Forbidden Druid V2 First Ride Impressions

[@livefreeandshred9818]

I absolutely LOVE my Druid v2 and I have a dreadnought with a cascade link. The Druid rides like a bigger bike than the numbers would suggest, but it also rides like a 130 bike. Love love love mine

[@FlorianBauer-vn2bk]

I’m 6’2” and love my Druid V2 S4 29”. I came from the XL Druid V1 MX. I loved the V1 but the V2 is just better all around. I have way more speed, confidence, and fun!

[@JustSnowglow]

Looking sick dude! Love the ride - tinker - ride format lol

[@briancahal]

More to come!

[@symmetricon1982]

You can adjust the cable tension for each gear if you long hold the power button in the gear you want to change. Use the up/down to adjust tension when in the correct mode

[@briancahal]

Ok thanks haha

[@grantwilliams2912]

Liking the sound of the V2.. I’ll look out for more 🙂👍

[@philboss5472]

Nice video! Keep up the good content! How long is the chainstay again on the mullet S3? Have the full 29 S3 and thinking about switching to mullet...are you planning to try out the full 29er and do an comparison?

[@alexstrauss5767]

Great review man, very thorough and detailed. I really appreciate it personally as someone who is considering buying one in the next year or two (hoping they go on sale sometime lol). Just curious how does it handle jumping though? I feel like all the reviews on this bike don't touch on that aspect of it very much. I would theorize that due to its balanced geometry, it would be very stable in the air and give you more confidence to hit bigger jumps but I don't want to assume anything. What was your experience with it in the air? Hope you do a long-term review also man! Great content as always

[@fgonzales11b]

These vids are dope! Keep em coming!

[@sccooey63]

Thanks for all the rad videos. How tall are you and what size frame you running for the V2 Druid?

[@briancahal]

I’m 6”1’ and it’s an s3

[@bengordon2330]

and I'm 6'2 and on an S4 ( full 29'er ), and it feels far from huge.

[@StepXX]

​@@briancahalBrian hi. Do you mind also telling your inseam number should you know it?

[@lightningshredder5605]

​@@bengordon2330seems reasonable I am 5'10" and on a bike from a different brand with 480 reach and it is close to perfect. I like where the front wheel is but would like to have the bars a bit closer. Thinking of getting a -1 headset to bring the bars back and the front wheel out I think that would be good.

[@LCerca]

On the Archer, if you turn off the remote you should be able to find the shifter on the app.

[@briancahal]

Yeah figured that out after the fact. Got it dialed in now

[@kevinmarin4675]

Is the Ohlins fork a 160?

[@TFritz82]

Curious for reference what you typically weigh in at, to see where you fall for fork setup vs their recommended setup charts. I realize you probably weigh different than me and are riding different trails at a higher lever than me for sure.

[@Mike_Rides_Bike]

Nice stuff. I love my Druid v2. The best bike, I have personally ever ridden. Which rear tire were you using and what rear tire would you recommend? Normally I run DHR II in 3CT DD (29x2.4).

[@briancahal]

In this video I was running a worn out butcher. Since I’ve tried some continental tires. Can’t go wrong with a dhr.

[@Mike_Rides_Bike]

@@briancahal I found the kryptotal ok in all aspects, but it wasn't it for me. Thx for the reply.

[@briancahal]

@@Mike_Rides_Bike what casing/compound did you have?

[@Mike_Rides_Bike]

@@briancahal Enduro soft Re and Fr

[@Prodiod]

Grab a Sunrace Csmx80 11s cassette. Your medium cage XT 11sp pairs up nicely with it, I use the same setup on my bike. Slightly lighter than 12sp, and I never feel like I need the extra gear.

[@BenCartwright-d9d]

Interested in the tyres , seems ur running enduro casing and do you have inserts installed also? If not what pressure you running, cheers

[@briancahal]

I’m filming my continental tire review tomorrow. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to try the dh casings. Didn’t run inserts. Was around 24 and 28

[@BenCartwright-d9d]

@@briancahal yeah have the Druid v1 and have a dh super soft on the front and has been great but looking to drop some weight and go the enduro soft. Cheers mate I’ll wait for the video

[@GriffinMcMurray]

Sick. Race bike for the year??

[@michaelgiuntoli3871]

2 questions 1) Where in the East Bay is this trail 2) How is it on the more "mellow" trails? Does it carry speed on the flatter stuff. I have a Banshee and I love the stability, but I feel like it needs to be going fast to get the most enjoyment out of it.

[@briancahal]

Trails are in Briones. Check them out! I’d say it does well on the flatter stuff. Caries good speed on rough flat stuff and is fairly responsive

[@dtran1742]

Hey Brian, what sag do you tend to run on your forks ?

[@briancahal]

I don’t go by sag on my forks I just adjust to the level of stiffness I need as I ride

[@danielray1558]

Are you going to race the Druid this year? Do you think it’ll struggle with steeper and chunkier tracks?

[@briancahal]

I dont plan on doing much racing this year. I wouldn’t choose this as my race bike for gnarlier races even though this would do exceptionally well for a 130mm bike

[@christopherhayes2464]

In the process of buying one, got an S2 and S3 to one side as i cant decide on sizing. I had a dreadnaught before which was a large and i felt lt was hard work throwing around, manuals etc Thoughts? I'm 5.11

[@briancahal]

I think both will be balanced and rideable for you. Your right in between both. If you want something a little easier to throw around go with the s2 if you want stability go s3.

[@christopherhayes2464]

It’s a tough choice as it’s a fair amount of money to spend. I’ve had a Dreadnaught large, giga large, mondraker foxy large. Just need to sit on either an S2 / S3 then that will help

[@briancahal]

@@christopherhayes2464 If you've had all those bikes in the large I'd go the s3. maybe in a mullet. took a second look at the geo and the s2 is pretty small. Just put high bars on the s3 and I think you'll be golden. If you want to have a more in depth chat I'm more willing to do that via Patreon. patreon.com/briancahal?Link

[@a8f235]

10:01 A few seconds after this you hear a pronounced *_'tink'_* sound which sounds like where the spoke just snapped.

[@sophiamartinez590]

sic vid! u + forbidden’s seem like a match. And try sram gx axs lol

[@spencerimre]

What are those bars?

[@briancahal]

Sam Hill high rise

[@andremtb480]

Need a Dreadnought V2 review!

[@briancahal]

I’m getting one later this fall to review

[@andremtb480]

@@briancahal heck yeah.

[@MikeesTexas]

SiiiiiiiiiiCK!!!!

[@lilblaster22]

Spent some time on it, but it's nowhere near as good as the Banshee Prime. The Druid doesn't carry speed like the Prime. It seems to get hung up on roots and square edges and isn't balanced like the Banshee. You really feel it at speed when cornering, the front end just gets vague and wants to break regardless of rider position😮😢🎉

[@briancampbell9878]

What glasses are you wearing in this video?

[@briancahal]

Tifosi

[@DenLeonardiMtb]

One of the best bikes ever (for)bidden 🤩

[@ryanliversage]

Use some velcro from 3m then use some zip cables . Or make the device cable longer and velcro it in the down tube . Shimano saint is always a great idea.

[@sprousaTM]

Finally. First comment, then watch ;)

[@johnconnolly2815]

Ur a biker if you can Paperboy up a steep hill in the wrong gear LOL

[@gweflj]

Not bad for 130mm eh?