TEST BEFORE YOU SIGN!!!

[@RideBikes_Walkplaces]

man opening that shock that dirty and potentially getting crap inside it got my ocd's going.

[@BHShaman]

Demo Bike right? Wonder if he buys the one he rides or gets passed a new one without a dirty internal can.

[@LewisBuchanan]

😂😂I don’t buy my bikes. But anyway...hey I didn’t clean my hands this time. Next time eh 🤙🏽

[@BHShaman]

@@LewisBuchanan Pardon me, sorry. Did you keep it long term or pass the potential unexpected internal problems on to someone else?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Quit ya moaning mate 😂 I made a mistake. Think I’d done something terrible haha!

[@Northernblades]

Glad someone else said something. I won't be able to sleep. Always best to get rid of equipment you treat like that.

[@marcotte1988]

Closed my eyes at the part when you open your air can without even a quick rince.

[@energ8t]

Yeah, that wasn't really the smartest move. Dirt is Satan.

[@BoonockADV]

the worst feeling ever

[@purplemonkeyelephant]

What kind of animal does that to an active component

[@razorree]

you didn't wash your hands !!! :O :O :O

[@handoromper7987]

He doesn't give a shit he's not buying it some other sucker is. Imagine you bought the bike then you see this video.

[@YouGoDown69]

Love your videos man, keep it going, good luck for this season! Cheers!

[@LewisBuchanan]

Big up!!! Thanks a bunch.

[@James-dn1hu]

The bike looks mental. Would love to give one a go, well done on the sponsorships lew

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks mate, appreciate it

[@Tc-hb8vp]

Love that oilslick wrap that looks wicked I like the overall look of the bike the high pivot point looks very different but good

[@mtb_nick1588]

Sick vid man, also the drive trian design looks awesome!

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks man! Glad ya stoked on it

[@jltrack]

Gotta clean the shock before opening the air can dude. Great vid btw.

[@LewisBuchanan]

🤷🏼‍♂️

[@BarrettChris90]

Dude, I was cringing watching you open that shock while it was still full of mud. Even mud on your hands and jacket.

[@mikefoulds6146]

I’ve had my Druid for a few months now... LOVE IT!

[@ETSUBrown8939]

Great video, crazy bike. What’s the name of this park?

[@sdn147]

@@ETSUBrown8939 innerleithin

[@kandem01]

I love seeing the forbidden druid get all this attention!!! I wish I could afford one. They are made near me! Cumberland BC.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Nice! Well hey maybe some day

[@thecount1001]

come on mate, you know they are not made in Cumberland. designed yes, made, not even one part.

[@adrianmcdonagh2820]

Wow , wow , just can’t believe the speeds you run at Lewis , got to take my hat off to you. Just realised how shit a mtber I am

[@LewisBuchanan]

Adrian, thanks man. Hey we all have to start somewhere. Stick in there 👊🏽

[@chocoloco911]

😂 😂 😂

[@markbennett5222]

Bike looks sick, I’m seriously considering getting one. The high pivot is different but seems to be doing great things in the DH circuit. Getting homesick seeing the images of Ambleside, moved to NZ in 1997

[@hannesthun]

When you ad or remove air you must put the shock through a few cycles every 20-30 psi. Otherwise air might be stucked in the wrong chamber.

[@sethismename7499]

Interesting... I’ve never heard that advice before

[@hobmarg]

Only applies when adding air not taking out. When taking out you want to do it slowly/gently so you don’t risk unseating and seals.

[@kyleslater5245]

well no wonder mine never work right

[@taylorkrumroy7629]

Got a druid on the way right now - excited! Hope it's a step up from my 2020 Hightower lol!

[@dannnyw111]

how was it? im looking at the druid, can you run coil shocks etc? whats it like compared to the cruz? appreicate any info :D

[@marcoshea4868]

Thanks for sharing I need to spend some time and dial my bike in ,all the very best Man 👍

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks man! Good luck with it 🤙🏽

[@living4adrenaline]

Sick riding as always. Forget the air can and invest in a coil! No need to mess with air pressure. Where do you like to run your low speed compression?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Cheers, I have a coil shock now. Thing is was more supple!

[@alexkeyes1706]

if you have to do testing on your own again, look up how to equalize your suspension, you just push it slowly into the first 25 percent or so of the suspension, some of the air trasnfers to the negative. The main reason to do this is so that if you are making a change of 5 psi or less you get the same number every time. Play around with the shock pump and try it and see if it changes your numbers at all.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Yeah I done this off camera actually! Cheers 😊

[@alexkeyes1706]

@@LewisBuchanan Perfect, I guarantee you feel small differences of like 2 psi so it is extra important for a pro guy like you, what is your weight in lbs? Trying to set up the DPX2 right now.

[@Cartsp70]

Who are you Aron Gwynn ? 🤣🤣👍🏽👍🏽🤟🏾🤟🏾🌲🌲✅✅✅awesome riding, love the speed 👍🏽 I tried that at BPw first run on vicious valley and I landed in the bushes with my bike on top of me 🤣👍🏽

[@LewisBuchanan]

Haha thanks man. Never been to BPW, hopefully soon. Looks fun!

[@Aljonone1]

I think you should try a large frame, but having both medium & large to run back to back would work best!

[@LewisBuchanan]

Hey Alan, I ended up going with a large. I am currently riding a large right now. Perfect fit!

[@BMfins]

Dope bike. Your handling of the bike is amazing.

[@MTBFLOW]

That bike looks 🔥

[@cooper2616]

True, but i’m not so sure about the chainstay and the chain routing

[@cryptout]

My first reaction was, oh my what if all customers are so demanding... Then I looked you up and saw you are a pro-rider! Now I understand :-) nice to watch.

[@bike_somm]

Killer looking bike and can’t wait to see ya on the Enduro version if they end up making a longer travel one ☝🏼 Super Cool bike 😎

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks man. Hmm just keep ya eyes peeled. Ya never know

[@bike_somm]

Lewis Buchanan yesss very good news! Huge props man! Stoked for ya

[@LewisBuchanan]

Cheers

[@TAZMON20]

I like it, not too sold on the colour options, the suspension is the key to the bikes obvious future success, progressive so it should offer small bump sensitivity at the start of the stroke but with enough ramp up to stop it blowing through all of its 130mm travel too early, and yet that number alone is mind blowing, that a 130mm rear suspension platform can do, and possibly better, than your Mojo HD5 / 5 did. It will be interesting to see if you tune the pedalling efficiency as I understand you can with a high pivot / idler set up, may give you an advantage on the flatter sections of stages as it shouldn't compromise the suspensions efficiency, all in all it's an interesting platform for an Enduro bike as it's usually kept for the Downhill yobbo's.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks dude. Yeah I mean honestly it feels more planted than any of the ibis bikes I rode. More stable and I am much more comfy on it also. I think it’s the suspension design and the high pivot that really does it etc.

[@MyBetsie]

Nice video and gives a good insight into bike testing and some setup, achieving the feel that you are looking for (gotta be comfortable to be confident and often then fast). I use gopro footage for every change I make to see what it gives as feel can be so deceptive. Do you do something similar. Then have markers on local tracks for time and a little timing book. When I am uncertain of how I lost so much time or gained so much I watch them side by side and video the watch (must learn to video edit), then draw conclusions.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Cheers John. Yeah sometimes I use go pro footage and if the timing system is good and accurate then that also.

[@hobmarg]

Did cringe a bit handling the shock bolts on a muddy bench haha. What do I know though I’m a gear nerd not a world class racer! Cheers for the vid, looking forward to seeing how the Druid does for you at the races.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Ooops my bad, but thanks a lot for your comment. Thursday 5pm next test video is out

[@willshawyer7280]

Jesus these bikes are absolutely amazing

[@LewisBuchanan]

Heck ya!

[@rustymac83]

Really interesting video Lew, have you ever used any of the data acquisition devices on the market to help with set up? Either for something new in the suspension or for a specific track or event. Thinking things like a shockwiz rather than the type of stuff the Specialized DH team use.

[@LewisBuchanan]

I have used stuff like that before but it’s rather complicated unless you have people there that either created that stuff or know what they are talking about. I just go by feel, and tune along as I go. The easiest and one that I found useful is called motion instruments.

[@deymos2175]

I might be weird, but I would love to try a high pivot bike with one of these trust linkage forks and a gearbox and see what that would feel like

[@LewisBuchanan]

That would be one strange ride haha!

[@lbank4526]

Does the sun ever shine in England? Every video I see of that place its gray and wet. Ugh. So glad I live in Florida

[@jamiesessford6599]

The shop is in England however the riding is in Scotland

[@energ8t]

This is on my list of next bikes. I live in an area that is not as burly as I used to ride, so a capable 130 is right on the money.

[@jasonprfrost1]

Cant get over how low the chain gets during compression . Are you going to contact the ground/trail with that??

[@LewisBuchanan]

Nope. Clear away from any contact!

[@jasonprfrost1]

@@LewisBuchanan Some kind of magic tech

[@mpct400]

I'm building up my druid "aggressive trail bike" right now, but apparently it's much more capable than I thought watching this killer video. One question- I'm installing XT 12 speed drivetrain - will a single chain fit a large, or are extra links required?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Sick! That’s cool. I use a full length chain with few extra links. They will be required I think

[@mpct400]

@@LewisBuchanan ah, gracias amigo

[@zyoungson215]

That volume spacer change was savage

[@tissaenduroadventures7425]

Such a sick bike! Looks like you are even going faster on that beast!! Can you get me a sponsoring by Forbidden hahahaaaa

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks haha!!!

[@ImRokhound21]

What's the name brand of the front fender you are running, and are you happy with it?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Mudhugger. It’s been awesome 👌🏽👌🏽

[@sixtring73]

Really interesting video but I have some questions. Maybe this is possible for a high profile rider like yourself but I can't imagine a local bike shop letting anyone take a mega expensive bike out, getting it filthy, opening up the shock with dirty hands, only to say no it's not for me. And then potentially doing the same with a few different bikes or frame sizes. Thoughts anyone?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Fair point, but they knew well advance why I was picking up the bike. Forbidden arranged this and the bike shop gave me the volume spacers so I could swap them out during testing. Not a big deal man. And I ended up signing with the brand anyway and this bike shop got some coverage also. I appreciate them helping me! 🤙🏽

[@JJay-m1x]

producer: how many cuts do you want in your video? lewis: Yes also damper feels too stiff so put in a bigger spacer and less air?... personally would take out the spacers at all and put the pressure up. stiff means progressive spacers add progressiveness. so spacers out, pressure up rebound down. that damper can handle up to 350 psi so much room to play with. just my 2 cents from a rookie

[@mathieusoucy7904]

What is your thought about having less travel (130mm) for enduro racing? You think it's gonna be a disadvantage?

[@LewisBuchanan]

I reckon it’ll be sweet. Just have to wait and see huh

[@chettrockwell]

How. Does. It. Manual? The wheelbase gets alot longer during compression, is it still playfull?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Manuals nice man! Stoked on it. Playful as heck

[@zaklomas3623]

When are you gonna announce everything?

[@guypaterson9503]

Highly recommended to do some stuff in the lakes like skiddaw and some enduro type stuff on West side of grizedale and it isn't that far from inners

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks for the suggestions. For sure would like to ride that way more often!

[@mikem8083]

That vinyl wrap was INSANE!!!

[@LewisBuchanan]

Right? So cool

[@jonathanbeher791]

was in biketreks about two weeks ago and was talking to cat about u. she mentioned u had hired one and then i remembered also when u were down in the lakes, had a feeling u would be riding for forbidden!

[@LewisBuchanan]

Awesome! Good bunch there yup!

[@mattrobson8230]

Do you ever do the bottom line on matador with the 8ft drop?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Yeah man sometimes. I will be switching up the track a bit for the second test day on Monday.

[@mattrobson8230]

Lewis Buchanan Sick! I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you at inners before!

[@leomolloy5067]

What sag did you settle on? IV been struggling to set mine up for two months now and can't find the sweet spot.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Yo, I want to say around between 20-30% I think. I will get back to you on that one though as I’m unsure myself haha

[@MrHunterseeker]

that oil slick color 1:53 is really nice. Edit: I don't like the new design, I am more the Keep it simple stupid type.

[@kelevragaming6585]

could you run an oval sprocket on this bike with only 1/4 contact area?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Honestly man I have no idea. 🤷🏼‍♂️ sorry

[@LewisBuchanan]

But I feel like it’s possible

[@kelevragaming6585]

Lewis Buchanan be interested to see how it works out. Nice bike though!

[@timothycampbell1365]

One day I hope to ride as half as good as you I would be happy haha great content great bike great riding keep it up

[@ShotByStray]

Such a sick bike!

[@LewisBuchanan]

👌🏽thanks

[@marloncordova9006]

What setting are you using on your gopro

[@LewisBuchanan]

4K 25fps, superview, go pro hero 8

[@garethboothby1912]

Love the bike dude . But I think what ever you ride you will be rapid . Great video and Insite on actually setting a bike up properly . I’ve literally just set sag and left mine . I should really try playing around to get it spot on like you did . But then again I’m no where near the rider you are .🤘🤘👍

[@LewisBuchanan]

Ah thanks man! Hey everyone has a certain feeling they look for on the bike. Hope ya find out what suits you

[@simonhenson358]

Great insight into setting a bike up i enjoyed it. I've recently gone from a 27.5 to a 29er and haven't quite jelled with it, I'm no pro or racer and just ride fun and health but After watching this i may look at tweaking the spacers etc to see if that helps me out 👌

[@LewisBuchanan]

Simon thanks dude. Coming on Thursday at 5pm is another video from my second day of testing. Keep ya eyes peeled. Well good luck with the change! 👌🏽👌🏽

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Definitely not suited to rainy/muddy conditions unless you're willing to strip, clean and lube after every ride and expect to change rear end parts on a regular basis. Too overly complicated.

[@Tc-hb8vp]

I really like the oilskin wrap

[@asselinpower]

Solid bike but I really wish it came with a Super Deluxe instead ...

[@jasonhiggins214]

Loving your vids mate,this is undoubtedly the hottest and bedt performance and looking bike going, full stop. In its category i think its untouchable. Hoping to be on one soon

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks man

[@abroadparrot7102]

I love going to that bike shop

[@DaaVidcii]

Are thoses available in Canada?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Hell yeah they are . Canadian brand

[@zaceryhammond1144]

Made here mate 😆

[@elbobbitosmartito4185]

You should run a coil shock

[@pauljellybeanjones5740]

Air Can with some mud in 🙈 😂😂😂🤘

[@vincyboy999]

Reading on internet how to install volume spacer in shock... Forgot to read about avoiding at all cost putting sand in air canister. Forgot to cycle shock while putting air, I guess he ran the bike with at leadt 50% sag. To be honest: the guy knows how to ride and should stick to that.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Haha 😂

[@starsky8351]

I recently bought a bike, not a single bike shop allowed me to test ride a bike. I really dont think this is a thing, at least in NZ

[@LewisBuchanan]

Interesting

[@starsky8351]

@@LewisBuchanan this was actually why I ended up buying a new bike. The bike I used to own didnt fit me properly. I qas allowed to sit on it and ride it round a carpark for a min or two but that was it. Its scary as these bikes cost a fortune. Im still a little nervous as my new bike was the same, and due to lockdowns here I havent got it yet.

[@cjcox1480]

Extra weight for that chain route

[@geiar7079]

will you race the EWS?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Yup! Not the first two rounds but all the others!!

[@geiar7079]

Cool see you in the Alps!

[@yothach]

How tall are you and what size bike you ride?

[@LewisBuchanan]

5ft 11”. Size large

[@yothach]

What do you think of the bike ? I’m looking into getting one to race on .

[@jamesharvey2626]

Where were u riding

[@LewisBuchanan]

Innerleithen

[@edclough8704]

Bike treks in Ambleside?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Yup

[@jonathanangieri153]

awesome man! loved the vid, definitely think you made the right decision. Cant wait to see how you do on it! I would love to demo a Forbidden. Hopefully that time will come. Keep up the good work man!

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks so much dude. Appreciate it. Hopefully you can have a go on one this year!

[@adamgriffin709]

What do bikers wear when riding??

[@LewisBuchanan]

DHaRCO clothing haha!

[@lesgetsohb9927]

Looks pretty sweet

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks!

[@syntrax-og]

Coil works better with that rear triangle design.

[@LewisBuchanan]

👌🏽👌🏽

[@hashtagnoname1580]

What a bike is it?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Forbidden Druid 👌🏽👌🏽

[@michaelbrown8416]

I think that design is the way of the future

[@LewisBuchanan]

Hell yeah!

[@camdavey5690]

Anyone know what bike park this is

[@LewisBuchanan]

Yo cam, this is Innerleithen in Scotland. Uplifts organised by Adrenalin uplift

[@devon08059]

The chain line with the cog on the frame no chain slap on the frame.looks sick but it needs FLAT pedals also opening the shock while not being fully cleaned isn't good.

[@patryka11]

Dear Lewis, how tall are you?

[@LewisBuchanan]

5ft 11

[@patryka11]

@@LewisBuchanan ta very much. I am just about to buy my new bike and i cannot really test them in Poland. Perfect sizing seems the most important.

[@patryka11]

And the Mega which you felt little too big for you was L or XL?

[@LewisBuchanan]

I felt that the large mega was a good fit, but the set up was a little off for me as it was my friends bike and I didn’t want to change anything on it.

[@patryka11]

@@LewisBuchanan one more time thanks very much. I am 189 cm tall which is 6,2 and thinking about XL. I understand you are busy so thanks very much.

[@Hanifhpi99]

Nice vid 🤘🤘

[@bigdee6207]

The head tube angle just looks far too steep..the bike just looks too upright. A bit of a slacker head tube angle would have looked better...and i cannot wait to see who's shorts get sucked in 1st by that chain drive. 🤣

[@jahanwatson2423]

Why would you want a long travel 29er on those trails they’re looking like the exact opposite of what you’d want that bike for

[@LewisBuchanan]

Incorrect! But hey ho, each to their own and all that!

[@jahanwatson2423]

Lewis Buchanan eh wasn’t hating or anything man obviously you know better probably I have raced EWS but not factory pro, I just know I always hated my enduro 29 in berms and bike park type stuff, ride stumpy evo 27.5, overall yeah though the 29s are way faster all around just thought it looked really tight where you were, but obviously you’ll be racing Ews so it’s definitely an amazing bike

[@jahanwatson2423]

Lewis Buchanan was more so just saying I’d of probably missed done testing somewhere really gnarly get ready for that Burke Mountain, Vermont stop 😂😭#rocks

[@horatio4926]

Anybody know the song?

[@remibottin7989]

Horatio TOKYO HIGHBALL - Matt Large

[@TrailRiderMTB]

Out of interest, what weight are you mate? I've been contemplating a few changes to my suspension.

[@LewisBuchanan]

I am 73kg man!

[@rualert1602]

With the audio quality as bad as it is in this video, subtitles would be nice. CC can't keep up at all.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Na, thanks for ya comment but audio seems pretty fine to me. Much worse out there 😊

[@Wannaridebikes]

The whole chain thing looks like a lot of things can get stuck in places. Plus a lot of parts to watch and the chain. Just my opinion.

[@LewisBuchanan]

its been plain sailing for me. no issues at all. It's just different to any other bike but it works a dream. :)

[@Wannaridebikes]

Lewis Buchanan yeah I got my first 29 hardtail this year and I’m not used to it yet only rode 2 times. I still use my 26 inch dh rigs.

[@simondaberooni6483]

the druid is actually my dream bike, fucking sick.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Awesome!

[@budgetking2591]

you are flying

[@patryka11]

I am sorry for stupid assumption only by look but by "look" only you looked more planted and stable and faster on Nukeproof Mega 290 :)))))) sorry. but only clock will tell.

[@LewisBuchanan]

Thanks for ya comment. But I am certainly faster and more comfy on the Druid. Nukeproof was slightly too big for me actually.

[@patryka11]

@@LewisBuchanan thank you :)

[@patryka11]

@@LewisBuchanan you r the champ and know better. I myself like longer bikes but i am 188 cm tall and have irregular long legs and short torso.

[@azza461]

Has there ever been a bike you had to ride from a sponsor that you just didn’t get on with?

[@LewisBuchanan]

I struggled on the ibis Ripmo. Just wasn’t my cup of tea. But that’s my opinion🤷🏼‍♂️

[@gibran14sayabedul62]

My another Dream Bike ..

[@LewisBuchanan]

Sick!!!

[@BikeIsLife4EverGG]

good!

[@LewisBuchanan]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@sheepvosfosbfvsdfbvpwenf9320]

need one

[@LewisBuchanan]

Get one 🤙🏽

[@zukfreestylo]

👍👍👍

[@LewisBuchanan]

🙏🏼

[@duckpk10]

oh my lord you're moving at warp speed

[@LewisBuchanan]

👌🏽👊🏽

[@danhoyle3173]

I have been there

[@LewisBuchanan]

Sick

[@iliyadavoodipour6366]

what i think of this design? IT IS MUDDY!

[@kieranhobbins3967]

I spoke to you that day on the uplift! Druid is very nice even better in your stealth black 😍 have to take my claim to fame though and admit that was my purple nomad in the background outside the cabin 👌🏻😂

[@LewisBuchanan]

Haha awesome man. Stoked to hear it dude. Nice coloured bike for sure!

[@kieranhobbins3967]

Thanks man 🙌

[@LewisBuchanan]

You betcha! 👌🏽

[@roik.6694]

Pro for sure!

[@LewisBuchanan]

🙏🏼

[@kennethroth6757]

You Could of rode a UK made bike Stanton switchback 160🙄

[@LewisBuchanan]

Could have but they’re bikes where not on my radar as a potential bike I would race on 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@wolfranger1682]

You are SPEED

[@edknight5888]

Why is so much sped up!?!

[@LewisBuchanan]

It’s not 🤦🏼‍♂️ some people are just fast ya know 😊

[@jackshuttleworth6570]

If you don’t mind me asking. Why do you always wear a hat?

[@LewisBuchanan]

Cause I live in Scotland and it’s always cold

[@jackshuttleworth6570]

Lewis Buchanan ahaha