Commencal Super 4.2 Opinions Please

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May 23, 2012, 04:43:43 PM

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[zerolight]

Hi,

Newbie here. I've got a Merlin hard tail on order right now. But I've noticed that they have a really good deal on the Super 4.2 at the moment which brings it's price down to just a little more than the hard tail I've spec'd out. I'm wondering whether I should consider cancelling the hard tail and ordering the Super 4.2 instead.

I've not been on a bike for about 8 years, and am getting back into it again, hopefully to get fit. Once my fitness level is up I'll hopefully get some time on light trails, single track, and xc stuff. I don't expect to be doing any big drops, or down hill stuff. Not at my age. lol.

So, thoughts? Whose ridden a Super 4.2? How does it fair as a comfortable all day light trail / xc machine? Is it the wrong bike for me? I'm not a fan of the black paint job with green decals, but for the price it's hard to complain.

Thanks for your input guys.

zero.

[rgarner]

Hi,

I bought one from Merlin after my Epic Comp 2008 was stolen from my garage.  The Epic was a great all dayer - I really miss it.  The Super 4.2, on the other hand, is very nearly as good for what I use it for and much better on downhill sections.  Come to think of it (and this might be my technique that's improved, who knows) it climbs much better too.  Could be the Larsen TT's vs the old Specialized Low Knob tyres, though.

I think it's probably not quite as razor sharp as the Epic was, nor as fast to accelerate on the smooth, but it's very close and it's much better up/down hills.  You will almost certainly need to replace the saddle if comfort's what you're after - I probably should have given the I-Fly time to bed in but I was so sore after the first ride I just got a Bel-Air SL.  After that it's a very comfortable bike and it probably just about flatters me (I only started last August after 25 years off the bike )

HTH

[keewee]

I couldn't resist the price, and took delivery last week of one of these bad boys. Have only been out for a quick spin (whilst hungover) around my local trail so I can't give much of a review but....

Previous bike was a Marin Nail Trail but had resisted the full sus route in the belief that it dumbs down the technical side of the sport. Have ridden a couple of pretty high end full sus 5inch bikes (Santa Cruz Blur and a Titus MotoLite) both of which I felt just made everything so much smoother and easier and just inspire confidence...i.e. dumbing down the sport! But, I was in the market and when the deal came up I went for it.

Again, the full sus (although only 4inch) inspires oodles of confidence and one section that I've always been nervous about going in on the hardtail I just dove straight in on and rode away feeling very smug. Unless you're doing some pretty serious jumps and drops, I dont think you need more than 100/120mm travel. The suspension just adds confidence on technical sections and speed on descents. At 12 or so kgs for the whole bike, there's no real weight penalty either. I certainly didn't feel any extra weight on the ascents or any pedal bob/feedback. Unless you're jumping up and down when you pedal I doubt you'd ever want to use the suspension lock out things. On the big climb at the start of my trail it prob felt better than my hardtail considering my state of well being at the time. In your quest for an all day bike, the Super 4 is what Commencal market this as and I'd be happy taking this round the epic Skyline at Afan.

Saddle I don't mind but it would seem everyone else can't stand it.

One review I read criticised rear tyre clearance but there's plenty of clearance all round for the size of tyres you should have on a 100mm travel bike. There's 3inches between the stays at least so 2.1s or even 2.3s shoud fit easily.

Other reviews recommend converting the forks to 120mm to fully exploit the bikes descending ability. To be done in conjunction with swapping to a shorter stem to keep some steering sharpness. Bike is sweet out of the box and this is more of a nice to have though.

Decals are yellow and don't look so bad. Also, can get Crank Bros Candy SL pedals in yellow for cheap at the minute cos they were wrongly packaged at the factory... really sets it off.

My only gripes so far are quality of the paint job. Just doesn't have any real gloss or depth to it and seems pretty thin, has come off around the rear drop out already from removing the wheel once. Also, the head tube badge is a piece of sheet metal riveted on. Looked in LBS the other day and its the same for all Commencals. What the hell are pop rivets doing on the manufacturers mark of £2000 bikes? Larsen TT tyres aren't great in UK mud. With the Truvativ Firex cranks you need to make sure the left hand crank bolt is done up real real tight or it will undo itself speaking from mine and others past experience. I could gladly lose the Commencal factory handlebar with it's tacky red graphic.

I have had a couple of issues with the set up of the bike from Merlin but their after sales service has been really good. Would suggest you collect the bike regardless of which one you go for and check it over thoroughly including an extended test ride if possible.

Only a 2yr warranty, so thrash it in the first 2 years to make sure any gremlins crop up while still in warranty.

Hope that helps.

[chomp]

I've had one for a couple of weeks now and I love it.

The tyres are shocking in the UK (when there's any moisture on the ground) and I've swapped the bars\grips.  A new seat next as it isn't exactly comfortable to say the least.

All in all though it's a great xc bike, and there's nothing close to it for the price Merlin are doing it for !

[MacGyver]

Hi!
I'm consider to buy this bike but I'm not sure what size would be suitable for me. I'm 179cm tall, and tought that M-size should be fine, but in some size charts m-size corresponds with 16.9 inches (43 cm) and L-size with 18.5 inches (47cm). My current bike is 18" Kona Caldera and it's just proper for me. Have you any recommentations?