It's been lurking in the shadows for sometime but now we finally have the details of Forbidden's long travel Endruo bike, the 'Dreadnought'. Everything we've been loving about the Druid expanded into a long travel model that's just ready to be let loose, we couldn't be more excited to see these in Australia.
The Suspension
You're looking at 154mm of 'high single pivot' smoothness matched to a 170mm fork. This puts the bike right in that Enduro, big terrain category. Considering what the Druid can take on with 130mm of rear travel we're expecting this to be one seriously smooth and fast ride. This is largely thanks to the rearward axle path of the bike which allows the wheel to move with impacts, holding more speed on harsh square edge hits where other bikes get hung up as their wheel fights the terrain. Combined with the 'Trifecta' linkage to fine tune the leverage ratio, anti-squat, and idler pulley position it's an exceptionally dialled linkage design.
The Geometry
A modern Endruo trail slayer with the numbers to suit. A 63.5 degree head angle ensures stability when you're letting it go on the steepest, fastest terrain. The bottom bracket drops 26mm to sit at 337mm while wheelbase starts at 1203mm on the small and stretched out to a long 1325mm on the X-large. The size range of these models is great with the XL frames giving tall riders that are commonly cramped on their bikes a refreshingly comfortable bike with a reach of 506mm.
Forbidden have a 'one ride' belief across their bikes. A large rider on a large bike should experience the same ride feeling as a small rider on a small bike. That's why Forbidden bikes are designed for equal weight distribution between sizes with the chain stay lengths on the Dreadnought increasing 14mm each size. The seat tube angle also changes between sizes so the effective seat tube angle remains at a consistent 76 degrees optimising pedal efficiency. Very few brands can match this kind of detail in geometry, another feature that sets Forbidden apart from the rest.
29" or Mullet (27.5" / 29")
Coming standard as a full 29" bike you do have the choice to go mullet on the Forbidden Dreadnought. More than just throwing a 27.5" rear wheel in there and riding off Forbidden put the time in to make a specific 'Ziggy' link that ensures the geometry is optimised for the mixed wheel setup. There are pros and cons to both setups but it's great to have the mullet option available for riders who want a more playful bike that will excel in the turns.
Construction
The Dreadnought has a premium full carbon front and rear triangle with alloy links driving the suspension. Determined to not only build fast, fun bikes but also strong and reliable bikes the Dreadnought was put through DH level testing in the lab and passed with flying colours. The frame is even rated for dual crown use should you feel the need to bolt some triple clamp forks on there and get wild!
Who's It For
This bike has a tonne of potential whatever way you look at it. We see Brisbane Endruo riders and racers being drawn to this bike like bees to honey. The high pivot design is notoriously fast and is yet to be applied to the Enduro format in a package as refined and classy as this... until now. The option to 'mullet' the bike and put triple clamp forks on it also adds choices when building the bike that will get some riders seriously excited!
Colours
Stealth
Deep Space 9
Nerds
Pricing and Availability
These are priced competitively with other boutique mountain bike brands at $5,499.95 with the Fox Float X2 Performance Elite Shock, E13 idler and lower guide included. As for availability these are proving to be hot ticket items with our first big frame order due in April. There will however be one lucky rider who can get on an X-Large in March with an EXT coil shock for $5,999.95 as a one off! Contact us to start building your dream 'Dreadnought' today.
