Forbidden Druid // Bike Review

On my first outing with the Forbidden Druid V2, I aimed to get an unbiased first feel for this trail-oriented bike. I took it on the first ride without looking up the specs or the intended purpose. I had a rough estimation for the rear suspension travel, but my guess was off by almost a full inch of travel. The Druid V2 is designed for all-day pedaling, featuring 150 millimeters of suspension up front and 130 in the rear. The rear travel felt more substantial than its 130 millimeters, a testament to the efficacy of the progressive rear suspension curve and growing chainstay

Bike Geometry & Specs
Based on Size S3
Model: 2024 Druid X0 RS U
Price: $11,499 CAD
Wheel Size: 29"
Rear Travel: 130mm
Fork: 150mm
Wheelbase: 1259mm
Chainstay: 452mm
Reach: 480mm
Head Tube Angle: 65

00:00 Intro
01:12 The Climb
04:51 The Descent
13:26 Final Thoughts

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Follow Us!

[SpencerAstraPOV]

It was awesome to finally try this bike out! The lack of chain slap was so impressive! 🔊👌🏻

[michaeltheodorakis]

Simply the best Bike I’ve ever owned. At 120kg I decided to go for a 160mm Zeb up front. Just butter everywhere…..

[CaliforniaRiding]

Be nice if you could get on that 2024 HP Norco Optic/Sight after this comparison.. 👍 Great review as always 👏 👏

[j.e.s.]

Amazing. This dude provides one of the most interesting and useful bike reviews I’ve ever come across while doing the research. Talent. Impressive. One of the best MTB vids since his last one. Thanks.

[kiu_freerides]

One of the best bikes I’ve ever had. Absolutely agree on how quiet it is

[vrwgqq]

Out of all the recent iterations of bikes, this one impresses me the most. It’s not stupid hardcore like a pole and yet not only modern but probably the most unique and maybe functional suspension while everyone seems to be gravitating back to 4 bar/horst

[livefreeandshred]

I’m located in New England, specifically New Hampshire, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my Druid v2. It’s the perfect trail bike for around here.

[DJH]

These trails are crazy fun and beautiful 😍

[xqrpfmp]

These bikes are super fun! It's like they took a dh bike and re-molded it into a nimble super capable trail bike. The rear traction is next level and they really smooth out the chatter. Super solid feeling frame and something you can totally hammer on and be confident that you won't be sliding all over the place. But yes, you do pay for it with a drop in pedaling efficiency...People have estimated it to be only a 2% drop, but I'd say it's closer to 10% once you start getting on the steeper grades. Still worth it though if your climbs aren't super treacherous and your decents are rowdy and slightly demanding. And you can definitely get around this by weight-weenieing the components, but of course...$$$ Awesome review, it's almost the perfect bike for the PNW!

[grantwilliams]

Thank you for creating the review.. Nxt bike I think

[jonthesailorman]

Would love to see how it compares with setup MX.

[Coerced]

I know this isn't the bike for me but hot damn it's beautiful

[Jackofafewtrades]

Mind clueing us in to your camera and settings? It's so rare to see such smooth, crisp action camera footage. Phenomenal review, and I'm not even interested in this bike or any other full sus bike, as a dirt jumper.

[MarioXcore]

that new Forekaster punches hard, good tire

[Pienimusta]

Interesting to see so many trail bikes "downsizing", especially in the rear. Spectral, Jeffsy, Druid, etc.

[mateuszstanislaw]

I would love to see YT izzo on those trails

[finroddd]

Good review as always! Any chance to see you on Forbidden Dreadnought v2 soon? I am asking because I am really interested with bike that have as plush as possible rear sus (especially on high speed brake bumps, rocks and roots) and Forbidden bikes look like such.

[CarlHerbst]

My Druid v1 ruined me for always wanting a silent bike (downhill anyway)

[brucesavory]

I enjoyed the review. What was the second trail you rode after Dad Bod?

[ridemx]

Curious about how you setup the suspension. Recommended settings vs what you landed on.