Commencal SuperNormal - Grovel bike 4

775 of 18503
(34 people)
AgrAde
6/14/2025 10:59pm
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Parts
Brand
Model
Additional info

Parts

Frame
Commencal
2013 Supernormal 29
Large, and back from the dead with welded-up cracks
Frame: Commencal 2013 Supernormal 29. Misc: Large, and back from the dead with welded-up cracks
Fork
RockShox
Pike
120mm, 85psi, 6 volume spacers. 51 offset
Fork: RockShox Pike. Misc: 120mm, 85psi, 6 volume spacers. 51 offset
Handlebar
Surly
Corner
The widest one
Handlebar: Surly Corner. Misc: The widest one
Stem
Easton
Haven 31.8
60mm
Stem: Easton Haven 31.8. Misc: 60mm
Grips
Lizard Skins
tape
thicc version
Grips: Lizard Skins tape. Misc: thicc version
Brakes
Hayes
Dominion A4
Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4
Shifters
Shimano
XT M8100
Shifters: Shimano XT M8100
Rear Derailleur
Shimano
XT M8100
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100
Cranks
Shimano
XT M8100
165mm
Cranks: Shimano XT M8100. Misc: 165mm
Chainrings / Sprocket
Other
Zrace
32t
Chainrings / Sprocket: Other Zrace. Misc: 32t
Bottom Bracket
Other
Screw fit something-or-other
Epoxied in because the shell is absolutely naffed
Bottom Bracket: Other Screw fit something-or-other. Misc: Epoxied in because the shell is absolutely naffed
Chain
Shimano
XT M8100
Chain: Shimano XT M8100
Cassette / Rear Cog
Garbaruk
12s 10-51 microspline
Cassette / Rear Cog: Garbaruk 12s 10-51 microspline
Pedals
Deity
Deftrap
Pedals: Deity Deftrap
Front Rim
DT Swiss
Front Rim: DT Swiss
Rear Rim
DT Swiss
Rear Rim: DT Swiss
Hubs
Hope
Pro 2 Evo
Hubs: Hope Pro 2 Evo
Spokes
DT Swiss
Spokes: DT Swiss
Front Tire
Vittoria
Mezcal 2.1
These are fantastic tires.
Front Tire: Vittoria Mezcal 2.1. Misc: These are fantastic tires.
Rear Tire
Vittoria
Mezcal 2.1
Rear Tire: Vittoria Mezcal 2.1
Saddle
Specialized
Power Mimic
Saddle: Specialized Power Mimic
Seatpost
FOX
D.O.S.S.
horrible seat-mounted lever for added terror
Seatpost: FOX D.O.S.S.. Misc: horrible seat-mounted lever for added terror
General Info

General Info

Model Year
2013
Model Year:
2013
Intended Use
Freeride
Intended Use:
Freeride
Weight
27 lb 12.5 oz (12,600 g)
Weight: 27 lb 12.5 oz (12,600 g)
Additional Info

Wanted to build a bad bike on purpose but I failed, it's a tonne of fun and actually pretty quick.

Does everything from gravel rides, bike packing, flowy jump lines, to "proper" technical double blacks as long as I can keep the speed down. 

Never had so many comments on my bike. Everyone has something to say about it. An oddly effective social lubricant for mtbers and roadies alike.

Additional Info:

Wanted to build a bad bike on purpose but I failed, it's a tonne of fun and actually pretty quick.

Does everything from gravel rides, bike packing, flowy jump lines, to "proper" technical double blacks as long as I can keep the speed down. 

Never had so many comments on my bike. Everyone has something to say about it. An oddly effective social lubricant for mtbers and roadies alike.
AgrAde
6/14/2025 10:59pm
775 of 18503
4 comments

View replies to: Commencal SuperNormal - Grovel bike

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WOLFAGRAM
3 years ago

I think I understand where does this build comes from. Hint: one guy dared to ask me: "Is that a gravel bike?"- (It is a rigid flat bar XC rocket with 2.2" tires and really weird bar-ends).

Anyway I REALLY LIKE IT

Even the name of the frame model is an irony in itself and those lines: "Sometimes you just want your bike to be a bike, you know? And sometimes you want it to be stupid. This is both." - Made me laugh out loud. I like humour but I do not laugh out loud often. Cheers to you for being a funny guy and an avid bike builder.

p.s. I had those Shimano brakes. I was stupid enough to sell them when I needed cash. I should have sold a body part instead.

3
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Jotegr
1 year ago

Grovel bike? You'll be govelling with customer support if you ever need a warranty with that brand, HA!

 

Kinda sick actually. Love the drop bar drop post combo. Working on something similar of my own less the suspension fork!

 

I remember my first dropper post (on a 170mm fr/rr NS Soda Air, mind you) was a crotch grab style like that. Always a battle between taking a hand off during a descent to drop the seat after you forgot and just descending with your seat up. Terror indeed. 

1
avatar
AgrAde
1 year ago

Thanks!

Haha yeah I definitely wouldn't buy a new Commencal. Don't agree with their approach to warranty support at all! They were good to deal with when I approached them about getting info about the frame so I could weld it back up (type of alloy and wall thickness) though. It was just before they'd announced their gravel bike but they showed it to me anyway and we had a good chat about bikes, one of the guys took a photo and sent it to Max Commencal, reckoned he frothed over weird/personalised builds. Seemed like a cool company overall so it's weird they don't support their customers.

This thing used to have a rigid fork on it. I hucked it off something and broke it lol so needed a new one, and couldn't find anything that seemed right. I didn't want suspension as I thought it would ruin the bike, but I got the pike suuuuuuper cheap so just threw it on to try... it was totally the right decision. Being a pike it's way stiffer than an XC fork, and being run at low air pressure but packed full of spacers it just sits right in the middle of the travel and doesn't really move much. It rides like a rigid bike except comfier if you know what I mean. Shame about the weight haha.

I had one of the old crank bros droppers with the lever underneath, awful to use on an actual mtb, mine was on an old Reign X. It initially made sense on this bike cos I wanted a 90s style mountain bike but with 29" wheels and modern components. So it was kinda the back-to-basics experience without having to stuff around with a quick release and rigid post. Now it's honestly just my trail bike that i take out most rides so it is full-terror trying to find the lever without stopping and I'm too stubborn to change it.

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