2021 Forbidden Dreadnought: Fear Nothing | First Look & Ride

It may be named after a type of battleship, but it sure doesn’t handle like one. The Forbidden Bike Company from Vancouver Island strikes again, this time with a new stealthy frame, and of course Mike Kazimer has something to say about it.
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[@Agent_27_]

Love those pivots, glad they made a longer travel one.

[@powers14sj90]

No it’s a forbidden 😏😆

[@basicmtber3840]

Yeah might have to cop one

[@vomErsten]

What's funny about HMS Dreadnought is that her speed was actually her most notable characteristic; for her day, she was very fast for a ship of her displacement.

[@elistratton4746]

I'm surprised more manufacturers aren't going with that linkage design because it looks insane, the price is definitely unfortunate though.

[@philippk9954]

functionality > optics, mate. i like the druid and the dreadnaught, but engineering shenanigans doesnt necessarily result in advantages.

[@3mtech]

New again 20 years later

[@stilldre7739]

It is pretty complicated making more points of failure

[@minozemstan]

@@philippk9954 It's fully functional, though. It completely eliminates kickback.

[@johnnymcmurdo]

@@minozemstan Its made for the high pivot, which allows the rear wheel to have a rearward axle path, making the suspension work on square edged hits. That makes it faster in certain sections of trails. The idler just came along with it to remove pedal kickback as with such a high pivot the pedal kickback would be immense, and would reduce the suspension performace. So yes it does stop kickback, but that just comes along with its main feature of the high pivot.

[@hardtailparty]

bravo for different chainstay sizes across frame sizes.

[@conman1395]

Mike and Mike haven't been together enough through quarantine and I'm concerned for Mike

[@dantindley5181]

Yea its like my two favourite freeriders. Brett and Brett. I hope Brett is well

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

Kaz has such a cool unique voice, dude would sound crazy doing some spoken word gigs.

[@Min2konto]

Yeah, he is lower pitched. Deep bari.

[@user-zo8cc3zy5h]

Thank Lewis Buchanan for this one

[@julianrossi8460]

Have been waiting for this since i saw Lewis B. testing it! This thing looks insane, defiantly on the shortlist for my next bike!

[@jakefeasey413]

Such a cool looking bike, looking forward to the full review

[@MarcoSantusMaximus]

"Dreadnought" reminds me more of an acoustic guitar that evokes more country/western than metal in my mind 🤠

[@ShitStefanShoots]

and again: the name of those less round, more trapezoid, huge volume guitar bodies (think Martin "D" series) comes from the big Dreadnaught battleship

[@hannesnohl8627]

Like, before watch, thats the vibe with pinkbike videos.

[@franconieman1828]

I was waiting for this. This might be my next rig.

[@87togabito]

I'm riding a Pivot 2020 Switchblade, and I love the bike. That said, I just saw one of these Dreadnought on the trails today, and gosh it does look sweet. The suspension design and mechanics behind it does look amazing too. Still, loving my switchblade too much to want to get one haha. For all the folks riding one of these Dreadnoughts, be happy that you have one haha.

[@joshuawatembergcohen8695]

The original druid is my dream bike, know this came out and I found a new dream bike, this bike is one of the best bikes I've ever seen, I would do anything for a bike like that.

[@GRPABT1]

I'm feeling the same way, gonna have to work some overtime me thinks!

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

Awesome name.The purple frame and orange forks looks sick 🤙🔥

[@andrewgreenwood8727]

Looks so super cool 😎 I bet it rides like a dream !!

[@Eteam359]

I really liked my 2002 Balfa bb7. They were certainly on to something with the the high pivot and idler pulley. I'm happy to see more bikes going in that direction these days

[@cameronw9330]

You had me at the paint job. Wow.

[@andrewgreenwood8727]

Looks the business in stealth black ! Take it anywhere ! Wow 😳👌👍😎❄️❄️🚵

[@Twitch0331]

Love the name of the bike. 👍👍

[@elijahmccormick1166]

I think I found my dream bike. That things sick!!

[@thinkingjack]

I want this bike so bad, I can’t wait to be emailed for it

[@idnbrntt7189]

Another awesome video Pinkbike🤘

[@justinsiever710]

Looks amazing

[@willthat_one_guy9379]

Been waiting for this

[@dimitarspasov1232]

Awesome bike!!!

[@THMTB-mu6dx]

Looks sick ngl

[@mountainsteward7776]

I like kazimer's disposition

[@emmanueljugno5810]

"dual crown fork approved" 🤘🏼

[@1brenmaster]

5"11 with a large. Feels like an extra large. Wheelbase is very long indeed. Absolute beast in straight lines but a bit battleship in the corners. Love the reach , just finding the rear end too long. Would have been nice to have a flip chip back there to adjust wheel base like you find on a lot of DH bikes these days

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

Nice rig!!

[@greym6436]

Nice rig from Pivot. Got my attention

[@Frorideism]

Bruuuh got to love high pivots

[@skyliner23]

HI Pinkbike....any plans to do a long term review for the dreadnought?

[@adventuresona700dollarhard5]

This bike is so friggin sick.

[@garethowen3810]

Love that they haven't pigeon-holed the bike. Buy it, have fun on it and to hell with all the bloody marketing brackets. Just shred it.

[@vitusdo8103]

When only the frame costs as nuch as your tyee that you orderd last month😭

[@CoffeeMonster12]

r/ihadastroke

[@JasonChambersPhoto]

Not even had chance to take a Druid out yet!

[@basicmtber3840]

Looks so sleek

[@habegunt4802]

New. Dream. Bike.

[@zmums]

Y u got be making me want new bikes every other day

[@nicolas357]

Waww nice explaned!!!!!

[@alwaysoutdoors4877]

I want that in Nerds color. :)

[@JuanWay2Rock]

I've had a "Dreadnought" for close to 30 years...love it! Every time friends come over, for some reason, they want to pick it up and... Wait....scratch that! I thought we were talking Dreadnought Type Guitars...lol

[@elb978]

rebound on shock looks unreachable but whole bike seems legit

[@JerOutlaw]

if it is like the druid, you run it completely open anyways.

[@Tc-hb8vp]

I love theese high pivot bikes

[@3mtech]

Me too. I ve had mine going on 15 years

[@oliverharris9567]

Love it

[@brennanbeltrano295]

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

[@yohidai]

This will be my first trail bike.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

Did you get one ? Do you Like it ?

[@gaylordpantamime]

I'm buying the SLX build

[@fisherwoelke5435]

Is there any news on the slx version? I've been looking at other bikes, but this high piviot design is amazing. If anyone can help, that would be greatly appreciated

[@alexridesbikes9047]

Yesss it’s here

[@idnbrntt7189]

Such an Epic Bike!

[@jackbecker4866]

Just when forbidden had one bike I wanted they went and put out another. And yet I can’t afford either of them.

[@bentyler5704]

duuude so nice was afraid as soon as I bought a bike this would come out. Well look at that it costs the same as what I just bought. yay

[@MidWestMTB]

What'd you buy?

[@bentyler5704]

@@MidWestMTB by no means am I disappointed, I got a Yeti sb150 and am super stoked. C2 with factory suspension. Am always intrigued by forbidden though wonder how that high pivot feels

[@kanon0853]

@@bentyler5704 I just got an SB140 C2 Factory last month. Great bike.

[@lynnbattista787]

It’s time for an update or comparison to other enduro bikes. It’s Oct 2022. Let’s get an in depth review on this BC bike company… they seem so have solved a few issues… be nice to see a wheelbase \chain stay flip chip like the gt force or Rocky Mountain altitude.

[@chimps4gimps]

Hi Mike, great review. I’ve been trying to demo the Dreadnaught (SLX variant) versus a Rocky Mountain AC70. I’m looking for a fun, all mountain bike that I can chuck down steep rooty tech with an jump here and there. Which of the two do think more fits the bill please? Thankfully I’m not in a rush 😄

[@ryanweigel3]

ok

[@LastAphelion]

Did you get one?

[@gabrielsegura1530]

So this is the one of Buchanans video

[@babersharif1]

I have question where i can buy this or preorder please let me know

[@littlerunnerboy9610]

Why did BCPOV and Yuka leave Forbidden this bike looks nuts!

[@oskarstaudte]

Yeah they will be kicking themselves I think hahah

[@Streamlines]

@@oskarstaudte I think they knew about this bike before any of us :)

[@oskarstaudte]

@@Streamlines Yeah, you're right tbh. Maybe forbidden ended their contract

[@Streamlines]

@@oskarstaudte Who knows, tough times for everyone, also bike manufacturers. BCPov and Yuka did not seem too bothered by it, if not even suggestive about the decision coming from their side.

[@oskarstaudte]

@@Streamlines It was more of a joke anyways! But yes tough times you said it

[@buildtestflyrepeat9428]

And we thought that Specialized had expensive frames

[@mountainsteward7776]

I'm still going to pass you on my sub 3k polygon, Dr. Johnson!

[@chadsugden411]

Is that Lewis’s old bike... sure does look like it. Have it out for demo I take it

[@officialterminator348]

Yesssssss I want one

[@twimpz1906]

I want one

[@bikedude019]

Announced an hour ago and SOLD OUT on all sizes and trims.

[@revystoked]

WE LIKE THE BIKE

[@bikedude019]

Keep it locked.

[@dylan-5287]

This bike looks insane. We've probably reached the ultimate mtb ever made. This thing is going to win every single race from this point on, just watch. No other suspension design comes even close, might as well be riding a road bike on the trails compared to high pivot/idler pulley. There will be many used bike sales coming soon.. Jk, this does look cool. The funny thing is seeing how much people drool over an old design brought back from the past lol.

[@logankeen4809]

Frogot about the hidey hole on the bottom of the frame!

[@pcpwcail]

Like the bike but it is pretty pricey I still want one!!

[@bugboy152000]

#PinkBike $4,000 for a frame?! GOOOOOOD LUCK!

[@hunterwright386]

So it’s like a stump jumper evo high pivot

[@Thoma1100]

I have to know with these mullet bikes. Can you make it 27.5 in the rear and then change the fork to a 27.5 fork and run both 27.5

[@hugosxm]

This will void your warranty so i guess NO :/

[@bonedale]

I read forbidden donut!

[@spadidus864]

Finally my dreambike was released. Just need to wait for my Canyon to break down

[@eliriecks3618]

Ill take your canyon off your hands for no charge

[@BradleyResler]

@@eliriecks3618 same here

[@ShitStefanShoots]

tough luck - those Canyons are die-hards

[@joshbernstein7741]

Does anyone think that putting a 160MM travel fork on the frame would ruin the geometry?

[@kam1l0]

Time to sell my Top Fuel 9.9 :D

[@adamf.8564]

That is some extremely long chain lol, except the rear shock, I don't think is positioned/put in the right place compared to Trek, Kona, and especially YT. With a double crowned fork would look even sicker over all.

[@oskarstaudte]

Well, if I had enough money, this would be the bike I'd buy. Unfortunately, 4000 for frame only is too hefty for me.

[@John-shreds]

It doesn't make sense. Honestly let's just wait for a few years tell high pivot bikes are more popular.

[@oskarstaudte]

@@John-shreds Yes, agreed.

[@peterkrzesinski5941]

What's that trail name?

[@N8MRN]

🤩

[@cdwag23]

Grim donut vibes

[@henrywennberg1091]

when can we buy the grim donut?

[@sebastianfs3825]

That air shock looks like a missile, cool design, but expensive as f...

[@powerfister69]

I want it. Can’t do that frame only at that price but 6500 usd for complete with that spec... seen worse

[@djjmann]

Ridiculous pricing with the Storia and Push shocks. Cool bike though!

[@cove317]

sizes specific??

[@2310Ole]

somehow I want one just for the name

[@BikingwithJP]

Anyone else wonder how those high pivots will grab pants or long shorts... or skin? 🤔 My 3x9 always wanted to eat my pants, my 1x12 is way better it’s a non-issue.

[@dozloveseme]

No issues for my buddy on his druid

[@BikingwithJP]

@@dozloveseme thanks, that’s good to hear some real world feedback!

[@quicksilverz6642]

Haven’t had an issue with my Druid

[@dozloveseme]

@@BikingwithJP yeah, he has ridden normal trails and then took it to windrock bike park with no issues. Great bike.

[@revystoked]

No issues on the Druid in the park or on trails, so this should be good.

[@avivbensimhon9263]

Can you bring me this boy?

[@kondawg7424]

damn i'm here this early for the first time

[@AhmadVvlogs4]

Fabio Wibmer

[@user-ns8vr9hz3d]

actually frames are not available

[@Metal-Possum]

I see it has an idler wheel (efficiency losses when pedalling) to combat chain growth, but watch the bottom length of chain and the derailer when the bike goes through its travel. Clutch on and that's a lot to be fighting against.

[@alanduren6326]

damn i just found my dream bike

[@benjaminmtb84]

Confused as to why Instagram advertises it as a downhill bike but it’s really an enduro...

[@benjaminmtb84]

Nvmd I watched the whole video

[@benjaminmtb84]

Only thing I don’t like is the way they wrote forbidden on the side; other than that insanely sweet bike

[@johnnygunz2300]

@@benjaminmtb84 agreed "forbidden" seems like a romance novel my mother would read in the 80's..... That bike better put out with that name!

[@denizsaraev2220]

Yaaas

[@stamy1]

What certifies a frame as dual crown compatible?

[@NONO-hz4vo]

Mostly the stiffness in the head tube.

[@amandapeine6745]

This video won't play properly on my Chromecast. Other videos on KZbin work fine. 70/10 Mbps, 22 ms ping.

[@LCNismo]

No no no. You will have to buy 2 chain's.. why?

[@johnnymcmurdo]

With the rearward axle path of the high single pivot there would be a very large amount of pedal kickback making the suspension perform terribly, the simple solution is an idler, the distance between the bottom bracket and idler stay the same, the idler and the cassette stay the same, and thanks to the chain tensioner the distance between the derraileur and the bottom bracket stay they same. A simple solution to pedal kickback on a bike of such a rearward axle path. Only real downside is the extra chain you need to get.

[@joshward4712]

SLX has deore brakes I don’t know why they can’t put at least SLX brakes on there