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2021 Forbidden

Dreadnought XT

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

$6,499
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 154 / 170mm
ForkFox Performance Elite Float 38
ShockFox Float X2 Performance Elite
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetXT
BrakesShimano XT Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Dreadnought XT
Other Enduro bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

44 km/h

Dreadnought XT

41 km/h

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

158cm – 171cm

MD

168cm – 180cm

LG

178cm – 189cm

XL

186cm – 199cm

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes
  • 177cm, size M, Just right
Reviews

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.

Pros
  • 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

Cons
  • 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

Key Quotes
Would you own the most capable trail bike ever made, even if it meant you could never do a manual again?
Beta logoBeta
In a world of copycat designs the Forbidden Dreadnought stands out as a genuine trailblazer.
MBR logoMBR
The Dreadnought is a hard one to place. It's a 150mm-travel bike with an idler pulley and dual-crown compatibility.
Pinkbike

Feedback?

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Bikerumor
Forbidden’s Dreadnought GX LTD Team Edition Offers a ‘Factory Pro’ Look to Anyone

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.

Read Review

MBR
Forbidden Dreadnought XT review - MBR

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.

Highs
  • 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.

Lows
  • 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.

Read Review

Pinkbike
Review: Forbidden Dreadnought

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.

Highs
  • 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.

Lows
  • 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.

Read Review

Beta
Long-Term Test: Is the Forbidden Dreadnought Inefficient?

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?

Read Review

NSMB
The Forbidden Dreadnought Fears Nothing – Interview w/ Owen Pemberton

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.

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Carbon Fiber

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Fork

FOX FLOAT 38 Performance Elite, GRIP2 damper, high/low-speed compression adjust, high/low-speed rebound adjust, 44mm offset, Kabolt thru-axle

Travel170mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

FOX FLOAT X2 Performance Elite, 2-position adjust, high/low-speed compression adjust, high/low-speed rebound adjust, EVOL air can, custom size-specific tunes, trunnion mount, 205mm x 65mm

Travel154mm

Bottom Bracket

Shimano MT800, HOLLOWTECH II, 24mm spindle, 73mm English/BSA threaded

Headset

Cane Creek HellBender 70, stainless steel bearings, alloy dual-seal crown race, ZS44/28.6 upper, ZS56/40 lower

Stem

e*thirteen Plus, 40mm length, 35mm bar clamp

Handlebar

e*thirteen Plus, 800mm width, 20mm rise, 35mm clamp diameter

Saddle

SDG Radar, chromoly rails

Seatpost

BikeYoke Revive dropper, Drop: 125mm (SM), 160mm (MD), 185mm (LG/XL), Remote Lever: Shimano MT800, I-SPEC EV bracket

TypeDropper

Pedals

None

Grips

Forbidden Tapered, single lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, SHADOW RD+

Front Derailleur

None

Crank

Shimano Deore XT M8100, 170mm length

Shifters

Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, I-SPEC EV bracket

Cassette

Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth

Chain

Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed

Chain Guide

Forbidden integraged idler pulley; e*thirteen TRS Plus custom chainguide (upper slider plus lower pully with bashguard)

Brakes

Shimano Deore XT M8120, 4-piston, metal pads with cooling fins, Shimano MT800 ICE TECH FREEZA CENTER LOCK rotors (203mm front, 180mm rear)

TypeShimano XT Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano Deore XT M8100

Wheels
Rims

e*thirteen LG1 EN Plus, welded alloy, 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

DT Swiss 350, 110x15mm Boost front, 148x12mm Boost rear with 18-tooth Star Ratchet freehub with MICRO SPLINE driver

Rear Hub

DT Swiss 350, 110x15mm Boost front, 148x12mm Boost rear with 18-tooth Star Ratchet freehub 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"

Rider Notes
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First added 4 May

Last updated 4 May

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