Forbidden Dreadnought
Forbidden's Dreadnought stands out as a purpose-built high-pivot enduro frameset, using an idler-driven layout and long travel geometry to maximize rear-wheel traction and small-bump compliance on steep descents. It earns its best-in-class spot by delivering race-oriented kinematics and tunability that more directly target the high-pivot benefits than the more generalist or downhill-centric frames in this list, albeit at a premium price that reflects its specialized engineering. Compared with the more versatile or value-oriented alternatives here, the Dreadnought prioritizes descending performance and frame refinement for riders chasing high-pivot advantages without compromise.
Ultra high-pivot
Gravity-stable ride
Ultra high-pivot
Gravity-stable ride
Review Summary
"The Forbidden Dreadnought is widely praised for its brutally confident high-pivot geometry and downhill prowess, giving riders exceptional stability and traction at speed; long-term owners note the bike is heavy and the idler/maintenance demands are higher than a conventional layout. Overall it's celebrated as a purpose-built enduro/frame for aggressive riders who prioritize descending performance."
Floats like hovercraft
Carbon high‑pivot chassis with long rear travel tuned for aggressive enduro riding.
Floats like hovercraft
Carbon high‑pivot chassis with long rear travel tuned for aggressive enduro riding.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Forbidden's Dreadnought stands out as a purpose-built high-pivot enduro frameset, using an idler-driven layout and long travel geometry to maximize rear-wheel traction and small-bump compliance on steep descents. It earns its best-in-class spot by delivering race-oriented kinematics and tunability that more directly target the high-pivot benefits than the more generalist or downhill-centric frames in this list, albeit at a premium price that reflects its specialized engineering. Compared with the more versatile or value-oriented alternatives here, the Dreadnought prioritizes descending performance and frame refinement for riders chasing high-pivot advantages without compromise.
Ultra high-pivot
Gravity-stable ride
Floats like hovercraft
Carbon high‑pivot chassis with long rear travel tuned for aggressive enduro riding.
Idler‑driven layout isolates chain forces to improve traction, braking stability, and small‑bump sensitivity.
Ultra high-pivot
Gravity-stable ride
Floats like hovercraft
Carbon high‑pivot chassis with long rear travel tuned for aggressive enduro riding.
Idler‑driven layout isolates chain forces to improve traction, braking stability, and small‑bump sensitivity.
$4,500-6,500 USD
Norco Range VLT
The Norco Range VLT brings a heavy-duty long-travel platform that pairs stable, gravity-first geometry with e‑MTB integration, offering an attractive route to high-pivot-like descending stability for riders who want motor assist or extra momentum. While it isn’t a pure dedicated high-pivot frame like some rivals, its robust architecture and tuning options make it technically versatile and financially sensible for riders who need motorized range and durable components. Compared to the Dreadnought and Spartan HP, the Range VLT trades some bespoke high-pivot kinematic nuance for the practicality and value of an integrated e‑platform and proven long-travel chassis.
E-assist power
Long-range laps
E-assist power
Long-range laps
Review Summary
"The Norco Range VLT (e‑MTB) is lauded for translating the high-pivot, long-travel layout into an extremely capable electric enduro machine with great integration and descending performance, though riders commonly call out its weight and higher maintenance/costs. As a long-term platform many users love its confidence-inspiring handling but note the usual e-bike tradeoffs in weight and complexity."
Boosted grin factor
High‑pivot, long‑travel platform engineered around an integrated motor/battery for e‑enduro performance.
Boosted grin factor
High‑pivot, long‑travel platform engineered around an integrated motor/battery for e‑enduro performance.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The Norco Range VLT brings a heavy-duty long-travel platform that pairs stable, gravity-first geometry with e‑MTB integration, offering an attractive route to high-pivot-like descending stability for riders who want motor assist or extra momentum. While it isn’t a pure dedicated high-pivot frame like some rivals, its robust architecture and tuning options make it technically versatile and financially sensible for riders who need motorized range and durable components. Compared to the Dreadnought and Spartan HP, the Range VLT trades some bespoke high-pivot kinematic nuance for the practicality and value of an integrated e‑platform and proven long-travel chassis.
E-assist power
Long-range laps
Boosted grin factor
High‑pivot, long‑travel platform engineered around an integrated motor/battery for e‑enduro performance.
Stiff, descent‑focused frame construction that delivers stability at speed and on steep terrain.
E-assist power
Long-range laps
Boosted grin factor
High‑pivot, long‑travel platform engineered around an integrated motor/battery for e‑enduro performance.
Stiff, descent‑focused frame construction that delivers stability at speed and on steep terrain.
$10,000-14,000 USD
Devinci Spartan HP
Devinci's Spartan HP is an explicit high-pivot frameset engineered to marry the traction and bump-eating advantages of a raised pivot with a race-capable geometry package, giving it a technical edge in pure high-pivot performance. Its focused kinematic design and competitive pricing position it as a compelling alternative to the Forbidden Dreadnought for riders who want authentic HP behavior without necessarily paying top-tier boutique prices. In comparison to heavier e‑platforms or DH-specific frames on this list, the Spartan HP emphasizes tuned suspension behavior and efficient anti-squat calibration so riders get both downhill control and acceptable pedaling manners.
High-pivot agility
Snappy pop potential
High-pivot agility
Snappy pop potential
Review Summary
"Devinci's Spartan HP gets strong marks for shredding ability thanks to its high-pivot design and stable geometry; owners report outstanding traction and composure on steep, rough terrain but also point to added weight, idler upkeep, and slightly compromised climbing compared with lighter trail bikes. In long-term use it’s regarded as a gravity-first frame that delivers where it matters downhill."
Precision cornering
Idler‑equipped high‑pivot suspension that improves rear‑wheel compliance under braking.
Precision cornering
Idler‑equipped high‑pivot suspension that improves rear‑wheel compliance under braking.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Devinci's Spartan HP is an explicit high-pivot frameset engineered to marry the traction and bump-eating advantages of a raised pivot with a race-capable geometry package, giving it a technical edge in pure high-pivot performance. Its focused kinematic design and competitive pricing position it as a compelling alternative to the Forbidden Dreadnought for riders who want authentic HP behavior without necessarily paying top-tier boutique prices. In comparison to heavier e‑platforms or DH-specific frames on this list, the Spartan HP emphasizes tuned suspension behavior and efficient anti-squat calibration so riders get both downhill control and acceptable pedaling manners.
High-pivot agility
Snappy pop potential
Precision cornering
Idler‑equipped high‑pivot suspension that improves rear‑wheel compliance under braking.
Available in alloy and carbon variants with race‑forward geometry and long reach numbers.
High-pivot agility
Snappy pop potential
Precision cornering
Idler‑equipped high‑pivot suspension that improves rear‑wheel compliance under braking.
Available in alloy and carbon variants with race‑forward geometry and long reach numbers.
$3,000-5,500 USD
Commencal Supreme DH
The Commencal Supreme DH is a downhill-proven, gravity-first frameset that offers exceptional stiffness, durability, and value—making it a market-leader for aggressive riders who prioritize reliability and price-to-performance on steep terrain. Although not a textbook high-pivot enduro frame, its long wheelbase and downhill geometry deliver many of the stability benefits sought by HP enthusiasts while costing less and requiring less complex maintenance than dedicated idler-driven systems. Against the dedicated HP designs here, the Supreme DH is the pragmatic choice for riders who want raw descending performance and toughness without the premium or complexity of specialized high-pivot tuning.
Downhill dominance
Bombproof chassis
Downhill dominance
Bombproof chassis
Review Summary
"The Commencal Supreme DH is consistently celebrated by riders for delivering race-winning downhill performance and value, with a brutally capable, confidence-inspiring chassis; long-term users emphasize it’s a pure DH machine—exceptional on descents but impractical to pedal up or use as a do-it-all enduro bike. Durability and speed are common praise points, balanced by its specialized, heavy nature."
Gravity-fed grin
Downhill‑optimized, long‑travel frame built to handle big hits and sustained high‑speed descents.
Gravity-fed grin
Downhill‑optimized, long‑travel frame built to handle big hits and sustained high‑speed descents.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Commencal Supreme DH is a downhill-proven, gravity-first frameset that offers exceptional stiffness, durability, and value—making it a market-leader for aggressive riders who prioritize reliability and price-to-performance on steep terrain. Although not a textbook high-pivot enduro frame, its long wheelbase and downhill geometry deliver many of the stability benefits sought by HP enthusiasts while costing less and requiring less complex maintenance than dedicated idler-driven systems. Against the dedicated HP designs here, the Supreme DH is the pragmatic choice for riders who want raw descending performance and toughness without the premium or complexity of specialized high-pivot tuning.
Downhill dominance
Bombproof chassis
Gravity-fed grin
Downhill‑optimized, long‑travel frame built to handle big hits and sustained high‑speed descents.
Reinforced construction and aggressive geometry designed for race‑level stability and durability.
Downhill dominance
Bombproof chassis
Gravity-fed grin
Downhill‑optimized, long‑travel frame built to handle big hits and sustained high‑speed descents.
Reinforced construction and aggressive geometry designed for race‑level stability and durability.
$3,500-6,500 USD
Cannondale Jekyll
The Cannondale Jekyll is a versatile enduro frameset that emphasizes efficient pedaling and agile handling, offering a lighter, more climb-capable alternative for riders who want some high-speed stability without fully embracing the weight or complexity of a high-pivot layout. While it doesn’t focus solely on high-pivot kinematics, recent iterations adopt progressive geometry and suspension refinements that capture several HP-style benefits in a more user-friendly and financially accessible package. Compared with the specialist HP and DH frames listed, the Jekyll is the best compromise for riders needing daily-ride usability and overall value alongside strong descending capability.
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Review Summary
"The Cannondale Jekyll is remembered as a very capable enduro platform that balances pedaling efficiency with confident descending, making it a popular choice for riders wanting a versatile long-travel bike; some long-term owners note it isn’t a high-pivot specialist and can feel less aggressive on extreme chutes compared with true high-pivot frames. Overall reviewers appreciate its daily-ridable manners and solid build quality."
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Cannondale Jekyll is a versatile enduro frameset that emphasizes efficient pedaling and agile handling, offering a lighter, more climb-capable alternative for riders who want some high-speed stability without fully embracing the weight or complexity of a high-pivot layout. While it doesn’t focus solely on high-pivot kinematics, recent iterations adopt progressive geometry and suspension refinements that capture several HP-style benefits in a more user-friendly and financially accessible package. Compared with the specialist HP and DH frames listed, the Jekyll is the best compromise for riders needing daily-ride usability and overall value alongside strong descending capability.
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Robust frame options (carbon or alloy) with tuneable geometry for a balance of climbing and descending.
Balanced travel
Climb-friendly boost
Playful yet planted
Aggressive enduro geometry with a progressive leverage curve suited for big‑trail impacts.
Robust frame options (carbon or alloy) with tuneable geometry for a balance of climbing and descending.
$3,500-9,000 USD