2020 - Meta Power

[net wurker]

I switched out the stock bar and stem for a Renthal Apex 35mm stem and a Renthal 40mm rise bar. The Rentahll bar is 780mm wide, same as the stock bar.

Not that the stock setup "felt bad", I just wanted to experiment. I think I like the Renthal setup better, but only have one ride on it so far. Riding again tomorrow night, and probably both days this weekend.

We'll see.

 

[net wurker]

What will make a real differnece in the ride, is that 650 pound spring. C'mon, WorldWide!!

 

[Trickz]

What will make a real differnece in the ride, is that 650 pound spring. C'mon, WorldWide!!

I do like a high front end and have a set of 38mm nuke proof bars knocking around,
I’ve never had a coil spring and I was trying to find out on sram website about how much preload you apply but strangely there’s nothing on the super deluxe coil ultimate,all the stuff I get on searches is fox stuff which was two turns ideally of preload,I was hoping when mine turns up it comes with literature? I’ve never had a Commencal bike but my nuke proof mega came with nowt ?

 

[net wurker]

Yeah, you don't adjust sag on a coil by cranking the spring down, you adjust sag by increasing or decreasing the spring (change the spring to a heavier/lighter spring) as needed.

At your weight, you might find the stock spring on the large, which I believe is a 450, may be just right for you.

 

[net wurker]

Actually, I just checked thier site. A large comes with a 400 pound spring. I beleive the general rule is, if it is still too sagged after 5 full turns of the preload, you need a heavier spring.

 

[khorn]

Actually, I just checked thier site. A large comes with a 400 pound spring. I beleive the general rule is, if it is still too sagged after 5 full turns of the preload, you need a heavier spring.

I don’t know where you get your 5 full turns from but that is a LOT! I do have a coil shock and running 1 1/2 turn of preload, major shock tuning companies state maximum 2 turns of preload or a heavier spring. Too much preload and you will loose the small bump sensitivity totally, one of the key benefits from a coil shock.

Karsten

 

[Trail-Niels]

These things can take a serious beating. Just hafta replace pins every now and again.

I kinda like the red, it's all matchy-matchy. View attachment 19464

It’s looking awesome

 

[vham777]

@net wurker
could you provide some more pictures? looks very nice! if you have time maybe also review a bit? i am specially interested to know more about the new batterie E8035. will it be better than the E8010, which honestly is just a piece of sh***
i am riding the meta power 29 2018 and the meta am 29 with a coil, so i will be very keen on the new commencal ebikes, as i really prefer the geometry and the plush riding of my acoustic meta. the only thin which is holding me back actually is the bad shimano battery on my current bike. if the E8035 is as bad as the E8010 this really would be a pain

 

[Trail-Niels]

@net wurker
could you provide some more pictures? looks very nice! if you have time maybe also review a bit?

Oh yes, a review would be appreciated

 

[net wurker]

I don’t know where you get your 5 full turns from but that is a LOT! I do have a coil shock and running 1 1/2 turn of preload, major shock tuning companies state maximum 2 turns of preload or a heavier spring. Too much preload and you will loose the small bump sensitivity totally, one of the key benefits from a coil shock.

Karsten

Good to know, thanks! Not sure where the 5 turns came from. Foggy memory @ 57 years old.

 

[net wurker]

I can get some good pix and do a proper review this weekend.

 

[net wurker]

the only thin which is holding me back actually is the bad shimano battery on my current bike. if the E8035 is as bad as the E8010 this really would be a pain

I'm new to e-bikes, but I can tell you about my battery experience after about eight rides now.

My first two rides, I pretty much kept it in boost the whole time. I learned pretty quick that that equates to about an hour and half of ride time, max, here in Huntsville which has pretty steep climbs everywhere. Not so much long ones, although a few are a mile and a half or more, most are short, steep, punchy climbs.

Now, I mostly use trail, and have started messing with eco more. Saving the boost for just the gnarliest climbs.

I did change the default 'custom' tuning for eco from low to high. In low, it was pretty useless to me. I figured doing that would encourage me to use eco more. It did.

So now, after about a two hour ride, I usually have just lost the first indicator bar. So almost two hours of riding on the first bar of battery indicator, basically.

From reading up, I do understand that the last half of the bars goes quicker than the first half, so I would guess I could get in around four hours of riding, average.

I was dead-set on getting a spare battery for longer rides, but not so sure I really need it if I use boost sparingly.

 

[Trickz]

I'm new to e-bikes, but I can tell you about my battery experience after about eight rides now.

My first two rides, I pretty much kept it in boost the whole time. I learned pretty quick that that equates to about an hour and half of ride time, max, here in Huntsville which has pretty steep climbs everywhere. Not so much long ones, although a few are a mile and a half or more, most are short, steep, punchy climbs.

Now, I mostly use trail, and have started messing with eco more. Saving the boost for just the gnarliest climbs.

I did change the default 'custom' tuning for eco from low to high. In low, it was pretty useless to me. I figured doing that would encourage me to use eco more. It did.

So now, after about a two hour ride, I usually have just lost the first indicator bar. So almost two hours of riding on the first bar of battery indicator, basically.

From reading up, I do understand that the last half of the bars goes quicker than the first half, so I would guess I could get in around four hours of riding, average.

I was dead-set on getting a spare battery for longer rides, but not so sure I really need it if I use boost sparingly.

That’s good to know buddy?I’m too new to emtb’s but my local loop on an analog takes me about 2.5 hrs so in trail I should be good for a few loops.

 

[net wurker]

That’s good to know buddy?I’m too new to emtb’s but my local loop on an analog takes me about 2.5 hrs so in trail I should be good for a few loops.

What I'm loving about the e-bike is getting to the top of a long, gnarly climb that would usually leave me drained and exhausted with no energy to enjoy the downhill properly.

Now, since the climb is so much easier and I arrive at the top fresh, and, the climb was actually enjoyable for a change, the whole ride is just better!

 

[Trail-Niels]

My first two rides, I pretty much kept it in boost the whole time. I learned pretty quick that that equates to about an hour and half of ride time, max, here in Huntsville which has pretty steep climbs everywhere. Not so much long ones, although a few are a mile and a half or more, most are short, steep, punchy climbs

Very good to know, however i would like to know the distance, and climb a loop is for you? My home trail is usually 700 meters of climb and around 22 km in distance if I do two laps, which is around 2 ½ hours - on my analog Meta AM.

 

[Etacata]

just got mine in. of course it came with a dead battery and it started pouring rain.!

first thing I noticed is how much stiffer there rear feel from the og meta power. very solid. cant wait to give it a spin. gonna add renthal bars, magic mary 2.6 front tire and swap brakes to saints. other than that its good to go.

 

[net wurker]

just got mine in. of course it came with a dead battery and it started pouring rain.!

first thing I noticed is how much stiffer there rear feel from the og meta power. very solid. cant wait to give it a spin. gonna add renthal bars, magic mary 2.6 front tire and swap brakes to saints. other than that its good to go.

View attachment 19479

Yer gonna love it!

 

[net wurker]

Very good to know, however i would like to know the distance, and climb a loop is for you? My home trail is usually 700 meters of climb and around 22 km in distance if I do two laps, which is around 2 ½ hours - on my analog Meta AM.

Our local mountain has about 60 miles worth of trails. There isn't a single loop we do, we just sort of ride around hitting various spots. I don't know about how much elevation (alot) but the ride we did Tuesday night ended up being about 13 miles and we were out for just over 2 hours.

The last mile, the first indicator bar dropped out.

 

[net wurker]

One critique of this bike that I'm kinda bummed about. The steering has a lock. The bars only rotate about 45° and then hit a lock. We have some really tight switchbacks around here where on my Transition, I may have the bar at 90° while I kinda trackstand around the turn.

I guess it's due to the Meta's almost downhill-like geometry. Or, is this kinda standard on all e-bikes cuz of all the wires?

Oh well, I guess I need to tweak my technique a little bit.

I would still get this bike anyway, even if I could have test ridden it and found this out.

BTW, the brake pads are finally bedded in now and I am starting to like the Codes a lot better.

 

[Trickz]

One critique of this bike that I'm kinda bummed about. The steering has a lock. The bars only rotate about 45° and then hit a lock. We have some really tight switchbacks around here where on my Transition, I may have the bar at 90° while I kinda trackstand around the turn.

I guess it's due to the Meta's almost downhill-like geometry. Or, is this kinda standard on all e-bikes cuz of all the wires?

Oh well, I guess I need to tweak my technique a little bit.

I would still get this bike anyway, even if I could have test ridden it and found this out.

BTW, the brake pads are finally bedded in now and I am starting to like the Codes a lot better.

Didn’t realise it came with a headset block,hmm hope that doesn’t impede me loading into the car.

 

[Botts101]

View attachment 15285

These look AMAZING

 

[Etacata]

Got a ride in yesterday between rain storms. Bike is very stable, probably due to long wheel base. Suspension is very plush. I'm 190lb and the large comes with a 400lb spring that I will replace with a 500lb next week. Even with the light spring I did not bottom out or couldn't feel it at least. The rock choc ultimate shocks seem super nice and added adjustments are a big plus. Bike feel and rides light. So far so good!

 

[Trickz]

Got a ride in yesterday between rain storms. Bike is very stable, probably due to long wheel base. Suspension is very plush. I'm 190lb and the large comes with a 400lb spring that I will replace with a 500lb next week. Even with the light spring I did not bottom out or couldn't feel it at least. The rock choc ultimate shocks seem super nice and added adjustments are a big plus. Bike feel and rides light. So far so good!

Good to know I can’t wait?Is the spring 151mm 57.5mm-65mm? Thinking of ordering a 450lbs one as it’s looking like the 400lbs will be too soft.

 

[net wurker]

Is the spring 151mm 57.5mm-65mm?

Correct. I called them when I was ordering my bike, and they said that is the right dimensions for the rear shock spring. That's what I have reserved in a 650lb from WorldWide.

 

[net wurker]

I won't be doing a review or pictures anytime soon. Riding Thursday night, I tired to take out a tree. The tree won.

My whole right side is phukked up (knee, elbow, forehead) but the real killer is my ribs. I guess my elbow got pushed into my side and either a cracked or a bruised rib. One of those deals where you don't dare laugh, or sneeze, or cough or anything.

My right arm is pretty useless. Had to get one of those steering wheel knobs so I could keep driving my truck.

Once I get the right spring on it, and my ribs are healed up, I'll do a proper review.

 

[net wurker]

fun

 

[Trickz]

fun

View attachment 19632

View attachment 19633

ouch!hope you get on the mend soon buddy?

 

[Etacata]

Good to know I can’t wait?Is the spring 151mm 57.5mm-65mm? Thinking of ordering a 450lbs one as it’s looking like the 400lbs will be too soft.

yup, that's the correct spring size.

 

[Etacata]

my sx out in the wild.

had a blast the past 2 days riding the bike and getting it dialed. the bikes very good looking so if you get one be prepared to be stopped by people admiring it! I was doing some trail work and when I for back took mt bike there were 5 people gathered around her.

the rock shox ultimate fork/shock combo is awesome. very smooth. the spring is way to light for me and I have a new one on order but I never felt the bike bottom out hard and rear is active but doesnt bob when peddling. the weight and slackness of the bike make it very stable and I can feel the lower cog as opposed to the original meta power. I also am enjoying the longer tt and reach of the sx. it really helps keep me in the proper position on dh and the control I have is the best I've ridden to date. I do miss the 639watt battery that my norco has. got about 15 miles of steep fire rd climbing and descents and had about 1 bar left. I do have a back up battery on order and emailed commencal about getting an extra battery cover.

honestly I have no complaints about this bike. if your looking for a shuttle bike to do laps this is the bike to get. it rips and is so stable it makes all but the very steepest trails seem almost to easy. both my norco and og meta had the rear axle cone loose continually. not the sx! everything is tight and this is the quietest bike I've owned.

 

[Etacata]

my sx out in the wild.

had a blast the past 2 days riding the bike and getting it dialed. the bikes very good looking so if you get one be prepared to be stopped by people admiring it! I was doing some trail work and when I for back took mt bike there were 5 people gathered around her.

the rock shox ultimate fork/shock combo is awesome. very smooth. the spring is way to light for me and I have a new one on order but I never felt the bike bottom out hard and rear is active but doesnt bob when peddling. the weight and slackness of the bike make it very stable and I can feel the lower cog as opposed to the original meta power. I also am enjoying the longer tt and reach of the sx. it really helps keep me in the proper position on dh and the control I have is the best I've ridden to date. I do miss the 639watt battery that my norco has. got about 15 miles of steep fire rd climbing and descents and had about 1 bar left. I do have a back up battery on order and emailed commencal about getting an extra battery cover.

honestly I have no complaints about this bike. if your looking for a shuttle bike to do laps this is the bike to get. it rips and is so stable it makes all but the very steepest trails seem almost to easy. both my norco and og meta had the rear axle cone loose continually. not the sx! everything is tight and this is the quietest bike I've owned.

View attachment 19708

one thing I forgot to mention is it's very easy to remove the battery. just turn the spring loaded hex screw and battery pops out. I did notice water inside the compartment from when I washer her the other day. doesnt look like it will effect and internal electrics but I'm gonna be more careful spraying down there.