Commencal Absolut SX - sneak peak!

May 26, 2009
by Tyler Maine  
Absolut SX

Initially designed for a slopestyle life, the Abso¬lut SX is going to show that its range of abilities will be much wider. Modern, compact, light, with a 140mm /5,5inches of travel, it will be as comfortable in a bike park as in a twisty downhill trail. Developed and build with Cédric GRACIA’s input, this bike is extremely reliable and knows how to boogy!All the secrets of the Absolut SX

The Absolut SX uses numerous new technical solutions:
- Has a great size /stiffness /weight balance ratio.
- The main pivot point of the contact system is located on the bottom bracket, enabling a singlespeed build.
- Conical integrated headtube 1.5 - 1.1/8inches: ideal if you want a 160mm fork.
- New 10mm shock mount axles: Easier to remove and stronger

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New rear dropouts, compatible with the Absolut SX, Absolut AL, Absolut 4X and Meta 4X. This design is stronger and provides more surface area for the hub to press against. Allows the use of 10mm, 12mm, 12mm Maxle or Singlespeed hubs. Thicker, stronger, they won’t damage the rear arm if a problem oc¬curs.
- A dust cap integrates an ISCG mount if you wish to ride with a chainguide and some gears.
- All the pivot points are mounted with sealed cartridge bearings, and nickel cromoly bolts, nicer, much more integrated to the dust caps, avoiding the use of washers.

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The CONTACT SYSTEM of the ABSOLUT SX
The contact system is updated with an innova¬tive connection around the bottom bracket. This set-up offers a rear travel of 140mm /5.5in¬ches with a shock length of 200mm (shock stroke 57mm)

Few final words: A Slopestyle bike, but well adapted to Dirt Jump, 4X, A-Line Downhill, Dirt Merchant!

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Available models
- 1 complete bike (14,1kg/31,08lb)
- 1 VIP Frame (3,6kg/7,93lb w/o rear shock)
Available sizes: Short, Long

Price: TBC

www.commencal.com
UK Dist: www.madison.co.uk
US Dist: www.bti-usa.com
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Author Info:
brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

232 Comments
  • 66 3
 that is such a nice bike I WANT ONE !!
  • 14 2
 Much agreed! maybe some color styles in the future?
  • 10 1
 holy crap, thats amazing!
  • 4 1
 wellllll nice!
  • 26 4
 shitting hell, looks better than lucy pinder!
  • 12 0
 Why is the rear triangle so long? Simple and beautiful bike i like it.
  • 4 2
 I love the orange paint-job, Very bright and great looking.
  • 6 0
 thats siiiick. I like the option of single speed.
  • 7 3
 a lighter, better, single speeder, cooler bottle rocket. i fucking want one. so bad
  • 2 0
 i swear to god, if this comes on sale my slinky is out the window and this beasties going in my garage! hope the frame retails under a grand, but i doubt that, but i dont care!
  • 2 2
 that bike will be getting bought one day!
  • 2 0
 very very nice. similar design to the bottle rocket? but OMG so nice!(y)
  • 3 0
 Johniedamn , The rear triangle is long due to the design of the suspension. It has a pivot on the BB, so there is no chain growth. This means the rear wheel follows a rather circular path opposed to maybe slightly rearward then upward. With that being said, the rear triangle is long because the rear wheel will get close to the seat post. Plus there is needed room to make reinforcement to the rear triangle in between the BB and rear wheel, allowing a super rigid rear end.
  • 32 1
 Ahhhh so now I know why my Commencal Furious has a hole in the top tube: It's so it could give birth to its child, the absolut sx!
  • 0 2
 Bahahahahaha!
  • 2 1
 Too bad it's BB pivot. Makes the chainstays long which in turn is kind of redundant if it's supposed to be used for jumping.
  • 1 2
 thats sooo sickkkkk i was designing a bike just like that in class today
  • 4 11
flag gouty (May 26, 2009 at 15:54) (Below Threshold)
 Bottle rocket Remade
  • 3 16
flag gnartail (May 26, 2009 at 17:28) (Below Threshold)
 I love how everyone is shitting their pants over a bottle rocket with commecal stickers.
  • 1 2
 ya its pretty funny that everyone is going nuts! it has some nice features though, but its got a FATY ass chain stay of a slope style!
  • 2 1
 cool bottlerocket, oh its a absolute!
  • 4 2
 thing is going to be a bitch to 360 with those huge chainstays. also, you might as well get a bottle rocket cause it is identical
  • 0 0
 Yea, have to agree. The rear triangle looks too long. Still looks like a prety good bike though.
  • 4 8
flag JamesOliver (May 27, 2009 at 0:53) (Below Threshold)
 A bottlerocket does not have the rear end pivot around the chainstay. Commencal are altogether a much better brand than transition anyway.
  • 4 1
 Looks like a bottle-rocket(geometry) cross breed w/a Chase Soft-tail(BB Pivot).

That's that first commencial I've seen that I like!
  • 2 4
 "Why is the rear triangle so long? Simple and beautiful bike i like it."
simply for stability
  • 2 1
 actually its not for stability. its because if it were any shorter the tire would come to close to frame when the suspension bottoms out.
  • 1 1
 but it is also so it doesn't spin out when landing and more controllable through corners
  • 5 0
 But for jumping? The extra chainstay length is simply because of a lack of clearance in this case. For slopestyle type riding, the shorter the chainstays the better, since the focus is on tricks. The shorter your chainstays are, the more maneuverable your bike is. In today's day and age, where progression of tricks is starting to slow, maneuverability is key.
  • 3 2
 a bottle rocket???? it looks a hell of a lot more like the double
  • 2 1
 I just google imaged the bottle-rocket and the double... Not much difference, so your point would be WHAT...? Rolleyes Facepalm
  • 2 1
 i own a double and was just sayin a double would be alot better comparison
  • 0 0
 I think its more bottle rocket, as the mottle rocket joins the top tube, same as this absolut, were as the double joins at the bottom tube. Get my drift?
  • 0 1
 Hah, and there it is, it is more like the Bottle-Rocket!!! The shock's mounting point on the frame is the deciding factor!

lukethorp: 1 tup
jakal4444: 0 lol
  • 1 0
 You guys are still debating this? Jesus it's not like either bike. OMG IT'S LIKE AN INTENSE 6.6SS NOW!!!!11
  • 0 1
 Hey dickweed, we're just having some fun up in this boredom kingdom! So,like take a chillpill! lol
  • 1 0
 lol hahaha well neways it still looks like a sweet ride
  • 0 0
 Well, thats one thing I agree with ya! Can't wait to see a mag. review of it.
  • 0 0
 ya no kiddin lol
  • 1 0
 i know the 3's will probably b harder on DJ's but when the frame comes into its own in the slopestyle the jumps/drops are bigger so more time to spin, absolutely awesome bike, must get one
  • 18 3
 Bottle Rocket ......... rough tuesday.
  • 3 1
 Didn't see this comment. Makes more sense
  • 3 4
 looks exactly like the transition bike
  • 0 4
flag joaopini (May 26, 2009 at 12:29) (Below Threshold)
 hahah for this guy every full bike with low travel is the same..
  • 2 1
 more like the double but still not that similar at all.
  • 2 0
 its more like the double... like exactly the same with a pivot around the bb...
  • 0 0
 and who did transition get the BB pivot from? i seen that on bike 10 years ago ;P
  • 9 2
 Chainstay looks hella long though!!!
  • 4 2
 its probly an illusion as the seat tube is kinked forwards
  • 1 1
 yeah also, but still its at least 420- 430 mm..
  • 1 5
flag NorCalNomad (May 26, 2009 at 14:27) (Below Threshold)
 nah that thing is hella long...poor choice for a SS/4x/dj bike.
  • 0 4
flag Hombre3000 (May 26, 2009 at 15:54) (Below Threshold)
 Super long. What a dumb choice.
  • 4 2
 Is it normal that this bike is the clone of the Flextoy from 24Bicycles ???
Even the headset is the same (Mix with 1 1/8 and 1.5), which is called Darwin link ??
Developed and build with Cédric GRACIA’s input = maybe a quick training in Coulommiers in France (headquarter of 24 Bicycles)....
  • 1 0
 The flextoy is a URT - unified rear triangle suspension - not a BB pivot. The bike's more like a long travel McMahone Kingdom.
  • 3 0
 f*ck me listen to you lot! Will you please stop saying they "copied" other designs, theres only so many out there. It could ride completely different so stop basing ride qualities on looks.
  • 2 0
 Oh, btw beautiful bike, i think they should change the name from the Absolut SX to the Absolut SEX
  • 0 0
 nice one
  • 3 1
 the chainstays aren't actually too long - its an optical illusion because the stays are welded to the bottom bracket mounted pivot, which makes the overall length look longer to the untrained eye

if the frame used stays welded to a pivot mounted behind the bottom bracket, they would not look so long to the eye!


the ONLY advantage of bottom bracket mounted pivots is no chain stretch, to allow true single speed setup without a chain tensioner (which is vulnerable to damage)

the disadvantages of bottom bracket mounted pivots are the worst pedalling squat under power, terrible and brake jack (not brake jack)

for a bike with shorter travel (i.e. 100mm, 4") like the Kona Cowan / Bass this is not such a problem as its going to be run for dirt jumps or slopestyle with the shock pumped up hard to minimise suspension movement...

for a bike like this new Commencal with 5.5" travel there is no point in having that much travel and then pumping up the shock hard to minimise movement from brake and pedal forces acting through the suspension

5.5" seems like a weird choice for a singlespeed "slopestyle" bike when you look at the Transition Bottlerocket and Banshee Wildcard which will give better pedalling and braking performance than the Commie


regarding their "build quality", my riding buddy works for one of the UK's biggest bike store chains (35 shops) and went to the company HQ a few weeks back for training, and spied a ROOM full of broken Commencal frames waiting on "warranty" (i.e. Commencal to provide replacement front triangles)
  • 0 1
 finally someone knows what they're talking about.
  • 3 0
 Stop pissing on their bonfire dude, you aint ridden it yet.
  • 1 0
 Instand love on my side.
This is better than sex.
Sinds i bought my Furious CG '09 I'm totally in love with the Commencal brand.

And bottlerocket.......pffffff. Don't make me laugh. It's no match wenn we talk about quality and what bikes can handle wenn raped and tortured, like i do! My Furious for example is absolute FOOL & BOMBPROOF!!!
  • 1 0
 Brains75 - I know the feeling Smile a switch from Transition to 09 Commencal and the difference in handling is enormous, but that was Preston FR not Bottle Rocket..
  • 1 1
 everyone wants one cause its new and not available. it makes no difference what bike you ride its how you ride it. i have seen kids on 5 year old bikes that have more style and skill then some kid on a brand new frame. still, the bike looks sweet!
  • 2 0
 that's the worst statement ever. what kind of bike you ride and the quality has a shitload to do with how you ride. I'll refer you to that show on Discovery that slows things down and analyzes them. They had Mike Stiedley and Jeff Lenosky on there and they looked at what they did and how their bikes handled their trials style riding. Then they had them switch to walmart brand bikes and both of them struggled a great deal. With this bike, the fact that is that it has a long chainstay which is not good for a nimble, flickable bike. which is needed for dj and slopestyle. the bike is pretty, but not well designed for the specific riding they say it is for.
  • 1 0
 now commy on bb pivot??? not new (see Cove Hooker 04/05 model)but damn!woo hoo! work superbly if build singlespeed.the end stiffness is crazy.i know cause i owned a hooker. :p
  • 3 0
 I was thinking about a Stinky Deluxe, but after seeing this beauty I will hold my horses for a bit longer Smile
  • 0 0
 iCloudz (14 hours ago) (Below Threshold) show comment
shitting hell, looks better than lucy pinder!

What!!! Wash your mouth out!
mind you, I bet they both ride as good as the other.
Dave
  • 3 1
 I don't know how I feel about 5.5" for dirt/4X. I wish they made the travel adjustable down to 4".
  • 1 0
 That's exactly what I was thinking. Either 4" or 5.5" choices with shorter stays would be perfect.
  • 3 0
 And a full 1.5 headtube as the tapered steerer limits choices and is inconvenient if you already have a 1.5 fork.
  • 2 0
 Nice bike for sure! Has anyone here ever heard of a G-Box!? Now thats the shit!! Best bike part in the world!!!!!!!!
  • 0 0
 nicolai g boxx i got one
  • 1 0
 wow how much you pat for it?! they kick ass!! i tired one b4
  • 0 0
 check out my vid I posted. Its a mountain biking vid. Its on the G-BOXX.
  • 1 0
 Great suspension idea. We will have to see how it survives in the long run, serviceability, as well as the response curve. Also, long rear triangle... hmm
  • 0 1
 wow it took them that long to come up with that frame they should have just went on transition's website and copied the dimensions.SAD they cant come up with there own design.
  • 0 1
 so many spelling mistakes and off. BB pivot dude.
  • 1 0
 The nicolai helius came 10 years before the bottlerocket, so who's copying who? That's like saying the banshee scream was a copy of a Stinky which on its own was a copy of the Turner Afterburner.
  • 2 0
 am i the only one who thinks they copied the Cove G-Sport pivot BB??
  • 4 0
 G-Spot
  • 0 0
 omg thats such a sexy bike i love it the color the frame and its like a freestyle bike but with double suspension wow i f*cking love it its so nice i want one so badly
  • 2 0
 this bike, is the bike version of Megan Fox, beautiful and sexy.
  • 0 0
 but the bottlerocket has a shitty hanger on it.... the rear drop outs on this are a piece of art.... its like the new school BR if anything... looks great.. i'll take two
  • 2 0
 someone test ride one and review asap
  • 4 3
 3.6kg for a ss frame without shock? My dh frame weights less. What's with their weights recently?
  • 1 0
 if that weight will be the cause of strength and durability than I endorse that. It looks like all-round bike for "playing", not racing Smile
  • 6 2
 you're DH frame DOES NOT weigh 3.6 kgs, i can guarantee you that
  • 5 1
 w/o shock weight comparing. Do you know how many dh frames weight around that? Trek session 88, Socom, 951, Superco Silencer, Lapierre dh-230 (mine) - 3.55 weight w.o shock, v10 with carbon links (3.6kg w/o shock), antidote lifeline (3.15kg), mondraker zero proto (3.05kg)... Should I continue?
  • 1 0
 Sorry guys, the Absolut SX frame weighs 3,6 kg WITH the shock. Official info from the Commencal head office !
  • 0 0
 Plus the Absolut SX doesnt require deraileurs so it makes the bike even lighter, no cassetes or cables either.
  • 1 0
 every one tells me my bike sucks cuz its a commencal...but this bike kicks ass!
  • 4 0
 commencal kicks asss.. end of
  • 2 0
 sweeet tup . This thing puts my absolut ht to shame. I want one so bad.
  • 0 0
 Wow, looks like they have put a great deal of effort into making this frame which is surprising considering SS bikes arnt really that big of a market.
  • 0 0
 I think the long rear end that a few people are complaining about is the only way that a concentric pivot would work without the wheel hitting the frame.
  • 0 0
 looks a bit like a bottle rocket!.......... but i love the bearing on the bb for the swing arm, fabulous idea, i think its also on arron chases cannondale
  • 0 0
 i fucking love that thing. i saw it at sea otter, and it is legit. i would want one, but i wouldnt have much use for it... ill get a meta 4x instead
  • 4 3
 Looks insane and probably it wount be to expensive Smile
  • 2 1
 ya it does look a bit long but it stil would be a fun fun bike no doubt
  • 1 0
 such a nice bike i want to no how much it is i better start saving lol
  • 1 0
 Id rather buy a transition double
  • 0 0
 transition double much? i wanna switch my double for this so i could run no tensioner
  • 1 0
 looks like a super slack HTA for slopestyle....
  • 1 0
 that bike is so fucking awesome i want one
  • 2 0
 boner bike
  • 1 0
 Commencals answer to the bottle rocket and cowan ds
  • 4 4
 having the main pivot concentric to the BB is a great idea, allows for Single speed dual suspension bikes!!
  • 4 2
 Kona was the first who made this...
  • 4 9
flag welaite (May 26, 2009 at 12:52) (Below Threshold)
 Commencal Purified it with better quality
  • 0 0
 when did kona start building them? cove built the hooker in 2004, and i'd be surprised if they were the first
  • 0 1
 btw this new commie looks rad
  • 0 3
 commie ???
  • 2 0
 Rotec and Lenz had them about ten years ago.
  • 1 0
 yer but it comencal not commie
  • 1 2
 maybe U need to watch NWD 5 to find out when Kona started building them...

first was Cowan DS,now it's called Bass...
I am talking about serial bikes,not prototypes or something...

Commencal purified it with better quality??
please,don't be silly... Smile
  • 0 0
 i love how everyone gets right pissed at a comment ^.^ abviously this is commencal's first time building this bike. i just said that because I myself love the new commencals. kona probly has the better version because they're had it out longer. i didn't check the stats but commencal's usualy have decently light bikes and i just love lightness. thats why i was so quick at saying the first comment. give it time and commencal can probly get a good bike out of this. i'll still second the opinion another guy said about this bike having a bit too much travel for a single speed use. 5inches is alot of sag to go through pedaling. just to clarify my point a bit here Smile
  • 1 0
 my point was simply that i doubt kona was the first to figure out that a concentric bb pivot could be made into a single speed dually, and neither is commencal. but that doesn't take away the radness of this bike, or the cowan ds. how they ride will tell much more than these pics ever will. also, for the record, nwd 5 is by far my favourite of the series i've watched it countless times
  • 3 2
 Transition double?? not a rocket. Its definatly more of a trans. double.
  • 0 1
 The travel matches the Bottlerocket exactly, so definitely more of a rocket than a double.
  • 1 1
 great, thanks Commencal, I'm now stuck between one of these and a 2010 Giant Reign X for my next bike lawls
  • 1 2
 the Reign is a better bike
  • 0 0
 booooo its so much nicer than the reign
  • 0 0
 Fook Me thats gorgeous - Want One.

Do they come in white ;-) hahahahahahahaha
  • 0 0
 ummm 31 pounds?? that is awesome!! pretty cool design i love the drop out options
  • 1 0
 looks really nice but i think the giant 2010 faith looks better
  • 0 0
 true, but this is a different bike for a different purpose, plus it has about 1.5in less travel.
  • 1 0
 looks ok but too short in the front an too long in the rear nice tho
  • 1 0
 single speed full sus looks mint want one :]
  • 1 0
 absolut one, nice one Big Grin !!
  • 1 0
 i could put props on all comments apart from the 1s saying it crap
  • 1 0
 to bad commencal got the hell outa canada
  • 0 0
 holy shit!! that is so fucking nice!! i would buy one but its probably like 2000, damn it! i wish ihad money!!
  • 0 0
 that looks siiick ! defo saving up for one of these. perfect for me especially in that colour!
  • 0 0
 Doesn't matter if it looks like a Transition or not. Rachel could whoop all our asses on it.
  • 1 0
 oh wow i love it! love that rear trinage thing, 0 chain growth??
  • 0 1
 the lengh is slightly long in nthis pic but it does say in it you can choose from long or short
  • 0 0
 i like this i like it a lot
  • 1 1
 i think i just jizzed in my pants
  • 0 0
 i love it the color is 5 stars xD
  • 0 0
 i cant beleview i just spent a grand on a cowan we i coulda got that
  • 1 0
 YES PLEASE.
  • 0 0
 it a bottle rocket but this time it will live up to the hype
  • 0 0
 loooooks soooo sicckk. wud it be algd 4 dj???
  • 0 0
 seens like the trasition doble
  • 0 0
 looks like bottle rocket + kona bass = SWEET!!
i want one!
  • 0 0
 i want one, no i need one
  • 0 0
 AIEAEAO! I want some one!
  • 0 0
 wow how much some1 message me the price
  • 0 1
 TAB means to be announced!
  • 0 0
 thx do u no how long untill we no
  • 1 0
 soon hopefuly i cant wait till it comes out so i can get mine i just went out and bought all the oarts for it already. just waiting for the frame
  • 1 0
 yeh man ur lucky i want this so bad its such a sick bike..how much did u get the parts for?????
  • 1 0
 about 3 grand lol there not the same parts though i made up my own list and perfected it to my likeings on thoes boring dayd at the work place
  • 1 0
 and if you got about $1100 and want an awesome fork for it get the totem solo air and get your lbs to lower it to 140mm its going to go so well on this frame
  • 0 0
 single speed on a full sus the perfect cobanation
  • 0 1
 Does it have to be ss? im looking around for another do it all frame, i think this may be it!
  • 1 0
 I am sure they will have it like Santa Cruz to make it either single or multi-geared... One could only hope though...
  • 0 0
 i guess i'm gonna have to get me one of doze this summer
  • 0 0
 Fu*kin sick~ I like the BB pivot. Clean~
  • 0 1
 i think the copied transition a little lol but it still looks like a bad ass ride!
  • 0 0
 Looks better than Nikki Benz! ryantaylor you read my mind.
  • 0 0
 dude this thing is sick! time to save up again Smile
  • 1 1
 Looks just like my Jamis parker (but a bit better)
  • 0 0
 i want one man that is soooo nice
  • 1 0
 thats minted
  • 0 0
 anyone got any ideas on prices?
  • 0 0
 frame(£980) full bike(£2700)
pretty pricey but well worth it if u got that money
  • 0 0
 How much does anybody know
  • 0 1
 I ALREADY SAID THAT
  • 0 0
 going to be a bitch to manual but it looks good for everything else.
  • 0 0
 it look like a bottle rocket too much
  • 0 0
 that would be sick for dirt jump
  • 0 0
 does anybody have any idea how much its gonna cost???
  • 0 0
 the chainstays looks pretty long, but otherwise its good
  • 1 1
 looks like a bottle rocket! but soo nice
  • 0 0
 good bye transition dobble
  • 0 0
 they've stolen the bottlerocket i'd say......it's identical!!!
  • 0 0
 that thing is f-ing sick! i want one.
  • 0 0
 holy cow thats a nice bike
  • 1 0
 friggin luv it !
  • 1 1
 AWESOME. Big Grin
  • 1 1
 so nice
  • 0 1
 Damn, that's one hot bike
  • 0 1
 i love it but y are all the bikes single speed?
  • 0 0
 if you read is says you can fit a chainguie and run some gears, single speed for dirt jumpin (Y)
  • 0 0
 NICEEE, VERY NICEEE
  • 0 0
 all in one thats nice
  • 0 0
 sick shit
  • 1 1
 that IS the SEX!
  • 0 1
 no way^ f8ck you this owns a double
  • 2 3
 am i the only one who thinks thats just an orange bottle rocket?
  • 0 1
 it's either this the transition double or the dobermann le pink
  • 0 0
 ahh im dreaming...
  • 1 2
 Looks like a sick free ride frame similar to the transition bottlerocket
  • 0 0
 i want one
  • 0 1
 i wouldnt mind 1 of them.............how much r they ?
  • 0 1
 +1 to the bottle rocket look-a-like, but hey, if it works why not?!?
  • 1 2
 copy the bottlerocket much. sick bike
  • 0 0
 such a sick bike !
  • 0 0
 I'm drooling!!
  • 0 0
 SS all the way
  • 0 0
 boss!
  • 0 1
 I wonder how it would be on rough singletracks?
  • 1 0
 are you kidding? why are you asking stupid questions. its going to be awful on rough trails. its made for smooth slopestyle/freeride. its suspention system is made to take hits, and be ss compatable. if you want a bike to stick it through the rough stuff, your looking at the wrong bike
  • 0 0
 its a bottlrocket...
  • 1 1
 I want this NOW !
  • 0 0
 LOOKS PRETTY
  • 0 1
 I don´t like the colour, but the Bike is really shiny!
  • 0 0
 any idea of the price?
  • 0 0
 like a double
  • 0 3
 i dont have anything against commencal they make great bikes but this basically looks like a transition double... wtf
  • 0 1
 suck frankensteins penis ^^^^^^^^^
  • 1 7
flag nouser (May 28, 2009 at 10:25) (Below Threshold)
 TIME WASTERS LOL
  • 0 2
 SEX.. but single tracks are GAY SEX
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