Considering buying Commencal Meta Power 650B+ Fox

[Robotaff]

I am considering the Commencal Meta Power 650B+ Fox or a Canyon Spectral ON 8.0, has anyone any thoughts which is the best bike for the money?

I have ridden the Merida E900 which is great but expensive, approx. £2k more even if it has a great spec.

 

[Kernow]

We looked at everything in the 4-5k price range but couldn’t get close to the commencal in spec , whatever model we chose . Very pleased indeed with the bike in every way and commencal were good with their backup for the few minor problems we had ,
I would buy the same again without hesitation
The ex1 is good and it’s price isn’t really reflected in the cost of the bike so we gave it a go because the spec was what we wanted for the rest of it . Garry has a problem with it based on lack of understanding , but the model or two Down doesn’t have ex1 if you prefer 11 speed . I really like the coil shock on my race model , I think it really works better for a heavier rider .

 

[njn]

How's canyon customer service? Two different wheel sizes seems like a bad idea. The meta has fox factory, the spectral has fox performance. Kashima FTW.

 

[Ryder]

I'm with Gary on this one...it would be good to know what sort of riding the Op is doing before suggesting the best bike. My feeling (with limited experience but lots of reading) is that componentry is less important on an e-bike in many ways (Except brakes). What I mean is top spec normal mtb components are generally light and fragile, neither of which are a good fit. I would be more concerned about geo and suspension quality matching what the rider wants to do.

 

[R120]

I find a lot of these bike interesting in terms of pricing.

Whilst they clearly have differences in terms of suspension designs, a lot of the current crop of Shimano powered bikes seem to be out the same factory, and all very similar to the original un branded bike Shimano used to demo the system on originally.

The Commencal, Ghost, Merida, Vitus, Ridgeback, and others all seem to be out the same catalogue ( down and head tube designs all seem to be identical), so assume that the frames all cost about the same as the manufacturers appear to be just tweaking an off the shelf design, which means your really paying a premium for the brand or parts.

Some have more thought put in than others, i like the way the Merida has inboard brakes for example, but i would just go for the bike which has the best geo for you and the kit you want, at the best price.

That why i got the Vitus, my budget was not tight, but nothing i looked at really stacked up against it unless you where into 5k plus.

 

[R120]

This is the generic frame Shimano used from Astro in Taiwan, you can see how similar it is to in particular the vitus and ridgeback. They also make frames for Mondraker, Haibike and a load more

ASTRO Own Design E MTB Frame - Shimano E Suspension

 

[Kernow]

I agree with stuff looking like it comes from same factory , vitus looks like nukeproof and the commencal frame has similarity in the way it’s built welds etc . I think I went for the meta in the beginning based on the geo first ,then pedigree and good name commencal have with thier bikes , the normal meta 4.2 always gets top reviews and was a bike I would choose if buying a new enduro bike . After that components for price ticked my wish list , mainly wheels forks seat post and coil shock .
I hadn’t seen the canyon and I really like it’s spec , so it would have been a hard choice , I have however heard of a few problems with canyon frames and customer service being poor with warranty etc .

 

[R120]

I have always had a sfot spot for Commencals.

The new Ghost might be worth a look - same approach to the wheels as canyon, but a bit like a longer travel commencal too:

On test: Ghost HybRide SL AMR X: Coil-Shock, Carbon & DH-Geometry – new E-Trailbike-Benchmark? – eMTB-News.de

 

[Kernow]

Talking of same factory I notice CRC are aksonselling some commencal bikes , although it’s sold as a manufacturers retail only .
I have been told there are only 3 main factories making all the mainstream alloy and carbon frames , giant being the biggest who produce for other brands , Merida who make specialised , plus one other factory who probably produce many of the other names to the spec required .

 

[knut7]

Hmm, they're not really that similar? The Ghost and Vitus is a four bar. The Merida and Commencal are linkage-driven single pivots. It's a quite substantial variation in the the rocker arms and rear shock placement. The Astro frame seems to be some sort of twin link.

Edit, Vitus is four bar, not linkage-driven sp

 

[R120]

I was more referring to the quality of the frames - obviously they have some significant differences, but i don't think that more money is getting you a better quality frame.

 

[knut7]

Yeah, I guess I should have said Horst Bar instead, I can't be bothered separating 4 bar, Horst and DW

I think the introduction of the Shimano motor has been good for bike/frame design, allthough some of them may look the same. But that can be said for regular full suspension bikes too. The Orange Alpine 6E, Devinci DC, Focus Sam2 and Lapierre Overvolt AM x27i are Shimano E8000 bikes with a different look. The Merida has got the shortest chainstays out there (439.5mm) on a bike with boost hub spacing, that will take a 3" tyre. The 150mm travel eGenius has got a substantial 24mm BB drop. The eSommet and Meta Power has tilted the motor a tiny bit downwards, probably to be able to put the external battery as low in the frame as possible. The Shimano motor has enabled manufacturers to produce emtbs that handles quite similar to their regular mtbs. I can't comment on frame quality.

 

[Robotaff]

Why is that Merida so expensive? except from the hubs and code brakes (which I'd choose my guides over anyway) it has a lower spec and the same dampers than my e-bike which cost £3k less? weird.

How did you come to the decision of narrowing your choice down to those two specific models? Was it because they're so similar to the Merida? From your choices it looks like you've decided on a Shimano motor. Guessing you are swayed by the Fox suspension? Possibly fallen for the (hopefully not) the EX-1?
They're quite similar in geometry and travel but definitely marketted at a different style of rider to one another. The Spectral is a true horst link 4 bar where as the Meta is a 4 bar single pivot if that matters to you. (it's probably only going to matter if you're rear brake happy descending)
What are your riding preferences? ie. how and where will you be using it?

I live in South Wales, so mainly riding Cwm Carn, Afan etc. Going for an e- bike as I have early stage arthritis in one knee which will only get worse over time or knee replacement ?

 

[Robotaff]

We looked at everything in the 4-5k price range but couldn’t get close to the commencal in spec , whatever model we chose . Very pleased indeed with the bike in every way and commencal were good with their backup for the few minor problems we had ,
I would buy the same again without hesitation
The ex1 is good and it’s price isn’t really reflected in the cost of the bike so we gave it a go because the spec was what we wanted for the rest of it . Garry has a problem with it based on lack of understanding , but the model or two Down doesn’t have ex1 if you prefer 11 speed . I really like the coil shock on my race model , I think it really works better for a heavier rider .

Spec of kit on the Commençal is certainty very high and based around a proven frame, at the moment this is influencing my decision, just wish the £/€ rate was better.

 

[Robotaff]

How's canyon customer service? Two different wheel sizes seems like a bad idea. The meta has fox factory, the spectral has fox performance. Kashima FTW.

Don’t they both share the same internals, just the non stick coatings differentiating/responsible for the difference in price.

 

[njn]

Don’t they both share the same internals, just the non stick coatings differentiating/responsible for the difference in price.

I think so. Orange is only available on factory forks. It's more bling than performance.

 

[knut7]

Nope. Canyon Spectral:0N chainstays are 430mm and one of the first reasons it interested me. 439.5mm isn't really short at all. 439.5??? WTF measures chainstays to a thou of a mil? lol

That one didn't make my list since it isn't a 27.5+ bike. But if it takes a 27.5x3" then I guess it sets the record. For an ebike 440mm is pretty short, especially if it takes big tyres.s

Several manufacturers states the frame geo with such accuracy. Like Pivot and Scott.

 

[knut7]

For winter riding, in snow. Suomi Fat Freddie 3.0" on my emtb worked on every ride last winter. No need for the fatbike. Not relevant for most people. I was just trying to say that the CS on the Merida was the shortest of the regular Plus bikes, with a "regular" boost hub.

 

[knut7]

Because it's more fun using the trail bike in winter. And the 150mm bike does both summer and winter riding so well I don't need 2 expensive emtbs. Quite off topic

 

[knut7]

I am considering the Commencal Meta Power 650B+ Fox or a Canyon Spectral ON 8.0, has anyone any thoughts which is the best bike for the money?

I have ridden the Merida E900 which is great but expensive, approx. £2k more even if it has a great spec.

Isn't there a bit of wait for the Spectral ON? The geo looks good on the Canyon, but it seems the battery is positioned a bit higher in the frame than on the Meta Power. So the Commencal seems to have its advantages. I considered the Meta Power Essential for a long time as I thought that looked good price/spec wise, and it looked good in "orange".

 

[Doomanic]

Can you get a test ride on either of them?

The Canyon is a lot cheaper but I'd want to try the mismatched wheels before committing. Having said that, I'm sure both bikes are far more capable than me and given the state of my legs at the moment I'd pick the one with the most crash-resistant paint...

 

[Kernow]

It’s the 29er front end , I like the idea of it , until I got my commencal I had always ridden 29ers , however one thing has become apparent riding the commencal , my upper body is working harder due I guess to the heavier bike rather than larger tyres , would a 29er ebike be even harder to muscle about or become more tiring on longer rides . No idea unless I try one and just my thoughts really
I also prefer rockshock over fox , I find the rockshock less fussy less delicate and easier to service and find info on . I also love my coil shock , so perhaps if price is main difference you could also consider the model down in commencal , just to throw a curveball ?

 

[R120]

I can see the appeal of the 29er at the front and the plus tyre on the back, especially on an e-bike, where i think a plus true gives you the grip out back on the steep stuff. Do canyon have test centres in the UK?

 

[Doomanic]

They had a stand at the MBR Demo Day in the FoD last month but no eBikes.

 

[Kernow]

I find it the opposite at lower level these days , downhill is more mundane with lazy riders pushing and using uplift etc ,not many that quick image posing and big talk is more important to many .
the big stuff world class etc is awesome to watch I agree , but a proper timed enduro like at Innerleithen is quite exciting to see riders keep To a time on such huge climbs over a long distance carrying thier kit and still ride fast downhill times , there’s little difference in the sections raced and without the luxury of a downhill rig , they often catch the rider infront and overtake etc .
It’s all changed so much what was downhill in the 90’s and 2000 is now being ridden in xc races due greatly to changes in bikes , 29ers seem to be making a comeback especially in downhill , and Iam possibly seeing less in enduro , I think we reach a certain age where we remember the past and think we were doing amazing stuff , but in reality it’s moved on so much . So many new riders out there with skills honed from an early age on trials and bmx etc Things we used to dream about .

 

[R120]

Resi and Foam pits have transformed BMX and Freestyle MTB. Facilities have changed general mountain biking, you used to have to go and build tracks yourself, or more likely find a natural track. Now you can just rock up and some great trail centres which makes progression easier.

 

[Kernow]

I love this 90s downhill when men were men or mad ? shows how bikes have evolved

 

[R120]

I never race but i lived in the french Alps from 97-2002 and got heavily into DH then. That vid is funny, shows how much bikes have come on - you wouldn't think twice about just straightlinig the track at the beginning of the vid on a modern trial bike.

 

[R120]

Val D'Isere, Meribel, and Champery over of the Swiss side of Portes de Soleil.

Meribel go into the whole bikes on ski lifts thing pretty early on

 

[Kernow]

Never raced , Iam 54 and the off road race scene wasn’t even about down here in the late 70s , the nearest thing to a mtb was what you could build out of an everyday bike , usually cow horn handlebars and a w speed hub with a smaller chain set . , bmx had just kind of begun when I was about 16 , friends just a couple of years younger got into that and honed some decent skills . I went strait to off road motorbikes and didn’t bother with pushbikes again for 3or4 years . I think I had my fist mtb in the mid 80’s a Saracen tufftrax and specialised hardrock , rigid forks