Forme Black Rocks HT1 review £1,400.00

Good geometry with a functional spec that can be upgraded later

2022 forme black rocks ht 1 riding 1.jpg

Ty Rutherford

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Oct 31 2022

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Bikes

Overall

Quality

Performance

Value

What's good?

Stable descending geometry
Excellent handling characteristics
SX gearing gives good range

What's not?

On the porky side
Lack of a clutch mech is annoying
No chain-stay protection as standard

Buy if...

you're looking for an affordable, sturdy and reliable hardtail mountain biking

The Forme Black Rocks HT1 is an excellent entry point to mountain biking. The geometry gives a solid base to work from with great handling and stability while the budget-conscious specification is reliable leaving room to upgrade in the future. With some aftermarket chain protection and a clutch-actuated rear mech, this bike will not hold you back out on the trails. But how does it fare as a contender for the best hardtail mountain bikes crown?

Forme Black Rocks HT1 - Technical details

The Black Rocks HT is Forme’s offering as an aggressive “British” hardtail. Forme says it's “designed with geometry often found on aggressive trail/enduro bikes”. The intentions of this hardtail are clear – a local trail ripper that is simple and accessible.

> Buy now: Forme Black Rocks HT1 from eBay for £1,259.99

The Black Rocks HT aluminium frame is available in two spec levels, the HT2 which comes in at £1,200 with an 11-speed Shimano drivetrain and Suntour forks. And the top-of-the-line £1,400 HT1 with 12-speed SRAM gearing and a Rockshox Recon fork.

The frame has a lifetime guarantee and the components are covered by a one-year guarantee.

Forme Black Rocks HT1 - Frame details

Forme has kept things simple but modern. The frame is constructed from industry-standard aluminium 6061. Internal cable routing for the rear brake, mech and dropper keep the lines clean and make washing the bike a little easier. A contemporary tapered headset, boost spacing on the rear and a bottle mount (one available across sizes), mean all the basics are covered.

The frame comes in two colours: purple and blue and is available in three sizes. There's unfortunately no chain-stay protection but that is easily rectified with aftermarket options.

Forme Black Rocks HT1 - Sizing and geometry

The three frame sizes; 16.5", 17.5" and 19" are designed to cater for anyone from 5’2” (158cm) to 6’1” (185cm).

As said above, Forme claims to have designed this bike with “geometry often found on aggressive trail/enduro bikes” and the claim is not wrong. Looking at the geometry chart the reach number is where I like to get a real idea of sizing (check out our bike geometry bible if you’re not familiar). The smallest frame gets a reach of 440mm, the medium is 460mm and the large is at 490mm. These are impressively up-to-date numbers, not outrageous but on the money.

The head angle sits at a perfectly acceptable 66 degrees which shows the bike's aggressive and high-speed intentions. Short 435mm chain stays will make changing direction snappy. A 74.5-degree seattube angle is on the slacker side but should provide a comfortable climbing position.

Forme Black Rocks HT1 – Specification

Up front, there's a 130mm RockShox Recon fork. It's basic but functional with an air spring, rebound adjust and low-speed control to firm it up.

On the drivetrain duties, SRAM takes care of things with its budget-friendly 12-speed SX offering, complete with an 11-50T cassette. The absence of a clutch in the SX rear mech is unfortunate, particularly on a hardtail, but this can be upgraded at a later stage.

Shimano M501 brakes and 180mm rotors give a positive feel and enough power to supply confidence on the descents. At 780mm wide and with a 45mm stem, the Azonic cockpit offered stable and precise steering for trail riding.

It's good to see a dropper post included at this price point and the Tranz-X 150mm is included across all three sizes. That said, taller riders may want to upgrade to something longer. The Forme-branded saddle and grips are impressively comfortable, providing good ergonomics and performance.

The WTB i30 TCS rims and branded hubs are a reliable choice and, with a 30mm inner rim width, they’ll suit the common range of trail tyres. Speaking of tyres the 2.4 WTB Trail boss front and rear should give a good blend of fast rolling and grip for trail ripping duties.

Forme Black Rocks HT1 – Bike set-up

Being a hardtail, the setup is nice and straightforward. The fork has an air adjustment guide on the leg – this is a set-and-forget type of affair. A couple of quick stops on the brakes in the car park got the pads bedded in. Out of the box, the Forme is ready to rip.

As far as the no chain-stay protection goes, I’d recommend some aftermarket protection such as a neoprene wrap or a self-adhesive option (see our review on VHS Slapper Tape).

Forme Black Rocks HT1 – Performance

I was impressed with the generous geometry offered by the Black Rocks HT1. It's clear this hardtail has a bias towards the downs. Unfortunately on the ups, the bike does feel sluggish to pedal especially for a hardtail - but I think this is partly down to the weight (claimed at 15.2kg). The wide-range cassette certainly helps you spin your way up but the seat tube angle is relatively slack which I found to create a less-than-efficient riding position.

On to the fun bit – descending on the Black Rocks HT1 was a hoot. The geometry is clearly aimed to make this 130mm hardtail confidence-inspiring at speed. Flowing single track, high-speed berms, small drops and sneaky trail lines are all easily dismissed.

I felt confident on the bike even from the first ride. The wide bars and short stem are smartly specced to keep the steering lively but controlled. From a spec standpoint, a couple of upgrades would really improve the ride. For starters, the RockShox Recon fork blew through its travel a few times and lacked the control I was looking for on the bumpy stuff. Upgrading to a SID would radically improve things at the front end.

And then there's the SX rear mech which causes a lot of unwanted noise owing to the lack of a clutch. Upgrading to a SRAM GX mech would quieten everything down. It’s a real shame there is no chainstay protection included with the frame as standard - especially considering the clutchless derailleur.

Forme Black Rocks HT1 – Value and competition

Retailing at £1,400 the Forme Black Rocks HT1 represents good value for money and provides a reliable entry into mountain biking, not to mention the scope to upgrade later.

For £100 more (£1,500) the Merida Big Trail 600 is worth looking at. Liam reviewed it and made some interesting points about its character and ride feel – it also has 10mm more travel on the front if you’re looking for some extra squish.

As a value proposition, the £1,250 Vitus Sentier 29 VR is hard to ignore. It has a solid spec and is an impressively capable bike.

Forme Black Rocks HT1 – Verdict

The Forme Black Rocks HT1 represents a solid starter bike. It’s a great recipe combining parts and a design which provides a capable bike at an affordable price point. Although the componentry is basic, it is functional and won’t hold you back too much. Most importantly, the frame is sized and shaped with the right intentions meaning the kit hanging off it can be upgraded when required to reach this bike’s full potential.

www.formebikes.co.uk

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Test report Forme Black Rocks HT1 review £1,400.00

About the bike

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own :

Perfect for trail centres, local woods and bike parts. Aimed at the budget end of the market

State the frame material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.:

Frame	Alloy 6061, Tapered headset, boost axle spacing
Rear shock	None
Fork	Rock Shox Recon, 130mm, Boost
Headset	Integrated, Sealed Bearing
Shifters	Sram SX, 12 Speed
Front derailleur	None
Rear derailleur	Sram SX, 12 Speed
Chainset	Sram SX, 12 Speed, 170mm, 32T
Bottom bracket	Sram Dub
Chain	Sram SX, 12 Speed
Cassette	Sram PG 1210, 12 Speed, 11-50T
Wheelset	WTB i30 TSC 2.0 Rims /Forme Sealed Bearing 6 Pawl Hubs
Hubs
Spokes
Tyres	WTB Trail Boss, 29x2.4"
Brakes	Shimano M501, 180mm Rotors
Handlebars	Azonic Agile, 780mm x 31.8mm
Grips	Forme, Lock On
Stem	Azonic Agile, 45mm x 31.8mm
Saddle	Selle Royal, Forme branded
Seatpost	Tranz X Dropper, 30.9mm, 150mm Travel
Pedals	Black Alloy, Platform

Frame & Fork

How much suspension travel does the fork have?:

130mm

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.:

Comfortable in the standing / descending position thanks to the generous reach Seated was a little stretched due to the seat angle being on the slacker side

How was the bike in terms of sizing and angles? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size and intent?:

Sizing is bang up to date with "enduro" reach numbers Short chain stays and a sensible head angle gives a lively ride

Overall rating for frame

How much suspension travel does the rear end have?:

None - its a hard tail

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?:

Hard tail felt stiff to pedal giving a snappy response but not feeling overly stiff on the downs

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame:

Fit and finish can't be faulted on the frame No chain stay protection as standard is a shame

Tell us about the geometry of the frame:

Up to date geometry gives a stable ride Seat angle could be steeper, the pedal is more sluggish than expected

Tell us about the materials used in the frame:

Aluminium Alloy 6061

Riding

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?:

Yes - its a hard tail The seated position could be better

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive?:

On the lively side

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?:

Climbing and descending the steering felt lively The bike felt stable on the downs and confidence-inspiring in the corners

Rate the bike for sprinting:

Any comments on sprinting?:

Efficient as expected for a hard tail

Rate the bike for high speed descending

Any comments on high speed descending?:

Confidence inspiring

Rate the bike for technical descending:

Any comments on technical descending?:

Confidence inspiring

Rate the bike for flat cornering:

Any comments on flat cornering?:

Generous reach gives good front end grip

Rate the bike for technical climbing:

Any comments on technical climbing?:

Seat angle is a little too slack - position isn't the most efficient

Rate the bike for climbing efficiency:

Any comments on climbing efficiency?:

Seat angle is a little too slack - position isn't the most efficient

Rate the bike for agility:

Any comments on agility?:

Geo with short stem gives a lively ride

Suspension

Rate the fork for performance:

Any comments on fork performance?:

Lacks control and useful adjustment

Rate the fork for durability:

Any comments on fork durability?:

No concerns - standard Rockshox quality

Rate the fork for efficiency:

Any comments on fork efficiency?:

Won't hold you back from putting down the watts

Rate the fork for value:

Any comments on fork value?:

Cheap but low performance

Tell us some more about the fork. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any features which didn't work well together?:

As above

Any comments on rear suspension performance?:

N/A

Any comments on rear suspension durability?:

N/A

Any comments on rear suspension efficiency?:

N/A

Any comments on rear shock value?:

N/A

Tell us some more about the rear suspension. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any features which didn't work well:

N/A

Rate the balance and performance of the suspension overall:

Any comments on the balance and performance of the suspension overall?:

as above

Drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:

Any comments on drivetrain performance?:

Great range but no clutch on the mech

Rate the drivetrain for durability:

Any comments on drivetrain durability?:

As expected with SRAM

Rate the drivetrain for weight:

Any comments on drivetrain weight?:

Budget - heavy

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well to:

As above

Rate the drivetrain for value:

Any comments on drivetrain value?:

Good performance for the value

Wheels & tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:

Any comments on wheel performance?:

Good width but on the heavy side

Rate the wheels for durability:

Any comments on wheel durability?:

Strong set of rims

Rate the wheels for weight:

Any comments on wheel weight?:

on the porky side

Any comments on wheel comfort?:

N/A

Rate the wheels for value:

Any comments on wheel value?:

Budget but good performance

Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so, wha:

Wheels are a good budget option if not a little heavy

Rate the tyres for performance:

Any comments on tyre performance?:

Confidence inspiring on the trail centre gravel - will clog up easily in the mud

Rate the tyres for durability:

Any comments on tyre durability?:

Hard compound will last well

Rate the tyres for weight:

Any comments on tyre weight?:

Thin walls are light for trail duties

Rate the tyres for value:

Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so, what:

Confidence inspiring on the trail centre gravel - will clog up easily in the mud

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:

Any comments on controls performance?:

Budget but functional

Rate the controls for durability:

Any comments on controls durability?:

Budget but functional

Rate the controls for weight:

Any comments on controls weight?:

Budget but functional

Rate the controls for comfort:

Any comments on controls comfort?:

Budget but functional

Rate the controls for value:

Any comments on controls value?:

Budget but functional

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components?:

Bars and stem are smartly specced

Anything else you want to say about the componentry? Comment on any other components (good or bad):

N/A

Summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike?:

Yes

Would you consider buying the bike?:

Yes

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike\'s performance? would you recommend any changes?:

Forks were underwhelming lacking control The SX mech doesn't come with a clutch so a lot of chain slap Trail boss tyres were confidence inspiring on trail centre gravel Forme seat and grips were great offerings

Rate the bike overall for performance:

Rate the bike overall for value:

Use this box to explain your score:

It’s a great recipe of parts and design which provides a capable bike at a low price point. Although the componentry is basic, it is functional and won’t hold you back too much. Most importantly the frame is sized and shaped with the right intentions meaning the kit hanging off it can be upgraded when required to reach this bike’s full potential.

Bikes

Product purpose:

Enduro geometry on a hardtail makes a great trail hard tail

Product construction

Product performance

Product durability

Product weight

Product comfort

product value

Overall performance:

It’s a great recipe of parts and design which provides a capable bike at a low price point. Although the componentry is basic, it is functional and won’t hold you back too much. Most importantly the frame is sized and shaped with the right intentions meaning the kit hanging off it can be upgraded when required to reach this bike’s full potential.

Product likes:

Great frame geometry confidence inspiring

Product dislikes:

Spec leaves room to upgrade Heavier than expected

Enjoy:

Geometry

Buy:

Yes

Conclusion:

It’s a great recipe of parts and design which provides a capable bike at a low price point. Although the componentry is basic, it is functional and won’t hold you back too much. Most importantly the frame is sized and shaped with the right intentions meaning the kit hanging off it can be upgraded when required to reach this bike’s full potential.