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Forbidden Dreadnought & Dreadnought E Mountain Bikes

Forbidden Dreadnought and Dreadnought E mountain bikes on steep technical terrain

Forbidden Dreadnought mountain bikes

Big-hit Forbidden performance in two flavours: the hard-charging Dreadnought and the full-power Dreadnought E.

The Forbidden Dreadnought range is a long-travel, high-pivot platform built for riders who want a bike that stays composed when the trail gets steep, rough and fast. It now gives you the choice between the regular Dreadnought and the new full-power Dreadnought E, so whether you want a hard-charging enduro bike or an aggressive electric mountain bike, there’s now a Dreadnought to match.

The regular Dreadnought is Forbidden’s brawler refined: a 160mm rear / 170mm front bike with Trifecta suspension and the option of full 29er or mixed wheels. The new Dreadnought E takes that aggressive, confidence-first feel and adds 170mm rear travel, a 180mm fork, mixed wheels only, and Avinox full-power drive support with 600Wh or 800Wh battery options depending on how you want the bike to feel on the trail.


One platform, two ways to ride harder

Forbidden’s Dreadnought line is built around the same core idea: big-trail control, traction and composure when the terrain turns rough. The difference is in how you want to get there. The regular bike keeps things pedal-powered and versatile, while the Dreadnought E doubles down on full-power support, big travel and a more downhill-focused stance.

  • Regular Dreadnought 160mm rear / 170mm front with a ride feel aimed at enduro, bike park and big-mountain riding.
  • Dreadnought E 170mm rear / 180mm front for riders who want even more support, speed and repeat laps with less hesitation.
  • High-pivot Forbidden character both bikes are built to stay calm in rough ground while still giving you support and control when you push harder.
  • Different wheel approach regular Dreadnought can be full 29 or mixed, while Dreadnought E is designed around a mullet setup only.
Forbidden Dreadnought E T1 electric mountain bike side profile in the wild

Dreadnought E T1, showing the mixed-wheel setup, long-travel stance and clean Avinox integration.

Forbidden Dreadnought E riding fast through corner showing suspension and frame detail

Full-power, big-travel Dreadnought E

Dreadnought E is the new full-power option in the range, pairing 170mm of rear travel with a 180mm fork, mixed wheels and a geometry package aimed squarely at rougher, steeper, harder terrain.

Forbidden Dreadnought regular mountain bike steezy jump on trail

Regular Dreadnought versatility

The regular Dreadnought keeps the same hard-charging Forbidden attitude in a pedal bike package, with 160mm rear travel, a 170mm fork and the option to run full 29er or MX depending on your preference.

Forbidden Dreadnought E hard charging jump on trail in woods

Built for harder lines

Across both bikes, the appeal is the same: more traction, more support and more composure when speed climbs. These are mountain bikes for riders who see rougher lines as the fun part.


Key features across the Dreadnought range

Whether you choose the regular Dreadnought or the new Dreadnought E, the common thread is a confident, high-pivot ride feel that is built to stay calm in rough ground and rewarding when the trail gets more demanding.

Trifecta suspension design

The regular Dreadnought uses Forbidden’s V2 Trifecta suspension, while Dreadnought E moves to Trifecta V3 with a vertical shock layout and packaging that makes room for the motor, battery and longer dropper posts.

High-pivot control in rough terrain

Both bikes are designed to offer traction, support and composure when trails get loose, fast or technical, helping the bike stay planted without feeling dead or one-dimensional.

Two distinct ride personalities

The regular Dreadnought is the more versatile pedal-and-smile option, while the Dreadnought E leans further into full-power support, DH-influenced positioning and repeated big-hit laps.

Avinox power on Dreadnought E

Dreadnought E is offered with Avinox M2S or M2 drive systems depending on build tier, with touchscreen display, wireless controls, app tuning, navigation support and optional fast charging.

Choice of setup and battery feel

The regular bike gives you full 29 or MX flexibility, while Dreadnought E is MX only and offers a choice of 600Wh or 800Wh battery depending on whether you prioritise lighter handling or maximum range.


Why choose a Forbidden Dreadnought?

If you want a mountain bike that feels more settled the harder the trail gets, the Dreadnought family makes a lot of sense. These bikes are aimed at riders who value grip, stability and confidence when the pace rises, but who still want a bike that can be pushed, pumped and ridden actively rather than just ploughed straight through everything.

The regular Dreadnought is the pick for riders who want a hard-hitting enduro or bike park bike without motor assistance. The Dreadnought E is for riders who want that same aggressive character with full-power support for more laps, more elevation and less compromise on rough, technical terrain. If you are still weighing up where it fits, you can also browse our wider electric mountain bike range.

Forbidden Dreadnought bike leaned into a steep rocky corner showing close up frame and fork detail

Full-power Dreadnought E: motor, battery and fit

The new Dreadnought E is available in four build tiers and uses the latest Avinox M2S or M2 drive systems depending on model. Tier 1 and Tier 2 bikes use the more powerful M2S system, while Tier 3 and Tier 4 use the M2. Riders can also choose either a 600Wh or 800Wh battery, giving you a useful decision between lighter, more agile handling and maximum range for bigger days or more repeated laps.

Forbidden has also shaped the Dreadnought E around a taller front end, short cranks, mixed wheels only and proportional sizing that grows rear centres and steepens seat angles through the sizes. The aim is a more centred, upright and relaxed riding position that keeps the bike composed on the way down without throwing away climbing balance on the way back up.

Forbidden Dreadnought E whip jump


What changes as you move up the range

The Dreadnought family now covers both the regular pedal bike and the new Dreadnought E. The biggest choice is whether you want full-power support or not, then which Dreadnought E build tier and battery setup best suits how and where you ride.

ModelWhat to expect
DreadnoughtThe regular Dreadnought is the non-assisted option in the range, built around 160mm rear travel, a 170mm fork and a choice of full 29er or mixed wheels. It suits riders who want Forbidden’s planted, supportive ride feel in an enduro / bike park package without a motor.
Dreadnought E T1Top-tier Dreadnought E build with Avinox M2S power, high-end suspension and premium finishing kit. This is the most fully loaded route into the range for riders who want the sharpest spec from the off. Available with 600Wh or 800Wh battery options.
Dreadnought E T2A high-spec Dreadnought E with the same Avinox M2S drive system as T1, combining big power with a still very aggressive parts package. A strong option for riders who want top-level motor performance with a slightly more grounded overall build.
Dreadnought E T3Dreadnought E T3 moves to the Avinox M2 system while keeping the same core frame, mixed-wheel format and long-travel intent. It should appeal to riders who want a more attainable way into the Dreadnought E platform without losing the bike’s essential character.
Dreadnought E T4The most accessible Dreadnought E build, using the same Avinox M2 motor platform as T3 and the same aggressive chassis layout. Ideal if the priority is getting onto the Dreadnought E platform while leaving room for future upgrades.

Looking at the wider brand? You can also browse our Forbidden mountain bike range for other Forbidden models and platforms.


Dreadnought FAQs

A few quick questions riders often ask when comparing the regular Dreadnought with the new Dreadnought E. If you are still narrowing things down, you can also browse our electric mountain bike guide.

What is the difference between the Forbidden Dreadnought and Dreadnought E?

The regular Dreadnought is a pedal-powered enduro / bike park bike with 160mm rear travel and a 170mm fork. Dreadnought E is the new full-power electric version, with 170mm rear travel, a 180mm fork, mixed wheels only and Avinox motor support.

Is the Dreadnought E full-power?

Yes. Dreadnought E is a full-power eMTB and uses either the Avinox M2S or Avinox M2 system depending on build tier. Tier 1 and Tier 2 use the more powerful M2S, while Tier 3 and Tier 4 use the M2.

What battery options does the Dreadnought E have?

Forbidden offers the Dreadnought E with a choice of 600Wh or 800Wh battery. Broadly speaking, 800Wh makes more sense if maximum range is the priority, while 600Wh suits riders who want the lighter, more agile handling feel.

What wheel sizes do these bikes use?

The regular Dreadnought can be run as either a full 29er or mixed-wheel bike. The Dreadnought E is designed around a mixed-wheel setup only.

Who is the Dreadnought range best for?

The Dreadnought range is aimed at riders who like steep, rough, technical terrain and want a bike that stays composed when speed rises. The regular bike suits riders who want that feel in a pedal bike, while Dreadnought E suits riders who want more uplift-style repeatability with full-power support.


Shop Dreadnought models

Browse the current Forbidden Dreadnought range below, including the regular Dreadnought and the new Dreadnought E builds. If you would like help comparing battery options, build tiers or sizing, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk it through.


Coming soon to Uprise

The new Forbidden Dreadnought E has launched, but stock is still on its way to us. If you’d like to know more about the range, compare Tier 1 to Tier 4 builds, ask about expected availability or register your interest early, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

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