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Forbidden Bike Co Druid

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#5,281 ·
karatemonkey said:
I was only able to get a quick ride in this morning but initial impressions are very positive.

Super supple small bump with coil like qualities, supportive and poppy in the middle, soft catch at the end for a more “bottomless” feel. The bike already rode like a bigger bike but now it feels more like a true enduro bike but still pedals like a trail bike. Me likey.

I’ll be pushing it harder at the bike park tomorrow. Need an extra 10 psi or so and may end up backing off the compression dampening a bit. I’m running a Float X and weigh about 175#.
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This is wonderful to hear! Any plans of trying it with a more linear shock? Either coil or high volume air? What fork are you running? I’m Still debating on buying the currently link or waiting for the longer stroke version, I’m not a heavy rider (apparently what the longer stroke version is being designed for) but I like the idea that you can easily find a vivid air in the 185x55 size……
 
#5,282 ·
Hi,

I've been reading this thread and all of the adjustments people have made. I bought a druid in 2022 and then had reconstructive ACL surgery in 2023 so I haven't ridden the bike that much.

I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on how to adjust the suspension? I am 185 cm and 6'1 riding a large bike.

Essentially, I find that the bike corners really well and is very stable. My complaints are as follows:

- that the suspension feels very stiff - I am a rider that rides the brake more than they should and I read in this thread this can cause brake jack with this bike
-the back tire feels very planted - I have a more difficult time getting it off the ground than I would like
-this is also related to the back tire but this bike holds a line incredibly well but is difficult to adjust from the back of the bike - any suggestions on freeing up the back tire?

I am trying to decide if this is the right bike for me or if I should be looking for something a little bit more playful.

Thanks for the help!
 
#5,284 ·
Couple good rides in with the v2 Cascade Link. It performs as advertised, much like the v1 link, which is what I was hoping would be the case.

As with the v1 link the initial stroke suppleness is greatly improved. I added 5psi to the RS SDU to achieve same sag of 32%. Ramp up in later stroke is smooth. Very pleased so far.

XL air can for the SDU arrives this week. I'll report back on how that pairs with the CC link.
 
#5,287 ·
bogeydog said:
How does it compare to any other bikes you ride? Hang up on any tech?
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My other current bike is a dreadnought v1 with a cascade link and it’s not that far behind on tech, you need to ride the Druid differently to the dreadnought though, it holds its own on the steeps and the tech tho. It pedals miles better than the dreadnought. And compared to previous bikes I’ve owned (fuel ex 9.9, slash gen5, stumpjumper evo, stumpjumper) it literally blows them away, no comparison.
 
#5,288 ·
LiveFreeandShred said:
My other current bike is a dreadnought v1 with a cascade link and it’s not that far behind on tech, you need to ride the Druid differently to the dreadnought though, it holds its own on the steeps and the tech tho. It pedals miles better than the dreadnought. And compared to previous bikes I’ve owned (fuel ex 9.9, slash gen5, stumpjumper evo, stumpjumper) it literally blows them away, no comparison.
Click to expand...
Thanks. How do you need to ride differently? What year SJEVO? I don’t have one but a good friend does and I know a lot about that bike in our terrain.
 
#5,289 ·
bogeydog said:
Thanks. How do you need to ride differently? What year SJEVO? I don’t have one but a good friend does and I know a lot about that bike in our terrain.
Click to expand...
The Druid I think you need to be a bit more precise with line selection. The dreadnought you can just absolutely smash through everything. The Druid pedals so much better, my Druid is about 31 lbs and my dreadnought is like 35.5. If I had to ONLY have one I would pick the Druid v2 no question.
 
#5,290 ·
LiveFreeandShred said:
The Druid I think you need to be a bit more precise with line selection. The dreadnought you can just absolutely smash through everything. The Druid pedals so much better, my Druid is about 31 lbs and my dreadnought is like 35.5. If I had to ONLY have one I would pick the Druid v2 no question.
Click to expand...
Consider CC link on the Druidv2?
 
#5,291 ·
bogeydog said:
Consider CC link on the Druidv2?
Click to expand...
Yeah I have considered it. I put a linear xl air can on my super deluxe and that made a difference, I don’t want to have the 2 bikes overlap too much. I do think I’ll try one. I ride at highland mountain bike park almost every Wednesday so it’s a good place to test. I have the CC link in the dread and it’s amazing so I can’t see it being bad for the Druid. Those guys kill it
 
#5,292 ·
LiveFreeandShred said:
Yeah I have considered it. I put a linear xl air can on my super deluxe and that made a difference, I don’t want to have the 2 bikes overlap too much. I do think I’ll try one. I ride at highland mountain bike park almost every Wednesday so it’s a good place to test. I have the CC link in the dread and it’s amazing so I can’t see it being bad for the Druid. Those guys kill it
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Considering using 160 on Druid and maybe CC link. Think that would extend it’s capabilities a bit.

Is noise bothersom when pedaling? We are always on and off the pedals. An alloy idler was suggested by North Shore billet
 
#5,293 ·
bogeydog said:
Considering using 160 on Druid and maybe CC link. Think that would extend it’s capabilities a bit.

Is noise bothersom when pedaling? We are always on and off the pedals. An alloy idler was suggested by North Shore billet
Click to expand...
I run mine with an older lyrik (2021) and the b1 spring @160mm and the noise it pretty minimal. I got used to it within the first few rides. Make sure the chain is lubed and it’s pretty quiet
 
#5,294 ·
nmxtrdr said:
Couple good rides in with the v2 Cascade Link. It performs as advertised, much like the v1 link, which is what I was hoping would be the case.

As with the v1 link the initial stroke suppleness is greatly improved. I added 5psi to the RS SDU to achieve same sag of 32%. Ramp up in later stroke is smooth. Very pleased so far.

XL air can for the SDU arrives this week. I'll report back on how that pairs with the CC link.
Click to expand...
I
SagebrushTruckee said:
This is wonderful to hear! Any plans of trying it with a more linear shock? Either coil or high volume air? What fork are you running? I’m Still debating on buying the currently link or waiting for the longer stroke version, I’m not a heavy rider (apparently what the longer stroke version is being designed for) but I like the idea that you can easily find a vivid air in the 185x55 size……
Click to expand...
Yeah, I’ll throw a coil on it at some point, although, with the increased suppleness, my desire to run a coil is much less now.

The v2 Druid already rode like a bigger bike, but with the CC Link, it now feels similar to a 160mm enduro bike and still maintains the playful and good climbing nature of a shorter travel bike. Best of both worlds!

I felt a lot more confident in the bike park last weekend. The bike absolutely plows through the chunk and is now much easier to pull for the doubles that I would shy away from pre CC Link. Not sure how they did it but even with an air shock, the bike feels planted while also feeling energetic when pushed.

I don’t know if the link is right for everyone, but for me it has take the bike from damn good, to the absolute best. Now if I could just get the trunnion shock mount bolts (I think) to stop creaking, I’ll have zero complaints.
 
#5,295 ·
karatemonkey said:
I


Yeah, I’ll throw a coil on it at some point, although, with the increased suppleness, my desire to run a coil is much less now.

The v2 Druid already rode like a bigger bike, but with the CC Link, it now feels similar to a 160mm enduro bike and still maintains the playful and good climbing nature of a shorter travel bike. Best of both worlds!

I felt a lot more confident in the bike park last weekend. The bike absolutely plows through the chunk and is now much easier to pull for the doubles that I would shy away from pre CC Link. Not sure how they did it but even with an air shock, the bike feels planted while also feeling energetic when pushed.

I don’t know if the link is right for everyone, but for me it has take the bike from damn good, to the absolute best. Now if I could just get the trunnion shock mount bolts (I think) to stop creaking, I’ll have zero complaints.
Click to expand...
who isn’t the CC for?
 
#5,296 ·
karatemonkey said:
I don’t know if the link is right for everyone, but for me it has take the bike from damn good, to the absolute best. Now if I could just get the trunnion shock mount bolts (I think) to stop creaking, I’ll have zero complaints.
Click to expand...
Tempted to try it, driving past there Monday might stop in and snag one.

Check your idler bracket. Mine was making a terrible creak. I just took it apart, wiped everything down and put it back together on the trail and it stopped. Imo the upper guide part really needs an insert so you can put more than the 3nm or whatever it is on the bracket. That plastic is quite squishy.
 
#5,297 ·
I ride a lot of tech stuff. It can be slower tech climbing where you need to work the bike though it. Any feedback on how it is to lift the front end and get up and over rocks etc? I have read that this bike behaves differently. We encounter log overs, rock up and over.
 
#5,298 ·
bogeydog said:
who isn’t the CC for?
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Clydesdales? People who don’t want to void their warranty? IDK, figured there is a reason Forbidden didn’t ship it like this. For me, it’s better in every way.

bogeydog said:
I ride a lot of tech stuff. It can be slower tech climbing where you need to work the bike though it. Any feedback on how it is to lift the front end and get up and over rocks etc? I have read that this bike behaves differently. We encounter log overs, rock up and over.
Click to expand...
My XC riding is slow chunky tech primarily (Grand Junction / Moab) I love the way the bike rides. Climbs like a goat in the rough stuff. And descends even better. My favorite quality is the way it corners.
 
#5,299 ·
karatemonkey said:
Clydesdales? People who don’t want to void their warranty? IDK, figured there is a reason Forbidden didn’t ship it like this. For me, it’s better in every way.



My XC riding is slow chunky tech primarily (Grand Junction / Moab) I love the way the bike rides. Climbs like a goat in the rough stuff. And descends even better. My favorite quality is the way it corners.
Click to expand...
I was in Moab last October and brought my 160/150 bike. Seemed a little much. I am from the east coast and we have tons of rocks roots up and down. A lot of body English needed. Are you running 150 up front?
 
#5,300 ·
PhoS said:
Check your idler bracket. Mine was making a terrible creak. I just took it apart, wiped everything down and put it back together on the trail and it stopped. Imo the upper guide part really needs an insert so you can put more than the 3nm or whatever it is on the bracket. That plastic is quite squishy.
Click to expand...
Noted! I’ll give that a shot. Thanks
 
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