WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE COMMENCAL META POWER SX 800
Commencal designed the Meta Power SX 800 to be an eBike that excels in backcountry exploration, offering traction and comfort with the power and range of the Bosch CX Gen 5 drive unit to tackle technical uphills. They gave it 180mm travel on both ends and a MX wheel setup, giving high levels of comfort and aggression. Designed “for those who ride where no one walks”, Commencal is clear with the adventurous intentions of this long travel full power eMTB.
DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | Commencal opted to use the excellent Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 drive unit for the Meta Power SX 800, producing up to 100Nm Torque and 750W Peak Power. This is powered by a fixed internal 800Wh Bosch PowerTube battery, which can be boosted by a further 250Wh using the PowerMore Range Extender.
On the bar you’ll find Bosch’s wireless Mini Remote to toggle between the different power modes and use the Walk function. Nestled neatly in the top tube, the Kiox 400C color display shows all the information the rider desires. Most notable is the ability to load maps into the display for turn-by-turn navigation on your rides.
Using the Bosch Flow App, riders can connect to the drive unit in the Meta Power SX 800. Once connected, updates can be applied over the air; the power modes can be selected then tuned for their power, torque and assistance; and a range of security functions and diagnostics can be performed.
FRAME AND FEATURES | The Meta Power SX 800 is manufactured from 6066 T6 aluminum, as with most of Commencal’s frames. Commencal stands by their commitment to NO CARBON in their frames, stating that aluminium is a high performance material that can be produced ethically.
The Meta Power SX 800 is rated to EFBE’s Level 5, specific to gravity and eBike riding. This ensures there is suitable strength for the most demanding of riding, greatly exceeding standard ISO testing. Commencal backs the frame with a Lifetime Warranty for the original owner, backing the durability of this hard hitting eBike.
Looking at the protection on offer, Commencal’s nylon-reinforced drive unit slider ensures the motor is protected while providing suitable ventilation to keep it cool. To protect the paintwork, a clear RIDEWRAP protective film is fitted from the factory to cover any areas susceptible to damage. The drive side chainstay and seatstay are given a custom ribbed protector, and the charge port features a very sleek cover.
Commencal’s premium frame construction features are present throughout the Meta Power SX 800. The suspension hardware features thru axles with locking expanders to prevent hardware loosening in use. The pivot bearings are given half-shell dust covers, keeping them protected from the elements while facilitating easier reassembly.
Cables are routed internally, but crucially avoid the headset for easier servicing and better bearing durability. The ZS56 headset standard then allows for angle and reach adjustments with aftermarket cups if the rider desires. A Fidlock Base is included with the bike, which can be used with their 750ml bottle for plentiful hydration or replaced with a Range Extender mount.
SUSPENSION | Commencal’s Virtual Contact System, or VCS, is used to produce the desired kinematics for the 180mm rear suspension. This virtual pivot, dual link design is used across most of the Commencal full suspension range. For the Meta Power SX 800, primary emphasis was placed on rider comfort, with high levels of initial sensitivity to deliver comfort and traction.
GEOMETRY | The geometry Commencal selected for the Meta Power SX 800 aims to deliver a balanced handling with some agility retained for tighter and more technical trail sections. Avoiding going overly long and slack since the low and centralized mass of the drive unit and battery provide stability, the geometry was well selected to balance handling characteristics.
BUILD SPECS | Commencal offers the Meta Power SX 800 in a choice of two builds, the $9,500 / €8,500 RockShox tested, or the $10,800 / £8,900 / €9,500 Signature. These share the same frame and electronics, as well components such as the TRP DH-R EVO Pro brakes, SRAM 90 T-Type drivetrain and Ride Alpha cockpit.
The RockShox build features a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Select shock; H1900 wheelset and KS Ragei dropper post.
The Signature comes with a Fox 38 Factory E-Bike fork and Float X2 Factory air shock; DT Swiss FR541/370 wheelset; and OneUp V3 dropper post.
Both of these builds feature a Maxxis Assegai EXO+ and Minion DHR2 DD tire combo, though we’d have loved to see the next tier up in tire casing toughness to suit the aggressive intentions of this hard hitting eBike.
THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSION
For this first ride review, I made my way out to Commencal’s headquarters. Located in the Andorran town of La Massana is the new “Commencal Village” – an impressive facility which houses their offices; a huge retail store complete with showroom and rental fleet; and an excellent bar and restaurant. Commencal develops their bikes on the trails surrounding their HQ, which would undoubtedly provide the ideal testing ground to quickly become familiar with their new long travel eMTB.
Over the day and a half I spent in Andorra, I squeezed in three rides in different locations and covered a huge spectrum of terrain. From high alpine goat tracks to groomed bikepark runs and everything in between, I was able to test the capability of both the Meta Power SX 800 and myself, up and down the hill. While this is certainly not enough ride time to constitute a long term review, it offered up adequate test scenarios to leave me feeling confident in my assessment of Commencal’s big hitting eBike’s character.
When I say I tested capabilities going up the hill, I really mean it. With some of the steepest and most technical climbing I’ve ever attempted, I reached the limits of the Commencal with myself onboard. A more competent climber would have cleaned some of the sections I failed, but even so I was left rather impressed by the uphill performance of this Bosch CX Gen 5-powered e-bike.
Commencal has chosen a good selection of numbers for its climbing geometry. The seating position was upright but not excessively so, and the rider weight distribution placed enough weight on the front end to keep it planted on all but the steepest climbs where the power of the Bosch drive unit began to fall short. And it’s not like the 100Nm and 750W of Bosch’s Gen 5 was exactly lacking.
Pedaling dynamics are a combination of many factors, and Commencal struck a sweet balance of these factors to provide an excellent rear end for climbing all sorts of terrain. One of these factors is the “chain effects.“ Commencal’s engineer, Nicolas Menard, explained that chain effects are what many will consider Anti Squat. However, Anti Squat charts are calculated based on a hypothetical, consistent center of gravity, and as such do not tell the whole story. Whatever you want to call it, the way the chain interacted with the suspension as I pedaled the Meta Power SX 800 yielded a solid level of pedalling support, which kept the chassis stable and felt plenty efficient.
Contrasting and working in harmony with the chain effects were the leverage characteristics. Commencal has given the Meta Power SX 800 a high level of leverage ratio progression, which begins at a high value. Combined with the shock tune on the Rock Shox Super Deluxe with Debonair+ air can, the result was an incredibly sensitive rear end that’s eager to move through the early stages of its travel.
Pairing these two suspension characteristics, the result was a rear end that remained stable under power, yet was still able to react and suck up impacts of all sizes when climbing. The Meta Power SX 800 remained notably calm as a result, delivering good traction and seated comfort without feeling overly sluggish or putting the pedals at risk of grounding out. The mid-height BB and short 155mm crank spec aided in providing solid clearance, too.
The sensitivity and comfort translated to the way down the hill. Offering an impressively supple feel, the Meta Power SX 800 helped to iron out the terrain below. It offered a reassuringly safe feeling through the rough and rowdy terrain that was plentiful on our Andorran excursions. The geometry was sensibly selected to deliver confidence through the range of trail scenarios, but it was not overly stable such as to limit control on slower and tighter trails. Commencal’s intelligence in understanding the effects of the bike’s weight and suspension sensitivity on the overall stability was notable here, shown on the geometry table with a steeper head tube angle than you might expect from a 180mm monster.
These feelings of safety did come with compromise though. Commencal doesn’t hide the fact that the Meta Power SX 800 is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Where other bikes in their range – and from other manufacturers – offer a more engaging and dynamic ride, Commencal purposefully designed this ebike to lean towards comfort and traction above all else. As such, it didn’t make for the most fun machine to pop and play on the trail. It was also not the bike for riders looking to dance on the edge and work the descent for every last bit of speed. It would still go fast and high in the right hands, but it made me work for it.
I couldn’t find fault in the Commencal Meta Power SX 800 RockShox build spec. Aside from the desire for a longer travel dropper post to fit my abnormally long legs, the remainder of the spec was faultless and left little to be desired. The bike ran quietly and smoothly, and aside from incorrect drive unit hardware that was mistakenly fitted and led to my motor coming loose (which won’t happen on customer bikes), I had no issues or complaints at all.
Although I had no end of fun on this eMTB, its ethos means it’s not the machine that I’d likely buy for myself. But for the rider looking to cover ground in rough terrain, with technical climbs and descents alike, it’s one hell of a machine. 
Price as Tested: $9,500 / €8,500
Website: Commencal.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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