{"id":49103,"date":"2023-05-09T18:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T16:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=727634"},"modified":"2023-05-09T18:36:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T16:36:57","slug":"new-forbidden-druid-gets-inverted-horst-link-high-pivot-and-tweaked-geometry","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-forbidden-druid-gets-inverted-horst-link-high-pivot-and-tweaked-geometry\/","title":{"rendered":"New Forbidden Druid gets inverted Horst-link high pivot and tweaked geometry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forbidden updates trail bike\u2019s frame, but it’s \u201cevolution not revolution\u201d <\/p>

By Finlay Anderson\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 09 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Forbidden has launched the Druid V2, a new version of its 130mm-travel, high-pivot trail bike.<\/p>\n

The original Forbidden Druid<\/a> was launched in 2019 and while the new bike has undergone a fair few changes, Forbidden says the V2 is a case of \u201cevolution not revolution\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Druid V2 has a new frame, with tweaked geometry and suspension kinematics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Trifecta suspension, although now using an \u2018upside down\u2019 Horst-link design, and One Ride sizing have been carried over from the previous model.<\/p>\n

Just like its predecessor, the new Forbidden Druid frame is compatible with 29in wheels and can also be set up as a mullet bike<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It has 130mm of rear-suspension travel<\/a> and is designed to run a 150mm suspension fork.<\/p>\n

The Druid V2 is available in four sizes (S1-S4), all of which feature Forbidden\u2019s One Ride size-specific geometry.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The newly streamlined frame still looks like the original Druid.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent \/ Forbidden Bike Company<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Forbidden Druid\u2019s frame has been redesigned and while it still looks a lot like the previous Druid, small tweaks to the front and rear triangle have streamlined its silhouette.<\/p>\n

The frame hardware has been updated with durability in mind and now features locking collet axles and oversized bearings.<\/p>\n

Full-length chainstay protection comes as standard.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Forbidden has refined the tooth profile of the 18-tooth idler sprocket.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent \/ Forbidden Bike Company<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The idler system has also been redesigned. The 18-tooth steel idler sprocket features a refined tooth profile to increase longevity and boost performance with the latest mountain bike drivetrains<\/a>. The system uses a standard chain length (126 links or less) and is optimised for 52mm and 55mm chain lines.<\/p>\n

All four sizes of the Druid V2 can accommodate a 750ml water bottle.<\/p>\n

The new trail bike<\/a> is compatible with a SRAM UDH<\/a> dropout. This means it can be fitted with SRAM\u2019s direct-mount Eagle Transmission<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trifecta suspension<\/h2>\n
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The bike is said to have a 100 per cent rearward axle path.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent \/ Forbidden Bike Company<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Druid V2\u2019s high-pivot<\/a> suspension system has been overhauled, now using a Horst-link design rather than a single pivot, as its predecessor and the longer-travel Forbidden Dreadnought<\/a> do.<\/p>\n

By swapping to this design, and relocating the idler wheel, Forbidden says it has been able to remove the lower chain guide thanks to increased chain wrap around the chainring.<\/p>\n

The high-pivot design is said to give the Druid a 100 per cent rearward axle path, enabling the rear wheel to absorb impacts from the trail without sacrificing forward momentum.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The linkage is said to provide small-bump performance, a supportive mid-stroke and progressive bottom-out.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent \/ Forbidden Bike Company<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As the rear axle moves backwards in compressions, the rear centre of the bike also grows, which should make the Druid feel more stable under heavy impacts.<\/p>\n

Forbidden says it uses the Druid\u2019s Rate Control Linkage to tailor the Trifecta suspension further. It claims to have achieved supple small-bump performance with a supportive mid-stroke and a progressive bottom-out.<\/p>\n

The aim of all this is to produce a \u201ctrail bike that punches way above bikes with more [travel]\u201d.<\/p>\n

One Ride geometry<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Forbidden Druid V2 has updated geometry.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent \/ Forbidden Bike Company<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

One Ride encapsulates Forbidden\u2019s aim to deliver a consistent ride feel across all its sizes.<\/p>\n

By having size-specific front and rear centres, the rider\u2019s weight distribution is identical across sizes, meaning riders of all heights will benefit from the same handling and performance.<\/p>\n

The Druid V2\u2019s chainstays grow from 423 to 466mm through the size range. The effective seat tube angle remains consistent too, ensuring taller riders also benefit from a comfortable pedalling position.<\/p>\n

Compared to the original Druid, the head angle has been slackened by half a degree (29in configuration). The rear centre has also grown considerably on all sizes, from 438mm to 452mm in size S3, and the reach has been stretched by 15mm across the range.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
Size<\/th>S1 (MX\/29)<\/th>S2 (MX\/29)<\/th>S3 (MX\/29)<\/th>S4 (MX\/29)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>435\/440<\/td>455\/460<\/td>475\/480<\/td>495\/500<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>614\/610<\/td>627\/624<\/td>641\/637<\/td>654\/651<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>582\/581<\/td>605\/604<\/td>628\/627<\/td>651\/650<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>400<\/td>420<\/td>440<\/td>470<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>76.6\/77<\/td>76.6\/77<\/td>76.6\/77<\/td>76.6\/77<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>90<\/td>105<\/td>120<\/td>135<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>64.5\/65<\/td>64.5\/65<\/td>64.5\/65<\/td>64.5\/65<\/td> <\/tr>
Front centre<\/b> (mm)<\/td>754<\/td>781<\/td>807<\/td>833<\/td> <\/tr>
Rear centre<\/b> (mm)<\/td>423<\/td>437<\/td>452<\/td>466<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,177<\/td>1,218<\/td>1,259<\/td>1,299<\/td> <\/tr>
BB drop<\/b><\/td>-29\/-35<\/td>29\/-35<\/td>29\/-35<\/td>29\/-35<\/td> <\/tr>
BB height<\/b><\/td>332\/337<\/td>32\/337<\/td>32\/337<\/td>32\/337<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>