Forbidden Dreadnought E Bike Launch

Forbidden’s second ebike is the longer travel Dreadnought E. The Dreadbought E is a 170 mm rear travel, 180 mm fork, full power ebike MTB featuring Avinox’s new M2S and M2 drive systems. The Dreadnought E is a mix-wheel only platform, with downhill-focused geometry. Giddy up!

Dreadnought E Summary

• 170 mm rear travel with 180 mm fork
• Powered by the all new Avinox M2 and M2S motors
• Mixed wheel only
• Geometry similar to the Supernought
• Same lifetime warranty as all of Forbidden’s carbon bikes
• Four build kit options: Tier 1 to Tier 4
• MSRP: 9,900 CAD for Tier 4 to 15,400 CAD for Tier 1

The Dreadnought E is available in 4 complete build tiers featuring the all-new Avinox M2S and M2 drive systems, giving you up to 130 Nm of torque (150 Nm in boost) and 1300 W of peak power with the M2S and 110 Nm of torque (125 Nm in boost) and 1100 W of peak power with the M2. The Dreadnought E also gives the rider the option of either a 600 Wh or 800 Wh battery. Choose your preference, 800 Wh for maximum range, 600 Wh for maximum ride handling. With a 600 Wh battery, the builds come in at 51.6lbs (23.43 kg) or less, and with an 800 Wh battery, the builds come in at 53.5lbs (24.30 kg) or less.

Geometry

You’ll find the Dreadnought E geometry numbers are quite close to Supernought. Increased stack, combined with shorter cranks. Forbidden designed this geometry to lift your head up and square off your stance, the intent being to put you in a more natural-feeling, upright position.

The Dreadnought E gets Forbidden’s OneRide proportional sizing treatment, where all frame dimensions and angles change with each frame size, with the intent of each frame size having a similar ride feel.

Avinox Touch Screen

With both motor options, you get a 2 inch OLED full colour touchscreen display. New this year, the Avinox system also offers an Enhanced Navigation feature, allowing you to either import data files (GPX, FIT, TCX) or link through navigation apps, to have navigation right there on the screen.

The display also features a 65W Type-C fast charging output, allowing you to charge your lights, your phone, Nintendo Switch: whatever your heart desires.

The Avinox Ride app gives endless customizations from the information displayed on the screen.

Suspension Kinematics

Forbidden took what they learned from the Druid E and designed the longer-travel Dreadnought E around a similar architecture. Forbidden’s Trifecta V3 suspension is at the heart of the Dreadnought E. It’s still high-pivot and still four-bar, retaining all the Dreadnought ride characteristics, but key design changes put the shock in a vertical position, maximizing room for long dropper posts while still packaging the motor and battery cleanly and efficiently. Forbidden claims you can slam a 180mm dropper into an S1 frame.

SRAM AXS Extension Cord

Dreadnought E builds that are spec’d with AXS transmission come equipped with SRAM’s AXS Extension Cord. The SRAM AXS Extension Cord connects the AXS transmission to the bike’s battery, allowing you to power the drivetrain directly without the use of an AXS battery.

Builds

The Dreadnought E comes in four build kits. Check out Forbidden’s website for build kit details and MSRP.

Custom Frame Protection

Forbidden developed a full complement of custom frame protection for Dreadnought E. Chainstay, seatstay, downtube, and motor cover protection have all been developed and designed in-house specifically for this bike. All models also come equipped with RideWrap installed from the factory in those high-wear spots.

I think the Forbidden Dreadnought E looks like a fantastic full-powered eMTB. The builds look well thought out, the geometry and suspension kinematics look right up my alley, and the pricing for what you get looks reasonable. I’m getting one for review, and can’t wait to ride it. I should have some initial ride impressions and a full review coming later in the year.

Forbidden Bikes