difference in the two sizes to be very subtle with the lengths feeling similar but the large just seemed naturally more comfortable I suppose due to its extra height and my legs being less cramped. I also checked the commencal website and spoke to three shops all telling me that a large is my size. I ended up buying a large 2008 5.5.1 a couple of months back at a silly price and love it to bits.

By the way I'm 6ft1

.......but started shrinking back to the foetal postion so perhaps I should've got the medium afterall

Good luck

[ChrisG1975]

Thanks for the advice guys... really helpful to see some recommendations for the large from folk my size...

The only other doubt in my mind has been whether the bike is a bit too much bike for me and my riding... a lot of the comments I see about the Metas are from really aggressive riders...  The kind of riding Ive been doing is a mixture of trail centre stuff in Scotland, particularly 7 stanes (Glentress, Kirroughtree etc), Laggan etc (red routes, no black yet) and some local stuff near Aberdeen which tends to me less well managed routes - more rooty, muddy etc.  I'd also like to do more cross country kind of stuff - i.e. getting out on longer, non-trail centre routes for a day.  My girlfriend has a Specialized Safire FSR (girlie version of the Stumpjumper) and I'd be doing a lot with her...  

So I want to improve my riding, do a mixture of stuff and not just plough through stuff because I can, and walk up hills because I cant bike up them!! Hence my looking at the Trek EXs... if i had found a 2008 EX9 in the sales I probably would have already bought it due to the good kit spec and the adjustable fork...  

What kind of riding do you guys do and from your experience, do you think the Meta is the right one for me...?

Cheers, once again...

[rj]

I do exactly th same sort of riding as you, and the Meta 5 is spot on for it.  A couple of my mates ride 666s and that's definitely overkill, but the Meta 5 is light enough not to be a pain for XC and they're great fun once you point downwards.

[themossman]

A "do anything, go anywhere" bike

[Neil]

it's a good bike - buy it.

Sounds perfect for the things you are doing and it will bring on your riding skills & ability too - to do the Blacks before you know it - it's THAT confidence inspiring.  I'm not an aggressive rider by any means. It's a perfect trail centre and natural singletrack bike - can go up and down really well.
 

The Trek EX9 is a good bike too - you could buy that if you want - I'm sure you won't be disappointed.  What do friendly, helpful, quick to respond, relatively impartial current Trek owners advise you from their worldwide owners club?      Hmmm - - I think you know what I'm getting at 

You are gonna lose that bargain if you delay any longer.

 

[ChrisG1975]

Thanks guys....I've just bought it!!!  Hope it fits... *gulp* !!

Gets delivered on Monday...!  I can't find any discounted 2008 EX9s new...the only one was on EBay but Trek's warrenty isnt transferable to a second owner and I'd be gutted if something went wrong and it wasnt covered!  This is the only 2008 5.5.1 that I can see with this big a discount... bascially for the price of last years 5.5.2...

You've really helped convince me that the bike is suitable for what Im doing...  Thanks for all the quick responses...!!  I'll let you know how the first ride goes next weekend...!!

Cheers, Chris

[Neil]

Welcome to MetaWorld! 

[derbyrich]

Hi Chris,

Went through exactly the same dilemma as yourself & alot of others I suppose.
I was able to try out a 5.5 medium and a couple of months later a 5.5 large. I found the difference in the two sizes to be very subtle with the lengths feeling similar but the large just seemed naturally more comfortable I suppose due to its extra height and my legs being less cramped. I also checked the commencal website and spoke to three shops all telling me that a large is my size. I ended up buying a large 2008 5.5.1 a couple of months back at a silly price and love it to bits.

By the way I'm 6ft1

.......but started shrinking back to the foetal postion so perhaps I should've got the medium afterall

Good luck

Completely agree with gamelle....been through the same myself, I'm 6' 1 and went for a large......its's a great bike and amazing fun. No worries about size whatsoever. Also tried an 08 Trek Ex7 out - imo there's no comparison, felt really wooden and lifeless. Let us know what you think once you've had a blast 

[mark_s]

Sorry to jump in, but i bet i know how your feeling Chris!
I sorted out an 09 5.5.2 but wanted a few bits changed at a nice discounted rate and have been waiting all week for it.. Last few bits should be in on Monday so i'm hoping to get it then...
I'm like a 12yr old at Christmas at the moment... i cannot wait!! 

[ChrisG1975]

No worries...I am v excited..went for a ride over Pitficchie yesterday on the hardtail and was just  thinking how much smoother it will be on the Meta next wekend!!! Probably won't be able to get out in the week as its dark pretty early now...   Hope yours is ce when it comes...!   

What have you upgraded from the 5.5.2 spec?

[ChrisG1975]

My last bike was a 19.5 Avalanche...see pic

.....and now I have a large meta 552 08 (see other pic). I've fitted a shorter stem to raise my body position (I'm 6 3" tho, with 34" inside leg)

Go for it (you won't be disappointed)

How do you find the meta compares to the GT weight-wise??