Forbidden Druid V2 Review: Is A High Pivot Bike For You?

The Forbidden Druid V2 is a 130mm travel high pivot all mountain taming beast of a mountain bike. High pivot mountain bikes are becoming increasingly popular, with larger brands adopting the design and buying into the hype. The question remains: is all the high pivot hype just one big hype train? Or is the high pivot witchcraft truly legit? Tune in to find out.
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[@WorldwideCyclery]

What do you think about high pivot MTBs?

[@175thStreet]

Very very interested. I don't jump much and am not a "poppy" rider so they seem amazing.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

No real interest, maybe a bit more interesting than ebices and gearboxes to me but still I don't see how I could benefit from a high pivot personally.

[@sylvainvanier4300]

If you are not too sure yet, try to find a demo day. This bike defies a few things. It doesn't ride like a "just" 130mm bike. Rides better than my old Altitude in the chunk. Grip on tap for going up. Probably not the most efficient and lighweight bike out there for its class but man is it fun to ride! I ride the S2 mullet. I'm 5'5". I have it setup with a 160mm fork. So composed! Soooo fun! FYI: Living in the Canadian Rockies and spending time in BC. My only bike too...

[@musbox]

I absolutely love my mullet V1 Druid and will hopefully be upgrading next year. One of the best customer experiences I've had was from Forbidden. This past Good Friday, I noticed that I damaged the carbon in my linkage. Sent a message, not expecting to get a response. Within no time, I had a warranty claim form, and a new frame was in the mail by Monday!

[@WorldwideCyclery]

That is awesome to hear about their customer support. One of the best parts of working with small brands is that personal touch!

[@wildmesamountainbiking864]

Such a sick bike! Thanks for the good review. I’ll Definitely keep an eye open for one of these things popping up on sale!

[@175thStreet]

Excellent video. Bike looks absolutely beautiful and that brand is on my list for my next bike.

[@ki77u_freerides68]

I can only agree. Recently built a v2 frameit with old parts from my scout. The Druid is a beast. As potent as a bike with longer travel. Absolute beast of a bike.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Love to hear that!! 🍻

[@kevinclark9176]

I was a fan of the high-pivot design before Forbidden started the craze, but unfortunately I don’t live where a bike like this makes sense. Too much pedaling here and efficiency and weight matters. If they built a sub-30lb bike with 115mm rear travel I’d be super interested.

[@RunRideHikeThrive]

Need a Druid vs Optic comparison.. 👍

[@WorldwideCyclery]

That would be a great comparison!

[@billydeewilliams8909]

Definitely, but I think the Druid is going to come out on top. I own a previous-gen Optic, and I absolutely love it, but higher stacks and longer chainstays do seem to have a ton of benefits, and the Druid has them in spades. The high pivot Optic has ludicrously short stays (which do get longer with the rearward suspension travel), which I think are going to make it a really nervous ride. That said, I love the yellow on the new AL Optic frameset.

[@jlcousineau]

@@billydeewilliams8909coming from an old optic and getting into a new optic I was worried about that too. I’m really enjoying the shorter rear end. Plenty stable but much more maneuverable. I went from a size L to a S3 so my bike actually got slightly smaller. The bike is plenty stable and I find myself going quite a bit faster on my local trails. The hp has a very interesting characteristic where it generates grip in corners the further it enters the travel. The rear end is able to maintain so much more grip when pushing into corners. I have a 150mm fork but I’m thinking about a 160 with how capable it feels.

[@northgen1062]

@@jlcousineauthe new optic is definitely a bike i am considering for my next one. I currently have a rocky altitude (170/160) but it feels too big for where i ride. The change to a 140/130 optic daunts me a bit, but the agressive geo and hp tells me its pretty capable. Ill probably do an upgrade to 150 up front. Id like a druid but i dont want to spend carbon money😅! Ill probably go do a demo day this summer to test it out

[@loganmeline9233]

That is exactly my terrain, but with maybe even more rocks than the Italy trip. That bike looks rad. I'm going to have to grow out of my Norco Sight before considering one though. Thanks for the preview!

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@billydeewilliams8909]

Forbidden bikes are insanely cool and have geo from 2029. I forget the details, but I know one of Forbidden's racers won an enduro series or something on the Druid. As far as new bike day goes, they're all I'm interested in these days. Guess I'm going to have to go to BC to demo.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Agreed! It is indeed a very impressive bike. We have some demos at our shops as well if you are nearby!

[@billydeewilliams8909]

@@WorldwideCyclery Awesome. I'll be in Tahoe a bunch this summer, so I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to make it to the Sparks location.

[@kevincalvey9281]

I have the Druid V2 and it is a do it all bike. I love it.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

That's what's up! Cheers!

[@parkerretz3749]

How does it jump

[@kevincalvey9281]

@@parkerretz3749I don’t get the chance to much greater jumps or drops than about 3 feet in my area, maybe 4 but I’m also used to doing that stuff on a shorter travel bike and a hard tail occasionally so I’m just used to absorbing a lot with my legs. I have a Ripmo but that’s the most travel bike I’ve ever ridden and it’s overkill for where I live.

[@ki77u_freerides68]

@@parkerretz3749I ride an S1 frame. It jumps great! I find it poppy enough. At real high speed sections - say a fast footy section - and you need to prehop into something, it’s a bit harder compared to my older transition scout. It’s just getting used to I guess. I love the bike

[@ki77u_freerides68]

How was it at parks? What rotors do you run?200?

[@ethanrevitch]

I saw one of the guys talking to Forbidden at Sea Otter. Stoked it worked out! I honestly thought you guys had Forbidden years ago because they’ve been around for 5 years.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Yeah we've been carrying them for about a year now! It took a little while but we're stoked to be carrying these awesome bikes.

[@Gaps2Naps]

I’m so close to buying a frame and building one of these! This video man.. 😂

[@WorldwideCyclery]

You won't be disappointed! Absolutely a machine of a bike.

[@Doggepp]

You're 100% right that this bike really punches above its "travel class" - Probably more than any other bike. I think Rhys Verner even has some podiums on a Druid with a ZEB (!!!) on it last year, which tells us its probably enough bike for most of us.

[@jared_erickson]

Agreed!! And yeah Rhys was running a Druid (I think with a modified suspension link and shock?) plus a Zeb... so sick.

[@veigarthor3663]

@@jared_erickson He was running a 160mm Zeb, but the link and shock was stock

[@Doggepp]

@@jared_erickson Yeah I am not a 100% sure on the specs. But yeah, seeing the numbers of a druid (130mm) with a prototype vivid, prototype maven brakes and a zeb, just beefed up bike, really tells you how capable the platform is. Interesting to see him run a Dreadnaught this year though. But yeah, I mean, Charles Murray runs a stumpy evo, with a 160mm lyrik up front, which isnt an "enduro bike" either. Bikes are so capable these days

[@SW-ku9ji]

I like to compare it to a giant trance X.

[@isaaclerner5268]

Take a shot every time he says "These days"

[@WorldwideCyclery]

I'm wasted now

[@jared_erickson]

You know you're getting old when you say things like "these days"

[@jared_erickson]

Just watching this makes me want to go ride my bike... Peace out!

[@ondrejhazdra7953]

wicked video! What a beuatiful bike !

[@augmented2nd666]

I was not expecting that 65 HA, most similar frames are more like 64 or less for the slack.

[@MrPiowpiow]

Druid v2 Mx VS Santa Cruz Bronson Mx? Looking at buying one of these… but can’t decided.

[@Ynot_Ride]

Got a Claymore (165mm), love it Was looking in to forbidden, but only supplied like 155mm on the back

[@WorldwideCyclery]

The new Dreadnought has 160mm!

[@RunRideHikeThrive]

New Dreadnought V2? 🤔

[@dems_mtb]

nice bike! what maxxis tires are on it?

[@WorldwideCyclery]

I ran a Maxxis EXO+ Assegai in the MaxxGrip Compound up front and a DD Aggressor in the rear. Probably my favorite combo I ran on that bike!

[@josechavez2148]

I’m in Reading, PA…any chance you’d get a Medium Druid as demo at Lancaster store?! I’m really Interested in getting a frame at some point and moving all my parts from my 2019 Hightower(no ancient) to a new frame. My friend here rides a large v1 and he speaks highly of it.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

There's definitely a chance for that!

[@brianhoey5591]

What would be the comparison between the Forbidden Druid V2 and Yeti Sb-150 w coil Jared used to ride? Seems the druid is being billed as equally capable with the improvements of more lively on the trail?

[@tomassanesson902]

Amazing beautiful bike

[@WorldwideCyclery]

We agree!

[@GaeFrogs]

I want. . . NEED ONE

[@WorldwideCyclery]

😋

[@BoshJeach]

But Jared, you didn't answer the question that we're all curious about! Why'd you sell it? and what are you replacing it with? 😅

[@jared_erickson]

Now that is a loaded question 😅 In all honestly I loved the bike so much but it wasn't the *best* fit for where I live and ride daily, and I was slightly craving something that had a little more efficiency. We had a local customer email in that was looking for the exact build and color that I had and decided to hook them up and switch things up. If I lived in the PNW I would have kept it. I ended up going back to a Yeti SB140. With that said... I would love to build up a Dreadnought v2 in the future for bike park smashing and serious enduro duty.

[@BoshJeach]

@@jared_erickson Makes complete sense to me! Lucky customer for sure. Appreciate the response!

[@streighty]

Oh man, trying to decide between the Druid V2 and the Yeti SB140 LR. I live in Portland and take trips to BC most years and ride all around PNW and occasionally Utah. Any input is appreciated between these two. I’m sure I’ll be happy either way. Coming off a Stumpy EVO. I like to climb and descend. I don’t shuttle much, and have never done the park/lift thing. Love the tech.

[@BoshJeach]

@@streighty I actually own a druid v2 as well which is why I was so curious why Jared sold it. I personally am head over heels about the bike, but it very much fits what I want out of it. It's a trail bike for someone who lives for the descents. I personally don't notice the efficiency loss from the idler, but I do notice the efficiency gains when pedaling over roots & square edges. If you're a rider who really values efficiency, or who wants a dead silent bike when pedaling, I'd go for the Yeti. I think you'll be happy either way, but it's easier to recommend the Yeti as there's less to fuss about on it.

[@BURSTspeed]

Are you guys posting your travel riding anywhere? (or any riding)

[@WorldwideCyclery]

As in what trails we are riding in the video?

[@BURSTspeed]

@@WorldwideCyclery Your trip to Europe or just riding videos in general for all you guys, would be cool to see! Or mtb vlog - this is one of the few mtb channels I watch, would be cool to have more MTB riding content in general.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

@@BURSTspeed Noted!! Thanks for tuning in to the content 😁

[@Coerced]

I only have 2 concerns with short travel high pivots: weird hops (growing CS) and less travel cush for big drops. But holy $*%& is it a beauty

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Good points! I mentioned this in the article (link in the description) about how it takes a little getting used to the growing CS but once you get used to it, it's like riding any other bike. I cranked the rebound up on the shock and that definitely helped give the bike more feedback and pop when it comes to bunnyhops and pulling up off side hits on the trail. And for what it's worth, it handles big drops and harsh landings quite well for 130mm of travel.

[@audiophizile13]

Is 466 not incredibly long cs for a 500mm reach bike? Even 452 for 480 seems looong

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Grape Nuts

[@mtbpodcast]

Yes

[@WorldwideCyclery]

I'm not sure about the reference but I dig it.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

@@WorldwideCyclery He hit us with a Cheerios and I thought it was a what's your favorite cereal question..... dad joke 🤓

[@0T13]

These days

[@Schwabz33]

Not to rain on how nice of a video this was but little bit more technical breakdown would be nice.. like suspension ..seat ..handlebars cockpit what are they using so forth? What are the components?

[@WorldwideCyclery]

We broke that down quite a bit more in the article! Hit the link in the description for all the little details :)

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

If I go by my local used market people don't keep their dreadnought & druids for a long time... Idk if fear because it's a newish company or they just don't like it, I should write to these ppl and ask why they are selling it 😂

[@quicksilverz6642]

Praises bike for 6 minutes straight *IMMEDIATELY SELLS IT*

[@randomradon]

You didnt include how much it is, thats a serious factor in whether its "for me" or not

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Builds start at $6,099 for the GX T-Type RockShox S build and go up to $8,899 for the top of the line X0 RockShox Ultimate build with carbon wheels.

[@playgroundchooser]

😵‍💫 well, not for me exactly then. Still looks pretty though.

[@DandyHippo]

Ö

[@fabriciofracchia6732]

The only complain... Not available at any place, worst if you want a size S2, worser if you want it in that color and even worse if you want it only as a frame kit only 😢

[@brodyisaak]

Is this an ai review?

[@ShaftShackDotCom]

It absolutely rides on rails on the downs, but you do pay a penalty with a loss of efficiency on the climbs, there's no way around it, everything in mtb has a trade-off...no free lunches