The "Super-4" is based on the same suspension system as their previous bikes, but has a more filigree and lighter design. Commençal installs a self-developed form of a multi-supported single pivot in its fullys. The "Super-4" weighs 11.8 kilograms without pedals, which is at the upper limit for cross-country and marathon use.

For the first time, Commençal is also venturing into carbon frame material for the 2009 product line. The new race hardtail "Skin" is based on a 1.2 kilogram lightweight carbon frame.

Commençal's "Meta 6" is interesting for bike tours in the Alps. They sell it as a bike for marathon downhills, but Ride rates it more as a good enduro bike. The bike with 16 centimetres of suspension travel has an interesting detail: the steering angle of the bike can be changed in five different stages. Depending on the angle, the bike has different riding characteristics. Compared to last year, the typical Commençal shock linkage has been made stiffer and the bike comes with a height-adjustable seatpost from Crank Brothers as standard.

What can be seen in the entire Commençal line, from the affordable entry-level bike to the downhill machine for professionals, is that they have a sense of aesthetics. Frames and components look as if they have been cast from a single mold and where a component did not fit into the overall picture of the designers, Commençal simply had an individual series made to their liking. This was the case with suspension forks, hubs and rims, for example.

Commençal has an unusually brisk schedule for the launch of its new products: Next season's bikes will be available as early as mid-August - even before other manufacturers show their new products for the first time at Eurobike.

www.commencal.com