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Today’s DealsDreadnought XT
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$6,499| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 154 / 170mm |
| Fork | Fox Performance Elite Float 38 |
| Shock | Fox Float X2 Performance Elite |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
158cm – 171cm
168cm – 180cm
178cm – 189cm
186cm – 199cm
🐐 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?
In a world of copycat designs the Forbidden Dreadnought stands out as a genuine trailblazer.
The Dreadnought is a hard one to place. It's a 150mm-travel bike with an idler pulley and dual-crown compatibility.Pinkbike
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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 | FOX FLOAT 38 Performance Elite, GRIP2 damper, high/low-speed compression adjust, high/low-speed rebound adjust, 44mm offset, Kabolt thru-axle Travel: 170mm Spring Type: Air |
| 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 Travel: 154mm |
| 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 Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | None |
| Grips | Forbidden Tapered, single lock-on |
| 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) Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Deore XT M8100 |
| 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" |
First added 4 May
Last updated 4 May
Not listed for 1,795 days