Please help me choose my Meta..?

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May 24, 2012, 01:19:45 PM

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[RSMarco]

Hi all, first post here and I would really appreciate your help.

Lots of good info and bikes on here..!

After test riding a Commencal Mete 5.5 XT I have decided that this is the FS for me, great ride and does everything I wanted from a FS.

My problem now is deciding on the size and detail.  I test rode a Large because my girlfriend also wanted to test one, she is 6’ and it fitted her well, however I am 5’11” and at first I thought the large would be too big. It does feel big when you initially sit on it but when riding it felt very nice, not to big and not to cramped like the medium felt to me.  The medium does feel slightly more ‘chuckable’ but out on the trail the large didn’t cause me any issued at all and I was fine on the black runs at Llandegla.

I just wanted to ask your advice on this as either way I don’t want to be in a position down the line feeling the bike is too small or too big and having to suffer with lower back aches etc..!

Which is more tuneable. I don’t really like the feeling of adding a long stem as the steering slows down to much for me.

Another thing is I am going for a custom build from Merlin so I am taking this opportunity to spec the bike up with the components I have tried in the past.  My next question and this might sound silly is the wheel and hub choice.

I have specked Mavic XC/XM319 rims in black and I cant decide on the colour of the Hope hubs.
The frame set is white with the green splashes to the swing arm.

Meta VIP 5.5 frame set.
Pike 456 U Turn
Hope hubs
Mavic XC/XM 319
XTR crank set / gearing
Avid ultimate 7 brakes
Hope stem
Thomson Seat
Panracer rampage 2.35 Kevlar

I just cant decide on the final colour of the wheels that would work well with this frame set.

Please offer me your opinions..!

Cheers 

[geetee1972]

Hi mate - I had the same dilema and am the same height as you, but as soon as I sat on a medium I knew that the large was the right size. I should add though, that I like to run a very short stemm (50mm) and very wide bars and this combination on the medium was have been impossible. On the large, it feels just right, even though like you, the large did initially feel too big.

People often talk about a bike being 'chuckable', but I've never really pinned down what that means - likely it means something different to everyone but I reckon the origin of this phrase is in jumping and pulling style whilst doing it. Smaller frames are easier to get 'flat' or do tail whips with - is this what you wanted to do? If chuckable means maneouverable then that's more about geometry and weight distribution; having a frame that's too small will make it harder to get your weight balance right (as will one that's too large); even just sitting on the medium it was obvious that I wasn't going to get that weight balance right, but I would be more reticent about pulling style on the large!

Maybe what you really want is a Meta 4x in long. That would give you the same cockpit as the large Meta 5 but with a much lower standover height. The top tube is dropped much more aggressively and the seat tube is thus much shorter, making the frame feel smaller than it really is.

[bigsteve]

Is there no way you can get another test, but this time on a medium? It's a lot of money to invest if you are not certain...

I am nearly 6'1" and ride a medium; it's not only about height, but also about arm, leg and body lengths as well as riding style.

Oh, and ditch all that XTR stuff and get yourself some nice SRAM shifters and mechs!

Enjoy.

[gravity-slave]

It's a close call but only you can decide on the geometry based on personal preference.  I'm 6' and have spent the winter on a medium and have no doubts it's the right sized frame for my riding.  Test ride and take your time though!

Hubs - keep it simple and classy, black all the way.  No clashes and easier to sell if you ever have to.

Keep the XTR, it's ace!

Personally, I'd match the post with a Thomson stem (oversized).

Pike 454 or 426? I'd recommend the 454 Air u-turn. Compliments the bike well.

[RSMarco]

Nice one guy's 

Really appreciate your comments.

I am going to pop back upto Merlin this Thursday evening and see. 

Someone has mentioned a Meta 4X but these frames are only designed for a 100mm fork..?

Ok, you say black hubs but what about these with black spokes and rims, what about black hubs, silver spokes black rims etc..?

I think I will pop over onto the readers rides bit..

[geetee1972]

The Meta 4x is designed for a 100mm fork, but there's nothing stopping you from running a little more. You won't break it; it's designed with the likes of the Athertons in mind