Quiver

2023 Specialized Demo Expert vs 2025 Forbidden Supernought

The Forbidden Supernought size closest to your S3 is the S2. Compare the S2 instead

What changes on the Forbidden Supernought

Compared with the Specialized Demo Expert in S3, the Forbidden Supernought in S4 places the top of the head tube 26 mm higher and 42 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 77 mm longer, which can contribute to stability at speed.

Frame stack
+26 mm
Higher front end
Frame reach
+42 mm
Longer frame reach
Wheelbase
+77 mm
Longer: steadier at speed
Head angle
+0.3°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
n/a
One of the bikes has no number for this

The two frames

2023 Specialized Demo Expert (S3)The Specialized Demo Expert frame drawn to scale.J 1259

Only the Specialized Demo Expert is drawn. The Forbidden Supernought numbers we have for size S4 are missing the chainstay length.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Demo Expert S3Forbidden Supernought S4Difference
Reach446mm488+42 mm
Stack632mm658+26 mm
Head tube angle62.8°63.1+0.3°
Seat tube angle76.8°75.8−1.0°
Chainstay length448mmnot listed
Wheelbase1259mm1336+77 mm
Seat tube length420mm470+50 mm
Head tube length105mm120+15 mm
Effective top tubenot listed654
BB dropnot listed-10.6
BB heightnot listed350
Standovernot listed777

Differences are the Forbidden Supernought minus the Specialized Demo Expert. Full charts: 2023 Specialized Demo Expert, 2025 Forbidden Supernought.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Demo ExpertForbidden Supernought

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other downhill bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartSpecialized Demo ExpertExpertForbidden Supernought1
ForkRockShox BoXXer 29RockShox BoXXer Ultimate
Rear shockRockShox Super Deluxe SelectRockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate
ShifterSRAM GX DHSRAM Pod Rocker Controller
DerailleurSRAM GX DHSRAM XX DH Transmission
CassetteSRAM GX DHSRAM XX DH
ChainSRAM PC1110SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
CranksetSpecialized DESCENDANT DHSRAM XX DH
Bottom bracketSRAM DUBSRAM DUB
TireSpecialized ButcherMaxxis ASSEGAI, Maxxis DHRII
BrakeSRAM Code RSSRAM Maven Silver
StemSpecialized DescendantBurgtec Direct Mount
SaddleSpecialized Henge DHfizik Gravita Alpaca
Framenot listedSupernought Full Carbon
Chainringnot listedSRAM 34T
Hubnot listedcrankbrothers Synthesis Ratchet
Rimnot listedcrankbrothers Synthesis Alloy 2.0 DH
Rotornot listedSRAM HS2
Handlebarnot listedBurgtec Ride Wide DH
Headsetnot listedCane Creek 40
Seatpostnot listedBurgtec Xpress
Accessorynot listedForbidden HD Guide, E.13 LG1 Plus

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