Forbidden Druid - any experiences?

I have one, it's a great bike, I've had no issues in the mud. It does use its travel well so I've not noticed the drop in travel from the Rallon I had  before. I'm running mine with 160mm 36 and it's a good match.

It's harder to manual than other bikes I've had but jumps well (as far as a dobber like me can).

I ran mine without the idler but currently using a cascade lower guide. There was noticeable drag with the lower roller, not lots but a bit like riding with a bit of a flat, removing the lower roller made it better but still some.

The v1 frame geometry is a little shorter than I'd like, at 6' I'd rather have the reach of the XL but the seattube is too long, I went for the L to get the better seat fit. It's ok but I've had to go up to a 42mm stem. 

I'd not swap mine for anything other than a V2 at the moment unless I go eeb.

@mrhoppy - thanks - that’s useful.

I do wonder if the large reach would be better - but the 450mm seat tube is a deal breaker for me as I like a long dropper but I’m only 5’9. <br /><br />

The medium is 445mm reach which is 5mm less than my current sentinel with essentially the same stack height. So probably ok - although my ideal reach would probably be about 460mm.

I’v ruled the dreadnought out I think. Unless I go stupid and just go for it and hope for the best 🫣

That has a reach of 465mm I think - 420mm seat tube maybe and slightly higher stack. The bit that gets me is when it compresses the chainstays get so much longer it might be a monster on steep / tight tech and getting it off the ground might be a lot of work.

The main thing about the Druid is I’d have a warranty - with the 2nd hand Sentinel not so much.

Hmmmn.

Hi - I have a V1 Druid as well, echo what mrhoppy said. Like mrhoppy I have the cascade lower guide in addition I have the cascade rear link which changes the leverage curve on the suspension and ramps up the travel from 130mm to 140ish (I think). Suspension was great out of the box but for me it is even better with the cascade link, once you have the shock set up it just feels like it floats over baby head rocks and square hits, my mate has a nomad and we both notice that on chundery rocky trails the Druid seems to accelerate. No issues with grindy Peak District mud, but I have changed the bearings every 12 months. Running full 29” with 150mm fox upfront and XT group set as supplied on the bike from new, which is faultless on shifting (some people report it is difficult to set up the gears when they have used other set ups). Forbidden support is great (feels like they are still small enough to care and are all passionate riders) with good ‘how to’ videos and lots of tech documents available. Like Mrhoppy I have no urge to change - does everything I need very well. Let me know if you have any questions 👍.

A friend of mine works for Forbidden, I can link you both up if you want to find out anything specific. Also I have a 150mm air shaft for lyriks, let me know if you want it.

Thanks @philhadfield - the Druid is sounding better than I thought. Shame the Midnight Velvet colour is out of stock - but one of the colours left is acceptable (blue steel). Would look ok with red lyriks / I’ve got xt 12 speed mech and shifter with an slx cassette and xx1 chain. Think I’ve got a few off cuts of chain lurking around the place. <br /><br />

Food for thought. <br /><br />@pimpingimp- if I get my Sentinel sold and go Forbidden over Sentinel Carbon then I may have to get that air shaft from you. Any idea which one it is - B1 / C1 etc?

I am a high pivot fan & still maintain my old Dreadnought was one of the best riding bikes I’ve had. It was just infuriatingly badly designed.

It spent a lot of its life creaking around the lower link, which is a common issue among others I know who have them (lots of them around the FoD) & I ended up cracking it.

The V1 design for both the Druid & Dreadnought is not UK mud friendly, you need to be really careful & I would suggest running the winter rear mudguard 24/7 with moto foam under it as when the suspension compresses, the rear triangle crushes stones into the carbon & there were a lot of stories of broken frames because of it. Less so now.

I’ve ridden a V2 Druid & it’s a better bike now & the sizing is more in line with the Dreadnought (better). Of the shorter travel bikes it’s the only one I would consider over my Gen6 Fuel EX.

I think with high pivot bikes, they either work for people, or don’t - there isn’t really a middle ground on them. They definitely lose the poppy, playful nature, but are very, very good at going fast & feeling balanced in rough stuff.

If the sizing is a bit whack/odd for you on the Druid, what about the Deviate Highlander? That’s a bit bigger in reach etc. The Deviates also come with their own separate issues which is also annoying, but may be a consideration.

I think Stif still demo them don't they? You could try both. Just bought a high pivot myself, GT Force, it's not as high as the forbidden bikes, but its not just a ground hugger,  it pops still.

Interesting to get balanced reviews. I’d read about the stone crushing thing but understood forbidden had issues a bigger mudguard thing to stop that - is that the winter guard referred to?

Still on the fence - can’t go to the full cost of a v2 Druid sadly. It’s v1 or secondhand carbon sentinel I reckon.

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3773203/

Mmmmmm 🙂

I have a M Druid v1. I’m 5’9”. I love it.  It is difficult to manual but easy to jump somehow.

I think a longer bike would compound the issue so I like it being quite short

I have fitted the cascade linkage which does it much higher in the travel.  You can feel the drag of the chain but I have removed the lower  guide and swapped it for the cascade one that doesn’t have a pulley. That has improved it massively.  The pedalling platform is good too.

I’ve never had any problem with mud but I live in the Lakes where it’s not particularly muddy.

The suspension is remarkable in that it feels bottomless even though it has less than my previous SC Bronson.  I run it with a 150 Fox 36 and XT.

I really recommend the bike, it would be interesting to try a v2 to see how different that is.

Interesting to get balanced reviews. I’d read about the stone crushing thing but understood forbidden had issues a bigger mudguard thing to stop that – is that the winter guard referred to?

Still on the fence – can’t go to the full cost of a v2 Druid sadly. It’s v1 or secondhand carbon sentinel I reckon.

Yes, the winter guard was a free upgrade they did for both bikes, obviously in an attempt to resolve the rock crusher issue they were having. The V2 Druid doesn’t have the same issue, but it does now have a slightly different one with catching rocks in the lower link.

I would say the suspension will feel ‘bigger’ than the Sentinel, due to the rearward axle path. You may think that is the best thing ever, you may absolutely hate it, same with how the suspension reacts when under braking.

Ive ridden quite a few high pivot bikes (V1/V2 Druid, Dreadnought & currently my other half has a Claymore & I have a HB916 as a big bike) so am well versed on the feeling of them. The V1 Forbiddens were probably the highest of the high pivots which makes them that little bit more unique to ride than the rest, other than maybe something like the Contra.

For me, they work, so I am prepared to accept some of the compromises they make. Which is no different to any other bike/suspension system on the market.

There is meant to be a launch today, rumoured to be a V2 Dreadnought - you might find a few cheap V1’s coming on to the market there as well.

Yeah I think the dreadnought is going to be too much bike for sure. Whilst I love the look of it everything suggests it’ll be too planted.

Druid still interesting though - it’s just hard to judge how it’ll compare to a Sentinel. Sentinel Carbon is lighter and 25mm more travel with a cascade link (which I have) at the rear. It’s how that compares with the 130mm high pivot rear suspension.

Got a dreadnaught, had it for maybe 8 weeks now. Demo’d the Druid as well on the same day. For me the Druid didn’t climb “that much better” but the dreadnaught was noticeably better going down. Hence I went for the dreadnaught, I’ve found it great fun, done loops and DH stuff on it and still loving it.
The idler must cause drag, but again not so much that I notice, not because I’m so fit and strong but probably not delicate enough to ever feel that level of drag specifically. A couple of psi in a tyre, a muddy track, clogged tyre etc etc cause more of a draggy feel than I’d notice in the real world.
So in summary get a forbidden in whatever flavour you want and it’ll be ace.

Regarding the ‘stone crushing’ on the V1, this is no longer an issue as all owners received a longer back mudguard that also houses Moto foam free of charge, and all new bikes from that date forward have them fitted as standard.

I think you really need to take a test ride with two bikes back to back. When I bought mine I took a Hope HB160 (the old, none high pivot Hope) and the Druid out back to back at biketreks at grisedale, being a proud Lancastrian I really wanted the Hope, but the difference was so amazing I was completely sold on the Druid! But we are all different, you need to decide what suites you. Decision decision, enjoy the experience 😉

It’s tricky to get the test ride of both bikes back to back or even one of them I think. V1 Druid no longer stocked / no demo bike anywhere close. Guessing the sentinel will ride similar to mine, just lighter and a bit easier to throw around.

Its going to be a bit of pot luck I think and hope for the best!

Phil I had exactly the same experience at Grizedale.  <br /><br />

Joe if you’re near the lakes you’re welcome to have a go on mine. 

Thanks both - sadly I’m in Bristol so nowhere near the lakes!