They did not know it was impossible, so they did it.

Mark Twain.

The 4th generation of the Supreme DH V4 pushes all possible limits. Reinvention.
We had to find new ways to offer our riders even more efficient bikes with more innovation...
Our goal was to create a frame that goes faster. A frame that doesnt lose speed, but generates it.
Today, with the DH V4 we can say that we have got there.
This wasnt easy, a lot of development, time spent thinking and rethinking, but THE final solution
for our SUPREME has been found.
Design. Having a carte blanche gave us a chance to put many possibilities to the test, but also there
are big responsibilities. Finally we received the approval of our best riders and all the rest a like.

genesis

Ideas burst forth every day at the office. Sometimes

theyre wacky, sometimes therere genius but they
are certainly never boring. The idea of creating
a bike with a High Pivot Point (HPP) appeared
crazy to many in the office. Another engineering
concept
While technically this concept has very interesting
advantages, it is also very aesthetically risky. At
COMMENCAL there is no compromise. A
bicycle must look beautiful AND perform. Two
significant criteria.
Max COMMENCAL is a passionate man, he
never closes the door to new challenges. We got
the challenge we asked for.

So we went with this and we tested the concept on

a basic enduro frame with 160mm of travel and
650b wheels.
A little shunned initially for being rough around
the edges, finally the HPP was unanimously
fast. For an enduro bike this was an unsuspected
capacity, a real step forward as we hope for every
time we create a new platform. We shall continue
in this direction.
This HPP frame allowed us to understand a
totally different functionality compared to a
conventional bicycle. For example, being able to
test several anchoring solutions of the idler with
totally different settings allowed us to imagine the
design of the SUPREME DH V4.

The Meta HPP prototype

after the first
developments

DH V4 RACE ROCKSHOX

CONTACT
SYSTEM
part 1

One cannot deny that the kinematics of the

SUPREME DH V4 have changed radically. Still
based on a single pivot and linkage system to
manage progressivity, its high pivot point and the
position of the idler make all the difference.
Why a high pivot point? To obtain the correct rear
wheel path which avoids stumbling over obstacles
and carries a greater speed through rough sections.
It goes back to a fundamental concept for downhill
speed.
It is however, not without its drawbacks. Using
such a high pivot without an idler would generate
a lot of chain tension and the bike would be
impossible to ride because of the kickback excess.

Kickback is not only annoying for the rider, it also

has an impact on the suspension during pedalling
and while riding very rough trails.
This is where the idler comes into play. It
counteracts the chain effects. As stated earlier,
our first prototype was a great help to select the
optimum position.
Theory is one thing but it then has to be validated
in the mountains.
Specifically, by setting the idler on the swingarm
in a precise place, we wanted to create an antisquat value high enough to be lively when needed,
out of a corner for example.

CONTACT
SYSTEM
part 2

A downhill bike must pedal well; it must be

especially effective from the first pedal stroke
And thats what weve got. Whichever cog is
being used, its settings will not be affected. A big
advantage.
However, a relatively strong anti-squat value is
often incompatible with a low kickback value.
The kickback, stemming from the chain tension,
is detrimental to the functioning of the rear
suspension.
This unpleasant kickback transmits how the
bodyweight affects the suspension via the chain
tension, which effectively prevents the suspension
from working freely.

It was therefore fundamental not end up with too

high a value.
Thanks to the specific positioning of the idler,
we could reduce kickback significantly. Thus the
operation of the suspension is not affected.
With a rear wheel path which facilitates the work
of the suspension, it was necessary for us to revise
our way of thinking with regards to the leverage
ratio of the SUPREME.
Very close to the META V4 in its shape, this allows
an excellent grip at the start of the stroke, which
then allows an excellent support throughout the
middle range of the travel.

CONTACT
SYSTEM
part 3

A high pivot point avoids the unnecessary

consumption of too much travel, which is an
important parameter.

So you have to see the last 20mm as a solution

to prevent bottoming out hard but also see it as a
barely reached zone.

Figures are often used as references; the SUPREME

DH V4 relies on 220mm of travel. Why so much?
Think back to our original objective: speed.

The first 200mm of travel is actually very close to

what is currently found on a SUPREME DH V3.

It all depends on the track. The fastest lines of the

track are not necessarily the cleanest. Also, to see
huck to flat in a race is not uncommon and to
bottom out in these sections would slow the bike
down.

Kinematics would be nothing without an efficient

rear shock. Each manufacturer has been involved
in developing a setting to work in perfect harmony
with our frame.

Travel

mm

200

100

Trajectory V3 650b
Trajectory HPP
Trajectory V4 HPP
Chainstay length

Wheel path comparisons

420

430

440

450

460

470

mm

480

Ratio
Better sensitivity at
beginning of travel

Supreme DH V3
Supreme DH V4

More travel to avoid bottoming out

Soft transition to keep a natural feeling
Better liveliness and support
in the mid travel range

Leverage ratio
comparisons

100

200

mm

Travel

Modular
Geometry
part 1

Since the first COMMENCAL SUPREME DH,

we always wanted to offer bicycles with modular
geometry.
Often seen as the Formula 1 of mountain
biking, downhill bikes need to adapt to the
characteristics of each track and to every riding
style. Pietermaritzburg, Fort William, Mont Saint
Anne, Vallnord... So many different tracks all
demanding the best possible balance.
Within our DH team for example, we have
Thibaut Ruffin and Rmi Thirion, two riders with
two very different requirements. Two different
people to satisfy, along with the rest!

We have therefore decided to create a highly

adjustable geometry through a set of specific
dropouts and headtube cups. Thanks to them
we can adjust the chain stay length, the bottom
bracket height and the reach without affecting
the angles of the bike.
Positioned at 62.5, the head angle is fixed.
Its a value that is universally recognized in the
COMMENCAL/VALLNORD DH Racing
Team. Rather than offering a useless adjuster, we
opted for a reach setting in order to be able to
adjust its position perfectly according to the riders
preferences, and the track. It can therefore be
adjusted between -10/-8/-5/0/+5/+8/+10.

Modular
Geometry
part 2

The chainstay length was the subject of our

attention. We managed to get a shorter chainstay
length than usual, despite the high pivot point
and the rearward wheel path.
The idea is to keep a good balance of the bike and
avoid it getting too clumsy. If you compare the
chainstay lengths of the SUPREME DH V3 and
SUPREME DH V4, the difference seems huge
(447mm vs 425mm). But on the SUPREME DH
V4, the chainstay length increases through the
travel, this difference lessens.

It is still shorter on the SUPREME DH V4 (450mm

rather than 457mm) to maintain a lively bike. This
value is really useful in understanding the bike.
The HPP prototype had an even higher pivot point
but we decided to lower it on the SUPREME DH
V4 to find the best possible balance between the
operation of the suspension and the liveliness of the
bike.
Available in four sizes (S, M, L and XL), the
SUPREME DH V4 covers a wide range of riders
and the geometry is directly derived from the work
with our own talented team.

Reach setting and specific dropouts.

The Bike Profile

Sizes

The DH V4 Geometry in
figures

Seat tube length

Seat tube angle
Head angle
Head tube length
Wheelbase
Top tube length
Chain stay length
Bottom bracket height
Fork height
Stand over height
Reach
Stack

XL

400mm
64
62,5
108mm
1168mm
576mm
425mm
-5mm
590mm
715mm
375mm
607mm

400mm
64
62,5
108mm
1185 mm
593mm
425mm
-5mm
590mm
715mm
392mm
607mm

400mm
64
62,5
118mm
1204mm
611mm
425mm
-5mm
590mm
718mm
407mm
616mm

400mm
64
62,5
118mm
1222mm
629mm
425mm
-5mm
590mm
718mm
425mm
616mm

FRAME
CONSTRUCTION
part 1

Over and over again, we persist with aluminium,

our tubes are made of 6066 aluminium making
the design of the SUPREME DH V4 very neat.
Once again we demonstrate that an aluminium
frame, when done properly, has many benefits.

With a 267mm eye-to-eye shock length, it seemed

difficult to maintain a relatively low centre of
gravity. With a lot of hard work, we got there. The
result is a compact system that reduces the feeling
of the mass when riding.

First of all? Reliability. That is and will remain

our priority. Pivot points are re-machined after
welding, we have almost an obsession when it
comes to cutting the tubes for a perfect fit. Axles
are made of aluminium 7075 T6 and we use
oversized bearings which prove to be reliable on a
long-term basis.

Faithful to the single-pivot, a linkage and a rocker

are used to control the leverage ratio. This change
from the SUPREME DH V3 and its 4 bar
linkage is explained by a more precise control of
the leverage ratio and an optimized stiffness of the
frame.

Ultimately, its this careful construction that gives

this frame absolutely everything over the rest of
the field.

As with our other platforms, the frame stiffness is

an important parameter and we do not want it to
be too stiff.

FRAME
CONSTRUCTION
part 2

A certain amount of suppleness allows for more

grip and tolerance. This has nothing to do with
the riders skills; World Cup riders demand it for
their frames too.
Never has a frame at COMMENCAL had more
attention, we pushed every detail and finish even
further. So, we can name the fork bumpers that
integrate the cable path, the fender, the roller
cover, the double density seat stay protector
and the cable guides at the exit of the rear of the
swingarm which prevent any inadvertent change of
gear... Well, you guessed it, it has been pampered
to perfection.

Designing the SUPREME DH V4 was a real

challenge.
Convinced of its performance, we worked to make
the idler as discreet as possible, hiding it in the
swingarm. The final version fully satisfies us. The
first raw finish HPP seems so long ago...
Be beautiful and ride fast. A successful objective.

Close attention to all details: integrated mudguard,

bumpers and protected seat stay, integrated idler