Forbidden Druid V2 carbon path mountain bike
The Druid is what Forbidden calls “a wolf in sheep’s clothes”’, as its Trifecta suspension platform is designed to journey prefer it has extra journey than it truly does. Rear wheel journey stays at 130mm for the Druid V2, however Forbidden has made key tweaks to the brand new body to extend the bike’s general efficiency… all with out dropping the journey qualities the unique Druid provided.
What’s new?
The V2’s most obvious change is the brand new rear finish, which now employs an inverted four-bar linkage. Forbidden needed to get rid of the Druid V1’s decrease chain information, and the brand new suspension format will increase chain wrap across the chain ring sufficient to do with out it.
A brand new 18t metal loafer pulley is supplied with a stable lube bearing, and has a refined tooth profile to make sure longevity and compatibility with newer drivetrains (like SRAM’s T-Sort transmission). A modular mount system makes the loafer completely suitable with both 52mm or 55mm chainlines.
Full 29er or mullet setups are each OK on the brand new body, however in the event you want to go together with combined wheels, it’s now not only a matter of including a Ziggy Hyperlink anymore – that’s Forbidden’s adapter hyperlink to transform their earlier frames to combined wheels. For this Druid V2, Forbidden is producing aftermarket chainstays to regulate for the mullet setup.
Pricing for the non-compulsory chainstays has not but been supplied.
Body Tech Particulars & Key Specs
The X0 construct package (the one package we’ve got particulars on at this level) shall be offered with a 150mm fork, paired to the 130mm rear journey making this a reasonably burly path bike.
The brand new Druid body got here in a bit lighter than the outgoing model, however as an alternative of saving a couple of grams Forbidden took the chance to beef up the V2’s body {hardware}. Tucked in between the entrance triangle’s pivots, the brand new cast Price Management hyperlink makes use of a bearing-in-rocker design, with locking collet axles and outsized bearings for improved stiffness and sturdiness.
With an organization founder hailing from Europe however residing in Canada, it’s no shock Forbidden makes certain their frames supply inner cable routing that works equally properly no matter what facet you run your brakes on. The cable port covers and guides pinch the cables/hoses to stop rattling.
To guard your body, the Druid V2 contains molded chainstay & seatstay guards, plus rubberized higher and decrease downtube protectors. The Forbidden Druid V2 additionally provides a downtube storage compartment, which has been up to date to permit tool-free entry to your snacks or journey necessities.
Path Suspension Updates
The Druid’s suspension was at all times designed to supply stable traction, playful pop, and a stunning means to gobble up rougher terrain. For the Druid V2, Forbidden has elevated the linkage’s leverage price to higher serve a variety of rider weights. They’ve straightened the preliminary leverage curve to enhance sensitivity, maintained a supportive mid-stroke that may nonetheless take up repeated bumps properly, and elevated end-stroke ramp-up to supply the bottomless feeling the Druid is thought for.
The V2’s loafer pulley was additionally repositioned. And the bike makes use of a brand new V2 Price Management linkage which gives elevated small bump sensitivity, higher traction, extra mid-stroke assist, higher bottom-out resistance, and each improved pedaling and braking traits.
To make sure stable braking the Druid V2’s anti-rise has been tuned to start out off with sufficient assist to take care of the bike’s geometry beneath braking, however drop off when the rear wheel will get deep into its journey. This permits the rear wheel to stay extra energetic over tough terrain, optimizing traction beneath arduous braking.
Anti-squat has additionally been adjusted equally, dropping off when the bike dips deep into its journey. On the sag level the Druid V2 provides stability for environment friendly pedaling, however because the bike compresses its loafer pulley place reduces pedal suggestions additional than the Druid V1 frames.
Path Geometry, up to date
With the Druid V2 comes Forbidden’s new body sizing scheme. Their frames will now not be known as S/M/L/XL, however slightly S1-S4. With low standover heights and seat masts throughout the board, riders can select their body dimension primarily based on attain desire and/or using type. Rider dimension doesn’t particularly decide supreme body dimension – however the vary covers riders from 5’2” to six’6”.
The Forbidden Druid V2 has stretched out up entrance, with 29er fashions now providing 15mm extra attain than the V1. Stack heights have come up by 4mm, whereas the BB has dropped by 2.5mm. As for angles, the V2’s head tube is 0.5° slacker and the seat mast is 1.5° steeper than the outgoing body. Now in the event you go for a mullet setup the V2’s attain will increase by 10mm, stack peak goes up by 5mm, and the BB drops 7.5mm. The top tube slackens out by a full diploma, and the seat mast will get 1° steeper (vs. the Druid V1 29er).
Forbidden’s geometry seeks to discover a stability between stability and agility, for all riders. Agency believers in size-specific rear-end lengths, their chainstays develop proportionally for every body dimension. Riders of any peak can get pleasure from a balanced journey with their physique weight centered between the wheels, optimizing traction and management.
Forbidden Druid V2 – Pricing, Availability & Choices
There are three construct kits coming for the Druid V2, however solely the range-topping X0 construct is accessible now – the opposite builds shall be coming throughout the subsequent few months. Druid V2 frames can be found in two colours: Spruce Almighty and Star Mud.
Druid X0 (XO AXS T-Sort): $8899 USD
We do have pricing, however no additional data on the next construct choices:
Druid GX FX – $7199
Druid GX RS – $6199
Druid frameset – $3799
Forbidden has additionally up to date their lifetime restricted body guarantee, so any bikes offered from October 2022 onward shall be coated in opposition to defects in workmanship or supplies for all times (to the unique proprietor solely). Forbidden additionally provides a crash alternative program in case you inflict critical injury to your body.
