The rear wheel digs in and finds traction when pedaling up and over sketchy root mounds or ledgy rock faces, without the inefficient, boggy feeling I honestly expected it to have. Under heavy acceleration, the Commencal won’t lurch forward quite like a Pivot or Yeti, but it’s still very responsive. The steep 78.5 degree seat tube angle keeps the rider’s weight far enough forward and there’s enough anti-squat built into the system to make this big beast of a bike manage tough climbs with relative ease. Sure, the shock’s pedaling platform helps on long climbs and prevents squatting on super steep pitches, but pedaling with the shock open, running 30 percent sag, is really quite efficient. These days, the list of bikes that absolutely require a shock lockout is pretty small, and the Meta AM isn’t on it. You wouldn’t expect a big aluminum single pivot 160/170mm-travel 29er to defy gravity very well, but the Meta AM 29 is a surprisingly charismatic climber. Its functional simplicity shouts directly in the face of the current trend of re-clusterfucking bike design like the 37-pound, all-metal middle finger it is. What this bike does with such an elegantly uncomplicated design is pretty mind boggling. It’s so good everywhere that it really begs the question: Are all these other bikes way over-engineered? After having spent some time on the Meta AM 29, I think my answer would be: Yes. The Meta AM 29 does not employ fancy linkages, high pivots, or idler pulleys, yet this bike and its modest modified single pivot suspension somehow deliver a remarkably modern and sophisticated ride quality. On the other hand, if what you’re after is an efficient climber and balanced all-rounder, well, you’re also in the right place. If you’re looking for an unpretentious, no-nonsense enduro basher, look no further than the Commencal Meta AM 29. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
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