The complex multilink of the single pivot is almost at bottom bracket level. The shock sits at the very bottom of the frame and the chain idler pulley is elegantly integrated into the seat stay. Rubber bumpers and mudguards everywhere you look. The bike is also very well equipped with Vivid R2C, Boxxer Team, Code brakes and high-quality Ethirteen parts. The frame can be customised with interchangeable dropouts (+ 5 millimetres) and variable inserts in the head tube (+/- 10 millimetres reach). Like the Bulls, the nominally short rear triangle extends by almost 4 centimetres when compressed. The other values are not unusual. What is unusual, however, is the incredible smoothness and confidence that the Commencal conveys on the extreme test track on the Kohlern. You hit every line perfectly, the rear never swerves under braking and the tyres are always planted. You spontaneously take new, tighter lines in the bends and find traction where there was none before. A downhill dream for modern, demanding trails. The bike is rather sluggish when accelerating, but it hardly loses any speed in rock gardens and remains completely silent even in bumps.
ConclusionRace ready for 4000 euros! The DH V4 Race is our clear speed favourite with perfect suspension. If you want to race (and win), you can go for it. Freeriders who want agile handling are in the wrong place.
Marcus Klausmann (38): "Awesome! I'd buy it like this and go to the start. Super balance, super progression. Stops like a rock when braking, never loses contact with the ground. Perfectly equipped for the price range. The best fork in the test. Extremely quiet!"
Manufacturer information
Distribution Commencal Bicycles
www.commencal-store.com
Material/sizes Alu/S, M,L, XL
Price/weight without pedals 3999 Euro/18.1 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/190 mm
Rear suspension system Supported single-link (Motolink)
Reach 410 mm
Stack 620 mm
BB-Drop - 7 mm
Equipment
Fork/damper RockShox Boxxer Team/Vivid R2C
Cranks/gears Ethirteen LG1+/SRAM X9
Brake system SRAM Avid Code R
Impellers Ethirteen LG1+ system wheelset,
Tyres Maxxis Minion 3c (v), Minion DHR II 3C (h)
FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression and is not an addition of fun and race points.
