Is the Meta 5 the right bike.....

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May 23, 2012, 05:19:09 PM

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[rigpig]

Hi,
this is the first post of a would be commie owner. Been reading about the Meta 5 for some time now and finally got to ride one in Mabie recently and loved it. Thinking of getting a 5.5.1 but just want to double check it's the right bike. Basically I do mainly x-country but would like to mess around on the local DH track occasionally (nothing too rad - 2 to 3ft jumps no huge road gaps) and thinking of aiming for the Megavalanche next year. Am I looking at the right bike or should I be looking at a meta 6? I'd appreciate any advice.
Cheers

[Vic-Tim.com]

Welcome!

Hmmm that is a hard one...

A)Mainly XC says Meta 5 all the way.

B)Hitting some DH trails is staring to suggest the Meta 6.

C)Attempting the Mega says Meta 6.

If you riding is 80% (a) 10% (b) and 10% (c) then a Meta 5 should suffice ( as long as you don't get too out of shape on the jumping side of things.

If you are doing closer to 50% (a) 40% (b) and 10% (c) then you are dropping into 160mm Meta 6 territory.

Just my view

Hope it helps

Tim S

[rigpig]

Thanks for that. Finding it a hard one to resolve myself. Read loads of reviews and loads of stuff on "All Mountain" bikes but it wasn't getting any clearer. I'd say my riding is split 80/10/10 so maye the 5 is right. I do like to pick out the more challenging obstacles when out on XC runs and I'm finding my current beginners hardtail a bit limiting. Do you think it's feasabile to attempt the Mega on a 5 or would I have to do so much upgrading I'd be better with a 6 to start with?

[Steve P]

With the riding that you're describing whatever bke you get (Commie or otherwise) you will be compromised to some extent at one end of the scale or the other.

Depends where you want to be compromised.

If mostly XC then a 5.5 for sure.
If you do some DH riding and are considering the Mega then perhaps a 5.5 VIP frame build where you could choose burlier components - stronger wheels, tyres, double and bashguard etc., or you could get one of the stock models and upgrade parts later for the Mega.

And just so you know exactly where Tim stands, he's talking about (or already done ?) swapping his Meta 666 for a MiniDH for the rough stuff and getting a hardtail for his XC riding.  He's having trouble keeping up with his mates on their hardtails

[kimbo]

I use a 08 Meta552 XC. Does well but I think a hardtail would be better. Does well for all round bush bashing.

Sounds like you need two bikes. 

[rigpig]

Thanks for the advice everyone, especially the bit about 2 bikes. Perhaps I should send you my wife's email address and you could try convincing her of the merits of this approach. I'm having a hard enough time upgrading from the one I already have.

As regards where I would like to be compromised - lets just say I'm married now and all that sort of thing is behind me

Thinking I might still go for the Meta 5 and buy some burlier kit when I need it

[drunkenmunkey]

I have a Meta XT and I regularly ride the Fort Bill DH track and Innerleithen on it, I'm running 10mm bolt thro' on the rear which stiffens it up enough, with an MRP 3 ring bash guard and 31.8 handle bar and a 60mm stem keep things taughter up front. I don't come close to clearing the 20ft transitions and my mates Patriot is much more planted [he suffers on the up though  ] but it still does it and no frame cracks! The front standard 5mm QR is too flexy for very fast stuff  but with the 2009 15mm axle Fox's that should keep you tracking true......

It flexes when the going gets fast and knarly but that makes it very supple, I wouldn't drop it off big jumps though! I use mine 25% DH, 60% All mountain/Enduro and 15% XC, brilliant bike for that blend I'd say!

[Vic-Tim.com]

when tim says "just my view" it usually follows some pretty good advice Smiley (hetends to finish alot of his posts taht way!)

That is only me trying not to sound all-knowing!

And just so you know exactly where Tim stands, he's talking about (or already done ?) swapping his Meta 666 for a MiniDH for the rough stuff and  getting a hardtail for his XC riding.  He's having trouble keeping up with his mates on their hardtails Grin

And to be fair I am trying to keep up with someone who is a world class athelete and rides 150km a week...I need all the help I can get!

Tim S

[markb923]

ive got a 552 with some 321 rims, m4 hope's, big wide bars, hope dh stem, saint crankset. as you can see i tend to lean towards the more gravity induced riding but still didnt want a bike i couldnt ride back to the top with the boys. as long as you know the limitations of the frame i think with a burly build like mine you can take on such things as the mega or your local dh spot. 

[rico]

A riding mate had a Meta5 for a while. I've used it on DHs and its fine. Obviously the geometry is more XC than DH so it does feel like riding an XC bike downhill if you've any experience of a proper downhill bike.

He used his for the main Mega race... but did the qualifier on a Supreme.

Was perfect for the main race, but you'd benefit from extra travel in the qualifier.

[Steve P]

Why the difference? Don't they use bits of the same course?