Cedric Gracia has joined forces with Andorran-based Forestal to bring to market an enduro e-MTB. But this is not just any e-bike. The Forestal Syrion is a carbon single-pivot full suspension enduro bike, built with Forrestal’s Twin Levity suspension platform and their own-design EonDrive Motor. Forestal have taken integration to the next level, integrating into the top tube a Smart Dashboard touch screen display unit with navigation and mapping software, assist control, and plethora information services on training, bike condition, air time, battery status, G-Forces and more. We take a closer look.
Forestal Syrion enduro e-MTB
One of the most impressive things about the Forestal Siryon is its weight. Forestal claim a weight of 17.4 kgs in size medium, fully built up. That’s super low for a long travel e-MTB, almost comparable to a fully built Specialized Turbo Levo SL. The frame itself weighs a claimed 2.4 kgs, composed of a cocktail of T1000, T800 and T700 carbon fibres. As ever, the blend of carbon is optimized for weight, stiffness and strength.
The Siryon has some modern geometry figures across its S-XL size range. The head angle is a slack 64 degrees while the seat angle is nice and steep at 77 degrees. The size range should cover rider heights from around 165cm, right up to 187cm and perhaps beyond. Reach figures are healthy but not overly generous, starting at 428mm in small, stretching to 508mm in XL. Seat tube lengths cover a 420mm to 500mm range.
The Siryon is a single-pivot suspension system sporting 170mm of rear wheel travel serviced by Forestal’s Twin Levity design. It is composed of a single pivot, rocker and connecting rod, with linkage-driven kinematics. The rear end pivots about direct in-mould main bearings.
EonDrive Motor
Forestal have designed their very own proprietary motor for the Syrion; the EonDrive. It uses titanium for key components to keep the weight down, housed within a magnesium shell. The EonDrive weighs in at 1.95kgs, offering a 250W range and 60 Nm torque. It gives a Q-Factor of 170mm and takes standard chainrings and ISIS spline cranks. Forestal say that when riding without assistance the EonDrive is completely disengaged. As a result, there is no friction at the transmission, no noise and no drag. Only resistance-free pedalling.
Forestal’s Aurora Battery powers the EonDrive motor. It is fully integrated into the Siryon’s downtube and boasts an output of 350Wh at 51V. An hour and 24 minutes charge time will give you 80% capacity.
The Smart Bit
Here’s where things get a little weird. OK, the whole smart integration thing isn’t super new, but Forestal have taken it up several gears. First up, the Forestal Syrion features an immersive 3.2” touch-screen high-definition display integrated into the top tube. Through this, you can learn about the battery life, the level of assist you’re getting from the EonDrive, and some basic things about your location.
On top of that, integrated mapping software allows you to navigate and record your rides. You’ll never forget your Garmin again. Its equivalent is part of your bike. Through this you can also get training data, such as heart rate, power, speed, elevation gain, etc. It doesn’t come with a power meter but clearly you can link one up to it.
The Forestal Siryon also has a built in accelerometer, measuring the G-Forces you subject your bike to; cool if you’re interested in seeing how different suspension settings change the forces transmitted to the bike. The Siryon also measures air time, so you can brag to your mates about the number of milliseconds you grabbed on that last table.
Pricing & Availability
The Forestal Syrion enduro e-mtb is available to pre-order now for a pre-sales price of €7,999. That gets you a complete bike, with DVO Jade X Coil shock, DVO Onyx 170mm fork, SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, Crankbrothers Synthesis E Carbon wheelset, Magura MT7 4-Pot brakes and Forrestal’s EonDrive Motor. Customers can expect delivery in October 2020.
