First Ride: The Forbidden Dreadnought E Feels Like a DH Bike with a Motor

Pinkbike has published its "First Ride" review of the new Forbidden Dreadnought E, an e-mountain bike that, according to the testers, "feels like a DH bike with a motor." This initial assessment highlights the bike's downhill-focused geometry and suspension kinematics, suggesting a powerful, gravity-oriented ride experience. The review provides an early, crucial insight into Forbidden's entry into the burgeoning e-MTB market, specifically targeting riders who prioritize aggressive trail and downhill performance.

This assessment is significant given Forbidden's reputation for crafting highly capable, often single-pivot, enduro and downhill bikes. The Dreadnought E's purported downhill prowess positions it directly against a growing segment of e-MTBs that often compromise pure gravity performance for climbing efficiency or weight. For a brand known for its analogue descending machines, translating that DNA into an electrified platform without losing its core identity is a critical challenge, and Pinkbike's early verdict suggests they may have succeeded.

Ultimately, if Forbidden has indeed delivered a motor-assisted downhill weapon, it’s less an e-bike and more an unfair advantage. Riders seeking to cheat gravity, rather than merely assist it, will undoubtedly take note.