Review: Commencal's Supreme DH 29 is an Unflinching Race Weapon
Commencal's Supreme platform has been around for a number of years, but 2018 saw it gain more length, bigger wheels, and three World Cup wins in a row. The Andorran race vessel was also the first complete production-ready big-wheeled downhill bike - and it sold out two production runs.
Commencal initially offered the frame kit including a Fox 49 fork, DHX2 shock, and an e*thirteen wheelset for $4,599 USD, and as a complete bike with a high performance / low-cost component selection for only $5,399. That inventory sold out almost overnight, but the 2019 range has just been released with new color options, including a RockShox-equipped team replica that can be had as a complete build for $4,599.
Commencal initially offered the frame kit including a Fox 49 fork, DHX2 shock, and an e*thirteen wheelset for $4,599 USD, and as a complete bike with a high performance / low-cost component selection for only $5,399. That inventory sold out almost overnight, but the 2019 range has just been released with new color options, including a RockShox-equipped team replica that can be had as a complete build for $4,599.
Supreme DH 29 Details
Intended use: downhill
Travel: 205mm rear / 203mm front
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: Aluminium 6066-alloy, triple butted
Suspension Design High-pivot swingarm with idler wheel
Suspension: Fox 49 fork, DHX2 shock
Sizes: M, L, XL
Weight: 16.99kg / 37.08lbs (actual, tubeless, w/o pedals, XL)
Price: $5,399 USD (exc. tax) / €5,399 (inc. VAT)
More info: commencal-store.com
Intended use: downhill
Travel: 205mm rear / 203mm front
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: Aluminium 6066-alloy, triple butted
Suspension Design High-pivot swingarm with idler wheel
Suspension: Fox 49 fork, DHX2 shock
Sizes: M, L, XL
Weight: 16.99kg / 37.08lbs (actual, tubeless, w/o pedals, XL)
Price: $5,399 USD (exc. tax) / €5,399 (inc. VAT)
More info: commencal-store.com
 | Charging into rough rock gardens and braking bumps is unreal - I tried a section in Pila faster and faster, and the Supreme was the first bike I have ever ridden that genuinely became easier to handle the harder I pushed it. It never even came close to flinching. |
Contents
Construction & Features
The Supreme is an all aluminum frame, that is constructed using a hydroformed, triple-butted tubeset, and a number of forged and machined linkage parts. All the details have been taken care of, including a non-tapered ZS56 head tube that provides the maximum range for reach and angle-adjustable headset cups. There are fork bumpers that double as internal housing ports, a rear mudguard, chain-slap protection on the rear stays, and a chunk of moto-foam to keep the dirt out from under the forward shock mount. The dropouts are replaceable (in case you trash a derailleur hanger) and finally, there is a wide downtube guard to stop incoming debris from harming the linkage system.
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - factory fitted mudguard]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - removable dropouts]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - used and abused fork bumpers]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - factory fitted moto-foam]()
The Supreme is an all aluminum frame, that is constructed using a hydroformed, triple-butted tubeset, and a number of forged and machined linkage parts. All the details have been taken care of, including a non-tapered ZS56 head tube that provides the maximum range for reach and angle-adjustable headset cups. There are fork bumpers that double as internal housing ports, a rear mudguard, chain-slap protection on the rear stays, and a chunk of moto-foam to keep the dirt out from under the forward shock mount. The dropouts are replaceable (in case you trash a derailleur hanger) and finally, there is a wide downtube guard to stop incoming debris from harming the linkage system.
A factory fitted mudguard comes as standard.
Replaceable dropouts. The chain runs close to the rubber protection, giving it nowhere to go and very quiet ride.
The fork bumpers did their job and were used and abused more than once.
A chunk of factory fitted moto-foam under the front shock mount.
Geometry & Sizing
Commencal were late to the longer frame club, but came back to prove a point on this big wheeled version. The smallest option is the medium size, with a 445mm reach, with 470mm for the large, and a whopping, 495mm for the XL. I believe that if those numbers are too big for you, that you shouldn't be trying to buy a 29er DH bike anyway (the 27.5" version offers smaller sizes). The rest of the geometry is standard downhill fare, with a 63.5º head angle, a 439mm chainstay, and a -15mm bottom bracket drop (not a huge drop compared to some 29" wheeled DH and enduro bikes).
![photo]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - non-driveside swingarm]()
Commencal were late to the longer frame club, but came back to prove a point on this big wheeled version. The smallest option is the medium size, with a 445mm reach, with 470mm for the large, and a whopping, 495mm for the XL. I believe that if those numbers are too big for you, that you shouldn't be trying to buy a 29er DH bike anyway (the 27.5" version offers smaller sizes). The rest of the geometry is standard downhill fare, with a 63.5º head angle, a 439mm chainstay, and a -15mm bottom bracket drop (not a huge drop compared to some 29" wheeled DH and enduro bikes).
Suspension Design
Commencal's now-famous DH suspension employs a stiff, triangulated single-pivot swingarm that hinges high above the chainring, but the arm tapers down towards the rear axle to allow flex at the wheel. An idler sprocket wheel that is placed slightly lower than the swingarm's pivot so the chain runs directly through the pivot point, eliminates chain growth (between the top of the chainring and cassette) and any negative effects that the chain may have on the rear suspension.
The high swingarm pivot location gives 76mm of rearward axle travel (and a 515mm effective chainstay length) at full bottom-out. At 28% sag, the chainstay grows from 439mm, to 468mm. My bike's
Commencal's now-famous DH suspension employs a stiff, triangulated single-pivot swingarm that hinges high above the chainring, but the arm tapers down towards the rear axle to allow flex at the wheel. An idler sprocket wheel that is placed slightly lower than the swingarm's pivot so the chain runs directly through the pivot point, eliminates chain growth (between the top of the chainring and cassette) and any negative effects that the chain may have on the rear suspension.
The high swingarm pivot location gives 76mm of rearward axle travel (and a 515mm effective chainstay length) at full bottom-out. At 28% sag, the chainstay grows from 439mm, to 468mm. My bike's
The idler wheel is tightly sandwiched in the swingarm and secured with a large bolt, as there is a huge amount of force being put through it when pedaling.
That pivot location also means the suspension squats into the travel when braking while striking bumps, in addition to swinging back as the rear wheel is being impacted. When pedaling, the system has no effect on suspension bob, and no pedal kickback (the cranks don't try to rotate backward as the suspension compresses).
Keeping the weight low in the frame, the swingarm activates the suspension by pulling a yoke that compresses the downtube-mounted shock through a two-stage linkage. The configuration gives Commencal's designers ample opportunities to tweak leverage ratios to their liking by altering pivot locations and linkage lengths.
This video shows the suspension action with no brakes...
...and this video shows the suspension action with the rear brake applied.
The Build
At $5,399 USD, the Supreme DH featured here is a bargain build, especially considering Commencal were way ahead of the curve in offering a complete bike, in stock, and for sale, when many other brands were panic-building prototypes and trying to play catch-up with ordering parts – hats off to Commencal who suffered a few rough years with their standard dealer/distributor model, and are now one of the leaders of the direct-sales pack.
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - Alpha cockpit]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - worlds biggest brake mount]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - LG1 rear hub]()
At $5,399 USD, the Supreme DH featured here is a bargain build, especially considering Commencal were way ahead of the curve in offering a complete bike, in stock, and for sale, when many other brands were panic-building prototypes and trying to play catch-up with ordering parts – hats off to Commencal who suffered a few rough years with their standard dealer/distributor model, and are now one of the leaders of the direct-sales pack.
The bike is spec'd with Commencal's house-brand Alpha parts, including bar, stem, grips, saddle and seatpost.
SRAM Code brakes. The Supreme might win the award for the world's biggest brake mount.
The e*thirteen LG1 rear hub is one of my favorite 150mm downhill hubs, as it uses the center of the hub to gain strength and stiffness, instead of creating a waste of space. The miniature 7-speed cassette is also from e*thirteen.
Components
![Commencal Supreme DH 29]()
| Specifications | ||
| Release Date | Spring '18 | |
| Price | $5299 | |
| Rear Shock | FOX Factory DHX2, 250 x 75mm | |
| Fork | FOX Factory 49 FLOAT RC2 | |
| Headset | Ride Alpha, semi integrated, | |
| Cassette | E*13, 7 speed, 9–21T | |
| Crankarms | E*13 LG1, 34T, 165 mm, 24 mm axle | |
| Chainguide | E*13 LG1+ WideGuide | |
| Bottom Bracket | E*13 Pressfit BB 92 | |
| Chain | KMC X11-EL BPBP | |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX DH, 7 speed | |
| Shifter Pods | SRAM GX DH, 7 speed | |
| Handlebar | Ride Alpha, Alloy 7075, double butted, 30 mm rise, 780 mm, Ø31.8 mm | |
| Stem | Ride Alpha DH Direct Mount, 50 mm, 31.8 mm | |
| Grips | Ride Alpha, Alloy one lock, super soft compound | |
| Brakes | SRAM Code R, 200mm / 200mm | |
| Wheelset | E*13 LG1, 30mm, with integrated cassette | |
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR 29 x 2.5 WT, 3C/TR DH Casing | |
| Seat | WTB High Tail Pro | |
| Seatpost | Ride Alpha DH, 31.6 mm | |
Test Bike Setup
The Supreme was ready to ride out of the box, I changed down a spring weight on the Fox DHX2 shock from 450lb to 400lb, pumped up the fork to 76psi, opened up most of the compression front and rear, and set the rebound on the fast side with a couple of extra clicks on the shock's HSR to for a little more control under big hits.
Tire pressures were set at 22/24psi and that was it. I kept the fork stanchions at full extension and the bar as high as possible - this was the ideal height for me, but taller riders may want something more than the 20mm rise Ride Alpha bar.
Testing took place on a variety of trails, from Finale Ligure, Pila, Les Gets, and some of Piemonte's best kept secret bike parks.
| It was my first ride on a downhill bike for a while, and first time ever on a 29" model. |
Paul Aston
Location: Finale Ligure, Italy
Age: 32
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 75kg
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @astonator
KM's ridden: n/a. used in Finale Ligure, Portes du Soleil, Pila, and Piemonte bike parks.
Location: Finale Ligure, Italy
Age: 32
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 75kg
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @astonator
KM's ridden: n/a. used in Finale Ligure, Portes du Soleil, Pila, and Piemonte bike parks.
Riding
There were a number of things about the Supreme that were welcome surprises from the start. It was my first ride on a downhill bike for a while, and first time ever on a 29" model. Despite the sheer size of the bike (it barely fits in my van or garage, and it likes to fall off shuttle trailers and chairlifts), it takes off swiftly on the pedals, and from the first run, I felt like I could do nothing wrong.
Well, almost. I instantly found myself over the working speed limit of my mind and eyes on my everyday trails (normally hitting the bikes limit comes first). I was riding faster than ever, but well below the bike's limit. Strava isn't the most accurate way to time runs, but four PR's out of four on my regular trails, starting from the very first run? That was impressive.
From the outset, the Commencal was as close to silent as possible, with no need to add tape here and rubber there to keep things quiet. It was also so smooth on the initial strike of each bump that it eliminated small trail feedback, and even when landing small jumps and hops I could barely, if at all, feel the rear wheel coming back in to contact with the ground.
After the first couple of rides, I had to wait patiently for some more big wheel DH bikes to turn up before I could to make some back-to back comparisons. Was the Supreme that good or was it just big wheels combined with a DH-sled that surprised me?
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - Riding]()
More testing ensued, and things only got better. Charging into rough rock gardens and braking bumps is unreal - I tried a section in Pila faster and faster, and the Supreme was the first bike I have ever ridden that got easier to handle the harder I pushed it. It never even came close to flinching. As mentioned in other reviews, for me, the high pivot system is the holy grail for a flat pedal rider who wants his feet planted on the pedals at the worst of times. The increasing chainstay length gives more confidence as it extends through the travel. The stiff but not harsh front end, combined with a fairly flexible swingarm, allows enough give at the rear wheel for fantastic tracking and line-holding through rough and off camber sections, without springiness found with some carbon bikes.
Rider-forward handling: What else to say about the Supreme? Despite its massive 495mm reach number, it didn't feel as big some similarly sized bikes I've tested. I put this down to the long chainstay and rearward axle path, which helps my center of gravity move forward between the axles as the suspension compresses, and keeps me more centralized on the bike. The front end rarely felt like it was getting away from me, and I never needed to lean back over the saddle when things got steep and gnarly.
That forward stance may be a sticking point for riders who are used to parking off the back of the saddle when things get gnarly, as the Supreme will feel horribly out of control. A change of technique is required to stay forward, and more upper body and arm strength will be required to stay in the middle of the bike and keep charging on.
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - Riding]()
Cornering: Anything without a berm for support, with camber and rough is a traction treat, the small bump sensitivity is fantastic and the flex in the rear wheel and triangle seem to glue the bike to the dirt, while still having plenty of support to push against. The bike feels big in the berms, but the not-so-low bottom bracket height makes it easy to flick between opposing corners.
Braking: Under braking, due to the high-pivot location, the bike squats into the travel, but I am a fan of this. This bike should be ridden down steep and gnarly downhill tracks, and you should not be braking on flat ground over bumps. You are, however, going to be hard on the brakes on steep sections into corners. The suspension will become slightly less sensitive, but I believe you will always have more grip on the rear wheel, a feeling I prefer compared to having a bike that pitches forwards and un-weights the rear wheel, despite their suspension being more active under braking.
There were a number of things about the Supreme that were welcome surprises from the start. It was my first ride on a downhill bike for a while, and first time ever on a 29" model. Despite the sheer size of the bike (it barely fits in my van or garage, and it likes to fall off shuttle trailers and chairlifts), it takes off swiftly on the pedals, and from the first run, I felt like I could do nothing wrong.
Well, almost. I instantly found myself over the working speed limit of my mind and eyes on my everyday trails (normally hitting the bikes limit comes first). I was riding faster than ever, but well below the bike's limit. Strava isn't the most accurate way to time runs, but four PR's out of four on my regular trails, starting from the very first run? That was impressive.
From the outset, the Commencal was as close to silent as possible, with no need to add tape here and rubber there to keep things quiet. It was also so smooth on the initial strike of each bump that it eliminated small trail feedback, and even when landing small jumps and hops I could barely, if at all, feel the rear wheel coming back in to contact with the ground.
After the first couple of rides, I had to wait patiently for some more big wheel DH bikes to turn up before I could to make some back-to back comparisons. Was the Supreme that good or was it just big wheels combined with a DH-sled that surprised me?
More testing ensued, and things only got better. Charging into rough rock gardens and braking bumps is unreal - I tried a section in Pila faster and faster, and the Supreme was the first bike I have ever ridden that got easier to handle the harder I pushed it. It never even came close to flinching. As mentioned in other reviews, for me, the high pivot system is the holy grail for a flat pedal rider who wants his feet planted on the pedals at the worst of times. The increasing chainstay length gives more confidence as it extends through the travel. The stiff but not harsh front end, combined with a fairly flexible swingarm, allows enough give at the rear wheel for fantastic tracking and line-holding through rough and off camber sections, without springiness found with some carbon bikes.
Rider-forward handling: What else to say about the Supreme? Despite its massive 495mm reach number, it didn't feel as big some similarly sized bikes I've tested. I put this down to the long chainstay and rearward axle path, which helps my center of gravity move forward between the axles as the suspension compresses, and keeps me more centralized on the bike. The front end rarely felt like it was getting away from me, and I never needed to lean back over the saddle when things got steep and gnarly.
That forward stance may be a sticking point for riders who are used to parking off the back of the saddle when things get gnarly, as the Supreme will feel horribly out of control. A change of technique is required to stay forward, and more upper body and arm strength will be required to stay in the middle of the bike and keep charging on.
Cornering: Anything without a berm for support, with camber and rough is a traction treat, the small bump sensitivity is fantastic and the flex in the rear wheel and triangle seem to glue the bike to the dirt, while still having plenty of support to push against. The bike feels big in the berms, but the not-so-low bottom bracket height makes it easy to flick between opposing corners.
Braking: Under braking, due to the high-pivot location, the bike squats into the travel, but I am a fan of this. This bike should be ridden down steep and gnarly downhill tracks, and you should not be braking on flat ground over bumps. You are, however, going to be hard on the brakes on steep sections into corners. The suspension will become slightly less sensitive, but I believe you will always have more grip on the rear wheel, a feeling I prefer compared to having a bike that pitches forwards and un-weights the rear wheel, despite their suspension being more active under braking.
How does it compare?
Compared to the pro-level carbon-framed Norco Aurum HSP-1 you'd get at your local retailer, the consumer-direct aluminum Commencal really does kick ass by being $2,700 cheaper (disclosure: the second-tier Norco Aurum is only $5,500 USD). Plus, the Supreme 29 has a smoother ride and has a much bigger XL for taller riders like me. Yes, Commencal's Supreme 29 is not carbon, and not sold with dealer support, but that's still a serious amount of money.
Compared to other more traditional four-bar linkage bikes on test, the Supreme has better tracking across rough terrain and camber, as well as a more forgiving and easy ride, especially for flat pedal pilots.
Technical Report
LG1 crankset: One of the aluminum e*13 crankarms bent during a crash between the legs of another test rider. Nothing serious, and the wobbly feeling of a bent aluminum crank is nothing compared to the possibility of a snapped carbon crank. This is the budget crank from the e*13 range and is one of the places Commencal have saved money to give this bike great value. After years of racing downhill, I think a bent crank is par for the course when smashing downhill runs day after day.
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 Review - miniature E13 cassette]()
![Commencal Supreme DH 29 review]()
Integrated e*13 cassette: The miniature integrated 7-speed cassette from e*thirteen worked without issue, and the 9-21 tooth range means you can use a smaller chainring for more clearance. This is a downhill racer of course, but if you take it on a trip to the Alps, you might want some lower gearing to get between lifts and tracks.
LG1 crankset: One of the aluminum e*13 crankarms bent during a crash between the legs of another test rider. Nothing serious, and the wobbly feeling of a bent aluminum crank is nothing compared to the possibility of a snapped carbon crank. This is the budget crank from the e*13 range and is one of the places Commencal have saved money to give this bike great value. After years of racing downhill, I think a bent crank is par for the course when smashing downhill runs day after day.
Integrated e*13 cassette: The miniature integrated 7-speed cassette from e*thirteen worked without issue, and the 9-21 tooth range means you can use a smaller chainring for more clearance. This is a downhill racer of course, but if you take it on a trip to the Alps, you might want some lower gearing to get between lifts and tracks.
Pros
+ Unbeatable bump and high-speed performance
+ Ready to go racing out of the box
+ Great price and specification
Cons
- Requires some adaptation to get the best out of the bike
- Falls off chairlifts and shuttle trailers and might not fit in your car or garage
- May make you ride too fast for your own safety
Is this the bike for you?
If you want a bike that is going to truck through anything that is in the way, then the Supreme 29 is for you. It has near endless grip and composure on gnarly terrain, if you want something more 'poppy' or 'playful' or 'fun' then look elsewhere. I think going as fast as you can everywhere is the most fun part anyhow.
If you want a bike that is going to truck through anything that is in the way, then the Supreme 29 is for you. It has near endless grip and composure on gnarly terrain, if you want something more 'poppy' or 'playful' or 'fun' then look elsewhere. I think going as fast as you can everywhere is the most fun part anyhow.
Pinkbike's Take:
| Commencal really have covered all the bases with the Supreme DH 29, and I genuinely do not know what would make me like it more. Maybe an all black version? |
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Rode one of these at a demo. Didn’t have a ton of runs to get really comfortable, but I can confirm that it is indeed really, really fast. You really need to be a really good rider to get the most out of it. If not ridden at ten tenths it feels like driving a 60 foot stretch limo thru city traffic. This is not a park bike. If your day at the park includes stopping at every trial junction to bro down before this is not the bike to you.
It’s a weird time for DH bikes. The bike industry has convinced us all that 29 is better. And it is faster as proven by the World Cup. But most people can’t ride them to their potential like Paul Aston can. In fact, most people are not going to enjoy riding a 29 DH bike. The bike industry knows this. This is why Santa Cruz is milking as much money as they can out of the current v10 molds before coming out with the v29. The serious racers will buy them but how many regular park bros are going to buy one when they become a more known commodity? Add in that you have a lot of people that go to bike parks 2-4 times per year (the majority of bike park visitors) are buying Nomad/Capra/Torque and bikes like that are more versatile than a full on DH bikes and you have sales going down. Less sales mean that the cost has to go up to cover development costs. How many people have bought the Session 29? How many people are going to buy an 11,500$ v10?
500 two stroke analogy?
I rode an R6 for 10 years (until it finally let go). Around town it was difficult to ride. However, at full tilt - 10-15k RPM and hammering the corners, it was fantastic. Definatley better the faster. I now ride a Triumph Thruxton R. Not nearly the superbike, but a lot easier to ride every day.
500cc two stroke. Yeah, incredible, but who can really ride them to their potential?
I ended up buying the Pole Evolink 140 29" and everyone who rides it exclaims how they couldn't imagine it would be so maneuverable, so fun!
When Prince tennis racquets arrived they got crap from everyone... everyone who hadn't played them. 1-2 years later every pro & am were playing with an oversize racket! That's what's coming to mountain biking as soon as the major brands can find a way to sell their current "out-dated" tech they will be singing the tune of long chainstays, longer reach, long wheelbase and saying it was their idea. Remember Specialized saying they would "never" do 27.5... yeah, right!
And now all the early adopters/internet taught experts with money are jumping on the extreme geo train.
There is a lot of confirmation bias with these new age geos. Most people that drop 6k on a strange bike nobody else has bike aren't going to say it isn't way better than their last one. And nobody wants to admit they don't have the skill to ride the bike to it's full potential. Dr. Toothpuller has never had has Porsche above 81 MPH and sure as heck never pushed his Nicolai to it's limit. (just like he never hit a 300 yard drive with his Taylor Made's back in '04)
real rippers gon' rip.
Commencal has both the Furious and the Clash for thee non-racy park rat horde, showered or not.
I'm all for versatility, but that's for the trail/enduro and freeride/park segments - for the party everywhere people, not for the beat-the-clock-on-raceday people.
Race bikes are race bikes due to them being super-specific and probably shouldn't try to do everything.
The reason I ask is that I just purchased a Supreme 29er and I can confirm that even on my first lap it was more fun and better for me than my old V10, no matter what speed I was riding. However, I'm fairly tall (6'4"), and I can imagine how it might feel like too much bike for someone smaller.
I'm not trying to poke holes in your comment, I'm honestly curious because I have a couple shorter friends interested in the bike after hearing my praises and I would hate to see them waste their money.
I've been racing the Supreme V4.2 for all these season so I suposed the bike should not be very different. First day the suspension was not set up for me. 1 full day making some changes and then the second day of riding.
I ride every week for at least 3 days and train for 4 or 6 days per week and I ended totally exahusted. It felt faster and you have to work harder to ride it properly and not crash.
In the berms you have to push harder, you have to bend the bike more and have a good technique level to understand how you have to ride it.
In the technical parts you have to work a little bit more also and I didn't felt comfortable when breaking (it's different from 27.5).
When it comes to jumping it was very stable but different timing and very easy to overjump everything.
People in Commençal agreed with me when I said that it is harder to ride and definetely more racing oriented. In the best case you have the same fun than in 27.5 but most people won't.
Some friends here told me that I just needed more time with the bike to get used to it but I don't know. In less steep trails I really think you need to work even harder to keep this bike moving.
I hope the Norco was different and more friendly but after reading this, maybe we have to wait 1 or 2 years to see how these bikes work for the average rider
I’ll buy one, you will buy one and how many more people? If the next V10 costs 7 grand with a garbage build how many people will just buy the Commencals and how long will SC make it. Does Specialzied make another Demo or do they decide to come out with an electric Demo?
Same comments here as back then, when 29ers hit the big market.
Yeah they are faster unless you ride very tight stuff.
(enduro-mtb.com/en/nukeproof-mega-290-factory-review)
That said I think it's fair to say that assuming fit/suspension/geo work for a rider, all else being equal a 29er will be faster on a majority of tracks. Yes this is parallel universe stuff as @WAKIdesigns says, there are always too many variables in the real world.
@dontcoast I agree with your points. When that day comes it will change things. As it stands today its all over the place. I just enjoy the comical marketing.
Actually, No. No it's not. I have a set of Saints that are several years old. Multiple Whistler trips (expert level riding) and countless park laps around Colorado. Zero issues. I even have a set of Carbon SixC's 2+ years old without issue. Those e13 cranks sound like garbage, at least for that bikes intended purpose.
Last set of cranks I bent, even in a crash, was more than 10 years ago. Since then I've mostly run Shimano and even when snagging them on stuff super hard, or casing jumps hard enough to snap rims, they've been fine.
Not even sure they exist anymore..
Would love to trow a foot over it as Ive never ridden a 29er before.
Commencal is doing a lot of things right - hats off!
Not much to compare against here, and feels like a lack of experience may be contributing to the "WOW" factor.
I did say in the article it was the first one I rode, and had to wait for the others t arrive to make a comparison, I had this Supreme since December last year.
Thanks, Paul.
Ha, that's kind of rad! Hard to argue with that.
I do own the Meta, and it is an amazing bike, and definitely feels like a bike with way more than 130 on the back.
@pakleni: They should pedal fine with an idler
#saynotoplastic
Gee Atherton's best years were on a Commencal which was well known as the heaviest bike in the race paddock.
Chasing light weight DH bikes is utterly ridiculous
Did they not get the memo?
You're supposed to make your bike as incompatible as possible!
It happened to me with loading system you mentioned. I think that if mounts are moved a bit higher there should not be a problem any more. Anyway that happened on one of two mounts that were on the chair. So I just needed to be careful when choosing my chair lift line
Bike trailers have similar problems.
Trust me, it starts to get really fu**ing annoying, especially when the lift attendant is shouting at me to let go of the bike and let it hang freely - when I KNOW it will fall off (again) if I let go
I thought downhill bikes were dead??
You sir. Have made me laugh multiple times today. Whats even funnier is people taking your shitposting seriously. Keep it up dude.
Thats a world cup winning bike right there.
That being said, ill take 27.5 dh wheels. on boost, they're stiffer than 26 and 29, and the bottom bracket is below the axles unlike 26", thus lowering the center of gravity, which means MOAR corners.
*its not really the worst
Not sure why they wouldn't have just mounted it to the stay. Everything else about the bike looks sick though!
Result: I did all the races with the Catalyst pedals, including especially the megavalanche, and my clipless pedals are always in the box, never mounted, never ridden.
The most important thing is to get the right shoe. Many shoes have a pre-curved convex sole which means you slide around in the middle of the pedal and don't get great contact with the pins. Five Ten Freerider Pro's are the best I have found to date, they are nearly completely flat from new and bed in quickly. If you have a good contact here, I think power output, grip, and balance is all improved.
This sentence says it all. I've had this bike since May and love it more everyday.
Every video about brake influence on suspension is... fake, because the wheel is not rolling on obstacles.
That is... until I got to the bit that essentially said "if you don't like the way this bike rides you are a loser. It's so great even its negatives are actually positives. It's so great and I can ride it really well cos I'm so cool" Christ man. Your job isn't to tell people how f*cking cool you are or how this bikes foibles suit your awesomeness. No one cares about that shit. Your job is to review the f*cking bike.
By the time I'd finished reading the review I had lost all the "this bike might actually work for me" as it had been replaced by "I wish they'd get an actual reviewer to ride the bike so I can hear an unbiased opinion....
It's an honest review, and he doesn't remotely come off how you imply. I'd suggest looking at yourself and wondering why this article made you so angry to slander someone in the comment box. If you want to ask the same of me, well I just told you.
Did you actually read my comment? I basically said the article started really well. It seemed informed and gave his opinion. That part was great, and I think we agree there. Of course the reviewer needs to give their opinion. The entire review is an opinion and nothing more, and a great reviewer will have formed a full and comprehensive opinion about the entire bike, good and bad. Getting all hyped up on stoke and saying that a bike is perfect and anyone who disagrees sucks at life is not the same as writing a great review...
What baited me to comment was the bit where he basically tried to sell the bikes weaknesses as strengths and essentially said "if you don't agree with me that this bike can do no wrong then you suck and you are stupid and your mum smells of elderberries." All bike designs are compromises. There are no perfect designs out there, as it is physically impossible to design a bike that does everything well. It is the reviewers job to find where these compromises have been made, to explore them, then to discuss them in the review. If I just wanted to hear about how f*cking stoked and excited someone is about something, if I only wanted to hear one side of the story, I'd ask a 13 yr old. I want to hear the whole story. I want a full breakdown, warts and all. Thats why I read reviews on Pinkbike.
I missed the part where he called you dumb, untalented, and insulted your mom's fragrance. So who's really acting like a 13 year old.
You missed quite a lot. There is history to this which you may be unaware of. In particular the part where he discusses "rider forward handling". It's cool though. Paul knows how I feel, and we have spoken about our differing opinions. He's offered to take my opinions on board and I've apologised for calling him out in public. Your cape can rest easy
- Requires some adaptation to get the best out of the bike
- Falls off chairlifts and shuttle trailers and might not fit in your car or garage
- May make you ride too fast for your own safety"
Rounded write up? The first point isn't really a con, and the second two are jokes!
I'm sure it's a great bike, I like it. But he's essentially making out there are no downsides whatsoever. He even makes some statement about high pivots being the holy grail. This is not a balanced, cool headed clinical write up, it's a stoke fest. That's cool, I'm glad he's stoked on it and I'm sure that is because it is a great bike. But at some point a reviewer should step back from that initial high and make an honest judgement of what compromises have been made and where. Making out there are none at all just makes me less confident in the accuracy of the review. If I'm considering spending serious money on a bike and can't test every bike out there back to back on proper terrain, good quality reviews are all I have to go on.
It might be later into the travel but I would expect this to be the same - it is probably at its longest around 3/4 into the stroke before getting shorter again.
Just grab a handful of front brake.
EUR prices always include VAT/TVA, so the prices will be comparable.
Result: I did all the races with the Catalyst pedals, including especially the megavalanche, and my clipless pedals are always in the box, never mounted, never ridden, for sale.
I'm 6'1 with a +4" ape index, 33" inseam.
Thanks, Paul.
Also, I have been vocal about bikes being too small for years after being lucky enough to ride the new crop of bikes with much longer reach numbers before the majority of consumers. For example, in my First Look of the 2015 YT Tues I said was too small in L-size for people around or over 6', now they have gone up to offer an XL and XXL with a 495mm reach. When I rode the XXL Tues, that bike and setup felt too long, where the Commencal felt comfortable on everything I rode. Over the last 3-4 year bikes, in general, have become much longer and people try them and usually prefer something a bit longer than their previous bike. Actually, I can't rememeber any press release from the last two years where the new bikes haven't increased in length
www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-YT-TUES-CF-Pro-2015.html
www.pinkbike.com/news/yt-tues-first-look.html