Commencal Supreme DH V5.2: World Domination

Let me say it again: 55 World Cup victories in the elite category on a single bike (through its various iterations) – that’s something to take in. Unbelievable! This massive success makes the Supreme DH the most successful downhill bike.

And always made of aluminium. That’s amazing too. During the first test many years ago, our celebrity tester and 15-time German champion Marcus Klausmann declared: “A game-changer!”

High-pivot kinematics, aluminium frame, Vario-Geo throughout, 220mm rear travel, 200mm front. Mullet setup with a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel. Five sizes from XS to XL. So far, so familiar.

But Commencal has tweaked the Supreme. Head of Racing Arthur Quet moved the pivot point even higher, neatly tucked the brake between the seat tube and chainstay, and improved the kinematics for greater riding precision and dynamism. The result: version 5.2.

Commencal Supreme DH V5.2: The fulcrum moves

The High Virtual Contact System (HVCS) is now at version 2.0. The reason: the pivot point near the rear axle was previously located on the chainstays. It is now located on the seatstays. This change appears to fundamentally alter the behaviour of the 6-bar system.

Head of Development Arthur Quet says: “On fast sections, the bike responds more directly and accelerates better. On rough terrain, it remains more comfortable and controlled. A flip chip on the shock mount allows for four settings. The front suspension becomes more linear, whilst the rear becomes more progressive.”

Brake between the struts

A new feature is the position of the rear brake caliper. It is situated between the chainstay and the seatstay. This is designed to keep the suspension active during braking and reduce weight transfer to the front. Large 223mm discs are also an option.

Quet promises: stronger braking power, less overheating, and no brake-induced vibrations. The rear brake works more efficiently.

Peace and quiet at the rear

The chainstay and seatstay protectors are called Silent Mode. They’re made of two layers of rubber: a rigid base topped with soft lamellae. This dampens vibrations and chain knocks. The suspension works undisturbed. And: it stays quiet. Quiet is important; everyone wants quiet. Developer Quet knows this, hence all the rubber.

Details that matter

The cables run through the head tube. Internal sleeves provide protection against water, dust and mud. This makes maintenance easier. In a race, every minute counts.

The UDH standard makes the bike compatible with the latest SRAM groupsets, such as the XX DH T-Type. The new Fox Float X2 fits. The seat tube measures a standard 370 millimetres. A removable brace between the seat stays allows the rear frame stiffness to be adjusted. The thickness of this bridge increases with the frame size. It can be quickly removed if you prefer less rear stiffness.

Customised geometry – 3 models, 5 sizes

Five sizes, with a reach ranging from 401 mm (XS) to 508 mm (XL). The flip-chip on the lower shock mount adjusts the bottom bracket height, head angle, reach and chainstay length. High means: agile for technical trails. Low means: stable for fast, steep descents.

The aluminium frame is EFBE-5 certified – the highest rating for mountain bikes. A lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects is included.

There are three complete set-ups to choose from, featuring Fox or RockShox. Each set-up is tailored to the frame’s kinematics. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable. Commencal is fully committed to this.

The models – name & price:

• Name: Team Replica, Price: €9,817.50
• Name: Signature, Price: €8,131.66
• Name: Pure White, Price: €7,140

Once again: 55 wins. A clear statement.

Commencal Supreme DH V5.2 Geometry

All dimensions are in millimetres or degrees | Low/High = Flip-chip position