We don't need to prove here that the Commencal Supreme DH is fast. Downhill world champion Amaury Pierron is currently doing just that. He's blasting away at the competition. It's been a while since we last tested a Supreme. In 2019, the bike won the test and held its own against Pivot, Intense, GT & Co.
"Benchmark", attested celebrity tester Klausmann to the Harmonie rear end at the time. Visually, the new Supreme DH has little in common with its predecessor. The Andorrans spent three years tinkering with the World Cup bike and incorporating feedback from their super racers. The bike (only available in aluminium) has become longer, but contrary to the trend, it is not flatter.
Commencal Supreme DH V5: The undisputed dominator
As with many World Cup bikes, the designers focussed on maximum adjustability in order to be able to adapt the bike to any route. The very long chainstays can now be adjusted three times (+/-6 mm). There are four adjustment options for the rear suspension - we liked it best in the high and progressive position. In Leogang, the bike proved its racing genes and won our favour as well as that of racer Stefan Garlicki, downhill champion from South Africa, who supported us during our test.
The suspension is at its best on rough terrain, while it is only moderately sensitive at the beginning of the suspension travel. Incidentally, it is the only bike in the test with Air damperjust like Pierron did in Les Gets. The testers were unanimous: "You want to go all out on it". In turns, the bike steers willingly despite the long rear end, and on park tracks, the heavy bike was surprisingly poppy. We like!
Conclusion on the Commencal Supreme DH V5
The Supreme V5 is and remains the benchmark. It has a 1A rear triangle. The bike provides a lot of control on the downhill track and is also a lot of fun on park tracks.
Commencal rarely sends test bikes because the Andorran company shies away from comparative tests. Only with the Supreme DH V5 did they not hesitate, their self-confidence was enough. No wonder: the bike is a benchmark. - Dimitri Lehner (height: 1.79 m)
The Commencal Supreme DH V5 (29/27.5 inch) in detail
Manufacturer information
- Distribution: Commencal Bicycles
- Material: Aluminium
- Sizes: S, M, L (test size greased)
- Weight without pedals: 18.2 kg
- Price: 7700 Euro
Measurement data
- Front / rear suspension travel: 200 mm / 220 mm
- rear suspension system: VPP
Equipment
- Fork / damper: Fox 40 Factory / Fox DH X2 Factory
- Cranks / gears: Truvativ Descendant / Sram GX DH
- Brake system: TRP E.2.3 (220 / 220 mm)
- Impellers: DT-Swiss 350 hub / DT-Swiss FR 541 rim
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo Super-DH Super Soft 2.4/ Schwalbe Tacky Chan Evo Super-DH Super Soft 2.4
Strengths & weaknesses of the big bike
- Plus: Handling, chassis, equipment
- Minus: Weight, long chainstays
Notes on the Commencal Supreme DH V5
- Park: 5 from 6
- Race: 6 from 6
- Overall grade: 10.0 (top score)
