We turned a corner with the 2017 range and its sober, classic colors, and going into 2018 we've continued on that journey. The frame finishes are even more carefully worked and we have perfected the finest details. There will be several Limited Editions that will pop up throughout the year. In a nutshell, the brand continues to grow.
Fox suspension makes a comeback and the forks used throughout our Kids range are totally redesigned. Absolutely on trend, tires are bigger, rims wider, overall travel is increasing, and dropper seat posts are becoming widespread. Always faithful to aluminum and its legendary reliability, the brand continues its development.
Another evolution—2018 is the year of electric bikes at Commencal. Now is the right time to enter into the game—we know how to make the best parts for a bike, the engines are now reliable, and Shimano provides complete service almost anywhere in the world.
New challenges, new horizons, new customers, new world! Bring it on!—Max Commencal
KIDS
The Ramones range evolves with bigger tires, new brakes and new colors that do not go unnoticed.
The Meta HT Kids has also evolved with the all-new Ride Alpha Prodigy fork on the 20" and 24" plus a telescopic seat post on the JUNIOR. The whole range uses a 1x drivetrain and brakes adapted to the mini-handed young riders.
More than ever, the Supreme Kids bikes are the reference in gravity bikes for kids. The new 30mm (inner) rims, the new Ride Alpha Prodigy fork and the 100mm telescopic seat post for the Junior, make these 2018 models the most effective since Commencal started designing bikes for the little ones.
TRAIL
In 2018, the Meta TR V4.2 adopts new wider rims, an Eagle drivetrain on the Essential model and in particular, a new and elegant aesthetic.
ALL MOUNTAIN/ENDURO
Even if aluminum is our favorite material, who can resist Crmo? Whether it’s the design of the tubes or its precious flex for hard tail bikes, the new geometry (+ 30mm reach) means it leans even more towards a committed ride whilst ultimately remaining fun.
A Meta AM V4.2 is unlike any other bike so when we design a World Cup version, it must be faultless. Therefore, that's what you get! With this Meta you can compete at any Enduro World Series race. This year the frame has been significantly lengthened and we use a shorter stem. The bike gains stability without losing agility.
For the return to the range for Fox suspension, we wanted to make a proper jewel, an exclusive bike that is extraordinary! We’ve accomplished this with the New Zealand finish, inspired by George Brannigan’s World Champs bike from Val Di Sole in 2016. You should look thoroughly at each detail of this build, it’s just perfect.
In a world where performance and racing often take over, here at Commencal we believe in fun! That's why we make the Supreme SX. We like to pedal our bikes, but what everyone really wants to do most is go downhill.
For those who want to ride harder and also for those who think that fun is more important than a fast time, this bike is made for us!—Yoann Barelli
DOWNHILL
The FURIOUS is the Commencal fun-machine! For 2018, it adopts the new Metric standard for the shock.
World Cup DH is often described as the Formula 1 of the mountain biking world. The Supreme DH V4.2 to Commencal is what the Silver Arrows are to Mercedes, machines of exception!
For this new year, the frames are remaining longer and the flagship model of the range, the Race, is available with either RockShox or Fox suspension.
POWER
Electric bikes have existed for several years and more and more we see them on trails and around town.
With our Meta Power we want to demonstrate that the electric bike, or rather that benefiting from a pedal assisted bike, is simply made for having more riding time, more fun and then more again! It’s easy to pedal up, a blast to ride down and the bits in between are even a pleasure. Have fun everywhere you go!
DIRT
Dirt is something for the purists and passionate out there. Digging and training time is essential. No dig, no ride! It is a form of humility that only those who take part in can understand. The Absolut is made for them, no place for frills.
BONUS There’re still some surprises to come this year… Stay tuned!
@ArchieDH: Shit...how so? I had two Patrols (both awesome bikes). I know have a new Meta with a DVO rear air shock. It's a great bike. Different that the Patrol, but still great around Colorado where I live. It's a bit more poppy that that Patrol (again, great bike)
@bman33: Im on my second Patrol, i love it. Basically my problem with the meta, was that the suspension design. It either meant you sacrificed small bump in order to get ramp up, or you sacrificed bottom out to get small bump. I had a tune on the shock, tried spacers, different pressures but just couldn't get it feeling right.
@ArchieDH: I feel ya. I had that very same issue with my 2016 Bronson, just could never get it the way I wanted it. I have the Commencal set up almost the way I need with the DVO Topaz and a spacer. That said, different bike from the Patrol. The Patrol is an awesome bike, not ruling out a carbon one or at least a Scout with a better rear shock in the future.
@bohns1: Nothing makes you lazy; you are because you choose to be. I don't ride an E-bike because I don't need to. However, injured people or older people or less-fit people should. One day we might be in one of those categories. However, I don't view persons that ride up the mountain, assisted or not, as lazy as those that take the lift or a shuttle.
@b1k35c13nt15t: I won't be in that category if I can help it.. Maybe when I'm 80 if I make it that long.. That'll be largely in part to Not riding e-bikes and maintaining my fitness of combined road and mountain riding/weight training/good diet and craft brew!
@b1k35c13nt15t: the old handicapped argument. Get over it. All I see around me are lazy farts whizzing past me on fat tire or e-mountain bikes on my morning commutes to work. Do you really think manufacturers are chasing sales thanks to old or handicapped people? Stop being naive and see it for what it is.
@b1k35c13nt15t: what is that? A new revenue stream for bike companies targeting people who don't care for the physical exertion that comes with cycling. $$$
@ThomDawson: My short travel 29 still takes me further than any Ebike I've ever encountered.. Especially after that battery dies! Nothing made me lazy I still ride a road bike and a steel hardtail along with full suss..
still not much of an option,why are other brands not as used? They're just as good...DVO,BOS,MZ for example,and still almost every brand new bike comes with Fox or RS. Why? i'm not saying Fox or RS is crap,they're awesome,but i feel other brands deserve the same attention...
@MetalheadWolfRider: Talk to the product managers of your preferred brands. See also "economies of scale". Not likely BOS et al can provide OEM product with the kinds of discounts that the two big manufacturers can.
@spinko: Hopefully the bike in the photo is not the surprise. If that is the surprise then Commencal isn't very good at surprises because they already gave it away.
Here here. I feel like the Meta TR and AM frame designs would compliment a 29er nicely. I'd love to see Commencal do a 120mm TR 29 and a 150mm AM 29. Maybe slim down the tubes a bit (the top tube is massive), tuck in the stays a bit (while retaining ability to run 275x3.0) but keep that elegant seat tube brace. Maybe revise the link and tubing for a slight weight reduction (chopping the seat tubes down while retaining reach would help). I'd also love to see any future Metas ship with more volume reducers for the Deluxe shocks. I really like Commencal's value, but I can't buy their 29er full-suspension if they don't make one.
@reximus42: We're all expecting it to be something else. To give us something else wouldn't be surprising, to find out we knew what it was going to be all along is going to blow our minds. Can't wait.
@PHeller: 100%!!!! I keep checking their page for one. I want a Honzo, but would instantly buy a slacker 29r with a stellar spec from Commencal instead. Are you listening @COMMENCALbicycles ? Pretty Please!
@PHeller: Actually, I think there is room to use 29er wheels on the Meta v4 TR frame, chainstays are long, and bb height is actually quite low (but I like it) for 27.5 wheels. Just drop the fork to 120 mm or so for 29".
@konken: Tried it on my AM v4.2 with no luck. It'll fit a 29x2.2 but no bigger. I'd assume that the TR model wouldn't do much better. Hence why it should be SO EASY for Commencal to do it themselves. Hell, they could even sell us a conversion kit!
@PHeller: Ok, but I think the bb is lower on the v4.2 than v4, so on full compression probably there is more room on the v4, especially on the v4 TR, but I haven't measured the geos. Personally, I ride 26" wheels, to lower the bb even further and use a 150 mm fork (using v4 TR). But a 29er can be nice for full day cruising type of cycling, I think it's too much "moment of inertia" when used with proper DH tires. But I'm also a lightweight rider. Regarding rollover resistance, I think a good "heavy" tire with low pressure is better than a high pressured xc tire on a larger rim. Overall, tires maybe is THE problem, instead of debating wheel sizes... considering a lot of tire related problems even at DH WC level.
@ishi: Agreed, hence why I don't care for the setup. 2.3 tires are as small I can really handle on anything but gravel. I personally would love a conversion kit, similar to what Guerilla Gravity is doing with the Megatrail/Smash. You swap out the rear linkage, shock and your 165mm 275 bike is now a 140mm 29er. Maybe such a kit would take an AM v4.2 to 135mm, and a TR v4.2 to 110mm as a 29er.
@reximus42: I hope that the photo in the picture is not the new HT target, it seems to have made a dive in the past as a designer, much like the old NSbike and Nukerproof, disappeared L-back lids that made the rigid chassis for oval tubes among other things holes for cable passage, this is very weak easy crack, also the horizontal and very ambiguous tube disappeared the fantastic and original C-pipe that hid the cables but easy to maintain, not to mention the reinforcement on the vertical ...... very ugly, also 27.5 plus, impossible to ride in the climbs, nothing but surprise this is a disappointment, many compete with the old ht and win ... with these impossible ruotone.
@reximus42: I hope that the photo in the picture is not the new HT target, it seems to have made a dive in the past as a designer, much like the old NSbike and Nukerproof, disappeared L-back lids that made the rigid chassis for oval tubes among other things holes for cable passage, this is very weak easy crack, also the horizontal and very ambiguous tube disappeared the fantastic and original C-pipe that hid the cables but easy to maintain, not to mention the reinforcement on the vertical ...... very ugly, also 27.5 plus, impossible to ride in the climbs, nothing but surprise this is a disappointment, many compete with the old ht and win ... with these impossible ruotone.
I did try it at Crankworkx in august : it has an insane suspension platform ! I didn't feel any impact or anything from the rear end, a smoothness I've only experimented in full-on DH bike before.. Wasn't able to try it on a proper technical singletrack climb, but it fared pretty well on the super steep fireroad of Whistler, similar to the banshee rune I'm used to. It definitely felt larger than older commencal bikes, the large felt almost too big (I'm 5'11). I'd like to go try it again, a medium this time, and do some climbing and jumping.. but then I'm afraid I'd just buy it on the spot !
You can always build your own through their "a la carte" - more colors to choose from including yellow and a couple of others, like gun metal, orange, green etc.
Last autumn it was Ramones 12. Still is. Great bike.
In a month there is 16 on schedule. So happy they went with bigger tyres. Old ones are fantastic on tarmac but not that grippy on dirt and terrible when wet.
@Prh: 12 inch pushbike is quite small (short) and (for example) my son would not be able to ride it any more (he is around 101cm/3yo now). Second problem is very common. Chainstays are too high so kid''s feet are getting in between. Only Spec and Commencal did that part right.
Ever seen a fat dude walk? That is physical exertion to them. Everyone starts somewhere. I'd like to think that after a while, they'd be like, " dang, I dropped 20 kg, maybe my bike dropping 20kg will make me faster. I mean, most of us would love to drop 2kg off our current frame and retain the ride or improve it. I work at a shop and tried e bikes as part of the job of remaining open minded to technology. It's a good idea for some. I have been riding with my GF when we were zipped by on a canyon road climb by a plus-sized family on e-fatbikes. After informing my GF that she hadn't just been dropped by fatties (yes and no) we agreed that is was nice to see them out riding. ... but then my GF wanted one and I had to shut that shit down.
@rmx1: Then you probably don't live in an area that's seeing a massive influx of inexperienced riders clogging trails where access and riding options are already scarce.
No carbon bikes or 29ers? Do these guys want to sell bikes or not really? I know they don't like carbon because of the "footprint" but e bike batteries are ok..
@karatechris: I do not love carbon but not even aluminum frames made bad, this Ht frame was born to fit the plus fashion, and designed too fast, so much so that the new meta power has the same geometry as the old goal, not these made in hurry and with little style and in my opinion also not very robust
I hope that the photo in the picture is not the new HT target, it seems to have made a dive in the past as a designer, much like the old NSbike and Nukerproof, disappeared L-back lids that made the rigid chassis for oval tubes among other things holes for cable passage, this is very weak easy crack, also the horizontal and very ambiguous tube disappeared the fantastic and original C-pipe that hid the cables but easy to maintain, not to mention the reinforcement on the vertical ...... very ugly, also 27.5 plus, impossible to ride in the climbs, nothing but surprise this is a disappointment, many compete with the old ht and win ... with these impossible ruotone.
@bvd453 Well, I can't say never but I reeeeally hope (and personally cant see it happening) but Transiton never(yeah I guess I did say it) makes an ebike
@lemonaide Didn't mean to down vote you, meant up vote but guess my fat fingers f'd it up. F'ing iPad won't let me reply yo posts either so I have to go this route. WTF
if that is the new META HT bike brand change, too ugly compared to the current one, then it's hard to improve what's already beautiful and functional. Perhaps too quickly designed, the holes the holes out of the brake and shift cables are placed in a fulcrum, easy to crack ..... no no i do not go away another brand. Are you listening @COMMENCALbicycles ? Pretty Please!
Because 1) Commencal offers great values, better than most of the other direct sale companies like Canyon, YT, etc. 2) great pricing on frame-only options ($1099 no shock). 3) Competitive build weights for an all-alloy lineup (7.5lbs for frame with shock). 4) I think a lot of customers are disappointed that they are producing e-bikes and kid bikes prior to a decent 29er.
@PHeller: You reckon? The DH steed is actually really expensive in comparison. The same price as the top end for both... but full of own brand parts and not carbon...
@jamesdunford: Furious frame is $1200 and Supreme v4.2 is $1699 with shock. I'm not too concerned with top-end builds because I don't buy them. Perhaps other companies make cheaper top-end models, but for the average valued oriented consumer, their low-end builds are highly competitive.
I hope that the photo in the picture is not the new HT target, it seems to have made a dive in the past as a designer, much like the old NSbike and Nukerproof, disappeared L-back lids that made the rigid chassis for oval tubes among other things holes for cable passage, this is very weak easy crack, also the horizontal and very ambiguous tube disappeared the fantastic and original C-pipe that hid the cables but easy to maintain, not to mention the reinforcement on the vertical ...... very ugly, also 27.5 plus, impossible to ride in the climbs, nothing but surprise this is a disappointment, many compete with the old ht and win ... with these impossible ruotone. Are you listening @COMMENCALbicycles ? Pretty Please!
originally the name had this french-catalan letter "ç", which pronounces like "s". Spaniards used to say it right, like "Barça". Then they changed it, I guess to make it simple worldwide, since now, if you're anglophone, it sounds the same with the "c". Ironically, now spaniards pronounce it with the "k" sound that the "c" has in spanish
Damn it. Was going to make a Commencal my next bike as soon as they made some longer reach numbers, but I will not buy from a company that makes electric mopeds and markets them for trail use. Goodbye Commencal, now I have to pay significantly more and buy from a real mountain bike company.
I think their published numbers are wack, because I test rode he Furious and the Supreme back-to-back, and the Supreme is definitely a lot longer, even though the published numbers say the opposite. IMO L Supreme felt about the same length as an XL Furious.
@xeren: it really isnt that at all. If you put close to 100 miles a week on your bike through rain, mud, dust, etc BBs are a maintenance item. Installing and removing a pressfit style bearing into any kind of material is going to manipulate that opening. Im not an engineer but ive had bearing races spin on me - upon installation of the third BB on my rocky, i could spin it by hand. This is not possible with a threaded bb which leads me to believe bike companies, more than for the cost savings of cutting threads, are implementing PF BBs in order to create planned obselescense.
@adrennan: meh, i don't know about special, just little-known by the consumer. several bike manufacturers use a retaining compound like loctite 641, this is just the one that the consumer has access to. i think it's stupid that shimano doesn't mention a retaining compound in their dealer instructions, though
@SeaJay: fair enough, i ride a decent amount, but i split it between different bikes and i ride in dry conditions 99% of the time, so i just swap my BB out once a year. it's only been grainy once when i've done that. at least on my bikes, i'm not having issues with the PF hole getting too large that the retaining compound doesn't take care of
@jrocksdh: sure are! Not a fan of the new models tho. The last version of the process 153 and 167 get me drooling but I want to buy new as I'm having too much issues with frames these days
However, I don't view persons that ride up the mountain, assisted or not, as lazy as those that take the lift or a shuttle.
Ohhhh
Ooooh
Dayyuummm
Ohhhh
f*ckING EBIKES!!!!!
But a 29er can be nice for full day cruising type of cycling, I think it's too much "moment of inertia" when used with proper DH tires. But I'm also a lightweight rider. Regarding rollover resistance, I think a good "heavy" tire with low pressure is better than a high pressured xc tire on a larger rim. Overall, tires maybe is THE problem, instead of debating wheel sizes... considering a lot of tire related problems even at DH WC level.
Too skinny for AM, even for trail ride.
I own AM29v3 and lack of space for rear tire is one of big disadvantages (second is weight).
Wasn't able to try it on a proper technical singletrack climb, but it fared pretty well on the super steep fireroad of Whistler, similar to the banshee rune I'm used to.
It definitely felt larger than older commencal bikes, the large felt almost too big (I'm 5'11).
I'd like to go try it again, a medium this time, and do some climbing and jumping.. but then I'm afraid I'd just buy it on the spot !
The only reason why I started looking at their bikes is because of the brushed one... The new one pis the Fox coil is even better looking!!! :O
Second problem is very common. Chainstays are too high so kid''s feet are getting in between. Only Spec and Commencal did that part right.
16 inch bike is great though.
I mean, most of us would love to drop 2kg off our current frame and retain the ride or improve it.
I work at a shop and tried e bikes as part of the job of remaining open minded to technology. It's a good idea for some. I have been riding with my GF when we were zipped by on a canyon road climb by a plus-sized family on e-fatbikes. After informing my GF that she hadn't just been dropped by fatties (yes and no) we agreed that is was nice to see them out riding.
... but then my GF wanted one and I had to shut that shit down.
10mm. 10mm longer is still shorter than practically every other brand on the market. T-Rex geo.
But uhh... that music... it needs to go.
Co - Men- sill?
Spaniards used to say it right, like "Barça".
Then they changed it, I guess to make it simple worldwide, since now, if you're anglophone, it sounds the same with the "c".
Ironically, now spaniards pronounce it with the "k" sound that the "c" has in spanish
Dude, I just filled the cup