I want to buy a Meta 5.5 but I'm worried about....

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May 23, 2012, 04:14:20 AM

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[Rich1978]

- weight....was thinking a Meta 5.5 XT - whats the weight, I was aiming of sub-30lbs ?

- travel....i ride a combination of mostly XC with some technical trails ....also want to get to Wales and futher away from Epping Forest and  feel my hardtail is golding me back but is 140mm overkill ?

- all day rideability.....i want to be able to ride this up/down and for hours at a time....is this the bike for me ?

Anybody got anythind bad to say about them ?

[Steve P]

The 08 55XT weighs in about 30lbs. May depend on what pedals you choose.
Not sure about the 09 UK model.

The Meta is well suited to the riding you describe but so are many other bikes.  There are other lighter more xc orientated bikes out there but you'll probably have more fun on the Meta.

All day rideable - yes definitely.

If you want to find people saying bad things about them you're probably in the wrong place 

There have been some frame failures (mostly under warranty) though they seem to get stronger every year.

[ChrisG1975]

I was looking for a bike for similar needs to yours...  I had a hard tail (GT Avalanche 0.0) and wanted a XC full susser for riding in Scotland...including the 7 Stanes, Laggan Wolftrax etc...

I bought a 2008 5.5.1 from Lex's (www.lexs.co.uk) with a big discount.  I'm amazed to say that I think it actually weighs pretty much the same as my GT... other folk have lifted them and couldnt really tell the difference...    I have no problem (apart from my general winter lack of fitness!) in riding it all day, and whilst Im still getting used to it, the downs are so much easier than on my hardtail!  I may not get down with any more skill, but I dont hurt so much at the end!

I wondered about 140 being too much but I'm not sure I really notice it, even coming from a 100 mm hardtail with cheap forks.  I find the back end has much more traction than my GT had.  I play with Propedal on and off and actually prefer it on most of the time, except possibly firetracks.  You can also lock out the front forks on the firetrack uphills if you want to. 

The cockpit is is noticeably shorter and I do notice the front end being a little higher than on the GT...  I dont think this really makes it more difficult uphill though, especially given the extra traction, (ie I can still make it up the same ups, perhaps more easily now - so the extra traction seems to outweight the possibe negative of a slightly higher front) and the higher front does make it much better for the downs... you dont feel like youre teetering over the bars so much... 

Seems quite versatile... and have felt able to book my first trip to BikeVillage in the Alps (wasnt sure I'd be able to handle it on the GT)...  Now I think it will just be down to my own fitness whether I make it thorugh the week, rather than being down to the bike...!

[markb923]

why not consider the meta 4 if your worried about weight. tbh you wont go wrong with a meta 5 xt which is made for the stuff you want to ride. anyway light weight dosnt always mean better riding 

[damo]

Why not get a trip organised to Llandegla and pre reserve one to demo? Then at least you will have a first hand opinion on it.

Just a thought.

Damo

[Rich1978]

Why not get a trip organised to Llandegla and pre reserve one to demo? Then at least you will have a first hand opinion on it.

Just a thought.

Damo

Yeah not a bad plan.....who do you get the demo from ?

[damo]

There is a bike shop on site that deal in Yeti, Commencal etc.

http://www.coedllandegla.com/about/oneplanet.htm

Damo

[Crag]

Not sure if you live anywhere near Leeds but JD Cycles in Ilkley had a demo bike that you could take out for the weekend for nowt.

[fly6154]

Yeah not a bad plan.....who do you get the demo from ?

If you do live near LLandegla it is really best to do the £50 demo option a normal demo is £35 but for £50 you can demo bikes for a full month,at least this way you get know what the competition is like and you get the £50 back when you buy a bike.Let this site know if you are going to Llandegla as there might be somebody who will join you me for one[depending on time and date].

[cunning-stunt]

- weight....was thinking a Meta 5.5 XT - whats the weight, I was aiming of sub-30lbs ?

- all day rideability.....i want to be able to ride this up/down and for hours at a time....is this the bike for me ?

I have a 666 weighing in at 32lb (1 inch travel over Meta 5) and it's rideable all day (I'm not a particularly fir individual either lol). 2 step and propedal help on climbs admittedly. I wanted full 'AM' yet I'm still suprised how willing it is to climb even though it wasn't designed for that.

5.5 should be just the ticket, lighter, able to climb nicely but fun on the downs.
I could get my 666 to sub 30lbs if needs be, you'll have no trouble getting there (if they aren't already) with a 5.5 even on a burly build.

5.5 is pretty much my ultimate 'do everything' rig, one bike for everything.

[kimbo]

Why not wait for the carbon fibre frames to be released if you want light weight XC or go for the Meta 4....

I just got a 08 552 and was worried about the same things as you. I have only taken the bike out once and I am very happy with the ride.

You don't notice the weight in my opinion. I was worried about climbing ability and found it to climb gravel hills fine.

Bounces over roots, logs and rocks. Corners like it's on rails 

[bong69uk]

Commies Rock,just buy one you wont regret it!

[Rich1978]

ok found somewhere down south that has a demo bike so going to try to arrange a session on the Noth Downs. Sounds like you are all in love with the Meta but them again I am on an owners forum!

I think target would defo be sub 30lbs Meta XT so I guess will look at new wheels, carbon bar...see what deals the bike shop can do? 

Anywhere else a good place to lighten quite cheaply ?

[steveb]

Unless your very light yourself, forget worrying about the weight. My Supreme MDH weighs about 36-38lb depending on the wheels and it's perfectly all day ridable, I know cus I do it. Your body soon adjusts to the weight of the bike. On rides over 5 hours the weight of it does start to show itself, but not overly so. My Meta weighs about 32lb and climbs exactly the same, and feels exactly the same over exactly the same trails, expect of course it's not as much fun on the downs.

What I'm saying i buy a bike that is suitable for the riding you want to do, and forget about the weight. If it turns out to be a bit heavier than you planned, you'll soon adjust, and 99% thing their bike is 2lb lighter than it really is anyway, so weight is all in the head.

[Steve P]

Tubeless lightens a bit as long as you're not using UST tyres.
Could be an option as long as you don't want to change tyres every 5 minutes.
Makes the bike roll better as well.