Commencal Mountain Bikes, a history from the distant past
Think about the time when mountain biking did not exist, think of a mountain bike racing team capable of winning multiple World Championship titles, think of all those pioneers who made history and the MTB's Hall of Fame... well, Commencal Bikes comes directly from those glorious years.
Max Commencal, created his first company by the name of SUNN, back in 1984. He has been involved with this brand for 16 years, he lived and worked intensely throughout this time and he kept from that experience only the good memories and the skills he acquired in the process.
Commencal's story officially starts in the year 2000: new century, new aspirations, new technologies... History, in fact, is only useful when it helps to build the future, especially in the MTB world, which is constantly looking ahead, and evolves so fast.
Commencal bicycles: MTBs from Andorra
Ever since the year 2000 it seems that something similar to a magical momentum has been carrying the Commencal brand.
The first model was named "Commencal Supernormal". The story of this bike is legend in itself!
It was a high performing bicycle designed in a very short time and brought to the market with a small investment.
Commencal started its business on facts: they had to be quick, effective, and they did not have a great deal of cash. But they had to give the rider everything he needed.
Commencal Bikes Philosophy
A "back to the basics" design philosohpy without sophistication, delivers only what is necessary.
This is the mindset that Commencal has always claimed loudly... and it so against the grain that it becomes a disconcerting modernity.
When Max Commencal launched that first bike, it seemed so "normal" and so "super", from which it came to be the Supernormal.
It immediately captured the heart of users, dealers and the press and, on its first race (the Roc d'Azur, 10,000 riders), it won the Elite class guided by Christophe Dupouey.
The early Commencal Bikes
Commencal went on producing other stunning bikes like the Commencal Doctor, presented in 2001.It was a light full suspension that was modern and comfortable.
Then it came the Commencal Pasta, a hardtail designed for fun, and the Commencal Pasta Power; a long travel full suspension frame that would lead to the development of the Supreme DH with Olivier Bossard (BOS Engineering).
Commencal Meta and Supreme DH
In 2005 Commencal launched the Meta; a bike that would have been their flagship model for the following years, and the Supreme DH plus the Freeride frames.
The Meta and Supreme brought immediate attention to Commencal with Remy Absalon winning the Mega in La Reunion on the Meta and Anne-Caroline Chausson becoming the DH World Champion aboard the Supreme DH.
Commencal continues to make the Supreme DH and the Meta models. Both the Supreme and the Meta bike platforms are into their fourth iterations.
Commencal’s racers continue to win races aboard Commencal bikes with both Amaury Pierron and Myriam Nicole winning races on the Supreme DH V4.2. The Meta V4.2 is available with 27” wheels, 29” wheels and in an electric version.
Commencal: aluminum mountain bike frames (no carbon)
In 2012 Commencal stood against manufacturing carbon fiber mountain bikes, because working with carbon can have a major impact on the environment and on the health of workers in manufacturing facilities.
Commencal bikes feature only aluminum frames and it doesn’t seem to affect the speed of racers riding their bikes.
Commencal Online Shop
In recent years Commencal has invested to bring its business online, providing customers with the opportunity to purchase their bikes directly from the internet.
This said, you have to know that Commencal maintains physical retail spaces in key areas for customers to test ride bikes or as a point of delivery for bikes ordered online.