2026 Forbidden Dreadnought E

Forbidden Dreadnought E – 2026

The Forbidden Dreadnought E is a full-power, big-travel carbon e-MTB with 170mm of rear travel and a 180mm fork, built on Forbidden’s Trifecta V2 high-pivot suspension platform. It rolls on mixed wheels — 29″ front, 27.5″ rear — and is offered at outset.bike in four builds, T1 – Slayer, T2 – Tangerine Dreams, T3 – Back To The Beginning and T4 – Superfuzz, each in sizes S1 to S4 with an 800 Wh Avinox battery. T1 and T2 run the Avinox M2S drive unit; T3 and T4 run the Avinox M2.

At outset.bike, we stock bikes we genuinely believe in. The Dreadnought E is built for one job — the steepest, roughest lines you can find — and then gets you straight back to the top to do it again.

TRIFECTA HIGH-PIVOT SUSPENSION

The Dreadnought E uses Forbidden’s Trifecta V2 high-pivot four-bar layout with an idler pulley and the Forbidden Race Guide. The high main pivot gives a rearward axle path, so the rear wheel moves up and back over square-edged hits rather than into them. With 170mm of travel on a 230 x 65mm shock, the bike holds a line through rock gardens and braking bumps, yet keeps enough support to pump and pop off the trail. Why it matters: more speed and control in the roughest terrain, without giving away liveliness.

AVINOX DRIVE SYSTEM

Every Dreadnought E runs an Avinox drive unit with an integrated 800 Wh battery (IP56 rated), giving you the range for the biggest days in the mountains. The T1 and T2 use the Avinox M2S — a 2.6 kg unit producing 130 Nm of torque (150 Nm in Boost) and 1300 W of peak power. The T3 and T4 use the Avinox M2, a 2.65 kg unit producing 110 Nm (125 Nm in Boost) and 1100 W. Power runs across ECO, TRAIL, TURBO and BOOST modes via Avinox wireless controls, the 2-inch full-colour OLED display and the Avinox Ride app, which supports full assist-mode customisation and route navigation. On the T1 and T2, the SRAM AXS power cord enables Avinox Smooth Shift — gear changes without pedalling — for seamless transitions on technical climbs. The T1 ships with the Avinox 508 W fast charger (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from 0 to 75%); the T2, T3 and T4 come with the 168 W charger (approximately 4 hours 45 minutes from 0 to 100%).

CHOOSING YOUR BUILD: T1 TO T4

T1 – Slayer is the top build and the only Dreadnought E with a coil shock: a RockShox Vivid Coil with size-specific springs (S1 300lb to S4 450lb), paired with a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork. Coil gives a consistent, low-friction feel that stays composed over repeated hits. It adds SRAM X0 T-Type AXS wireless shifting, SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes on HS2 heat-management rotors — a genuine difference on long descents and repeated bike park laps, where brake fade is a real concern on a full-power e-MTB — Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon Enduro wheels that cut rotational weight and add stiffness and compliance, a OneUp V3 dropper and the 508 W fast charger. The T1 is the complete vision of the Dreadnought E without compromise.

T2 – Tangerine Dreams keeps the M2S motor and pairs a Fox 38 Factory fork with a Fox Float X2 Factory air shock, SRAM GX T-Type AXS wireless shifting, SRAM Maven Silver brakes and Crankbrothers Alloy 2.0 wheels.

T3 – Back To The Beginning moves to the Avinox M2 motor with a RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and Vivid Air Select+ shock, SRAM Eagle 90 T-Type shifting, SRAM Maven brakes and Crankbrothers Alloy 1.0 wheels.

T4 – Superfuzz is the most accessible way into a Dreadnought E: the same frame, M2 motor and 800 Wh battery, with a RockShox ZEB fork, Super Deluxe shock, SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type shifting and SRAM DB4 brakes.

All four builds share the same carbon frame, geometry, 150mm crank length and Maxxis High Roller 3 front and DHRII rear tyres, with a dropper post that has size-specific travel. The full specification for each build is listed below.

SIZING & ONERIDE GEOMETRY

The Dreadnought E comes in four sizes with Forbidden’s OneRide proportional geometry: the rear centre grows with each frame size (434mm on S1 to 478mm on S4), so every size keeps the same weight balance and handling. As a guide, S1 suits riders 158–168cm (5′2″–5′6″), S2 168–178cm (5′6″–5′10″), S3 178–188cm (5′10″–6′2″) and S4 188–198cm (6′2″–6′6″). Reach runs 425, 445, 461 and 481mm across S1–S4, with a 63° head angle and 76.75° seat angle on every size. If you’re between sizes, get in touch and we’ll help you choose.

FRAME, STANDARDS & WHAT’S INCLUDED

The frame is high-modulus carbon fibre with Enduro Max bearings, a ZS44/ZS56 headset and a 230 x 65mm shock, designed around a fork of up to 605mm axle-to-crown with a 44mm offset. The geometry is unapologetically DH-focused — slack head angle, tall front end, 150mm cranks. Full in-house custom frame protection — chainstay, seatstay, downtube and motor guard — plus factory-installed film in high-wear zones keeps the bike quiet and protected in the most demanding conditions. Every size takes a 26 oz water bottle, and the Dreadnought E carries Forbidden’s lifetime carbon frame warranty. Pedals are not included. For anything else about the Dreadnought E, get in touch at outset.bike.

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