Forbidden Dreadnought Long Term Review
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- Опубликовано: 17 янв 2023
- My long term review of my Forbidden Dreadnought after almost a year of riding and racing.
If your interested in a breakdown on the full spec check out this video I did for Vital MTB.
• THE FINAL BUILD - Let'...
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Sick video! Love my dreadnought. I often get a weird noise from the back end on side impacts, wondering if you’ve noticed the same? Had all the bearings done and shock bushings, thinking it could be the rear wheel flexing meaning the tire buzzes on the lower chain guide pully cage not sure though 😂
Ah forgot to mention this! It’s the chain guide. Had me scratching my head for a while too. If you move the position of the lower pulley it clears up the issue
@@briancahal Ah ha good to know, rotate it upwards or down?
@@harveycoates5749not so much the rotation, you can slide that bottom roller forward or back, so just move it forward a bit
Bro this is the best review makes me wanna send shit love the stoke
10x better than any review from pinkbike in the last 5 years. Keep it up m8, could see you starting an independent review channel or site in the future similar to what Paul Aston has done.
Thanks mate! Considering how to make this a full time gig. Paul’s model is interesting and he makes rad stuff.
I agree 100% with that statement
Dude, i’m in love with your vidéos, they are sooo cool ! Thanks mate !
I LOVE BIKE CHECKS AND LONG TERM REVIEWS SO MUCH!!! Subbed
great down to earth review, I appreciate the honesty.
Nice video and I love these practical nitty gritty information.
Awesome review! Thanks for putting it together, always wondered how these bikes ride. Might need to consider it next
I really appreciate your tech videos. I am about your height and came around to a lot of the same conclusions after many bike park laps and crashes - longer chainstays, high bars (try even higher!), supportive suspension that only feels good going fast, flat pedals, no inserts. I'm not trying to say everyone should do the same (certainly not for size dependent stuff like rear center and cockpit), just that it's nice to know I'm not totally nuts. Sometimes when you go against the grain you start to wonder. So thanks!
Solid review and I'd agree with everything you've said. One additional aspect is the bike is silent on descending at the drivetrain. That guard under the chain really does mute any rattling noises.
As always, set up is key and if you've got the right shock on it, it's an excellent bike.
Hell ya bro as always your points are all on... point. Love your vids and analysis of bike setup. Cant wait for more. You seem to be pretty sensitive to bike and suspension setup so I think it would be sick if you made a video on what the different types "feelings"your getting out on the trail in regards to how to setup suspension and what direction to go if you need to make changes.. Say im noticing that it feels like im getting pushed forward in rough sections, what I should be looking at first.. etc etc
Hope that makes sense and sounds like something you could do.. Also, going in depth on wheel setup as well would be great. spokes, tensions, bearings... Staying tuned for sure tho
Keep up the great work! Really liked the analysis and logic, clearly shows your time spent testing setup. 2 possible areas to cover for a futr video 1) what do you feel (eg force through hips outside leg) when initiating a corner and 2) what settings worked for you when you tested RS forks? Eg support via air vs closing off compression.
Thanks!
Love to see it Brian!
btw 5:55 - 6:15 is now my favorite 20 seconds on RUclips. 🤣
Great review. I already wanted a dreadnought but this review really seals it for me. Will be hunting for one in the spring.
Another thing you mentioned is bar height. I am your height and recently put surly sunrise (83mm rise!) bars on my privateer 161. It has really transformed my bike. With more weight on my feet and off my hands, I have better bike/body separation. It’s especially apparent under braking bumps where before the fork would struggle to support my weight while tracking the bumps. I highly recommend you try running something similar.
Those are some ape hangers! Would be curious to give a set a try.
Good call on the b-tension! It's something people may get frustrated with and following the shimano/sram guidelines is worse than what is recommended for these frames.
Great review, keep it up!!!
I AM SO HYPED!!! for the new Druid and if they give the next Dreadnought the same inverted horst link treatment. Did you see the nut who won squamish enduro on the new Druid just on the stock 130 rear w/RS coil and 160 front!? Insane! I have yet to try one of these bikes but I might just have to get one now, I've been really sold on trying an Arrival too but I really want at least a mullet if I can't find anything that does full 27, but these bikes make me willing to give 29 a second chance if I can find a fit that gets me feeling like I'm in them not flopping over them
congrats on a thousand!
I love the look of the Dreadnought, I 'd love to have one, but they're just so expensive. A nukeproof mega/giga costs 2.5k€ with an EXT shock, the forbidden is easily 4k like that. Bummer there aren't many bikes with a geo like that
Thanks! Here in the US they aren’t as expensive. The nukeproof is a good option tho, been interested in trying one of their bikes!
100% agree about longer chain stays effect on bike handling.
My current bike has ridiculously long effective chainstays. 480mm or there abouts.
It really does give great weight distribution. It naturally weights the front well. And makes for a very stable ride.
Damn! 480mm what bike are you on?
@@briancahal It's a large frame Dengfu E22. It's a Chinese carbon frame eMTB, which uses the bafang ultra mid drive pedal assist motor.
It sounds ridiculous, but it works well me. Good for high speed stability, which is a good match for the bike considering the motor is twice as powerfull as the likes of bosch/brose, and not speed limited. So you tend to get up into high speed pretty quick for any given trail.
Not so good for tight switch backs, and tight manouvers though. So there is always a trade off.
Great review, I would love to demo a Forbidden
Damn I wish you reviewed more bikes, solid review! I getting pretty close to buying a new bike here. I’m 5’11” and I have a 1st gen stumpy evo (140/150mm) with 475mm reach, 63.5° HTA, 328mm bb height, 1252 wheelbase, 443 chainstay, and 813 front center. The geo is f*cking sick. Absolutely rails turns with that bb height. However the travel and linear kinematics hold it back in chunky stuff, and I want to get something more capable. I race enduro here in Colorado and usually podium in amateur. I also ride a lot of steep trails and lots of jumps. The 3 bikes I was looking at were the Firebird, Wreckoning, and Enduro. Not sold on any of them. The Enduro is so big, the Firebird has no reviews, and the wreckoning might be sketchy with those short chain stays. Wasn’t really considering the dreadnought until I saw your review, always figured the high pivot cornered bad. I was looking at your channel and saw you had a firebird for a while. What are your thoughts on the Dreadnought vs the Firebird? Thanks!
Did you get a new bike dude? How about transition sentinel?
Bro So Good!
@10:16 You should consider the race guide with the stainless steel idler pully (already installed) available on the website under small parts tab.
Im 194 CM or 6-4 tall. 51 years old been MTBing for 30 years. I prefer to ride short travel trail bikes. Different disciplines hut 100% agree I feel far more at home with a longer chainstay. Running my SC Tallboy 4 in long mode. Crazy how much better it feels to me than short mode considering we are talking a fraction of an inch.
Thanks I’m having a few issues with setting my chain and B tension. Correct me if I’m wrong but if I screw the b screw out that moves to jockey wheels closer meaning more slack however this would also mean more wrap around the last cog?
Had a rock get crunched in between my front and rear end, even though I was running the fender with foam guard. Compromised the carbon and need a new front triangle now
Been waiting for this one 😁 Ever thought about getting off those Maxxis tires?
Great videos as always, super in depth! Have you ever tried the Dready MX mode with the Ziggy link??
Ive never tried it. Always been curious but haven’t gotten around to it yet
Those footages look freaking FAST
Forbidden PR team having a good day
Fantastic and extremely thorough review. Interested, hour do you get on with springdex coil? Been looking at these for a little while now.
Sprindex is awesome. Never had an issues and allows incremental spring rate adjustment as advertised. Would definitely recommend
@Brian Cahal hey Brian what spring rate are you running now with the springdex( rough sag%?)
@ Forbidden, sponsor this guy again !
I’m having a really hard time what bike I should get, it’s between this and a nukeproof giga. I think both I would run a mullet setup but I think I would be more comfortable on the dreadnought because that’s my style but I think when it comes to racing the giga would be the best due to its great being poppy but also a long bike like this but not exact.
Owning one of those badboys in XL, although I am not riding nearly as advanced as you. Not sure about size L, but with XL I do not need the lower chainguide and have never lost the chain. Basically everything you said, I would too. The best features after one year of riding it for me is the amount of stability this thing generates going downhill and that there is no kickback at all. I do own a giant enduro ebike as well that has minimal kickback but it is so noticable that there is none on the dread. In the summer with lots of dust and dirty chain I tend to clean the idler every 2-5 rides. The drag is noticable. It does climb pretty well on technical climbs though but I think its on the slower part. I switched the alloy idler to the stainless steel one. It lasts at least 3 times as long.
The only downside is the wheelbase of this thing. Gotta live with that for all the good parts. On really small and narrow turns in steep terrain I tend to hate this thing but when the trail opens up its been a blast.
I just cant get this thing to manual well. I am not good at it in the first place, but this bike just wants to stay planted.
Hi just wondering what height you are, I’m interested in getting one and am not sure wether to go large or X-Large
@@ReverseRG1234 I am 1,94 meters or about 6foot 4
@@sprousaTM thanks, think I’ll go with the XL
Struggling with feedback through feet, my feet keep coming off the pedals and it’s very confusing. Did you have any issues like this?
Great video! Currently riding a 2021 transition patrol but thinking about making the jump to the dreadnought. Have you looked into the cascade link to increase the progression? do you have any opinions on them?
Thanks
I would be interested in trying the cascade link for sure. As some comparability issues with the ohlins coil though, just haven’t been able to try it yet.
Just buy it. Sick of hearing u talk about them 😅
@@seankordic6420 HAHAHAHA
🔥
Had know idea you were in Rotorua. Are you back for Crankworx in March? I'll keep me eyes peeled 👀
Hi man .
You mentioned one item I'm seeing more of . You spoke of the axle , and how they changed the axle . Would the 2022 frames come with this solid axle and or where can I find one . Plus how well did the Öhlins ttx coil bottom eyelet hardware work for you over the time you had on the bike. (Any hardware you would recommend?)
The new ones should come with a solid axle. I’ve had to replace one set of lower hardware in the shock.
I ended up using fox bearing hardware on my TTX I wasn’t happy with the standard hardware at all.
I’ve gone back to RS Super deluxe to compare as I’m still not happy with the TTX, it’s too firm at the start with fast harsh impacts which is what the Dready does best.
I use your words on my focus sam2🎉, to ride better
Had you been able to spend much time on the Druid when you were with the brand? I am coming from a Norco Range and want to downsize as my new local trails just really don't justify big travel. Still will be going to bike parks but I don't mind being under-biked for a summer, and would plan to have a DH bike next season. I am the same height, really just curious on the sizing and if the XL Druid would be a good fit. I am coming from a XL Range which is ungodly big and sucks on anything short of fast gnarly terrain. I am not as worried about the shorter travel figures on the Druid, mostly just size. Without sitting on one I am in limbo. I do have long arms and legs for a 6 1/2 foot tall rider. Style is aggressive (15 years riding with some local racing) but also enjoy side hits etc.... I am a touch worried the figures on the XL Druid will leave me with the same long boat feeling my Range has albeit still significantly shorter wheelbase. I resonate with your content, riding and bike set up so I would be keen to hear your thoughts. For reference I live in Spokane WA and ride beacon hill, grew up in Issaquah riding 27, Tiger and 38 if you are familiar with that terrain. Anyways, keep up the good work I have watched the entire series and love the direction you are going! Cheers
I’d say XL for the Druid, it’s what I’m running at the moment. Very similar geometry to the L dreadnought. Only thing I don’t like is the seat tube is a bit high and the head angle a tad steep
Did you try one? Have you seen the new Druid, they slackened it and someone has won Squamish enduro on the new Druid
Waiting for mine to arrive.
What are the specs of your shock? I’m hearing the Dreadnaught needs way lighter springs etc
not necessarily a lighter spring but a lighter compression tune seems to be common with these bikes.
Brian what sag did you find your bike at , for the best overall. Could you let me know, please, Brian.
Front and rear
Thanks man.
I’m not sure on the sag numbers but I ran a 411 spring in the rear. I don’t go by sag in the front.
So sizing wise, I’m 6 foot 7. (All legs. You’d probably be taller if we were sitting next to each other.) You think I would be able to fit a XL?
Those are some long legs! I think you could go XL. the reach isn’t absurdly long. It’s a big jump in wheel base but not necessarily a huge jump in reach since the chainstay grows quite a bit as well. I think you’d appreciate the overall length without feeling too stretched out over the front.
@@briancahal Yeah, I’d definitely want to demo one. My current bike is a S5 Specialized enduro. I have it set up pretty big, but it slowly starts feeling small we as I grow (obviously.)
I just cover by saying “my bike is getting more nimble” 😂
I always thought long reach was the main attraction for a new bike for me.
But after a bit of research I noticed that stack height is a big part of a comfortable bike. So unless specialized comes out with a S6 (XXL) enduro, the new Santa Cruz Megatower has amazing specs. The XXL coming in at 520 reach and 670 Stack, I think I found a winner! Or unless Forbidden come out with a XXL dreadnought
😏
But thanks for reaching out about the forbidden. I think it’s super cool what you and Vital Mtb do. Lemme know if you want to nerd out about bikes 😆
@@briancahal you can really see how small I make that bike look lol
ruclips.net/user/shorts-hA_I8k-nfU?feature=share
@@erod6468 oh yeah, the Megatower is probably my next bike. Or if specialized make a bike S6 enduro.
I am 6 foot 4 with a little bit over 3feet inseam and the XL fits perfectly. I think I could be a little bigger without any issues. For me the longest dropper is 210mm, that would fit in the seat tube. I tried a 240mm OneUp dropper that was about 10mm to big. So I guess you would be fine with longer legs and huge dropper
What width do you run your bars?
760mm
I was very interested with that bike, it looks so different in a good way. Then I check the geo and found out that in mullet configuration, size M, the chainstays are only 432mm! This is really, I mean really short. Seat-tube angle is far from steep at 75.6 degrees. Sorry but these two dimensions are just not acceptable. I can see that Brian is also riding different bike now.
Will you be doing a review on the pivot enduro rig in the future?
Yeah we’ll get there eventually haha
What handlebar do you use?
Currently running a the Sam Hill horizon bar in 38mm rise. I like the PNW and one up bars too they just don’t come in higher rise options
@@briancahal Yes, that is exactly my problem. all the time I thought which of the (one-up,pnw) two handlebars would be better at absorbing vibrations but all the time I was struck by the lack of a bigger rise. How comfortable is hitting roots and rocks whit samhill compare to oneup and pnw ? Thank you!
What’s your next bike?
To be determined!
To be determined!
I wanna see em put the Arrival 170 to the test, not enough review and content on that sick looking thing!
👍👍👍