The Forestal Cyon Halo is a lightweight emtb from Andorra. The size Large testbike weighs in at 18.8 kg without pedals. Many emtbs run a 160 mm travel fork, the Cyon comes with a 150 mm fork. Going down just 10 mm usually means we’re dealing with a less agressive bike. Watch our video review, or keep reading below.
Specs
The Forestal Cyon Halo comes with the Rockshox Pike Select fork. This is a nice fork for a more lightweight all mountain bike. Considering the Cyon Halo is €9.699, we were perhaps expecting the more expensive Pike Select+. But Halo is the entry level model. Check out the two more expensive models if you want even better suspension.
I’m guessing Forestal has cut some cost going with the Formula Cura 2 brakes. This is a single caliper brake, we’re used to getting dual caliper brakes on emtbs. But we’ve got no reason to complain. The brake levers are comfortable for one-finger braking, and braking power is good. A lightweight all mountain bike doesn’t have to come with the most powerful brakes.
Looking at the rest of the specs, there are no signs of cost savings. We get the 12 speed Sram GX with a 10-50t cassette, carbon handlebars, the RockShox Superdeluxe Select+ shock and some fine Crank Brothers Synthesis wheels. The Maxxis Minion DHF and High Roller II are nice and agressive. Sure, at 29×2.3″ they are a bit narrower than what we’re used to. But we don’t mind, lightweight emtbs often come with more flimsy tyres.
EonDrive motor system
The EonDrive is a new acquaintance to us. Forestal have developed this motor in co-operation with Bafang. And we really like the motor. It’s a good reason for choosing a Forestal bike, because the motor can be serviced! The distributor, at least the one in Norway, says they’ll be keeping spare motor parts in stock. We think that’s great!
EonDrive is the most powerful motor we’ve ever tested on a “superlight” emtb. At low cadence, it offers about as much support as the Bosch Performance CX 85Nm. Lots of motor power isn’t ideal for the small 360 Wh battery of course. There are two ways to solve this. Get the 250 Wh range extender, or ride in a lower assistance mode. In level 4, the maximum level, the battery can be drained in less than 20 km. Perhaps in less than 15 km even. Depending on the surface and terrain. There’s still lots of help in level 3. And we assume many will prefer riding in level 2, this should double the range. The bike also feels fine pedaling without any assistance.
The motor can be controlled riding level 4 on technical trails. It gives us a nice push helping us through or over challenging sections. But on trails with lots of start and stop, the motor can feel a bit pushy and trigger happy. Dropping to level 3 or 2 improves control.
The walk assist isn’t among the most effective ones. The bike moves kind of slow, and we have to push the button quite hard to avoid having the assist cut. Apart from that, the handlebar remote is fine. It’s compact and there are lights indicating battery state of charge or assistence level.
Screen and app
The bike has a neat toch screen integrated in the top tube. The computer is running an Android OS. This should support lots of functionality, it currently offers tracking with Google Maps. Perhaps 3rd party developers can create apps for the bike? The down side with this operating system is the boot time. We made it a habit turning on the bike while we were getting redy to ride. It’s also possible to start riding shortly after powering up the bike. Assistance is available before the screen is done loading. The display did not automatically shut down, and it did drain a few percent after hours of idling.
We can select what kind of info the screen will display. Unfortunately, the software wasn’t completely finished during the test. We didn’t get power, altitude, air time and g-force to work. When the software is done, this will work, and we get the option to adjust the motor behaviour/power. Info such as speed, cadence and distance currently works. As do the tracking, it can easily be initiated from the screen.
Forestal also has app support. Unfortunately, there isn’t that much functionally yet. We could view previously recorded rides and choose some settings. When the software is done, the app will have all of the features previously mentioned. We hope to do a review of the motor and app, not too far into the future.
Geometry
Frame geometry is looking both modern and sensible. Chainstay length is particularily intresting! I find the 445 mm chainstays spot-on for a size Large All Mountain bike. Size XL has the same chainstays. But the two smaller sizes get 435 mm stays. This makes sense. A big frame is longer, so it makes sense increasing both the rear-centre and the front-centre. This way handling is similar between frame sizes. You avoid having a front-heavy bike in size S that turns into a rear-heavy bike in size XL. Head tube angle is 65.5*, seat tube is 77* and the wheel base is 1.242 mm. I think that’s pretty much perfect for a nimble trail emtb.
Going up
The steep seat tube angle and the moderately sized chainstays ensures a nice balance for the Cyon. Combined with a surprisingly powerful motor, this Forestal really is good at going up hill. Riding maximum assistance, the bike sends us over ledges and other obstacles. We can’t say it feels natural, like an analogue bike. But it’s very effective, and fun. Reducing motor power tames the motor a bit and makes for a more natural ride.
Less steep trails
We have high expectations for a 150 mm travel lightweight emtb on the flatter trails. Especially on narrow trails with lot’s of turns. And the Cyon does vey well. The motor is quick to pick up speed after having braked for a sharp turn. It does so about as efficiently as the full power emtbs. But it feels easier on the Cyon. The moderate geo and low weight makes it easy threading the bike through consecutive turns. And it’s so fun popping of the small trail obstacles with a bike that is 5-6 kg less than what we’re used to.
Descending
Steeper angles and less mass makes the lightweight bikes less stable when descending. But it sure needs to be steep and rough before we feel under-biked on the Cyon. We held back a bit only in our gnarlies, rocy test hill. Riding descents with lots of turns, we go just as fast on this bike. And it’s just as fun. If not more, it’s less work jumping obstacles. I imagine everyone coming from an analogue mtb will enjoy riding a lightweight emtb such as the Forestal Cyon
Conclusion
The Forestal Cyon Halo is a very interesting bike. We think it’s important having a motor that can be service, so it will outlive the warranty. Presumably! The touch sensitive screen can be used for navigation and displaying an unusual ammount of interesting data. The Cyon lets us go lightweight without sacrificing too much power. And it retains all the positives of a mild emtb. Sure, there are more lightweight bikes out there, but many of them are specc’ed with weaker components. The Forestal Cyon Halo is powerful, playful and inspiring!
