Forbidden DreadNought E

[ntm95]

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'...

I'd not hold my breath. It's been my experience that the vast majority of people want to go faster, not slower.
And modern geo, particularly forbidden's, is hardly aimed at sledding down a hill. It's specifically aimed at being able to slap the crap out of corners at speed.


Back on topic, on an e-dreadnought related note: with some nobl tr37 carbon wheels, specialized's new radial gravity casings, a 600wh battery, and some carbon bars, my s3 t2 now weighs 48.7 pounds. Not bad.

 

[iJak]

I'd not hold my breath. It's been my experience that the vast majority of people want to go faster, not slower.
And modern geo, particularly forbidden's, is hardly aimed at sledding down a hill. It's specifically aimed at being able to slap the crap out of corners at speed.


Back on topic, on an e-dreadnought related note: with some nobl tr37 carbon wheels, specialized's new radial gravity casings, a 600wh battery, and some carbon bars, my s3 t2 now weighs 48.7 pounds. Not bad.

Nice! Photos please

 

[lenscape]

Can you tell me how many tokens are included with the Tier 1 Zeb Ultimate? I'm not using the full travel, and I'd like to remove any tokens if there are any.

 

[DanielM3]

Can you tell me how many tokens are included with the Tier 1 Zeb Ultimate? I'm not using the full travel, and I'd like to remove any tokens if there are any.

I will take a look today as I am curious as well. I was using all my travel and have increased the air pressure but may also add a token

 

[Nomadic Dad]

Loam Wolf video on the Dreadnought E just gone live...

 

[iJak]

I'd not hold my breath. It's been my experience that the vast majority of people want to go faster, not slower.
And modern geo, particularly forbidden's, is hardly aimed at sledding down a hill. It's specifically aimed at being able to slap the crap out of corners at speed.


Back on topic, on an e-dreadnought related note: with some nobl tr37 carbon wheels, specialized's new radial gravity casings, a 600wh battery, and some carbon bars, my s3 t2 now weighs 48.7 pounds. Not bad.

Hey ntm95,
I'm in the same boat as you going light. Got some couple photos? Curious about the rest of your parts - stock t2?
Also how's the 600wh treating you? How long are your rides / power mode? etc.

Waiting on my t4 S3* which I am going change out pretty much swap out all the parts from my crestline S180.

 

[ntm95]

Hey ntm95,
I'm in the same boat as you going light. Got some couple photos? Curious about the rest of your parts - stock t2?
Also how's the 600wh treating you? How long are your rides / power mode? etc.

Waiting on my t4 S4 which I am going change out pretty much swap out all the parts from my crestline S180.

I'm away from home for a few more days for pics, but as for parts, pretty stock other than some oneup carbon bars and a leatt stem.
I've got assistance slightly turned up in eco, and turned down a little in auto. Use those most of the time.
Comparable numbers to my bosch cx 5, around 1200 meters of climbing. Usually just plug in the fast charger at lunch time and it's a 2000-2400 meter day.

 

[iJak]

Comparable numbers to my bosch cx 5, around 1200 meters of climbing. Usually just plug in the fast charger at lunch time and it's a 2000-2400 meter day.

I'm trying to target sub 48... same wheelset as you, but different suspension - Mezzer Expert v2 (maybe move to a v2) and a Hover Monocoque. However I will need to figure out if I can switch the 800 to 600.

 

[DanielM3]

I'd not hold my breath. It's been my experience that the vast majority of people want to go faster, not slower.
And modern geo, particularly forbidden's, is hardly aimed at sledding down a hill. It's specifically aimed at being able to slap the crap out of corners at speed.


Back on topic, on an e-dreadnought related note: with some nobl tr37 carbon wheels, specialized's new radial gravity casings, a 600wh battery, and some carbon bars, my s3 t2 now weighs 48.7 pounds. Not bad.

Hey there ntm95, I am wanting to remove the motor and battery but haven't seen any good instructions for this. Was the process pretty easy? Anything that you followed to do it?

I think that I have a cable rattle (maybe the rear brake line) and would love to take things apart and see if I can sort it out.

Thanks for any info,
Daniel

 

[ntm95]

Hey there ntm95, I am wanting to remove the motor and battery but haven't seen any good instructions for this. Was the process pretty easy? Anything that you followed to do it?

I think that I have a cable rattle (maybe the rear brake line) and would love to take things apart and see if I can sort it out.

Thanks for any info,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I just removed the front motor bolt, loosened the rear slightly, and spun it up and back.

 

[ntm95]

Hey ntm95,
I'm in the same boat as you going light. Got some couple photos?

Pics as requested, 48.7 pounds as it sits with pedals.

 

[Highland Wheels]

Did you manage to do that with cranks etc still installed?


I gonna be changing to AXS transmission at some point so will need to drop the motor

Hi Daniel,

I just removed the front motor bolt, loosened the rear slightly, and spun it up and back.
View attachment 185869

 

[ntm95]

Did you manage to do that with cranks etc still installed?


I gonna be changing to AXS transmission at some point so will need to drop the motor

Yup, cranks installed.
If one was so motivated, a trailhead battery change is possible.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Ntm, that seems impossibly light with that kit. Nicely done Sir!

What wheels are those?

Ps. Lovely shop.

 

[ntm95]

Ntm, that seems impossibly light with that kit. Nicely done Sir!

What wheels are those?

Ps. Lovely shop.

I was surprised myself. Same scale that weighed it at 53.6 pounds with the 800wh and stock wheels.
Wheels are nobl tr37’s, dt350 hubs.
They’ll hold up, I’ve been running the same set on my park bikes for three years.
Not sure about the tires yet, have yet to ride them. Didn’t like the schwalbe radials due to the vagueness in high load corners, these are supposed to be better, but time will tell.

 

[iJak]

I was surprised myself. Same scale that weighed it at 43.6 pounds with the 800wh and stock wheels.
Wheels are nobl tr37’s, dt350 hubs.
They’ll hold up, I’ve been running the same set on my park bikes for three years.
Not sure about the tires yet, have yet to ride them. Didn’t like the schwalbe radials due to the vagueness in high load corners, these are supposed to be better, but time will tell.

haha you mean 53.6 lbs?

 

[ntm95]

haha you mean 53.6 lbs?

Yup, my bad !

 

[Suns_PSD]

Yup, my bad !

It's a good data point because it sort of verifies that your scale is calibrated well.

 

[DanielM3]

Sharing a few updates in case helpful for other getting their bikes dialed in.

I was having a rattle that sounded like it was coming from the down tube. Today I took it all apart and found the issue. I have a Tier 1 and it came with a One Up dropper. I removed that and installed a wireless dropper. The issue was that on top of the battery there are 2 'grooves'. Down one of them the brake line runs. It is wrapped with foam. Down the other one the dropper as well as the head unit wire is run. The dropper is the only one wrapped in foam. So when I pulled the dropper cable out there is no foam to make the head unit wire to not rattle around. So I took the motor and battery our and did a foam tube on the head unit control cable and seems to have helped lots.

Also, I cut my brake lines to shorten them and with a fresh bleed the brakes feel way more solid and consistent. I also went ahead and put metallic pads on just as I think that this bike will eat organics super fast.

Last one is that after testing lots of the modes I really enjoy 'Auto' for most trail situations. I find it to feel really natural. I only use Eco to get more workout sometimes and Turbo to make quick work of road sections.

-Daniel

 

[Plummet]

Pics as requested, 48.7 pounds as it sits with pedals.

View attachment 185870

View attachment 185871

Looks Badass. The long chaninstay short reach is geo is not for me. But can see how it would suit certain type of chunk munching maniac.

 

[ntm95]

Looks Badass. The long chaninstay short reach is geo is not for me. But can see how it would suit certain type of chunk munching maniac.

Worth a try if you get a chance.
It’s less of an adjustment than you’d think.

 

[Plummet]

Worth a try if you get a chance.
It’s less of an adjustment than you’d think.

Proper demo's of these types of bikes is very unlikely in NZ unless i came across someone who was prepared to lend theirs out for a hoon.

With that said, i know what i like and what i dont like. Long chainstay, high pivot, 800wh battery is the opposite to what i want in a e bike. I have a manualling style and that combo long rear end, extending chainstay and heavy skinny long 800wh battery is the opposite to a manually style. That front end is going to slammed and glued on the ground and its going to be a hell of a mission to keep the front end manualling for any decent length of time.

But hey, thats ok, thats why there's different types of bikes.

I've currently got 1 high pivot in the Deviate claymore and one mid pivot in the trek session. Both have a lot shorter chain stays than the dreadnaught and dont want to go any longer. In fact when I find an appropriate replacement to the claymore that isnt high pivot ill quit out of that too for non high pivot. The claymore is a cool bike but i definitely prefer the vpp platform of my Crestline. High pivots a cool for plowing chunder nut that rear end just feels vague and less connected than the vpp or 4 bar.

Each to there own.

I can see the dreadnaught being a his speed plow chunder plowing machine.

 

[ntm95]

Proper demo's of these types of bikes is very unlikely in NZ unless i came across someone who was prepared to lend theirs out for a hoon.

With that said, i know what i like and what i dont like. Long chainstay, high pivot, 800wh battery is the opposite to what i want in a e bike. I have a manualling style and that combo long rear end, extending chainstay and heavy skinny long 800wh battery is the opposite to a manually style. That front end is going to slammed and glued on the ground and its going to be a hell of a mission to keep the front end manualling for any decent length of time.

But hey, thats ok, thats why there's different types of bikes.

I've currently got 1 high pivot in the Deviate claymore and one mid pivot in the trek session. Both have a lot shorter chain stays than the dreadnaught and dont want to go any longer. In fact when I find an appropriate replacement to the claymore that isnt high pivot ill quit out of that too for non high pivot. The claymore is a cool bike but i definitely prefer the vpp platform of my Crestline. High pivots a cool for plowing chunder nut that rear end just feels vague and less connected than the vpp or 4 bar.

Each to there own.

I can see the dreadnaught being a his speed plow chunder plowing machine.

You’d be surprised, I’m finding it easier to pop around and manual than my claymore ever was.
Something to do with the high stack and shorter reach.
Surprised me, I was expecting more of a sled honestly.
The cresty definitely has that vpp feeling of harshness around the sag point, for better or worse. It does make it feel like a “tight” rig for a 180mm bike.

 

[Red Peekay]

New to this forum and a new owner of a Dreadnought E.

I am 6ft tall and choose the S3 and the sizing feels perfect.

I went with a T1 build and made a few small changes

• 200mm SRAM AXS dropper
• Schwalbe Radials (MM Ultra Soft Gravity, Albert Soft Gravity)
• PNW Carbon bars (38mm rise)(Running most spacers under the stem)
• Peaty grips

I am still working on dialing in the suspension (stock 400 spring is feeling good so far).

This is also my first eMTB so getting used to the power delivery and settings in the app.

I have a few rides on it now and am super impressed. Happy to answer any questions you all may have.

My buddy also got a T2 and here is a picture of both of them.

Thanks,
Daniel

View attachment 184957

Would love to hear your thoughts about riding both (if your friend lets you). I have a Tier 2 coming that the bike shop is upgrading to a Tier 1 spec for me. So I'll have the red ZEB, X0 drivetrain, etc. But the black/orange colour. I've ordered some Slik Graphics decals to make the logos and things red and grey metallic chrome.

Will be interested to see how it looks when stickered up...post some shots.