The secret behind these unusual mountain bikes || Forbidden Druid V2

[@grantwilliams2912]

I’ve picked a V2 frame.. A few rides in.. So impressed.

[@TheHeyoo]

Glad you addressed their sizing model. I'm 6'3, and when this bike was launched back in May, I emailed Forbidden and they recommended an S4. I can't wrap my head around how long the chain stay's are on this bike for the tight trails I would be ridding them on. Hearing them comment on choosing a size based on how you want this bike to feel on the trail really resonated with me and to size up or down accordingly. Now I am going to look at the S3 and make some minor cockpit changes to get the reach and stack more in line with my size. Good stuff!

[@bengordon2330]

Maybe the s4 mullet for the tight corners ? I'm currently borrowing an S4 all 29'er at 6'2", admittedly not hit any slow, technical corners, but find it plenty agile here on the North Shore tech flow trails. I am absolutely smitten with this bike - it's just fun every ride.

[@fetB]

16:48. i love that. Same issue i have with shoes sizes. Manufacturers cant even agree on them. I'd rather have, length x width

[@prawnis]

"How are ya?" "Daniel!" *handshakes a fistbump*

[@TFritz82]

"Ohh Big Gulps huh?? Alright...welp, see ya later!"

[@pnwdrifter5680]

BC boy here with Scottish roots. The v2 Druid further cements my belief that the Deviate Highlander is a great bike. I have a 150. Someone needs to do a Highlander 140 and Forbidden v2 side by side comparison.

[@paulthompson6357]

It's wonderful to hear the methods to the madness that is making a bicycle. Great content!

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Glad you enjoyed! - Logan at Fanatik

[@Spencer_Bikes]

That water bottle at 10:40 really didn't wanna be in the cage. 🤣 Great work team!

[@FanatikBikeCo]

It did not, really rocketed outta there. Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Hmanfoil]

love my v1 druid, it handled all the heavy trails I through at it in morzine. Running it 160/140 full 29er.

[@mattcovert4958]

@FanatikBikeCo do you think you'll have these to test ride in Bellingham at some point? I have a Ripley AF in a size L that fits me fine. This V2 Druid seems like a really compelling upgrade for me one of these days, but it really seems like i am RIGHT in between S2 and S3 (5'11", same wingspan, 32" inseam) and pedaling around both sizes would be helpful.

[@erickauffmann_official]

Super gorgeous bike! Would love to get one, one day! 🎉

[@lelev760]

The jumping in the video was impressive. It wasn't mentioned, but that is another issue people bring up with high pivot. That they are stuck to the ground, but looks like the bike can jump 😁

[@FanatikBikeCo]

As a previous owner of the V1 Druid and current owner of the V2 Druid I can say this is a very playful High Pivot bike. Definitely no issues getting airborne on this bike! -Rich @ Fanatik

[@whitest_kyle]

Wondering if they're going to do an updated Dreadnought with the inverted Horst link, it looks sick and I definitely want to try riding one!

[@dirtschralper]

The DH team is already riding a long travel inverted Horst version. I'd say Dready V2 will be released early 2024.

[@JGD444]

Dec 7

[@RyandeMilliano]

Amped to see you guys exploring our local trails with the legends at Forbidden! The Druid V2 Bike looks seriously impressive, and it's rad how you showcased its capabilities despite the "limited" travel. Also, it's cool that you checked out the Gravity MTB Garage, super excited to have that in the community. Cheers!!

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Ya'll have a great thing going out there! We look forward to coming back. Cheers! - Dan P and the rest

[@micheandmikey]

Knowing both of you guys and just how much you both love bikes, this is great! Even rolling up on Rich during the photo shoot on accident 😄🤘

[@usernamwdrama]

Thanks for that, awesome insight vid. I've ridden a Dreadnought and I was massively impressed, the V2 Druid has really got me interested, so much so that I reckon it could be my next bike. Watching this also brought back memories of some time I spent in Comox years ago, beautiful neck of the woods.

[@realitynuggets6204]

Still loving my original Druid I got in 2019 from Fanatik. Solid bikes. Two killer companies here.

[@soundwarper]

This is a really interesting insight into the concept, design and build of what is, frankly, a lovely looking bike! Great stuff! 👊😎

[@nilsnilsnilsify]

Classic bike moving around on the CAD screen shot. Not dissapointed.

[@jltrack]

6:47 Logan picking up some those kendall-weed skills 😎

[@fademasterfade227]

Awesome brand and Cumberland is rad!

[@ktkace]

This si red bull F1 level of wizardry!! everything is well thought out and transparent but you know its magic when competitors cant even comprehend how to copy it!

[@user-om2fg7yh6s]

Brilliant video guys. Really interesting watch hearing these guys talk about their bikes, they defo know their stuff.

[@ms.karihart2983]

Well done great attention do the details on the new druid bike it’s seems as though the engineered in such away it wasn’t over done all the fine tune for a full suspension. I didn’t ever look at the bike till a saw your caption and I was intrigued So thank you

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Cheers! Glad you found us and to hear you found it informative. - Dan P.

[@grantwilliams2912]

This vid makes me so interested in this bike.. Next build I think

[@gilleshedreux8351]

Hi, I'm more that interested on the druid v2 but I have to disagree on the SPE stump statement as you can see even on gnarly trail like Chatel pilot are choosing stump against the spe enduro. so it is more a feeling I believe. if you put a 160mm fork instead of the 150 it make the same result as the mulet and it higher the BB height that is actually very low , do you recommend it ? cheers

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Both the Stumpjumper EVO and the Druid are phenomenal and are certainly up to the task of riding whatever you want, and I'd be happy to recommend either. I don't fully understand your question about BB height and overforking. - Dan P.

[@lharato1]

That looks and sound like Owen Wilson’s. Great video as always!

[@forbiddenbikeco]

Haha, nice.

[@Nicolasito.69]

Tremendous, good info from a good source 👍

[@snokefilmmedia]

GT Force is calling from 2014 and would like to have a word:P Jokes aside, nice to see old ideas coming back with improvements. Even if it took almost 10 years :)

[@endurogod-r1e]

My home mountain is mt cypress and i go up to whistler often so having the dreadnaught is definitely needed

[@FrankieCooks]

I want this bike so badly

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Same. - Logan at Fanatik

[@grantwilliams2912]

Interesting.. It sounds like a great bike

[@user-xq5rp9fm1p]

So the V2 leverage ratio is higher than the V1? Basically more "supple" feeling off the top, but blows through the travel quicker???

[@TFritz82]

Where can I get that rad Fanatik sticker sitting squarely in the circle of the Druid logo on the top tube??

[@EricDavies26]

When’s the new dreadnought coming out?????

[@kerthaaron]

What’s the upside to riding a smaller travel that punches more then the numbers? I race enduro in the US on a Pivot Firebird and always feel the large travel make it safer for this 45 year old dad of 3.. is this a bike that can do it all, fun on the trails everyday and can get rowdy? I had a Revel Rascal which also punches higher but it’s a bike that was good most everywhere but not great anywhere.. thoughts?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

There is definite truth to what you say-more travel does give you more room for error. Like Ollie mentioned, potential benefits of a bike like this (if one can make use of them) are increased capacity to pump the trail for speed and an increased ability to move the bike around quickly. This bike feels larger than a Rascal, but I'd say if you like your Firebird better than your Rascal, a long-travel bike is probably what you should stick with. If Forbidden's bikes intrigue you, I'd say check out the Dreadnought! - Dan P.

[@kerthaaron]

@@FanatikBikeCo appreciate your feedback and transparency.

[@julianw5692]

I'm sold by solely on having two bottle cages. Awesome.

[@gnar_tar]

Cumberland looks like a blast, any chance that you guys remember the trails name ? planning a bike trip to cumberland in October and would love any recommendation or your fav trails that you guys ridden. Thanks

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Oh boy, I do not. Bit of a maze out there. It's all on Trailforks though, and if you pop into the Forbidden Demo Center they'll be able to point you in the right direction! - Dan P.

[@Pudskies]

Chunder is one of them and DCDH. Cumberland is quite hilly, so there tends to be a decent amount of pedalling on the way down even after you’ve pedalled to the top. Most people can point you in the right direction, but it does take some time to figure out which trails to link together to get a mostly downhill lap in.

[@gnar_tar]

@@Pudskies right on thanks! will ask around once I get there!!

[@cristianfamigliuolo]

It's a pretty dirty Trail! 😂 Even for the standards of the European Alps and for Italian racing. I'd like to see if they resist certain courses in the Italian championship, If they succeed then they have done a fantastic job, I won't deny it

[@AndrewDelamare]

I rented a forbidden Druid in Moab for doing the Porcupine Rim trail. It was an excellent bike and very capable with zeb on the front. It gave me a lot of confidence to go quicker and attempt much steeper stuff.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

The traction in techy square edge climbing is awesome on these bikes. We obviously ride primarily in the PNW where we don't get as much of that techy square edge climbing but we always thought these bikes would be amazing in Moab/Sedona/Arizona desert riding. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cheut]

are they ever gonna add a lower idler pulley or are they just gonna stick with the chain only wrapping around about 30% of the chainring?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Check out 7:12 in the video. On the V1 they did have a chain guide to achieve the proper chain wrap. But with the new upper idler position, they're able to get enough chain wrap making another idler or chain guide unnecessary. - Logan at Fanatik.

[@EricDavies26]

What size were you riding being 5 foot 10?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

On this trip I was riding an S3, because that is what was available. I had fun on it, but if I were buying one I'd buy an S2, which is more in line with what I'm used to in terms of sizing. I find I have more fun on medium bikes (don't let them hear me calling it a medium!). Also, my arm-span is 5'10" and my inseam is 30", for reference. - Dan P

[@cellphonenut]

definitely a awesome piece of engineering. I’m going to keep my eye this this

[@bensun432]

This will be my next bike for sure

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome cool bike build lovet

[@RestlesSo0]

nice video. epic bike. thanks :)

[@rivi2263]

Dan, I'm curious on how you would compare this to the sentinel V2? Currently have mine as my everyday ride have been interested in the new Druid.

[@sebastian_seidl]

New Skool meets Old School 🤙🏻👌🏻🤩 very cool clip Besides the high-quality videos, go back to the roots. Thanks

[@martyurwin]

10:38 - was that a water bottle flying off of fellas bike?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Yep, you caught it!

[@Coerced]

The druid is the first bike I'd pick if I could testride any rig. The main thing I've always wondered is whether the suspension can still hold up to large vertical impacts since so much of the travel is actually rearward and therefore diagonal and effective when hitting stuff from the front. When dropping from a height, 130mm already is very little and the impact is much more vertical than horizontal / diagonal. I wonder if that kills the ankles then. If not, this would pretty much be my dream bike (though still hard to believe 130mm could really be all I need).

[@FanatikBikeCo]

As an owner of both the V2 Druid and Dreadnought I've never noticed any issues with that rearward axle path and drops. Ridden Dirt Merchant up in Whistler plenty aboard my Dreadnought and never had issues on any of the big drops! General 5-6ft drops on our local trails are no problem on my Druid either. Definitely not an issue hitting drops on these bikes! If you are ever in Bellingham we actually have a couple V1 Druid's in our demo fleet -Rich @ Fanatik

[@FanatikBikeCo]

So the idea of rearward travel is *slightly* misleading. The wheel does not move straight backward. It moves, like you said, at a diagonal that moves slightly backward. Other designs essentially either move upward and then up/forward, or slightly backward at the start of the travel but then pretty quickly directly upward or upward and forward. All of which is to say, this bike handles vertical impacts just fine, in the same way that other bikes ride down a trail just fine. The differences are noticeable but not so massive as to break your ankles. - Dan P.

[@adampatterson]

How does the drive train wear? Seems like with less chainring contact a worn drive train would maybe slip sooner?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Speaking about the Druid V1 here, as that's what I owned. It actually offset the wear from the chainring to the idler pulley, since that's now what experienced the chain coming to it from the side. Basically, the chainring lasts a lot longer. With the new larger, steel idler, I imagine that piece will last a lot longer as well. - Dan P.

[@adampatterson]

@@FanatikBikeCo Interesting, Good to know. Thanks!

[@MTBr-of-SoCal]

ah, one of my dream bikes.... if only I can afford one lol!

[@DasRightfortyforfo]

I need the druid frames to come back in stock!

[@FanatikBikeCo]

We have one medium Stardust frame in stock! www.fanatikbike.com/products/forbidden-druid-v2-frame?variant=40323833888814

[@DasRightfortyforfo]

@@FanatikBikeCo I need a large. If I could fit a medium that would be purchased already! Can I pre order a frame so I make sure to get one of the next shipments?

[@TheBassman396]

What a great bike

[@pbls43]

Charles Murray rides an Stumpjumper Evo with good results as a matter of fact 😊

[@MrDavecore777]

Yeah but that’s the 150mm version they referred to the 130mm with flex stays…I’d compare this to the SC 5010

[@thegriff9425]

Correct.

[@rookieboy9203]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/monWaIakeL6blas

[@justsayin3600]

I bought the Stumpjumper Evo Pro as a trail bike but it handles the blacks very well. I'm a heavy rider at 230lbs. I just can't imagine 130mm in the rear would be very comfortable on fast hard hitting chunk for me.

[@golfwang88]

​@justsayin3600 Druid rear link eats chunk. I've heard the linkage system equates to similar performance to a 150mm shock. They are badass bikes.

[@marauder7412]

The V2 looks like such a beautiful bike. Reminds me a lot of my old Corsair Marque... Well a lot nicer then the Corsair but I wonder if Forbidden have taken any clues from that bike?

[@chefdtwisteddishes1824]

What trails are you riding in Cumby and Forbidden? I don't recognize them? Killers bikes guys, go team!

[@XCRiders]

What is the purpose of the high pivot? What does it accomplish?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Mainly to allow for a rearward axle path, helping the bike maintain momentum through rough trails and square edged hits. Here's a pretty sweet write-up I came across that explains it all quite well. flowmountainbike.com/features/high-pivot-suspension-hype/ - Logan at Fanatik

[@outdoortherapy6596]

Didn't touch up can it ride up hills, but at the end I'm guessing it's more of a shuttle bike

[@troymortimer3487]

I want one, but too poor to buy one. Ever since Conner raced the enduro on DH . Instant credibility to the quality of engineering

[@JaggedTusk]

I appreciate the design choices they made to make maintaining and working on the bike easier. I'm probably in the minority but I will not buy a bike with excessively complex suspension linkages because cleaning and working on them just sucks. Especially when most of my rides result in the bike being drenched in mud. I'm curious how noticeable the change in anti-rise on the V2. On paper the bike should feel a lot better when braking compared to the V1 and Dreadnought.

[@loud_v8_noises]

“We’re not a high pivot brand” Written on every bike box “high pivot witchcraft”

[@teabagNBG]

these mtb videos are like mpc ads... these pros make it look so easy u think its because of the bike... the fact these guys even would ride a wallmart bike almost the same would baffle a lot of ppl...

[@Aer_Marique]

I saw one of the V1 druid frames on eBay and was super curious about the design. No idea this company was so chill 😂😂😂 now I really want one haha

[@Poiuytrewq-m7e]

10:39 another Fidlock lost 🎉🎉

[@MikeesTexas]

Hell yes

[@MarioXcore1]

release a UDH dreadnought with capabilities for a longer dropper and I"ll buy it 😶‍🌫

[@FanatikBikeCo]

There is a UDH Dreadnought currently available! What size frame/dropper are you trying to run? I run a 210 on my large Dreadnought with no issues! -Rich @ Fanatik

[@thicccboyztv]

​@FanatikBikeCo I'm 6'1 200 and on a s5 stumpy evo. Reach and stack would have me on a xl dreadnought but the stays on that seems insanely long (accounting for growth). Any opinions for those on the sizing line for riding around the pnw?

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Where is S5? 520 reach fits me 😢

[@russellzauner]

I want this linkage on my tadpole. See similar on bikes like SurRon, Talaria, etc but was waiting to see someone really put this into the human powered context properly. It puts the jackshaft/idler in the best location possible in the suspension configuration for me that I've seen so far - I mean it's already designed in, most bent tads it seems to be an afterthought only there to make the drivetrain stay intact just long enough to get off the lot, upon where it immediately eats itself or is destroyed by its environment. I'd utilize this with a CVT gearbox (Enviolo released this year) and belt drive (Gates already makes a set for tandem bikes that should adapt to bent tads fine). You don't want to know what sorts of compliant machine nonsense I've been napkinning for front suspension of this beast but let's just say I set a lofty goal of being able to complete King of Hammers on it someday, when it stops breaking/dying underneath me (and also rolling on top of me). Thanks for the nice breakdown in a watchable length of time; a well produced piece of educational/informative content that was very engaging.

[@russellzauner]

(I'm disabled from an accident and can't ride up right anymore, since there's nothing available for me I have to make it myself)

[@ToysRUsKid_Critter]

Awesome bike but a bummer that the v2 Druid is $1500 more than the v1

[@JIBBING_1980S]

I'll guess another upcoming version of stumpjumper has a new secret too😝

[@PeteMac69]

A full 27.5 model please🙏

[@notpablo8369]

Why theres no high pivot xc bike

[@fabiovaldesaraneda2012]

wish they add a bit more of travel to the bike

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Have you ridden one? They are quite good as-is. - Dan P.

[@martyurwin]

11:06 - dont let Charlie Murray watch this. 👀 🤫

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Dan was referring to the 130mm Stumpjumper and not the 150mm Stumpjumper EVO that Charlie Murray has been running at the EWS. The Druid is a 130mm bike that punches way above those travel numbers!

[@matthiascampedelli4321]

@@FanatikBikeCo How does this bike compare to the EVO ? Which one would you prefer for regular (kinda rough) trail riding and a fair bit of Bikepark laps ?

[@rookieboy9203]

@@FanatikBikeCo I think Charles Murray’s race bike have a 160 Rockshox Lyric. Specialized Stumpjumper EVO LTD 160 comes stock with Lyric, last year it came with ZEB.

[@MidWestMTB]

@forbiddenbikeco alright, I always liked the bikes but after this video I'm going to buy one, you guys are cool as shit. This is why God invented credit cards right?

[@CatKingEbola]

The V1 looks so good. The V2 is not even close 😢

[@bikernaut1]

When will they make S5 for us tall guys? 😢

[@andyboy198577777]

The old one was nicer. Sorry. The newer one might have a few more kinks worked out of it but the old one was way nicer in my humble opinion

[@FanatikBikeCo]

It just looked nicer, or what are you referring to? I own the old one as my main bike, and I still love it, but might have to disagree. The newer one definitely has the few quirks worked out that bug me with mine. - Logan at Fanatik

[@I-come-from-the-Future]

Why do so many people ride without gloves? There are super thin, super ventilated ones and without fingers available, but all protect your palm skin. Would not have avoided a bent finger though.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Not sure for other folks, but it's just a preference thing for me. During the summer I almost never wear gloves. I just make sure not to fall, it's easy. - Logan at Fanatik

[@XCRiders]

Starbucks sizing

[@FanatikBikeCo]

🤣

[@michaelmann3636]

Beautiful bike, just tooo much mulla.

[@Mike_Rides_Bike]

Great vid! I bought the druid v2 and put it through hell over a year now - should someone be interested in a long term review 👉🏽 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2Snd2Z9aq2Ih6Msi=rECwqrkeUiXxcwUU

[@Connorsnipes]

I will back your comment I ride a stumpy and I don’t exactly ride what it’s designed for, I tend to ride dh and I will say even on local trails it feels like it runs out of travel rather quickly

[@DOCWHOK9]

If its still got a Derailleur, no thankyou.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Are you interested in gearbox bikes then?

[@DOCWHOK9]

@@FanatikBikeCo I'm keeping a close eye on the current rear hub Rohloffe and Pinion eBike geared hub. If I were spontaneous and cashed up I'd probably get the Pinion, but I feel the next improvement is coming. I'm just a casual eMTBer, and never want Derailleur/Chain problem ever again.

[@zizusaid]

@@DOCWHOK9 Word!!!!

[@johndef5075]

Bikes are already such pigs these days and then they just keep adding more crap like these idler pulleys. My 29 lb. full sus feels porky. Cant even imagine riding these 35 lb. + behemoths.

[@ironray123]

Cumberland? More like Slumberland.......as in boring! I spent a month there one night.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

I certainly enjoyed my time there and hope to go back soon. Special little town. - Logan at Fanatik

[@dylanglaser304]

Vancouver Island sucks dont go

[@dgw6448]

Certainly alot less magical than the first gen of bikes

[@cellphonenut]

If that bike will make me ride like these guys I’m sold. 💵

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Yep, guaranteed!

[@frankdepasquale8715]

Just wondering if they’re ever going to come out with an E bike