New Andorran company Forestal, which is backed up by mountain bike legend Cedric Gracia, is boldly stepping into the world of ebikes with a promising-looking first bike, the Siryon.
The Siryon is a lightweight (17.4kg claimed for a size M), carbon-framed, 29in-wheeled, 170mm-travel ebike built for enduro-style riding.
The bike features a small 350Wh main battery, but its proprietary motor delivers relatively high torque (60Nm) – traits that should keep the bike feeling light yet sporty.
If you haven’t heard of Forestal yet, you are forgiven. The brand came to light in early 2019 when it signed none other than Cedric Gracia, ex-pro downhill racer, freeride superstar and Andorran resident.
Gracia had seemed to be on a lifetime deal with Santa Cruz before that point, so his jump to a start-up raised a few eyebrows.
Fast-forward a year and, after extensive testing on various prototypes, plus the installation of an expansive manufacturing facility and HQ in the heart of Andorra, Forestal has seemingly hit the ground running.
Siryon comes with a range of quality components, which include a DVO Jade coil shock and Onyx coil fork, Magura MT7 brakeset and Crankbrothers Synthesis E Carbon wheels.
The own-brand bar and stem are likely to benefit from the know-how of Production Privée because the two Andorran brands have partnered up (or, it would seem, PP has possibly been incorporated into Forestal – PP’s frames will now be manufactured at the new facility).
Encouragingly, Forestal offers specific suspension tunes for each size, as well as two different chainstay lengths. This aims to ensure that no matter what size bike you ride (there are four: S, M, L, XL), you will have the “same weight distribution and the same riding experience”.
The 'Twin Levity' suspension system is based around a single pivot with linkage-activated shock and it is built into the carbon-fibre 'Alpha Box' frame that is made in-house at the Forestal Technology Centre (HQ).
The Siryon’s motor is built to Forestal’s specifications by Bafang. The motor, called EonDrive, weighs a claimed 1.95kg. Its low weight is achieved through the use of titanium parts and a magnesium cover.
Forestal says it has also achieved a narrow Q-factor (the width between both cranks) “so your pedalling feels as natural as on any bike”, and that the motor completely disengages when it is turned off, for friction-free pedalling.
Three main modes (Eco, Sport and Race) are topped off with a 'Nitro' mode that Forestal says is “the real rocket booster … a ‘wildcard’ feature for the most difficult riding situations”.
The integrated, non-removable 350Wh battery is also specially made for the company. It weighs in at 1.8kg and its fast-charging allows it to charge to 80 per cent in a claimed 1h 24m.
Its capacity can be doubled by an external booster battery, which Forestal says fits in a bottle cage, although how it attaches is not yet clear.
Siryon’s controls look as impressive as the rest of the bike. Ride modes are selected via a very neat-looking handlebar control, which has LEDs to indicate battery level at a glance.
The 'Smart Dashboard' is built into the top tube and provides not only the usual info such as battery status, but also navigation, anti-theft features and it can even tell you how much g-force you achieved going round a turn.
If this all sounds too good to be true that’s because, for the time being, it is. The bikes haven’t been manufactured yet, nor have they been proved or tested by any media.
If you are okay with that, you can pre-order a Siryon via Forestal’s online store and it will be delivered, all going well (did anyone say pandemic?), this October.
Clearly a reasonable risk with all the current unknowns. Nonetheless, for €7,499 you can snag one of the 999 pre-sales-only first-edition Siryons with its Polar Lights colour scheme and get three sets of tyres included in the package.
- Frame: Forestal Siryon, carbon-fibre monocoque
- Motor: Forestal EonDrive, 250W, 60Nm
- Battery: Forestal Aurora, 350Wh, 1.8kg
- Travel: 170mm
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: DVO Onyx Coil 29in 170mm
- Rear shock: DVO Jade X Coil 230 x 65
- Wheelset: Crankbrothers Synthesis E Carbon 29in Enduro
- Tyres: (f) Panaracer Romero 29 x 2.4 HO 3Comp; (r) Panaracer Aliso 29 x 2.4 HO 3Comp
- Brakeset: Magura MT7
- Seatpost: Crankbrothers Highline 7
- Crankset: Praxis Carbon 160/165mm length (for size S/M, L/XL)
- Derailleur: SRAM GX
- Handlebar: Forestal Oxydon C 800mm
- Grips: Production Privée CR35
- Weight: 17.4kg claimed (size M)
- Price: €7,499 (payment in full up-front. Includes three sets of tyres and other benefits) / €7,999 (€2,000 deposit, €5,999 paid when the bike is ready to ship)
