These things have been keeping me awake at night for a while. I've ended up with 2 quite similar bikes and I'd like to switch one of the frames out for something which I've never had. A carbon, lightish, short travel trail bike. But one that can still haul ass in the chunky bits.
Then this review came out today... https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-forbidden-druid-travel-is-just-a-number.html
Pretty much reaffirming everything I was already imagining. Someone talk me about of it because I can't really afford one right now!
Yeah, liked the sound of it too, but they're super expensive, a thousand more than other stupidly expensive frames
A carbon, lightish, short travel trail bike. But one that can still haul ass in the chunky bits.
Deviate Highlander with the 140mm linkage might fit that description, although 10mm more rear than the Druid V2. Fraction of the price though if you wanted a barely ridden XL frame...
My mate has the V1, and i admit i ride hard-tail only but he let me have a ride on it down the local tracks and woohoo its like a magic carpet ride! Seriously fun and off the back of that another mate has now also bought one too. Not a V2 but i can only assume its tweaked and even more fun! Not what you want to here eh
I want to know when 150mm became short travel?
So it's a 130nmm bike which rides like a 150mm bike, and weighs the same as well.
I mean, you could just buy a 150mm bike for half the price, eh?
The frame is 130mm, just takes a bigger fork.
Someone in the Pinkbike comments said their friend had their 1st frame and it's replacement both crack within 2 months. Probably not riding it like a 130mm bike though.
It’s a funny one this - I was looking at the v1 and the v2 is meant to ride better (still high pivot but is really an upside down 4 bar - rather than a true single pivot).
Cost for the v1 frame only looked acceptable when I was looking (it was on sale) but there are downsides to the setup - longer chain with idler can get very noisy in mediocre conditions and the v1 had a habit of catching stones between the swingarm and the frame. The v2 still has the idler - although I think it’s better designed than the v1. Have a look on Pinkbike - there’s a long thread about them.
Personally I went for a carbon Sentinel instead - it had less downsides and had a better reach vs seat tube length ratio for me. Love the thing.
I have a V1. I absolutely love it. Amazing traction uphill and almost bottomless travel down. The only disadvantage is the chain routing. You can hear the chain as soon as you’ve been through a puddle. I replaced the bottom chain device with the cascade components device which has no pulley which has improved things. You need to oil the chain every ride! Finally as a whole bike It’s also not particularly light. My mate has a V2 and previously a V1 he says the differences are that v2 doesn’t feel so bottomless but sits higher in its travel and uses the travel better. The V1 relies on a late ramp up on the travel and wallows a bit in mid travel.
If its any help I rode one round the carpark at Biketrek in Keswick yesterday, managers new ride as I'm considering a new frame. It was very very nice and super bling. Also showed me the mechanics lilac one which looked great in the flesh, like the one reviewed in pinkbike. He said 8 of them at Biketreks were riding them and loved them but that will be at trade prices. Not something I'd considered until that moment! it ticks a lot of boxes for your description OP but expensive!
Biketreks in Keswick is the first place I saw a Druid V2 in the flesh back in February. A couple of the staff were raving about them, saying they'd bought them. I was planning to take out one of their demo bikes but we haven't been back to the Lakes since.
He said 8 of them at Biketreks were riding them and loved them but that will be at trade prices.
Trade prices are the only reason that I've had most of the bikes I've had. I don't have access to them these days though so if I want a properly nice bike I'll have to just suck it up one day. It helps that components are never, ever full price and on this occasion I've got a full bike to frame swap anyway. I think I'd only need a dropper.
Driving? Are you German?
Just buy a complete GT FORCE idler carbon bike and have like £800 cash saved on top
No brainer
chakaping +1
I had a driud v1 and thought long and hard about upgrading to a v2 but for me I decided to get a Hightower instead. The extra weight and complexity of things like the idler do make a difference in my opinion. On the right terrain it's an absolutely fantastic descender (fast, rough basically) but for me the pro's didn't outweigh the complexity.
I replaced the bottom chain device with the cascade components device which has no pulley which has improved things.
I see V2 comes without a lower guide, and found this explanation https://nsmb.com/articles/our-obsession-with-drag/
one of the key visual differences between V2 and V1 is the way the upper chain pulley has been moved rearward. This increases chain contact with the narrow-wide chainring, allowing Forbidden to sell the second generation bike without a lower chain guide pulley, or jockey wheel.
If you are not set on an idler....
https://www.nicolai-bicycles.com/saturn-16-limited-edition-en
€6000 and a return plane ticket to Germany is where my cash would be going
I still haven't bought a Druid.
I have found one though. In stock, in black, in my size. Considerably reduced from RRP. Now I need to pull the trigger or admit that I've been an awful timewaster.
I keep looking at HB.916's and Claymores but I'm conciously trying not to overbike myself. I want something light and nimble that will be fun on local trails and pedally days out (I'm not going crazy though. No XC bikes!) I'll get something else for bikeparks and uplifts.
I'd consider a Hightower or something but the only ones in stock are still full price which is over £800 more than I can get the Druid for.
I'm confused. I might just swerve and buy an e-bike.
Considered a Highlander? Less bike than the claymore, and V1 and older V2s both hdiscounted
I have a V2. 3 rides in and I'm loving it. Which is handy as it would have been a costly mistake otherwise. I also had the V1 too. Plus had a lengthy dabble with a Highlander.
I must admit I much prefer the V2. The fit and feel is different and for me improved over the V1. I found the latter too compact from a geo perspective (size L). Currently own the S3 V2 in 29 flavour.
It's spritely and nimble, rides light (even though the build weighs the same as the previous 160/150 bike Canyon Spectral 29), carries speed well, feels planted and importantly feels balanced. It has trail bike feel with a little more travel up front.
There are downsides. Tyre clearance isn't great with the 29er version. It's OK but definitely something to keep an eye on. Yes, regardless of improvements and efficiencies, there's an extra cog. Although so far this has been inobtrusive. I've noticed the frame protection near the idler has been rubbed in a short space of time when running the lowest gear.
But so far the pros outweigh the cons.
I have considered a Highlander and they both get excellent reviews. For some reason though, having not ridden either of them I'm just more drawn to the Druid. The V2 in particular looks lovely, especially in the sparkly black.
Pinkbike reviews indicate that it will weigh in around 3kg lighter than my current 'trail' bike so that will be a nice bonus.
I plan to use it only as a 29er with probably 2.4 tyres.
sharkattack
Pinkbike reviews indicate that it will weigh in around 3kg lighter than my current ‘trail’ bike so that will be a nice bonus.
*raises eyebrow*
Can't imagine the frame is saving you 3 kg....
right but not really liek for like, if you put similar bits on the Druid it would be much closer.
Current trail bike is a Privateer 141 with a coil shock and clocks in around 17.5kg. Recent Druid V2 on Pinkbike is 14.6.
Seing quoted weights makes me think my scales are shonky AF as my bikes always seem to be on the heavy side, e.g. G16 with coil and Zebs at 16.7kg. But hearing your Privateer weight makes me think again!
You absolutely sure you don't fancy a v1 Highlander at a lot less than a Druid V2?
right but not really liek for like, if you put similar bits on the Druid it would be much closer.
I last weighed the 141 with my light wheels and fast tyres with no inserts so that's as light as it gets. I did just double check and spot the carbon rims and bars in the Druid review. I can fit carbon bars but I don't have the rims.
I'll be building the Druid with the parts from my redundant Norco Sight so I'll be able to weigh them side by side before I sell the Privateer.
For ref, my v2 is 15kg*. Which was the same weight as the outgoing Spectral*.
Carbon wheels too.
*Approximate weights based on bathroom scales.
My Druid V2 is about 14kg, nothing silly light, so it’s easy enough to get to that sort of weight.
Having had a 916 & my other half has a Claymore, the Druid is a considerably more versatile bike overall. I took a tape measure to mine as it also ‘felt’ bigger than the numbers suggested - it’s slacker & longer than the charts state.
I wasn’t after one, but found a barely used, cheap second hand frame, which. I could just punt on if I didn’t like & thought why not -it’s still here, so that probably says it all.
Have you ridden a high pivot bike before? The growing chainstay as you go through the travel apparently takes some getting used to and isn’t for everyone.
Just thinking of the risk of lusting after something then being disappointed.
I’ve a highlander v1 150 - amazing bike; did the mega on it last year and rips local woodsy trails. Best all rounder I’ve ever owned - I’ve never ridden a bike that carries speed like it does. If you want a high pivot it’s got to be a consideration. I think the Claymore would be great if I had access to bigger mountains but I think for the UK the Highlander is perfect.
The growing chainstay as you go through the travel apparently takes some getting used to and isn’t for everyone
My other bike is a Raaw Madonna, & before that a Stage Evo & I really don’t think the high pivot highlander takes any getting used to. I can jump between bikes without having to engage brain. They’re just different bikes. The thing that surprised me the most was just how much speed it carries over very rocky rough terrain. First few corners were interesting as I was going too quick get round them..!
I have't ridden a high pivot yet but everything I read is a selling point rather than an alarm bell. I'm a DH rider at heart I just don't have access to mountains and chairlifts, I have endless chunky bridelways instead.
I also ride flat pedals and like to drop my heels and monster truck through rough stuff. Behaviour that really isn't fun on most trail bikes which is why I always end up on big travel porkers.
where did you find it on sale?
Biketreks in Keswick. It's the same one I saw hanging on the wall in February. I contacted them and they still had it, the only thing that had changed was the price.
I bought mine out to the Alps, along with my big bike & have ended up riding it more, generally as I prefer shorter travel bikes.
I don’t tend to ride the battered main lines, so I don’t need lots of travel & it’s been surprisingly good down the Pleney mega steeps, I’ve genuinely not wished to ride the other bike over it.
My only real issue so far has been in the sticky clay, where it’s been drying out here is it still packs mud into the lower link & it gets compressed as the suspension returns, but the weather has been pretty unique here this week & my usual riding conditions are not like that.
Does it feel like it has ‘more’ travel? No, I’d say it just feels like a very good trail bike, which has a different take on how it deals with things. I would say due to the high pivot it rides better on chunkier stuff than any bike I’ve ridden with 150mm of travel, or less though.
This one can stay for a while.
Sounds ideal really. I can bring it out to the Alps next month but I might still have the 141 Ohlins with a coil shock and longer fork which might be more suitable.
It's due to a burglary and trying to replace bikes during Covid that I ended up with two good but very similar bikes. Now that I can switch things up a bit I want the Druid as a 'trail bike' for trail centres, exploring and big days out in the Peak.
I'm planning to sell the 141 and get a longer travel, mullet wheeled sled for holidays, uplifts and bike park stuff. That will have to wait now though (unless someone buys my motorbike on eBay then I'll be buying 2 frames in one week!)
Then I won't have to stand in the garage before every ride looking at my two 29er enduro bikes wondering which one to ride. It'll be a really obvious choice depending on where I'm going.
I bet it’ll be great, look forward to seeing pics and ride reports!
“Then I won’t have to stand in the garage before every ride looking at my two 29er enduro bikes wondering which one to ride.”
I’ve always struggled with this - I hate feeling I picked the wrong bike. My current solution is having two bikes which have super similar geometry and parts but one of them has rear suspension and gears and a motor, and the other one doesn’t! They both ride well on all the trails I ride but do it in very different ways (whilst also being weirdly similar in how they handle).
Well I didn't have to wait very long! Thanks to Biketreks for the overnight courier.
Frame is covered in sparkles which are hard to photograph but will probably look awesome in the sun (which is currently missing).
I 'think' I have everything I need to build it but no doubt I'll be stuck in compatibility purgatory soon. I do need some fresh tyres because my current stock is clapped out.
My problem now is that I'm home alone with a toddler all day so all I can do is look at it.
Oh that look very nice @sharkattack, looking forward to the build pics and ride report.
I've done as much as I can since junior's bed time. It looks like a weapon already.
Couple of issues. Steerer is too short but I have a really tall top headset cover which I can swap for something flatter.
I just remembered I need a new olive and barb for a Code RSC and if I can't get one at the LBS it'll slow me done for a few days.
I have 2 of these things...
It's a flush grommet thing for the internal routing but they're both gear cable size. I think I've been sent a wrong piece but it'll be quicker to drill it out than replace it.
So I'll be digging in tomorrow morning and maybe pedalling it around. This time tomorrow night I might have Post Traumatic Internal Routing Disorder.
It's in one piece. The brakes aren't great, they need some attention. Everything else is fine.
I just went for a blast around the streets near home so I can't give you a full review.
First impressions are good. The size and shape is bang on, it's a nice place to sit and I span up a few steep hills no problem. It feels light, sprightly and agile which is exactly what I wanted after a few years on bigger enduro bikes.
I might go out tomorrow with some tools and a shock pump and dial it in a bit.
That’s so nice! And these v2 Druids are really well reviewed - I think the upside down Horst link is a great way to do the high pivot without such extreme chainstay growth and brake squat.
The gloss black Lyrik is a nice match with the frame finish (sparkles or not)!
Thanks, I'm lucky I had a bike which I could use everything from. I've only bought a chain and a £3 olive and barb.
I found a another review... https://theradavist.com/forbidden-druid-v2-review/
I haven't read it all yet, it's very wordy. But again, it's overwhelmingly, almost unbelievably positive.
What height are you? It's an S4/XL, right?
It's an S4 and I'm 6'2" with my Five Tens on.
185cm on an S3 here for reference.
Still enjoying the Alps on mine, the big bike isn’t really even getting a look in this trip.
Im doing the classic of wondering, with a couple of sets of wheels & swapping out between the air & coil shock, this could be a middle & big bike solution for most of my riding & racing.
Another week out here yet & off to Finale in September, which bike will win out…
Is that an Intend shock? What’s it like?
Is that an Intend shock? What’s it like?
It is. It came with it (and some others) so I’ve not had a huge amount of time on it to be honest, I chucked a coil on for going away.
Ill swap back when I’m home as I think with a bit of messing around with the air chambers it could be close to a coil in terms of feel.
Thanks both, I'm 185cm also, thinking the reach on the S3 is shorter than I'd like, hard to know
How do I know what my chain line is? There's 2 different mounts for the idler. One marked 52-55 and the other is 55 only.
I've got a regular cable operated GX Eagle.
measure centre of frame to centre of chainring
I still haven't ridden it yet! I had Junior all day yesterday and today I'm 'working from home'.
I did weight it though. It's 15.5kg. That's almost 2kg lighter than the 141. This is without any 'lightweight' parts as I don't have any. This frame is the first piece of carbon fibre I've ever had. Obviously I'm tempted to go all in with rims and bars etc. That will have to wait, but lets see what's around on Black Friday!
Two issues. My frame is missing the rubber chainstay protection. I thought it might have gone missing in the shop somewhere but Biketreks confirmed that it should should have been glued on at the factory. They replied early Sunday morning to say that they'll have one shipped out asap.
Also, my shock is squelching. All the adjusters seem to work but there's a bubbly, frothy, squelch at the start of the travel and a pronounced hard spot. This seems like cavitation and as an ex-Fox X2 owner it makes me nervous. I'll try to get a video later.
I'm bringing back the Druid thread in case anyone is interested in them.
What prompted me is that I just noticed that my bottle bosses are on the wonk. The lowest one is really rough and needs an M4 tap running through it but I don't have one yet. While messing with it I noticed that they weren't lined up very well. On measuring it you can see it's about 10mm out of line. Now as manufacturing faults go, it's not disastrous but now that I've noticed it it's really bugging me. With all the frame jigs and stuff, how do they even get this wrong? Unless every one is like this. I'll get a picture later if anyone cares.
Anyway, I've actually ridden it a few times now. I've had it built since August but I had a few trips booked that were more suitable for the other bike so I've been riding that more. Now that I've smashed it down some very familiar trails I've got some opinions about it.
It's properly rapid! Now, in the past I've always been overbiked, so this is the lightest, shortest travel bike I've ever had and maybe that's why it feels so spritely. I did take the edge off the speed and efficiency quite a lot when I switched from my worn out Schwalbe's to brand new Kryptotal's which are heavier and stickier. But away from the local loops and into the shitty, chunky trails, the Continental's are far superior.
I haven't even gotten into setting it up yet. I just set the sag and left the compression wide open. The rear end is magic. It's not that if feels like it's got more than 130mm travel it's just the action is amazing. It gives so little feedback through your feet, it feels like it's not doing anything. I didn't realise how good it was until I got to some familiar trails which I'd ridden hundreds of times on lots of other bikes. Everywhere that I expected it to start feeling crashy, it just didn't. It's also the quietest bike I've ever ridden. The silence combined with the quality of the rear suspension makes it feel unlike anything I've ever ridden.
I've only taken it to proper trails a few times so far and the dominating factor has been the weather. I was covered head to toe in mud at the weekend so I wasn't agonising over bike setup. I'm going to take it somewhere hopefully dry and rough as hell, with a shock pump, and see how much I can improve the feel. Or, I'll find something I don't like and report back.
Only complaint so far is lack of rear tyre clearance. It's very tight with a 2.4 in there and annoyingly I've now got some redundant 2.6's in the garage. Oh, and now the wonky bottle bosses.
So far, so good.
That is imo one of, if not the best looking high pivot bike I've seen.
Noice {insert Italian hand emoji here}.
Thanks. Does it make me a tart that I'm currently looking for a black pump so I can lose the silver/gold Lezyne one?
Silver/Gold sets off the decals on the bike IMHO - keep it.
Very much love the looks of these bikes... the name alone just begs for a Pigs x7 soundtrack and a rip through the woods on an autumnal day
Here's a decent picture of it freshly cleaned in an unusually tidy garage...
This is how tight the tyre clearance is with a 2.4. I imagine it'll be a nightmare in proper mud. Luckily my recent rides have been wetter than Atlantis so not too claggy.
This is hard to picture but the bottle bosses are definitely closer to the drive side of the bike. The bottom one more so. Whoever drilled the holes that day must have been distracted.
Thanks. Does it make me a tart that I’m currently looking for a black pump so I can lose the silver/gold Lezyne one?
Absolutely. Lean into that shit, it's ace.
Still really rating mine, so much so, I sold my big bike when I came home from the Alps as it’s mostly redundant. I have left the coil on it to be fair, as it just rides really well with it & don’t see any reason not to run it. I have another short travel bike with an air shock (Tallboy) and an XC bike so am happy with a slightly burlier build on it anyway.
It’s close to being the ideal UK bike for me. I’ve ridden it down some disgustingly steep stuff in Morzine, some blown out rough DH tracks, raced some enduros on it (and won) & done some general day to day riding with it & never felt the need for anything more.
Be interesting to see how it goes in proper clag with that tyre clearance. My sentinel has what I thought was ok mud clearance but at the mini enduro last year the back wheel locked slid at one point with mud on a downhill bit. That’s with a Kryptotal 29x2.4. Never had that happen on any bike before. It was gopping out though.
Yeah, I'm liking my DV2 in 29 flavour. Such a composed little bike and a great allrounder.
I have to agree though. The tyre clearance is not UK friendly in 29er guise. I run a 2.4 Dissector. I wouldn't be so keen to switch to a DHRII. There's not much clearance on the seat and chain stay bridges. The mud and debris certainly pile up there.
I've seen a couple of instances on other V2 frames where the filth gets dragged through and over time removed the frame protection and in some instances the paint.
For me this is something to keep an eye on and make sure the wheels out and that area cleaned and checked post ride.
Not sure I've got any water bottle screw alignment issues, although the lower one felt grotty even though it was new/unused.
I must admit, there's loads of reviews and content stating how quiet it is. Yet ever since I got it there's chatter. Which I think is the cables in the top tube. Although I recently added a small amount of housing damper (as it's a serious pain to do with very little space to do it) and that's still not worked. Six months on and that's a work in progress.
I'm going to line the inside of the frame with insulation tape around the tyre before loads of gritty mud starts getting dragged through there.
Then after a muddy ride I can inspect the damage on the tape rather than the damage to the paint or the carbon.
I'll look for a narrower tyre if I need one.
I've set the shock up according to Forbidden's recommendations. My sag was miles off!
I'll bet out on Monday somewhere hopefully.
My sentinel has what I thought was ok mud clearance but at the mini enduro last year the back wheel locked slid at one point with mud on a downhill bit. That’s with a Kryptotal 29×2.4
Same tyre on mine & it’s not what I would call spacious, but mine did not clog up at the same event. It’s similar to my old Megatower in terms of clearance & the frame protection does get ripped up. No actual damage to it though (EX471 rim if it makes a difference to tyre profiles).
I made reference to a particularly sticky day in Morzine where it was completely overwhelmed, but then every single bike I saw was the same.
In terms of noise, I pull the cables right in the frame & clamp them down & like others, it’s silent.
I went to Devil's Elbow yesterday. It's by far the chunkiest, tech trail I have close to home. It was so good I did it 3 times even though it's a killer push back up.
If you don't know, it's full of massive rocks, big steps, small drops. There's a slow bit, a fast bit, and it's really easy to get spat off line. I've been down here on a few different bikes now and the Druid is up there. I wish I could have my previous bike and ride them side by side.
I took a shock pump and ended up at 265psi with bang on 30% sag and it felt mint. Light and lively like a short travel bike but taking big hits like a champ. It's really bizarre. Every time I'm expecting a big slam it doesn't come.
Also, it goes up hills acceptably well, even with my rattly lungs and jelly legs.
Oh, and the real reason I wanted a new pump apart from the colour is that I'm sick of the Lezyne one unscrewing valve cores. This one still has a hose but it clamps rather than screws.
Much less chance of spraying my jizz all over the woods now.
