Forbidden Druid V2 Review: Is A High Pivot Bike For You?

The Forbidden Druid V2 is a 130mm travel high pivot all mountain taming beast of a mountain bike. High pivot mountain bikes are becoming increasingly popular, with larger brands adopting the design and buying into the hype. The question remains: is all the high pivot hype just one big hype train? Or is the high pivot witchcraft truly legit? Tune in to find out.


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[WorldwideCyclery]

What do you think about high pivot MTBs?

[sylvainvanier]

If you are not too sure yet, try to find a demo day.

This bike defies a few things. It doesn't ride like a "just" 130mm bike. Rides better than my old Altitude in the chunk. Grip on tap for going up. Probably not the most efficient and lighweight bike out there for its class but man is it fun to ride! I ride the S2 mullet. I'm 5'5". I have it setup with a 160mm fork. So composed! Soooo fun!

FYI: Living in the Canadian Rockies and spending time in BC. My only bike too...

[musbox]

I absolutely love my mullet V1 Druid and will hopefully be upgrading next year. One of the best customer experiences I've had was from Forbidden.
This past Good Friday, I noticed that I damaged the carbon in my linkage. Sent a message, not expecting to get a response. Within no time, I had a warranty claim form, and a new frame was in the mail by Monday!

[wildmesamountainbiking]

Such a sick bike! Thanks for the good review. I’ll Definitely keep an eye open for one of these things popping up on sale!

[thStreet]

Excellent video. Bike looks absolutely beautiful and that brand is on my list for my next bike.

[kiu_freerides]

I can only agree. Recently built a v2 frameit with old parts from my scout. The Druid is a beast. As potent as a bike with longer travel. Absolute beast of a bike.

[loganmeline]

That is exactly my terrain, but with maybe even more rocks than the Italy trip. That bike looks rad. I'm going to have to grow out of my Norco Sight before considering one though. Thanks for the preview!

[kevincalvey]

I have the Druid V2 and it is a do it all bike. I love it.

[ethanrevitch]

I saw one of the guys talking to Forbidden at Sea Otter. Stoked it worked out!

I honestly thought you guys had Forbidden years ago because they’ve been around for 5 years.

[billydeewilliams]

Forbidden bikes are insanely cool and have geo from 2029. I forget the details, but I know one of Forbidden's racers won an enduro series or something on the Druid. As far as new bike day goes, they're all I'm interested in these days. Guess I'm going to have to go to BC to demo.

[kevinclark]

I was a fan of the high-pivot design before Forbidden started the craze, but unfortunately I don’t live where a bike like this makes sense. Too much pedaling here and efficiency and weight matters. If they built a sub-30lb bike with 115mm rear travel I’d be super interested.

[GapsNaps]

I’m so close to buying a frame and building one of these! This video man.. 😂

[jared_erickson]

Just watching this makes me want to go ride my bike... Peace out!

[augmentednd]

I was not expecting that 65 HA, most similar frames are more like 64 or less for the slack.

[Doggepp]

You're 100% right that this bike really punches above its "travel class" - Probably more than any other bike. I think Rhys Verner even has some podiums on a Druid with a ZEB (!!!) on it last year, which tells us its probably enough bike for most of us.

[Ynot_Ride]

Got a Claymore (165mm), love it
Was looking in to forbidden, but only supplied like 155mm on the back

[BURSTspeed]

Are you guys posting your travel riding anywhere? (or any riding)

[jarrettcoffelt]

Road both but went with the deviate hightower 2. Both great bikes.

[MrPiowpiow]

Druid v2 Mx VS Santa Cruz Bronson Mx?

Looking at buying one of these… but can’t decided.

[isaaclerner]

Take a shot every time he says "These days"