Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices
Today’s Deals2021 Forbidden
Dreadnought SLX
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with upper mid-range components.
Compare the full range
Manufacturer Price
$5,349| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 154 / 170mm |
| Fork | RockShox ZEB Select+ |
| Shock | Fox Float X2 Performance |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | SLX |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
Summary
The Forbidden Dreadnought is a standout enduro bike with a unique high-pivot suspension design that excels in rough, fast terrain, offering stability and confidence akin to a downhill sled. It's praised for its superb suspension performance, aggressive geometry, and size-specific tuning, making it a favorite for descending. However, its weight and demanding nature on climbs, along with some quirks like a noisy idler and long chainstays, may not suit all riders.
Unique high-pivot suspension design
Excellent stability and confidence at speed
Size-specific geometry and tuning
Superb suspension performance on rough terrain
Aggressive enduro-ready geometry
Heavy and demanding on climbs
Noisy idler in muddy conditions
Long chainstays can hinder maneuverability
Not the most efficient climber
Overkill for less aggressive riders
Would you own the most capable trail bike ever made, even if it meant you could never do a manual again?
BetaIn a world of copycat designs the Forbidden Dreadnought stands out as a genuine trailblazer.
MBRThe Dreadnought is a hard one to place. It's a 150mm-travel bike with an idler pulley and dual-crown compatibility.Pinkbike
Feedback?
View all reviews
Dec 2022 · Steve Fisher
Forbidden Bike Co. offers you the chance to look like a factory pro with the limited-run Dreadnought LTD Team Edition.
Apr 2022 · Alan Muldoon
Forbidden now has a big gun but who needs the Forbidden Dreadnought XT when the Druid is already billed as capable? In short... everyone. Let me explain.
Unique ride quality. Great sizing with balanced weight distribution across all sizes. Buttery-smooth suspension with good range of adjustment and plenty of support for smashing bigger hits. Steep seat angle means you simply sit down and spin and the Dreadnought climbs with the best of them. It’s better than the Druid.
Needs a high-rise bar. End-stroke progression makes it harder to get full travel, so maybe a coil shock would make this bike better still. Idler is noisy when it’s muddy. Longer chainstay and rearward axle path means you have to put more effort into lifting the front end.
Aug 2021 · Seb Stott
The Dreadnought has the manners of a bigger bike, but its 151mm of travel doesn't quite deliver the same performance as longer travel options.
Superb suspension tracking over small and mid-sized bumps.
Balanced weight distribution provides excellent cornering composure in flat, loose turns.
Stable and confident on fast, bike-park style terrain.
Comfortable and easy to manage traction on technical climbs.
The XL's long chainstay (which grows through the travel) makes manuals, hops, or steep and tight trails trickier.
Though supple for the travel, suspension isn't as forgiving as longer travel bikes in the same intended use category.
Though idler drag is minimal, it's not the sprightliest climber even compared to longer travel bikes.
Our bike had a shock bolt repeatedly work loose and two hard-to-explain snapped derailleurs.
Jun 2021 · Travis Engel
We held on to the Forbidden Dreadnought for nearly two months. Was that long enough to know if we could hold on to it forever?
Mar 2021
A global pandemic can't keep the new Forbidden Dreadnought chained down. Owen Pemberton shares some of the challenges during the bike's development.
| Frame | Carbon Fiber BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox ZEB Select+, Charger 2.1 damper, DebonAir spring, low-speed compression adjust, low-speed rebound adjust, 44mm offset, Maxle Stealth thru-axle Travel: 170mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX FLOAT X2 Performance, low-speed compression adjust, low-speed rebound adjust, EVOL air can, custom size-specific tunes, trunnion mount, 205mm x 65mm Travel: 154mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB52, HOLLOWTECH II, 24mm spindle, 73mm English/BSA threaded |
| Headset | ACROS AZX-203, stainless steel bearings, ZS44/28.6 upper, ZS56/40 lower |
| Stem | e*thirteen Base, 40mm length, 35mm bar clamp |
| Handlebar | e*thirteen Base, 800mm width, 20mm rise, 35mm clamp diameter |
| Saddle | SDG Radar, chromoly rails |
| Seatpost | e*thirteen Vario dropper, Drop: 120-150mm (SM/MD), 150-180mm (LG/XL), Remote Lever: Shimano MT500, I-SPEC EV bracket Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | None |
| Grips | Forbidden Tapered, single lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed, SHADOW RD+ |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | None |
| Crank | Shimano SLX M7100, 170mm length |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed, I-SPEC EV bracket |
| Cassette | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth |
| Chain | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed |
| Chain Guide | Forbidden integraged idler pulley; e*thirteen TRS Plus custom chainguide (upper slider plus lower pully with bashguard) |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore M6120, 4-piston, metal pads, Shimano MT64 180mm CENTER LOCK rotors Type: Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Deore M6100 |
| Rims | e*thirteen LG1 EN Plus, 30mm internal width, 32 hole, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Stainless steel, 2.0/1.8/2.0mm double butted, ED coated, with 14mm brass nipples |
| Front Hub | Shimano SLX H7100, 110x15mm Boost front, 148x12mm Boost rear with MICRO SPLINE driver |
| Rear Hub | Shimano SLX H7100, 110x15mm Boost front, 148x12mm Boost rear with MICRO SPLINE driver |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Assegai, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+, TR, 120 TPI, folding, 29" x 2.5", Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR II, 3C MaxxTerra, Double Down (DD) casing, TR, 2x 120 TPI, folding, 29" x 2.4" |
First added May 4
Last updated May 4
Not listed for 1,795 days