A new updated Commencal Meta HT V3 brings more comfort to the popular alloy hardtail frame, plus refined geometry, integrated frame protections, and DH-level EFBE Tri-Test certification now backed by a lifetime frame warranty. Commencal has long considered their Meta HT the most versatile and high-value bike in their line-up. And this latest evolution looks better than ever with a few key modern updates…
Since its origins as one of the early hardcore enduro hardtails, Commencal continued to evolve the Meta HT with geometry and frame spec tweaks over the years to build a low-cost mountain bike that could cover everything from your local trail rides to bike mountain days. And this newest version looks better than ever in shiny Pure White with new integrated protectors and a redesigned seat cluster aiming to offer improved rider comfort.
“Riding a hardtail is a true state of mind; it’s about putting the joy of riding at the center of the game, without artifice. Don’t be fooled by appearances, the META HT is capable of handling all trails: from small natural singles to the most challenging enduro specials. In its ultimate V3 version, the META HT returns with a completely redesigned aluminum frame to improve comfort, rethought geometry to inspire confidence, and new frame protections to ride with peace of mind.”
OK, so what’s new?
Hardtail Frame Updates
The triple butted aluminum frame now features a completely new seat cluster design. The seatstays now completely bypass the seattube to get welded onto the bent toptube. This is meant to allow more comfort flex in the seattube and seatpost, while maintaining frame stiffness.
Keeping its light but tough ethos, Commencal made 3 new protectors to keep your new Meta HT looking good and running more quietly. A new molded chainstay protector gets a tall hollow tube on top to damp the noise of chain slap, paired to a new small seatstay guard for even more rear-end protection. Then, a bolt-on protector deflects rock strikes from the underside of the bottom bracket, almost a third of the way up the downtube, keeping this hardtail looking great for years. There’s also a new stainless steel anti-chainsuck plate.
Oh, and of course, it now gets a UDH to fit all the latest T-type Transmission derailleurs.
Revised Geometry
Paired with 150mm forks, the Meta HT hardtail has always been quite progressive, but this time they are getting even a little bit longer – now with frame Reach from 410-480mm. Headtube angles stay slack at 64.5° (a running 1/2° slacker change they already introduced since the last full Meta HT update in 2020) and seat tubes steepen a degree to 75.5°.
The last iteration of the hardtail already lowered standover heights to give riders more choice on sizing, and longer droppers. But it seems riders wanted even more. So Commencal listened, and shortened seattubes by 2.5 & 3cm on the two larger sizes to fit even more riders. And BBs also get 1cm lower, so more standover again. And chainstay length becomes size-specific for a more balanced ride (425-440mm) all around.
Tech details
- triple-butted 6061-T6 alloy mountain bike frame
- 1.5″ straight steerer and ZS56/ZS56 headset for fully integrated internal cable routing or angle-adjust headsets
- still includes external cable ports for conventional internal routing, too!
- max 29×2.6″ tire clearance
- BSA threaded bottom bracket
- UDH
- new molded rubber chainstay, seatstay & downtube protectors
- 2 bottle/tool cage mounts per frame – on downtube & under the toptube
- includes a Fidlock magnetic bottle mount base (no bottle, though)
- available in 4 sizes: S-XL
- size S is a mullet 27.5 rear/29″ front; sizes M-XL are full 29er (a smaller XS mini-mullet on 26/27.5″ wheels may be coming soon)
- 1860g frame weight claim
- EFBE Tri-Test Certified for the highest DH/Freeride Category 5
- lifetime frame warranty against manufacturing defects for the original owner
Commencal’s revamped Meta HT V3 hardtail is now available either as a 745€ frame-only option or a single 3175€ complete Signature build with a 150mm Fox 36 Factory fork and a new SRAM Eagle 90 mechanical transmission drivetrain.
Both are available to pre-order now. But, the A La Carte frame-only option will ship first in mid-May, while the complete bike is slated for June 2025 delivery. In the meantime, v2 bikes that are still in stock are on sale.