Nobl

Commencal SuperNormal - Grovel bike 2

949 of 17496
(23 people)
AgrAde
2/9/2024 11:05pm
m-m-m-monster gravel...?
m-m-m-monster gravel...?
I don't really know what this bike is for.
I don't really know what this bike is for.
Intentionally awful dropper lever location
Intentionally awful dropper lever location
RIP Aliexpress carbon fork. You were stronger than you had any right to be, but weren't strong enough for me.
RIP Aliexpress carbon fork. You were stronger than you had any right to be, but weren't strong enough for me.
m-m-m-monster gravel...?
m-m-m-monster gravel...?
m-m-m-monster gravel...? I don't really know what this bike is for. Intentionally awful dropper lever location RIP Aliexpress carbon fork. You were stronger than you had any right to be, but weren't strong enough for me.
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
Fork: RockShox Pike. Misc: 120mm, 85psi, 6 volume spacers
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
Shimano
XT M785
Still the most solid brake they've made
Brakes: Shimano XT M785. Misc: Still the most solid brake they've made
Shifters
Shimano
XT M8100
Modified to fit i-spec on old M785 brake
Shifters: Shimano XT M8100. Misc: Modified to fit i-spec on old M785 brake
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 10-52 microspline
Shifts like shit FYI
Cassette / Rear Cog: Garbaruk 12s 10-52 microspline. Misc: Shifts like shit FYI
Pedals
DMR
Vault - V1
Pedals: DMR Vault - V1
Front Rim
DT Swiss
Front Rim: DT Swiss
Rear Rim
DT Swiss
Rear Rim: DT Swiss
Hubs
Hope
Pro 2 Evo
Purple Jank edition. The bolt-up kit and the microspline freehub body don't play nice without some janky workarounds. 137mm wide...
Hubs: Hope Pro 2 Evo. Misc: Purple Jank edition. The bolt-up kit and the microspline freehub body don't play nice without some janky workarounds. 137mm wide...
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
Riding Type
Freeride
Riding Type:
Freeride
Weight
29 lb 3 oz (13,240 g)
Weight: 29 lb 3 oz (13,240 g)
Additional Info

Stupid bike is stupid.

weight includes bottle cage, pump, bag, two tubes, tools, and some mud.

Additional Info:

Stupid bike is stupid.

weight includes bottle cage, pump, bag, two tubes, tools, and some mud.
AgrAde
2/9/2024 11:05pm
949 of 17496
2 comments

View replies to: Commencal SuperNormal - Grovel bike

SMirC-laugh.svg
WOLFAGRAM
1 year 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.

2
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
AgrAde
1 year ago

Thanks! I originally built this with riser bars as a "what would a 90s mountain bike look like if you built one in 2020" type thing - rigid, steep, narrow tire, inconvenient seat adjustment etc, but with modern aspects - big wheels, proper drivetrain and brakes, better fit, and a dropper analogous to pinching your seat with your knees and operating the QR while you're still riding along.

But it turned out that I could still ride it too fast down rough trails, which was beating me up and beating the bike up too. The drop bars make mountain biking absolutely hilarious and keep me at a much more suitable speed if it's rough, and now it's a lot better on the gravel and road. I can still ride it down steep tech and still jump it, still keep a reasonable pace on blue trails (and sometimes pass some horrified groms), so it weirdly works for pretty much anything while making me grin no matter where I'm riding it.

More Bike Checks