Known as Rich by many, Ricky by some, and Rico by few, it’s no secret that Fanatik’s main marketing muchacho is back once again with another super sick new bike build. And you guessed it—another Forbidden! Not only is this one a looker, but it’s capable, fast, and... a short-travel XC bike???
We got out for a heater of a ride with Rich and his dog, Ruby, to take a look at his new Reya, talk about short-travel bikes, and, most importantly, get a short interview with Ruby about her opinions on Dad’s third Forbidden bike.
BIKE DETAILS
- Frame: Forbidden Reya [S3]
- Shock: Fox Factory Float [165 psi]
-
Fork: Fox Factory 36SL [76 psi]
- Wheels: Race Face ERA // Race Face Vault // Race Face straight pull spokes [29]
- Tires: Schwalbe Albert Radial (Trail Pro | Ultra Soft) [F] // Schwalbe Romy Radial (Gravity Pro | Soft) [R]
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT Di2 12-spd 9-45T // Race Face ERA cranks [165] w/ Race Face ERA 32T Carbon chainring
- Brakes: TRP EVO Pro LTD 40th Anniversary // TRP RS06E Allround rotors [203mm F&R]
- Cockpit: Race Face ERA 35 Carbon Handlebar [55mm rise | 780m wide] // Race Face Turbine 35 Stem [40mm] // Burgtec Bartender Pro Bryceland Signature Grips
- Seatpost/Saddle: RockShox Reverb AXS B2 dropper post [225mm] // SRAM AXS Pod Controller // Chromag Trailmaster LTD
- Pedals: Race Face Turbine
- Weight: 31lbs
RICH'S RIPPIN' REYA
Fanatik’s Favorite Forbidden Fanboy! It’s no surprise you snagged yourself a Reya as soon as they came out, but we have to ask, what is it about the Reya that made you wanna go from Ricky the Enduro Bro to Rico the XC Pedal Head?
You slap a Forbidden logo on the side of a bike and I’m bound to like it ha ha. But seriously, I’ve always loved the geo and the ride of Forbidden’s so when they announced the Reya I knew it would be a bike I could get along with instantly. Earlier this summer I got to spend a good amount of time on the Santa Cruz Tallboy seeing what these modern shorter travel bikes are all about and I had a blast on that. You can pedal all day, but geo is so dialed that you can ride almost anything on it too. When I saw the Reya’s slack headtube (65 degrees), and longer rear end (449mm) I knew I’d be confident on the Reya blasting around any trail. I haven’t been disappointed yet. Plus with the shorter travel it feels like you are pedaling a rocket ship around. It just wants to go go go.
Seems like the Reya slots in pretty perfect in your already bitchin’ Forbidden fleet. What are some of your favorite types of trails to take the Reya out on? What kind of riding do you feel this bike inspires you to do?
It definitely just inspires me to keep pedaling. Like I mentioned, the modern short travel bikes geo is so dialed you can still ride it on steeper terrain no problem so I’m riding all of my favorite trails around Galby with no problem. The first ride I took on this thing turned into an unexpected all day ride where I just kept ticking off my favorite trails around Galbraith. I rode jumps, I rode tech, I rode steeps. Just everything. And because it's so efficient on the pedals I had energy to just keep going.
Seems like you have kinda built up this Reya to push it a little harder with things like four-piston DH brakes, Gravity Pro casing tires, and the Fox Factory 36SL. Do you feel the extra weight hinders the Reya at all or just makes it even more capable?
I’m definitely no weight weenie and I knew I’d be riding this bike much harder than the travel numbers would indicate so I went with the 36SL and RaceFace ERA components over the SL just to keep things stiff and responsive when I push the Reya. Again, when I got to ride that Tallboy earlier this summer I pinch flatted during the Back40 Marathon XC race. I never seem to have issues with flats when I run gravity casing tires so had to do one out back on this bike too. I’d prefer to carry around some extra weight and just never have to deal with mechanicals. Better safe than sorry!
I know you also like to push the upper limits of your Druid—even with your spec upgrades, have you found the limits of the Reya yet? Do these two bikes overlap much? At what point do you opt for one versus the other?
That Druid is such a capable bike that I find myself riding it on gnarlier chunky steep terrain and being able to push hard. I feel comfortable enough that I could ride the Reya on some of the gnarlier trails, but I wouldn’t be going as fast. You have to be a bit more delicate when choosing your lines when you only have 120/130mm of travel! I’d definitely avoid riding the Reya on anything with big drops or massive compression holes. So choosing one of the other is kind of up to my personal vibes that day. The longer the day the more likely I would be to choose the Reya.
At this point if people don’t know Rich is the TRP guru here at the shop they must be living under a rock. Now that they have been out for a while, you must have some good experience on the newer EVO Pro brakes. What are some of the most notable long-term differences you notice from its predecessor the DH-R EVO?
I think the ergonomics of the EVO Pro will appeal to a lot more people. The DH-R have a really big lever that can be kind of far away from the bar so if you have tiny hands that might not be ideal. The EVO Pro has more adjustability so little hands and big can both find the sweet spot for their personal preference. They also have the Pad Activation Dial (PAD) which allows you to adjust where the brake kind of hits. I like a real quick hit so I run mine fully in, but if you like your brake lever to engage closer to the bar (which seems insane to me but I know plenty of people who do it!) then you can adjust that. Still great TRP feel just more adjustable on the EVO Pro.
Rockin the newer Shimano XT Di2 12spd—could you give me a little insight as to why you opted for the 9-45T range versus the 10-51T?
Yeah, been absolutely loving the Shimano Di2 stuff. It shifts fast, plus the ergonomics and tactility of the shifter feel awesome. The 9-45T derailleurs are more compact and don’t sit as close to the ground as a 10-51 so its just to keep things compact and out of harms way. Typically on a 10-51t cassette set up I’ll also run a 34t chainring, but on the 9-45 I get a similar gear ratio but with a 32t chainring. I guess I just like to make my legs suffer a little more with the smaller cassette too.
Seems the Schwalbe tires are the go-to for all your bikes at the moment—how are you liking the new Romy thread pattern on the Reya?
Romy has been great. Its a little faster rolling than an albert out back so I feel like its a perfect combo for the Reya. Keep things rolling quick for those big pedal days.
We got a lot of sick Race Face components spec’d on your Reya, what are some standout pieces or parts you’re really stoked on?
So yeah I went full Race Face ERA/Turbine combo on this bike. I’ve been really digging the ERA bars as they have their GoldiLocks tune to give you some compliance and comfort. They’ve also got the 55mm rise which I’ve really been digging. The Turbine pedals are super concave and grippy and I love those. I still insist on riding in Vans shoes and you feel pretty locked in on the Turbine/Vans combo! I think the silver of the ERA logos looks sweet on this bike too. If you look good, you’ll feel good, and if you feel good you’ll ride good.
I’d like to assume this is your go-to bike to ride when you hit the trails with Fanatik’s favorite GSP, Ruby. Now that you have an XC bike can you keep up with her yet?
She’s still faster than me. Fastest trail dog in town that's for sure! This is definitely the bike I grab when I need to get out on a quick rip after work. You can cover so much ground on it really quickly, and Ruby is all energy all the time so getting out for as long of a ride as possible is a must with her.
What does Ruby think of you buying a third Forbidden bike?
I think she’s ok with it because it just means I’m going to be spending more time outside with her ripping around and letting her chase squirrels.
If Ruby could ride a mountain bike which of the bikes in your Forbidden fleet would she ride?
I think I’d have to put her on my Dreadnought just to slow her down a little bit. If she could ride and you put her on a bike as fast as the Reya you’d never see her again. She’d be gone!
Ok, Ruby, what do you have to say about your dad’s new bike?
*staring intensely...busts out a quick 360 to express she's ready to go...more intense staring*
Which probably translates to: "Quit yapping, lets ride!"
