Forbidden Dreadnought V2 test: The high pivot enduro with monster grip!

Wow, what a powerhouse! If there were enduro bikes for the Navy SEALs, they'd probably look like the new Forbidden Dreadnought V2. The massive , full-carbon frame exudes pure confidence. Precisely defined down to every carbon fiber, this bike boasts a unique presence and a fresh, instantly recognizable look. The long wheelbase —more on that later—also commands considerable respect.

Anyone looking for an enduro bike that isn't one you see five times at every other ice cream parlor will definitely find it here. The angular, meticulously detailed frame design, the elegant Crankbrothers Synthesis 11 carbon wheels, and the high-quality RockShox and SRAM components (in the top-of-the-line version) are a perfect match.

Overall, the bike's concept feels very coherent, and Forbidden's design language is convincing across the board. Interestingly, like many Santa Cruz models, the Forbidden also shares a visual connection with the brand's other bikes. At first glance, the new Dreadnought V2 is reminiscent of its more docile trail-bike sibling, the Forbidden Druid . However, on the trail—more on that in a moment—it quickly reveals its true, even faster nature.

The Dreadnought V2 is presented in two truly excellent painted color variants that have nothing to fear from the competition of other bike brands.

The KX500 variant impresses with a successful color gradient from black, starting at the chainstay, to a vibrant green on the top tube. This looks particularly fresh and cool on the trail in the woods. The black RockShox Zeb fork at the front completes the overall look perfectly.

The second color option is ARRAKIS , where Forbidden swaps the green for a sandy gray that looks particularly impressive in person. As always, it's a matter of taste, but seeing the bikes in person is definitely worthwhile, as pictures only show part of their effect.

The Forbidden Dreadnought Trifecta landing gear explained simply:

The high-pivot design deliberately positions the rear suspension pivot point high on the frame. This results in a rearward wheel travel curve when the suspension compresses – whether overcoming obstacles, boulders, or roots. The rear wheel of the Dreadnought V2 "moves" back slightly as the suspension compresses. You could say it actively works with the resistance, similar to Aikido, instead of simply bracing itself against every obstacle.

The advantage: This approach allows the Forbidden rear suspension to absorb obstacles more effectively, increasing traction and making the bike noticeably more stable on hardcore rides. Another special feature of the high-pivot design: The pulley positioned well above the bottom bracket effectively minimizes pedal kickback .

It climbs nicely thanks to the traction.

One of the Forbidden Enduro's greatest strengths is its traction , which proves particularly valuable on more complex, technical uphill sections. Such demanding climbs are often riddled with steps, nasty rocks, or roots lying across the path. Here, the Dreadnought V2 regularly surprised us with its climbing abilities on our Freiburg home trails. Sure, it's not a lightweight XC hardtail, but even on rougher sections, reaching for the lockout of the RockShox Ultimate shock was often unnecessary, as the Trifecta suspension almost always ensured a bob-free ascent .

Also great: The SRAM X0 AXS T-Type 12-speed drivetrain once again demonstrated why we love electronic shifting systems so much. Crisp shifts, immediate feedback, and very precise shifting.

A nice little extra: The comfortable Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 saddle proved very useful on the uphill sections and was pleasantly comfortable. A good companion for long climbs.

Perhaps the most intriguing question: Do the pulleys of the high-pivot rear suspension make climbing more difficult? The clear answer is: No. In our test, the pulleys – pun intended – flawlessly fulfilled their role as chain support. No annoying noise, no rubbing, no perceived resistance . Just be careful that too much dirt doesn't accumulate. So, a definite all-clear here. Both the Forbidden Race Guide (upper chain guide) and the MRP MXg lower chain guide do their job perfectly.

Agile yet extremely stable

One of the biggest surprises in our Forbidden Dreadnought V2 test: The bike feels extremely planted thanks to the long chainstays and high pivot . Even in truly awful conditions, the new Dreadnought inspires incredible confidence. Its smooth ride is particularly impressive, making shredding trails easier than it has been in a long time.

The secret lies in the successful combination of a short reach and a comparatively long wheelbase . Forbidden has essentially combined the best of both worlds. This allows you to significantly reduce brake wear – or simply maintain speed for longer – both in the bike park and on your local enduro trails.

Perfectly centered and exceptionally safe handling

Another aspect that impressed us after just the first two downhill corners is the rider positioning: you'd think Forbidden had built the bike specifically for you – that's how perfectly centered you feel . The smoothness and control are astonishing .

Overall, the handling is quite agile despite its length . However, extremely tight switchbacks require a bit more effort and input due to the wheelbase. Thanks to the comparatively long chainstays, the Dreadnought V2 compensates with excellent cornering grip . In our test, we were able to maintain high speeds for extended periods even through very tight corners without the front or rear wheel showing any signs of breaking traction. And that brings us to the bike's ultimate superpower: grip.

Like glue on the trail: The Dreadnought Grip level

Forbidden simply calls it "Witchcraft," and that's spot on. The amount of grip the Canadians have achieved on the front wheel of the new Dreadnought is truly fascinating . Whether it's carving corners at breakneck speed or braking performance during maneuvers that would have landed you in serious trouble before: the geometry of the new Dreadnought V2 puts so much pressure on the front wheel that the Continental tires practically bite into the trails while remaining controllable at all times.

In combination with the already very powerful SRAM Maven brakes, the Dreadnought becomes a veritable weapon downhill. In short: The bike inspires enormous confidence and allows for insane cornering speeds.

An added advantage: as a rider, you suddenly gain completely new braking points. The RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork with 170 mm of travel also showed its best side here: excellent support, plenty of reserves, and no excessive sagging. Forbidden really made a smart choice with the components here.

Alternatives such as the FOX 38, Öhlins RXF38 or even the Intend Blackline Ebonite suspension fork would also be a good choice for a Forbidden framekit build.

Does the Forbidden Dreadnought V2 need a dual-crown fork?

In short: Nope. Even though the Dreadnought is officially approved for it, the bike already performs superbly with the single crown suspension fork. Above all, it offers you, as a rider without a dual crown fork, a significantly wider range of uses. Whether in the bike park, enduro racing, or on local trails with friends – the Dreadnought V2 handles everything without complaint.

For those who doubt it: During testing in our Todtnau bike park, the Dreadnought, despite having "only" 170 mm of travel (RockShox Zeb Ultimate), came dangerously close to even full-fledged downhill bikes. Furthermore, the RockShox ZEB suspension fork preserves the bike's uphill capability, resulting in a significantly more well-rounded overall package.

Forbidden Dreadnought vs. Dreadnought V2: How big are the differences?

One of the most frequent questions, which we were also extremely interested in, was: How good is the new bike compared to its predecessor? With the Dreadnought V2, you can feel significantly more support and resistance, especially in the mid-stroke range, which makes the bike more lively and active.

The biggest difference, however, is in the grip – here the V2 clearly outperforms its predecessor. This is especially noticeable on descents, as the new model feels even more confident and planted on trails. Similar to the new Forbidden Druid V2, it's much more than just a simple update for racers; it's an immediately noticeable upgrade that lets you leave your buddies, fellow racers, or half the bike park crowd in your dust.