LOCALS: James Highet - Commencal Meta SX1

In this weeks LOCALS we catch up with James Highet from South Devon who rides a very blinged out Commencal Meta SX1 complete with remote Fox CTD rear shock!

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Name: James Highet
Age: Well, unfortunately I've reached my 30's...
Location: South Devon
Bike: Commencal Meta SX1 custom, built to my own spec.

How long have you been riding?

About 4 years seriously, before that just messing about really.

How often do you ride?

At least once a week, yeah it all depends, work, girlfriend, you know.

What bike are you currently riding and talk us through your set up?

I'm currently riding a Commencal Meta SX1 frame, its a medium size. Basically I've built it up from scratch. Its got the Fox CTD Boost Valve Shock in there and Fox 36 Van RC2 forks upfront for a bit of a more burly front end. I'm running a SRAM X0 2x10 set up as I'm not fit enough to use the single ring!

The wheels are just something I got reasonably cheap, Superstar switch hubs with Mavic EN521 rims using Schwalbe Hans Dampfs in the trailstar compound, running tubeless. They are riding pretty well at the moment, I really love them.

I am also running remote for the CTD rear shock thats up on the handlebars which is pretty cool and the awesome Shimano Saint brakes that I salvaged off my old downhill bike!

What types of riding do you normally do?

Mostly all mountain, going abroad doing a bit of trails over in Spain riding with the guys at Switchbacks.

What are your local trails?

Haldon, just to get in the miles really, I just do a loop on the blue and turn right, never knowing where I am going to come out on more of the off piste stuff! I also ride at Exmoor, although I don't get up there that often, due to the distance. I just ride when and where I can really.

What's your favourite part on your bike?

Urm, hard one, at this very moment in time its got to be the reverb seatpost.

What's the next upgrade you have planned for the bike?

I reckon wheels, I'll see how it goes with these for the minute. If I bend them up I'll probably go with a set of Mavic Crossmax!

What other bikes do you own?

None sadly! I flogged my other two to get this...

Cheers!

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