Commencal Unveils the Supreme DH V5

Mar 21, 2022
by COMMENCAL BIKES & SKIS  
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Press Release: Commencal

Rewind back to last year in Leogang where we presented a prototype Supreme DH, code name P019.

At that time, we wrote:

bigquotesIt's a prototype, a lab bike that means we can try many new concepts under the most testing and extreme conditions. This Supreme features a brand new kinematic with a Virtual High Pivot. Through this system, we're always looking for more performance and liveliness, without compromising the capacity of our now renowned High Pivot Point. There is no commercialisation on the cards yet, however it’s sure that this is the dawn of a new era for the future of Commencal DH.”

Here we are in 2022 with the results of this years’ worth of work on the ground plus those three years of reflection.

This is the Supreme DH V5

The result of the perfect synergy of work between our athletes and R&D department, with one clear objective, to be in the green at all the splits!

"The terms were simple... To make a bike with no compromises, which works very well whatever the type of track and which gives the rider confidence. Alongside the evolution of the discipline itself, we could see that the time when you could make a strategic choice on the settings of the bike at the start of the season is over. For example, making it very efficient, or very comfortable. Race tracks are complete and varied, and it takes versatility. Additionally, the level is so high that riders have to spend a lot of time working on their lines on track and they have less time to think about bike settings.

In the technical sense, we chose to work on the 'virtual high pivot point' kinematics. Using a 6 bar system allows us to create an ideally controlled virtual pivot point trajectory and suspension leverage ratio evolution, regardless of the range of travel used. The result is a significant improvement in the balance, shock absorption and overall liveliness of the bike. That was the goal and that's what we've got!"

-Arthur Quet

Availability:

- Frames and A La Carte: End of 2022
- Complete bikes: Beginning of 2023


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Photos : @commencalbikes / @nicolasbrizin

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases DH Bikes Commencal Commencal Supreme


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179 Comments
  • 362 5
 Got to admit, commencal is making amazing mountain bikes
  • 22 0
 I have to agree
  • 202 0
 I would disagree, but I’d be wrong.
  • 95 3
 I’d even say, they are making supreme mountain bikes.
  • 2 0
 Good thoughts, they look sweet there own styling
  • 16 13
 I mean, they designed one but they aren’t “making” them. Otherwise you’d be able to get one before 2023.
  • 5 2
 I haven’t ridden one but the look of clean lines and simple but also packed with the design and tech make me want to try it out, even if I would never get it to the edge where those features would really shine
  • 13 12
 @macfroze: Evil bikes has a word to say about that front triangle....
  • 5 0
 @GPP2117: I got 3 - you even try, bro?
  • 3 0
 @Dem628: I’ve ridden 2 of them and they are my favorite DH bike, even if you aren’t pro speed, which I’m not. I really like the look with the straighter top tube.
  • 5 3
 @hamncheez: I agree, it looks like an Evil DH bike. It still looks amazing though.
  • 1 0
 @RussellTinka: LOL! Right?!
  • 3 0
 The Meta Trail is totally on my short list!!
  • 2 1
 @GPP2117: underrated comment. I love commencal as much as the next privateer, but the waiting times are something else.
  • 3 0
 Wife and I have two, Meta AM & Supreme SX. Freaking love these bikes and Max has always been very personable and gracious when we see him at the events. This is how you do it.

P.S. god d*mn this new DH makes me sweat......
  • 1 0
 @endoguru: Which generation/model year?
  • 3 0
 They dialed it up to 6, pivots on that one... imagine if they dialed it up to 11...
  • 3 0
 @stiingya: 11 pivots would be sick!
  • 3 0
 @FuzzyL: that comment is so meta.
  • 2 0
 Best looking DH bike of 2022!!!
  • 1 1
 @mtbflow24: sorry its the runner up www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-antidote-darkmatter-29-is-still-the-pagani-of-mountain-bikes.html
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: That is a sick bike!
  • 1 0
 "Beginning of 2023", what the hell is this 2023 they speak of?!
  • 1 1
 for awhile now too. and gotta love that they're still doing alloy bikes, and bucking the trend of carbon. these bikes will still be around long after all the carbon frames have developed hairline cracks.
  • 3 0
 @mattmatthew: I don't understand the concept of "This material is superior to that material". Aluminum fatigues and cracks too. The difference between the two really comes down to what your designing, and what ride qualities do you want. Carbon provides more options design and shape in regards to cost, where as alloy can be more cost effective.
  • 2 0
 @jomacba: Good point. Eventually, nearly every aluminum frame with fail if ridden frequently. I think every aluminum Kona older than 10 years has already failed.
  • 1 0
 Sick!
  • 1 0
 They would be amazing, if they made the frames stronger. Their frames snap as easily as a dried twig.
  • 55 1
 I'm assuming the idler cover is to keep mud out. Is there any other purpose to it? It seems pretty big, so I wonder if there'd be a way to jerry-rig a multi-tool or sensor into it...
  • 36 0
 Idler cover still at a development stage I guess. It is still 3D printing parts. I hoipe they will make it slimmer.
  • 8 0
 Probably not the final one, this version is 3D printed
  • 47 0
 squirrels
  • 8 1
 The idler cover is there just to look good (it also hides the complex looking linkage), remember, they are practically French. And I must say it looks so damn good that one could buy it even if it rode like crap Wink
  • 2 3
 @purplegorillaz: A very nice print. I wonder what printer they used.
  • 12 0
 I assume its an Ebike and the motor is in there.
  • 2 0
 @Lanebobane: with the right settings, you can get this level of finish with pretty much every fdm printer nowaday
  • 5 0
 Maybe to keep pants from catching in the idler? Kind of reminds me of how the fairings are on motos to smooth out catch points. Most WC DH pants are tight enough this is probably a non-issue but for us normies without tailored kit it's feasible.
  • 2 0
 My guess is it's to stop pant legs and shoe laces going into the idler pulley. Or your heel in certain foot positions.
  • 2 0
 Hard to say as the idler point may be adjustable.
  • 1 0
 i fell like it could suck your pants in
  • 4 0
 I just assumed they made the idler in inches when it should have been mm
  • 3 0
 @Compositepro: if you look at the idler housing, there are 2 bolts securing it. it looks like you can slide it up and down. its a strange design though and they are probably working on fine tuning it. the window on the front of the idler is strange considering the side is completely covered.
  • 4 1
 @lkubica: They are French, they just decided to do tax evasion so they moved to Andorra.
  • 1 3
 @Balgaroth: if the company is based in Andorra, they live and work in Andorra it is not tax evasion. They just decided to set the company in a country with less taxation which is way different
  • 45 2
 Beginning of 2023… just in time to stock pile bearings (you’ll need a lot)
  • 34 0
 “Yeti has eighteen bearings”. “We can do better”
  • 19 18
 @usedbikestuff: it took me 4.5 years until i had to replace the bearings in the switch infinity link, and never needed to replace the ones in the linkage. they stayed dirt free and smooth in east coast mud. I couldn't believe it personally lol
  • 24 0
 @usedbikestuff: was "we can do better" said with a Guenther Steiner accent?
  • 5 0
 @gtollette: he does not fok smash my door
  • 4 0
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: everything is better than that 303 sliding mechanism. What I would give for a modern ASR-7 with threaded bb
  • 2 0
 Lol the current(previous model) still isn’t fully in stock either. Gotta admit selling bikes years out shows a solid following.
  • 5 0
 @abueno: don’t confuse lack of availability with sales demand. -bike industry 2022
  • 4 3
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: lol look at the pathetic haters, they downvoted you for stating something that simply is.

"some motherf*ckers always trying to ice skate uphill"
  • 1 0
 @usedbikestuff: yea the slide was entirely not east coast friendly.
  • 1 0
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: And most people don't even keep their bikes that long lol
  • 1 0
 @stumphumper92: there is no engineer who’d look at that and say “yes this is the best solution” and I have to deal with an unfortunate amount of engineers
  • 28 0
 I know it is what it is nowadays in MTB and generally in bike industry, but still, not the best move marketing-wise to publish your pedigree, top-notch product in march, that will not be available for one whole year. It downgrades your current model like crazy...I wonder how many people will buy current modell supreme knowing the new one is coming...
  • 19 0
 Everyone's known this is coming for a long time with the racers using it and the current bike is sold out till mid-end of this year anyway, may as well get the orders and deposits in for next year.
  • 27 1
 I literally built up my new Supreme frame yesterday. I got it last week and ordered it last October. My response to seeing this post was... "of course there's a new frame" lol, Although I did know it was coming, seeing the prototypes raced last season and the new Commencal film. That being said, I'm super stoked on my new rig and nothing will dull that shine.
  • 22 2
 @mx442: You'll just have to deal with having the 2nd best DH race bike available.
  • 3 0
 @maglor: not everyone. A ton of people don't follow racing that closely so they might have missed it.
  • 1 0
 @abueno: I was planning to buy on of the presale bikes on the website but why would I pay premium for a v4 when the manufacturer declares the v5 is a "significant improvement in the balance, shock absorption and overall liveliness of the bike"? Keep waiting another year plus or prepay full price for old tech, sucks!
  • 19 0
 I don't race, am pretty slow, only ride park, and mostly stick to the jump lines on a 26inch, and yet I so want this bike.
  • 20 1
 Shut up! You had me at "hello" !
  • 16 0
 It's not a bad looking bike by any means, but the old swoopy frame just made for such a unique silhouette. This one is just a bit run of the mill.
  • 6 17
flag ka81 (Mar 21, 2022 at 11:55) (Below Threshold)
 be carefull there.. i got downvoted to oblivion for the same words..
  • 13 1
 works good with 'any travel amount'... Foreshadow...
  • 4 5
 I like the sound of that. Would be cool to see a meta AM with the 6 bar, hopefully without a bro pivot on it though.
  • 9 0
 @nskerb: return of the Supreme SX maybe
  • 1 1
 @Upduro: that would be sweet. I don’t really care about that bike but would be happy to know it exists again.

I might have meant to say the meta TR. I can’t remember which one of those bastards are which. I would want to see the shorter travel one have the 6 bar without an idler lol
  • 1 1
 Eh, the attractive things about Commencal have always been simplicity and value- Aluminum & single pivot with a simple, durable, cheap linkage.

This behemoth design on a 160mm enduro bike would require carbon and a ton of $$ to make.
  • 4 0
 @hamncheez: why would it require carbon?
  • 1 1
 @haen: For it to not weigh more than an Orange
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: Better to focus on reducing unsprung and/or rotational mass than weight in your frame. The frame (spung mass) is the last place you want to lose weight in the overall system.
  • 8 0
 God this looks rapid. I'd like to see a video of the rear suspension being cycled through its travel, I can't figure out how it works from the pictures.
  • 9 1
 Looks awesome, other than that idler cover.
  • 4 0
 Just built a 2021 supreme frame up for this season....now they drop this beauty. Bastards! We also have a Meta TR and a little meta 20" that my 5 years old rides. Amazing bikes and the North American customer service is the best I can remember. Folks are on point! Also the ala cart option lets you build the bike you want.
  • 5 1
 Probably an unpopular opinion but I don’t think this looks particularly sexy.. especially when compared to the beautiful Meta frames Commencal are making.

I know this bike is about performance but after all DH bikes are also there to promote the brand and their design language.
  • 4 3
 It’s much better looking than the previous generation though Wink
  • 7 0
 Looks like it can hold plenty of water bottles in the front triangle
  • 1 0
 Are 2 mini bolds so controversial? All the pros carrying water always for trackwalk... Then you have to carry your water in your pocket if going bike park solo the whole day ...
  • 3 0
 If the production / commercially available versions come with enve's thats a massive deal breaker for me, and also I suggest most privateers - to have that niggling doubt in a sport that is >80% mental, of your wheelset dying in somewhere like Fort Bill............just my opinion.

I will never ever forget Thibaut Dapréla's front wheel implode in the US last year......not the back one, the front one.

You've run out of excuses enve...nope never, not ever.
  • 2 1
 If you're a privateer, you shouldn't run a Commencal Supreme anyways. The frame is insanely fragile. There's tons of examples of snapped Supremes on the internet.
  • 6 0
 Does not look like a Session. Doesn‘t even look like a Mulally.
  • 5 1
 So, Marzocchi is coating the Fox stanchions now? Looks better than Kashima Smile ! Expecting even more teams on Commencal bikes next season.
  • 2 0
 I have those 'espresso' coated Marzocchis....
  • 3 1
 Just as I was growing on to the old curvy Supreme shape. But I gotta say, the idler cover looks sick. I wish I weren't so easily impressed by essentially a piece of plastic. Dunno why it tickles me. Lil star wars fighter vibin
  • 2 0
 Very complex linkage! Is it a six bar? For sure there is a variable idler position manipulating chain tension. Given the angle of the small lower link I assume there's a rearward moving axle.
  • 1 0
 Yes, it's actually a true six-bar. It's what's called a Stephenson Mechanism.
  • 5 1
 Take my money immediately!!
  • 1 0
 Agreed. That is just amazing!
  • 5 0
 Too fast looking.
  • 4 0
 A "bike with no compromises" is sure to compromise our wallets.
  • 3 0
 Looks great! Very skinny tubes too, almost gives off some Mondraker vibe, but in aluminium. I should get one!
  • 2 0
 On a casual scroll through I thought that seatstay bridge was cracked in the studio shots for a second before I properly registered the bolts. Looks great!
  • 1 0
 Yeah I'm confused as to why they designed it with bolts holding that section together. Why couldn't they just wled it all together like every other bike ever?
  • 1 0
 Maybe its removable to tune a flexier rear end if desired. Sometimes more flex is good on a rocky track
  • 4 0
 Looks like it has room for a water bottle. Pinkbike's gotta be frothing Razz
  • 1 0
 Lets be honest what are they hiding beneath that 3D printed section in the linkage at the back. Also why are there bolts holding in the support arch on the top part of the rear triangle?
  • 1 2
 I wish they had evolved the meta v3 with 27.5 wheels and 140mm travel. Yes I prefer short travel small wheels and every trail is my playground. I didn’t like the v4 and 29” wheels only so wen with a different manufacturer. But props to them for their supreme. As for the availability, it’s our new normal. Just ask the people still waiting for a new car missing “chips” the supply chain will be jacked for a good 2-3 more years. Then it’s a prayer that inflation hasn’t kicked in too hard.
  • 2 0
 If ir performs well? I don't know... But i know one thing, this beast is f*ckin UGLY
  • 3 1
 Goddamn I don’t how Commencal does it but they make their bikes look so damn good!!
  • 4 2
 Virtual high pivot. Comparing this to the new canfield Jedi would be the ultimate basher dh bike shootout.
  • 3 1
 That's the best thing I've seen since all them celebrity Icloud accounts were hacked
  • 1 0
 everyone´s talking about the idler box and all, but I don´t mind it. In my opinion, it looks just fine and probably would save my pant leg more than once.
  • 4 3
 Trying really hard to justify owning a DH bike. Give me an internally routed dropper and I might be able to get over the line.
  • 4 5
 ^This. DH bikes should have droppers these days. I put one on my Jedi and it was a huge improvement for the pedally sections. Most DH parks have spots that require some pedaling to get to the good stuff and a dropper just makes sense.
  • 4 0
 Canfield One2 and Orange 329 can do this
  • 1 0
 @ridingsteeps: I love that the Jedi is designed to be practical. I hope the current crop of trail friendly “freeride” bikes delivers the full package I desire:
Big ride capable but practical for my existence without shuttle or uplift.
  • 2 0
 Alu Frame!!! well done!! that idler cover is ugly....wtf
  • 1 1
 commencal were probably the most important players in the high pivot craze we see today. now they are going in a different direction.
  • 1 0
 I'm wondering if the cover is 3d printed. Looks like layer lines with a bit rough finish.
  • 1 0
 Complete bikes: Beginning of 2023 ... which means - customers can get them in 2024 Smile
  • 2 0
 Instantly the best part of my day.
  • 2 0
 Is that a black box idler?
  • 3 1
 Commencal's design and graphics team needs a raise, this bike is a beaut
  • 2 0
 That bike is amazing. Would love to see that in a high polish model.
  • 3 1
 Coming to a world cup podium near you
  • 1 0
 Wondering about the bolt on seatstay brace. Is that to make it easier to route the brake cable?
  • 2 3
 The Grim Donut looks better. The front design is ok but it has been stolen from other brands. The rear is awfull! What is this ugly plastic cover. Look like a pirate patch on a dead eye!
  • 2 0
 What rear derailleur is on that bike?
  • 2 0
 I think TRP is sponsoring them this year..
  • 1 0
 What is the geometry of that bike? The wheel base and HTA look record breaking.
  • 2 0
 Not bad. But I prefer other...
  • 2 0
 Waiting until 2023 so that the i-track patent expires?
  • 1 0
 Amazing looking bike. But what ist that idler in a box?
  • 2 0
 it's a box to store tissues
  • 1 0
 @max2max: When you make your rivals cry after you smash them with that bike!!
  • 2 1
 I'm not going to lie guys it really looks like a session.
  • 3 2
 Legit looks like evil made an alloy downhill bike
  • 1 0
 In terms of the rear suspension, it almost couldn't be more different from what Evil is making.
  • 1 0
 Damn good looking bike though, excited to hear about all the details.
  • 2 0
 New Saint drivetrain?
  • 1 0
 A La Carte? Do they serve food with the bike?
  • 1 0
 I hope soo!
  • 2 0
 If you ask nicely Max'll do you a nice Commencal Chicken Supreme.
  • 1 0
 Can't wait to see the price. I bet it went way down. Beer
  • 1 0
 Needs to have a slacker head angle n then I'd buy it
  • 1 0
 Looks like there's space for a water bottle?
  • 1 0
 I'll take it! Sweet ride.
  • 1 0
 Never thought Aluminum could be so sexy ... Carbon DH alternative for me.
  • 1 0
 Rarely use my current DH bike. Would definitely ride the F outta this one!
  • 1 0
 ill take one frame thanks
  • 1 0
 well... looks like I'm working my ass off until 2023 lmao
  • 1 0
 And there is room for a waterbottle
  • 1 0
 Still rocking my V3 Supreme DH. I'd get a V5 if I rode more DH.
  • 1 0
 Bruh that availability tho.
  • 1 0
 how much $$ I want now.....???
  • 1 0
 Looks like there is even room for a water bottle if desired Smile
  • 2 0
 Amazing.
  • 1 0
 That last pic is NSFW, holy smokes
  • 1 0
 Now Dats What Im Talking About.
  • 2 0
 I'd Session this.
  • 1 0
 Can I put an angleset on it????
  • 1 0
 Science tells me this is best looking DH bike
  • 1 0
 Look amazing, and can even hold a water bottle in the front triangle!
  • 1 0
 Best looking bike in years!!!! Plus it’s metal!
  • 3 2
 That is one sexy bike.
  • 2 1
 Looks like a BTR.
  • 1 1
 It looks like a B9er, but is it?
  • 1 1
 Design bar raised. Soooo Sic!
  • 1 0
 beauty!!
  • 1 0
 Badass looking bike!
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Donut
  • 1 0
 Available in 2026 Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Sexy
  • 1 1
 Looks incredible. As if an adult designed the Grim Donut.
  • 1 1
 But can I BMX with this though....?
  • 1 0
 'synergy'
  • 1 0
 Nice!
  • 1 0
 Wow tup super clean!
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