Forbidden DreadNought E

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using frame as test mule for DH. But to me it show that this platform is amazing capable.

Capture 2026-05-27 à 17.16.40.webp
 
It's only the front triangle that is the same "platform" though. Different rocker so probably quite different kinematics


Still mega bikes though. Hoping to demo an Dread-E to see how it compares to my Druid which I absolutely love
using frame as test mule for DH. But to me it show that this platform is amazing capable.

View attachment 185383
 
It's only the front triangle that is the same "platform" though. Different rocker so probably quite different kinematics


Still mega bikes though. Hoping to demo an Dread-E to see how it compares to my Druid which I absolutely love
i feel like the rear triangle is the same just a custom linkage ( rocker arm) to get more travel (maybe 200to 215mm)
the rear triangle is carbon and look like the Dreadnought one. Don't think they would already have invest in mold that early in R&D process.

Capture 2026-05-27 à 17.23.31.webp
 
In their socials post it said it was just the original front triangle, maybe it's a different sized rear end to what should be fitted to that frame size or soemthing
 
Mine is not silent when riding. While it is not as loud as what was picked up in the YouTube video here, I can hear the same noise profiles. I did test this by turning off the motor and when I do, the sounds goes away. It is not enough to really bother me and is not constant but was hoping it would be less based on early reviews
 
In their socials post it said it was just the original front triangle, maybe it's a different sized rear end to what should be fitted to that frame size or soemthing

In their socials post it said it was just the original front triangle, maybe it's a different sized rear end to what should be fitted to that frame size or soemthing
From what my Forbidden rep had told us, it’s the same front triangle and rear end, with a customer linkage and DH sized shock.
 
Mine is not silent when riding. While it is not as loud as what was picked up in the YouTube video here, I can hear the same noise profiles. I did test this by turning off the motor and when I do, the sounds goes away. It is not enough to really bother me and is not constant but was hoping it would be less based on early reviews
100%, that's not the motor.
My mondraker crafty with the bosch cx 5 on that same trail was louder. My acoustic bikes are louder. The fact that you can hear me hyperventilating, the tires rolling, and the suspension hissing gives a relative volume level.
I did several runs without the motor on, and noted no difference.
That noise is primarily just cable rattle on bike park braking bumps. Gopro effect, that stuff is rougher than it appears, and louder than in person.
 
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It's only the front triangle that is the same "platform" though. Different rocker so probably quite different kinematics


Still mega bikes though. Hoping to demo an Dread-E to see how it compares to my Druid which I absolutely love

Dangerous! be interested to know your opinion. Would you try s3 or s4 though? remember you saying about sizing down.
 
Dangerous! be interested to know your opinion. Would you try s3 or s4 though? remember you saying about sizing down.
Would try both tbh. There was an S3 at a demo weekend recently but I was working so couldn't make it. I think the resch etc is slightly different to the Druid so don't think I'd be set on jumping straight into an S4 without trying both.


Saying that, My Druid is still mega, Has survived every bit of top Scottish Enduro I've ridden on it and once I go 170mm front should make it even better
 
Would try both tbh. There was an S3 at a demo weekend recently but I was working so couldn't make it. I think the resch etc is slightly different to the Druid so don't think I'd be set on jumping straight into an S4 without trying both.


Saying that, My Druid is still mega, Has survived every bit of top Scottish Enduro I've ridden on it and once I go 170mm front should make it even better

Yeah i love mine, i got a normal one i ride quite a bit also but the ebike one is better imo
 
Would try both tbh. There was an S3 at a demo weekend recently but I was working so couldn't make it. I think the resch etc is slightly different to the Druid so don't think I'd be set on jumping straight into an S4 without trying both.


Saying that, My Druid is still mega, Has survived every bit of top Scottish Enduro I've ridden on it and once I go 170mm front should make it even better
At 6', 34" inseam (long legs), the s3 fits me perfectly.
I'd not look at a s4 unless I was at least 6'2" or taller.
 
I'm 6ft 4, hence the S4 Druid and 50mm risers 😂

Tall front end is game changing doe us lanky folk
I bet.
I'm particularly impressed at how the 1290mm wheelbase on the s3 does not feel like a 1290mm wheelbase.
In tighter techy stuff, it absolutely bends itself around corners, given that you have enough speed. Credit to the shorter reach and higher stack for that, certainly.
 
I bet.
I'm particularly impressed at how the 1290mm wheelbase on the s3 does not feel like a 1290mm wheelbase.
In tighter techy stuff, it absolutely bends itself around corners, given that you have enough speed. Credit to the shorter reach and higher stack for that, certainly.
I wouldn't be surpised if more brands move over to that style of Geo over the coming years. Just feels right.
 
I wouldn't be surpised if more brands move over to that style of Geo over the coming years. Just feels right.
I grew up riding dirt bikes and absolute hated the geometry of mountain bikes when I got into them 12 years ago. I just started looking for an ebike and this forbidden geometry sounds amazing. My mtb friends never understood my complaints but now almost all enduro style mtbs have this new slack and higher stack geometry that I always tried to find.
 
I grew up riding dirt bikes and absolute hated the geometry of mountain bikes when I got into them 12 years ago. I just started looking for an ebike and this forbidden geometry sounds amazing. My mtb friends never understood my complaints but now almost all enduro style mtbs have this new slack and higher stack geometry that I always tried to find.
Conversely I started riding MTBs in the mid '80s and would love to find a lightweight eMTB with a long, low, 71º front end and shirt wheelbase. To me modern MTB/eMTBs handle horribly, falling into low speed turns and generally feeling stodgy, slow steering and unresponsive*. But I was never a downhiller which is where modern geometry makes some sense.

* Relatively speaking, obviously, my previous Urrun and current Rise with the wheels swapped out for light carbon 27ers are as good as is around these days but they'd be better still with 5º on the head angle and 100mm off the wheelbase.
 
Conversely I started riding MTBs in the mid '80s and would love to find a lightweight eMTB with a long, low, 71º front end and shirt wheelbase. To me modern MTB/eMTBs handle horribly, falling into low speed turns and generally feeling stodgy, slow steering and unresponsive*. But I was never a downhiller which is where modern geometry makes some sense.

* Relatively speaking, obviously, my previous Urrun and current Rise with the wheels swapped out for light carbon 27ers are as good as is around these days but they'd be better still with 5º on the head angle and 100mm off the wheelbase.
You do realize you’re in the dreadnaught thread, right? The flat bar Santa Cruz Skitch might be up your alley.
 
I grew up riding dirt bikes and absolute hated the geometry of mountain bikes when I got into them 12 years ago. I just started looking for an ebike and this forbidden geometry sounds amazing. My mtb friends never understood my complaints but now almost all enduro style mtbs have this new slack and higher stack geometry that I always tried to find.
Many are gravitating to higher stacks, but still haven’t quite sorted out the f/r ratio thing yet. Forbidden has had this dialled since their v2 bikes.
Conversely I started riding MTBs in the mid '80s and would love to find a lightweight eMTB with a long, low, 71º front end and shirt wheelbase. To me modern MTB/eMTBs handle horribly, falling into low speed turns and generally feeling stodgy, slow steering and unresponsive*. But I was never a downhiller which is where modern geometry makes some sense.

* Relatively speaking, obviously, my previous Urrun and current Rise with the wheels swapped out for light carbon 27ers are as good as is around these days but they'd be better still with 5º on the head angle and 100mm off the wheelbase.
Sounds like ten plus year old geo to me.
Which was great at going slow through tight stuff, but garbage at speed.
Going to have to be a bit of a backwards company to build something like that. Even ibis and pivot are figuring it out at this point.
 
Many are gravitating to higher stacks, but still haven’t quite sorted out the f/r ratio thing yet. Forbidden has had this dialled since their v2 bikes.

Sounds like ten plus year old geo to me.
Which was great at going slow through tight stuff, but garbage at speed.
Going to have to be a bit of a backwards company to build something like that. Even ibis and pivot are figuring it out at this point.
Yes, (20years actually) from when steering was lively, men were real men and... sorry, got carried away there for a moment :D

But, yes, maybe this is not the thread....
 
Question, anyone have ideas for a bash guard that would work well for this bike? I never thought that the usual SRAM set up wouldn't work well as the chainring isn't linked to the crank arm position?
 
Yes, (20years actually) from when steering was lively, men were real men and... sorry, got carried away there for a moment :D

But, yes, maybe this is not the thread....
What sort of trails do you ride? I wouldn't fancy riding any steep tech on old outdated geo. But I guess for relatively mild stuff and fire roads it's probably fine 😂
 
What sort of trails do you ride? I wouldn't fancy riding any steep tech on old outdated geo. But I guess for relatively mild stuff and fire roads it's probably fine 😂
Back in the day I rode some pretty hairy stuff on the old Orange G3 in my sig (and on other old school 26ers MTBs) for sure slack angles and big wheels make going fast down techy stuff easier but we just went a little slower. If all you want to do is point it down hill and hang on then current geo is fine but for 'proper' riding (i.e. going up hills too 😂) it's way too sluggish*. Geometry that only starts to work above 20mph is inappropriate for 90% of riders but like many sports the influence of the top 10% racers is all pervading and we get sucked in by the hype.

* My one serious complaint about my Rise (and the Urrun I had before it) is the super slack head angle, both would be better with another 3º or 4º but all MTB/eMTBs have this dumbed down handling these days. I predict that in 5 years time we'll be seeing eMTBs with 70º head angles and 1050mm wheelbases on 27" wheels as being the 'next new trend'...
 
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