Forbidden Bike Co. is known for producing MTBs and eMTBs with high-pivot suspension linkages, but the B.C. based brand has just broadened their horizons with two new titanium hardtails. The new Puritan rolls on 700c wheels and leans towards gravel/adventure riding, while the Heathen is a more traditional hardtail MTB.
With Forbidden’s roots in MTB, it’s not too surprising the Puritan is designed to run a flat handlebar. An interesting aspect of the Heathen is its slack head tube angle, despite its short travel fork.
Forbidden says these bikes are “Designed to be ridden hard and kept for a lifetime”. These frames will be offered as a limited production run, so if you’re tempted by them don’t wait too long!
Forbidden Bike Co. Puritan
The new Puritan is a titanium ‘All-Terrain Bike’ built for adventure rides, gravel rides, singletrack trails, or as Forbidden states “Whatever else you think you shouldn’t be doing on a 700c bike”. This bike was built to offer a balance of efficiency alongside ride comfort and stable handling.
The Puritan’s geometry was crafted to accommodate front suspension. The frame kit comes with a 50mm travel RockShox Rudy XL fork and a Cane Creek headset. Max fork length is 460mm, and Forbidden recommends a 45mm offset.
One key thing to note is the Puritan frame was built specifically to run a flat handlebar and a 60mm stem. Running a drop bar would lengthen the bike’s front end and alter the geometry beyond what Forbidden intends.
The Puritan frame can run up to 700x50c tires, and that’s what Forbidden recommends for it. The frame includes a disc brake flat mount, and 160mm rotors are suggested. The bike sticks with easily serviceable, rattle-free external cable routing.
As for fitments the Puritan features a 73mm threaded bottom bracket, and can run up to a 40t front chainrings. Out back is a 142x12mm rear axle, and UDH compatible dropouts. The Puritan accepts 27.2mm seatposts.
With adventurous rides in mind, the Puritan offers accessory mounts for cargo bags on the top and down tubes, plus the frame provides adequate room for two 750ml water bottles or larger. The down tube features a three-bolt mount, offering placement options to help fit bottles and bags inside the front triangle.
One nice finishing touch is the awesome head tube badge! In addition to the fork and headset, the Puritan frame kit comes with a seat clamp, UDH derailleur hanger and rear axle.
Geometry:
Forbidden’s frames are built following the brand’s ONERIDE proportional sizing. As the above chart shows, frame sizes S1-S4 are available.
MSRP for the Puritan frame kit is $4199 USD, $4599 CAD, £3299 or €3999 (including US tariffs and UK/Euro VAT).
Heathen
The Heathen is a slack, aggressive hardtail MTB designed for XC trail rides or adventure rides through the backcountry.
Given its 64° head tube angle you might suspect a longer fork would be ideal, but the Heathen is designed to run a 130mm fork. Forbidden says the shorter 130mm fork keeps the frame geometry more consistent under compression, so the bikes handling remains consistent and composed on rough terrain. A 44mm offset is recommended, and the Heathen’s maximum fork length tops out at 562mm.
Smaller frame sizes (S1 and S2) are designed to run an MX wheel setup, while the larger S3 and S4 frames run 29” wheels. The wheel size split made it possible for Forbidden Bike Co. to maintain the front center to rear center ratio they desire, thus offering consistent ride qualities across the size range. Recommended tire width for either wheel size is 2.4” but all frames can run 2.5” max.
The Heathen’s full length 31.6mm straight seat tube should accommodate any dropper post, and the frame features external cable routing designed to minimize rattling.
Key fitments include a 73mm threaded bottom bracket with ISCG05 tabs for chain guides or bash guards, and ample room for up to 38t front chainrings. This bike runs a Boost 148x12mm rear axle, and has UDH compatible dropouts. The frame offers a 180mm disc brake post mount.
For some backcountry versatility, the Heathen provides accessory mounts under the top tube, and enough room for one 750ml+ water bottle.
Like the Puritan, the Heathen boasts an eye-catching head tube badge, and this off-road machine gets a chainstay guard to protect its lustrous titanium tubing. The Heathen frame is sold with a seat clamp, brake adapter, UDH derailleur hanger and rear axle.
Geometry:
The Heathen’s MSRP is $3399 USD, $3599 CAD, £2599 or €3199 (US tariffs and UK/Euro VAT included).
The Puritan and Heathen are available now, so check out Forbidden Bike Co.’s website for all the details.
