Bike Check: Lewis Buchanan's Prototype Forbidden Race Bike - EWS Pietra Ligure 2020

Sep 19, 2020 at 10:10
by Ed Spratt  

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
BIKE CHECK
Lewis Buchanan's
Prototype Forbidden
Photos: Matthew Delorme


After leaving the Ibis team at the end of last season, Lewis Buchanan put together his program for 2020, with Forbidden Bikes as the frame sponsor. He started out racing on the brand's trail bike, but he's now testing the upcoming longer travel machine. Full details are still under wraps, but it's an eagerly awaited addition to the small company's lineup.

Ignoring the frame, the rest of the bike is kitted out with TRP's new drivetrain which Lewis helped in the development, and he has their brakes and 223mm rotors. Recently, Lewis has also switched to a mullet setup which he has found to suit his more active riding style. With the tight a twisting trails in Pietra it definitely helps with the quick changes in direction.

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike

Rider Name: Lewis Buchanan
Instagram: @lewbuchanan

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike

Details
Frame: Forbidden Prototype
Fork: Fox 38 (91 psi, 1 token, open compression, open rebound)
Shock: Fox DHX2, 475 spring
Wheels: E13 Carbon (29"/27.5")
Tires: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 // DH Casing (Front: 23psi // Rear: 26psi)
Inserts: Front: HuckNorris // Rear: Nukeproof ARD
Drivetrain: TRP with E13 Carbon Cranks
Cockpit: Renthal Stem, Bars and Grips

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
Lewis is running a 475lb spring at the rear to balance out with 91psi and one token in his Fox 38 fork.

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
A stubby rear fender...
Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
...and an integrated seat post clamp.


Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
OneUp EDC tool stashed in the steerer tube.
Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
TRP brakes with 223mm rotors.

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
SDG Bel Air saddle
Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
TRP's new 12-speed drivetrain, which Lewis provided feedback on during development.

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike

Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
Crankbrothers Mallet pedals.
Lewis Buchanan Forbidden bike
e*13 wheels.


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104 Comments

  • 154 3
 rear travel numbers?? or is that......what's another word for 'not allowed'?
  • 127 6
 Forbidden?
  • 6 6
 @Fullsend2-13: Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin
  • 11 1
 I'm not sure if this is the same bike but they've been testing a 165mm frame
  • 2 0
 Can you tell us how much travel is on the fork?? Haha
  • 15 1
 Taboo. I think you're looking for that word.
  • 2 0
 From a line in his syoutube channel when setting it up with his mechanic, they are using a 170m fork (based on sag/percentage overheard). Rear travel is probably 155-165, based on that.
  • 2 2
 @ThunderChunk: nope
  • 2 1
 @ybsurf: 154? lol
  • 6 2
 @sspiff: You keep on using that word... I do not think it means what you think it means.
  • 2 26
flag exodus1500 (Sep 20, 2020 at 5:00) (Below Threshold)
 Were you forbidden to use a thesaurus as a child or something? Look it up yourself peasant.
  • 5 0
 Wonder what they're calling it, Forbidden Realm, Forbidden Spirit, Forbidden Element... there's a lot of scope to follow Druid!
  • 1 0
 @landscapeben: shaman. sorcerer. prophet.

Element is kinda taken but I see the line of thinking for sure.
  • 21 0
 Samsonite! I was way off!
  • 1 0
 @Luvaz:
classified
  • 2 0
 @pcledrew: clearly it will be the Forbidden Getafix
  • 1 0
 @pcledrew: @pcledrew: So's prophet Wink
  • 1 0
 @landscapeben: dammit. Sorry I’m new to this
  • 1 0
 @pcledrew: lol
  • 83 1
 "Ignoring the frame" ...you mean "Ignoring the reason why everyone clicked on this article"
  • 4 1
 "Kitted out with TRP's new drivetrain" Seems like they ignored that too
  • 36 0
 Pinkbike bike checks from 5 years ago: Cockpit - Renthal stem 50mm, 0 degree rise. Renthal Carbon Fatbar 760mm length, 25mm rise, 9 degree upsweep, 5 degree back sweep. slightly rolledforward. Two 10mm spacers under stemm.

Pinkbike bike checks today: Cockpit - Yes
  • 2 2
 True despite the nonexistent stem and bar rises
  • 26 1
 ‘Forbidden Prototype’ actually sounds really good, that’s what they should call it
  • 18 0
 Sure, but then what do they call the next test bike?


Forbidden Test Bike?
  • 11 7
 I'm just going to put it out there that it sounds like a sex toy
  • 36 3
 @Ryanfitz81: So does Ryan 'Fitz'
  • 4 49
flag Ryanfitz81 (Sep 19, 2020 at 13:25) (Below Threshold)
 @loamyhomie: Loamyhomie sounds like a horney house wife. Go fingabang yoself
  • 5 0
 I've been calling it the 'Shaman'...would work well alongside the 'Druid'!
  • 4 1
 I wanna know if they eat Forbidden Snacks as well at the headquarters
  • 4 2
 @unicornmtb25: I'd go with Centurion, since they crushed the Druids.
  • 1 1
 How about: "The Chainslapper"
  • 2 0
 @Ryanfitz81: good try. Not sure at what, but good try.
  • 3 0
 @Upduro: weed gummies are legal in Canada now.... no longer Forbidden
  • 18 1
 Honestly surprised more brands don’t put their prototypes into the wild earlier to get people stoked on the release. Like I’m the market for a new enduro bike, and i will def hold out for a while to see when this is released and what the details are. If i didn’t know this was an option that is maybe coming out soonish, i might just purchase something else.
  • 19 0
 Or you are less likely to buy the current model, because you have allready seen the next one...
  • 4 3
 #Longroadtonowhere: Get Kavenz VHP160 you won't regret it!!!
  • 1 0
 @Longroadtoknowhere: as above
  • 1 0
 I'm in the same boat.
  • 11 1
 It was pretty obvious since the day he signed on that something bigger was in the works...
Don’t get me wrong, I know their current rig is phenomenal and very capable! But it was only a matter of time before something bigger got made...
  • 2 0
 Yeah, since he said since day one in his vlog, that one of his requirements for the contract was to eventually get a bigger bike.
  • 2 0
 @megatryn: I missed that cuz I don’t watch his Vlogs but good to know!
  • 14 1
 Got to be one of the best looking bikes out there
  • 2 7
flag Matt115lamb (Sep 20, 2020 at 0:45) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah there’s nothing complicated with clean lines , imagine what it’ll look like after a wet muddy ride , take forever to clean
  • 9 1
 If someone told me "you can have only one free bike/frame", this is the one I would choose and build up. Forbidden did such a great job on their bikes as far as aesthetics are concerned.
  • 4 1
 I just had one put together. So bad ass. Rocking the ZEB with 160mm up front and an X2 out back. Hands down the best bike I have ridden in awhile.
  • 3 1
 @joshua22: I have a Fuel EX right now, but would love to sell my frame and swap to a forbidden LOL
  • 1 0
 @joshua22: The Druid with a 160mm fork? how about the geometry?
  • 1 0
 @lynx15: .5d slacker up front. Not to sure about the BB height. No noticeable difference though.
  • 8 0
 I’m skeptical of those fork settings
  • 4 0
 You mean you’re not loving the “full-pogo” setup?!
  • 1 0
 I'd be surprised if he does run this, in his test run vids he keeps putting extra clicks on to overcome arm pump
  • 2 0
 91psi in the fork, fully open rebound - good luck keeping that front wheel in check.
  • 1 0
 @TomasK: I’d believe it for LSR, because that pressure isn’t that high for a 38 but I imagine the high speed can’t be open otherwise it’d be pretty unmanageable
  • 1 0
 @kleinblake: not going to argue, but that's the pressure I was running on my MY21 36s with both LSR and HSR rebound not far from fully closed, otherwise front wheel was all over the place. I am 198lbs by the, doubt he's as heavy as me. General rule is, the higher the spring rate the more rebound damping you need, unless, you prefer "pogo" setup.
  • 1 0
 my first thought as well.... he might be on custom shimstacks/preload springs.
  • 1 0
 @Ben-P: in which case they’d have made a mess of it if he’s having to run at the extremes of adjustment
  • 7 0
 "Ignoring the frame"

Aaaaand I'm done here.
  • 4 1
 How much extra work is derailleur adjustment/ maintenance? Would baggy fitting shorts get caught in the idler gear pretty often? I'm pretty sold on the high pivot bikes, but I'm interested to hear these questions answered by someone who has owned one.
  • 4 0
 The only extra maintenance is keeping the idler clean and chain lubricated. Unless your shorts are below the knee I don’t think you’ll have any issues.
  • 4 0
 perhaps you get your private parts get caught in the idler pulley like on the linkage on liteville 301 bikes
  • 3 1
 I've been on one since last September, and did a 1/4 turn of the barrel adjuster yesterday. Other than that, no maintenance on the XT drivetrain beyond lubing the chain.
  • 1 0
 @mtnbkrmike: Good stuff!
  • 3 0
 For what it’s worth, rumor has it that Norco is about to release a new enduro bike with and idler/high pivot design, similar to the Aurum. Excited to see competition and innovation using a fairly unique design. Please get the geo right (Forbidden and Norco)!
  • 2 0
 Since Lewis showed it off on his YouTube channel a few weeks ago, I’ve slowed down my bike shopping. I’ve seriously been going to Forbidden’s site daily and quietly saying to myself “are you there yet?”

A few of my neighbors on the North Shore love their Druids and I believe everyone when they say their 130mm works like a 150+ mm. But I’m wanting to see what their big boy is like. After all, I’m the North Shore!
  • 2 1
 By one. Put a 160mm fork on it an an X2. BAD ASS!!!! I love mine
  • 2 0
 Have had mine for a year, everything is great except that Dpx2. It can't handle the job and has little small bump compliance. Be prepared to swap it out.
  • 4 0
 Hoping they keep the prices the same as the druid. 6k for a unreal carbon frame with full slx build isn’t the worst pricing compared to many other new bikes.
  • 2 0
 Worst Art Direction ever blocking the view of the most interesting thing about the bike with an inverted old headlight and handlebars distracting from the talent and the new bike. If that is your attempt at drama... Yawn. What is he, sitting on the old bike tire?

Comment is only to entertain myself because the art direction failed.
  • 3 0
 Such a capable rider! If he rides like he knows he can and doesn't make very many mistakes he can be a podium contender i think.
  • 12 4
 What about if he rides like he knows he can't and makes lots of mistakes. What then?
  • 4 0
 This guy's YT channel is really sick... check it out for some scary fast ripping through the tight trees.
  • 1 0
 Nice to see that the EDC Tool fits inside the oval steer tube of the Fox 38. Would be interested to see how it fits with the new V2 black version. Bottom cap needs to be adjusted to fit ? Did anyone else already installed it inside a Fox 38?
  • 1 0
 Yep. EDC V2 + 38, Good to go
  • 8 4
 Looks good minus the E13 time bombs... errr... i mean, cranks...
  • 1 0
 OneUp says that EDC tool isn’t compatible with Fox 38 because of oval steer tube. Considering there’s pictures of one installed here, wonder why OneUp is publishing that?
  • 2 0
 already in love - this is about the only thing I would consider to sell my V1 Sentinel for.
  • 3 0
 By far the best looking bike on the circuit!
  • 3 1
 Odd that he has one up in the installed in Fox 38 yet one up says its not compatible
  • 3 0
 I think you can install just the tool - no extension case.
  • 1 3
 It’s not compatible with 38’s that have elliptical steerers, this one is just a tapered one
  • 4 0
 @tudvan: they don’t make 38s with regular tapered steerers
  • 1 0
 @powderturns: Ahh that makes sense.
  • 1 1
 @PuppyCat: Not questioning what you’re saying, but this one came like that
  • 1 0
 @tudvan: I think the 38s are elliptical at the bottom only, so you can install a short tool
  • 1 0
 @PuppyCat: so the whole steerer tube is oval? What would that be good for?
  • 4 0
 Forbidden Buttstuff
  • 2 0
 Cannot wait to learn more!
  • 2 1
 As in, when available?
  • 2 0
 @jrocksdh: Geometry first!
  • 1 0
 @alexsin: Long, low, slack
  • 2 1
 Dual crown fork would not look out of place on this bike. Sick mini DH bike that happens to climb.
  • 2 0
 Looks retail ready not prototype
  • 1 0
 To land a new gig in 2020 says something about his skill. Give them hell Lewis and fu** the vid!
  • 1 0
 Clicks the thread expecting to read an article. Reads a few useless sentences and some closeups of a seat clamp. Excellent.
  • 2 0
 Sick
  • 1 2
 DH tires and inserts in his enduro bike. would love to see that be norm for enduro bikes coming off the floor, at least give us double down!
  • 2 0
 Meh, it's no grim donut
  • 1 2
 I saw a review of Ron Jeremy recently that was similar.

"Ignore his mating tool, lets take a closer look at his luxurious hair, charamatic smile, and large hands."
  • 1 0
 Looks close to production !
  • 1 0
 We want a 27.5 version!!!
  • 1 3
 Could a knowledgeable person point our some details? Just looking at the frame it could also be a druid. Without any specs it's rather lame...
  • 3 1
 Not a Druid.
  • 1 2
 ASK ME ANYTHING, CIOSEEEEEEMIIITIIII, MA CAZZU CAZZU STAI ADDIRI ANH? PORCOGGIUDAOH

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