diff --git a/group_vars/all/general.yml b/group_vars/all/general.yml
index 163c4c5d..1e6ad1e2 100644
--- a/group_vars/all/general.yml
+++ b/group_vars/all/general.yml
@@ -53,5 +53,6 @@ mesh_metric_default_in: 512
 # Default mesh metric in inbound direction (rxcost) for tunnels
 mesh_metric_tunnel_in: 512
 
-# Default mesh metric in inbound direction (rxcost) for adhoc like interfaces
-mesh_metric_adhoc_in: 2048
+# Default mesh metrics in inbound direction (rxcost) for adhoc like interfaces
+mesh_metric_adhoc_11a_standard: 2024
+mesh_metric_adhoc_11g_standard: 2536
diff --git a/roles/cfg_openwrt/templates/corerouter/bird.conf.j2 b/roles/cfg_openwrt/templates/corerouter/bird.conf.j2
index 3bc0d4df..2345f259 100644
--- a/roles/cfg_openwrt/templates/corerouter/bird.conf.j2
+++ b/roles/cfg_openwrt/templates/corerouter/bird.conf.j2
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ protocol babel {
 	};
 
 	# Mesh interfaces
+{# metrics for 2 GHz adhoc get a penalty over 5 GHz adhoc so 5 GHz is preferred #}
 {% for nw in networks | selectattr('role', 'equalto', 'mesh') %}
-  {% set default_mesh_metric = mesh_metric_adhoc_in if 'mesh_ap' else mesh_metric_default_in %}
+  {% set default_mesh_metric = hostvars[inventory_hostname].get('mesh_metric_adhoc_' ~ nw.get('mesh_radio'), mesh_metric_default_in) %} 
 	interface "{{ libnetwork.getIfname(nw) }}" {
 		type wireless;
 		rxcost {{ nw.get('mesh_metric', default_mesh_metric) }};