Forbidden EMTB

[DirkWisely]

Which is impressive, as where I ride, Forbidden are a popular choice, for a small brand & there are a lot of people with cracked bikes.

Myself, cracked a V1 Dreadnought, and I’ve been through two lots of seat stays on a V2 Druid, a riding friend who is supported by Forbidden goes through backends on V2 Druids for fun.

I don’t think I’d want to be a guinea pig for DJI & Forbidden on this, even if they have been really good in sending me out replacement parts, it’s a whole other ball game when it’s electrics.

I was curious about this when skimming their warranty. It reads like the frame is only covered if it breaks spontaneously? It reads like crashes aren't covered, but isn't that the main time a frame would get damaged?

 

[Ou812]

I was curious about this when skimming their warranty. It reads like the frame is only covered if it breaks spontaneously? It reads like crashes aren't covered, but isn't that the main time a frame would get damaged?

No manufacture will cover crashes, they’ll offer you a crash replacement at a discounted price.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

I just wanted an E version of the Druid with a bit more travel. The numbers that were told to me, were radically different in terms of Reach and Chainstay length than the Druid.

It would not be right to share specifics and also these were possibly prelim numbers, but the Reach on the size L would be similar to a medium in pretty much anything else, with a CS length being the longest I've ever heard of being about the same as the Reach. And I love long CS. Also, I'm going to assume that those CS's grow a lot at sag, which could just be an even longer CS. It's possible the CS numbers they gave me were at sag, which would be huge, but acceptable if that was close to the max.

I also had the XL geo numbers, and that got the Reach close but then the CS were even longer, and dropper insertion would have been wrecked with a pretty long seat tube. Alos the Stack becomes really high. I don't have the same belief as others that stack is the same as Reach because they have this thing called handlebar rise, within reason.

Have to imagine that a bike with geo like this would be extremely fast in the turns, which is great. But a lot of our stuff is janky and weird drops and the like at slow speed, and it seems this might be hard for me to manual (and I suck at it anyways).

Maybe they are right though. I have an XL Relay and as it's set up, I've measured Reach at 497mm (exactly where is should be as a mullet and with the -5mm reach adjust) and I wish it was shorter. My L Smuggler, sometimes I feel incredibly comfortable on that bike and although the spec sheet says 480mm reach, I've measured it 2x at 468mm. Seems impossible that it could be that far off, and I've always liked long bikes but damn I can go fast at times on that Smuggler. So maybe Forbidden is correct on what a L should have for Reach?

If I were to guess, what Forbidden was going after was a real straight up and down riding posture with the high stack and short reach. Which usually is pretty bad for front wheel traction, but long CS can fix that. Just a guess as I have no experience with geo like this.

If this is the new Forbidden give me a wink and I'll take down the pic

 

[slickrock]

I just wanted an E version of the Druid with a bit more travel. The numbers that were told to me, were radically different in terms of Reach and Chainstay length than the Druid.

It would not be right to share specifics and also these were possibly prelim numbers, but the Reach on the size L would be similar to a medium in pretty much anything else, with a CS length being the longest I've ever heard of being about the same as the Reach. And I love long CS. Also, I'm going to assume that those CS's grow a lot at sag, which could just be an even longer CS. It's possible the CS numbers they gave me were at sag, which would be huge, but acceptable if that was close to the max.

I also had the XL geo numbers, and that got the Reach close but then the CS were even longer, and dropper insertion would have been wrecked with a pretty long seat tube. Alos the Stack becomes really high. I don't have the same belief as others that stack is the same as Reach because they have this thing called handlebar rise, within reason.

Have to imagine that a bike with geo like this would be extremely fast in the turns, which is great. But a lot of our stuff is janky and weird drops and the like at slow speed, and it seems this might be hard for me to manual (and I suck at it anyways).

Maybe they are right though. I have an XL Relay and as it's set up, I've measured Reach at 497mm (exactly where is should be as a mullet and with the -5mm reach adjust) and I wish it was shorter. My L Smuggler, sometimes I feel incredibly comfortable on that bike and although the spec sheet says 480mm reach, I've measured it 2x at 468mm. Seems impossible that it could be that far off, and I've always liked long bikes but damn I can go fast at times on that Smuggler. So maybe Forbidden is correct on what a L should have for Reach?

If I were to guess, what Forbidden was going after was a real straight up and down riding posture with the high stack and short reach. Which usually is pretty bad for front wheel traction, but long CS can fix that. Just a guess as I have no experience with geo like this.

I'm even more interested based on what you are saying. While I don't have numbers in hand like you do, I'm sensing some Voima-ish geometry influences. Indeed this steed will be very very fast, even with the powerful DJI motor turned off.

By far the sole reason I'm heading to Sea Otter is to see this bike. 11-day countdown.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Well, I usually don't put much stock in demoing bikes as the setup is always so far off.

But there is going to be a demo not terribly far away that I'm going to need to go and ride before doing anything.

 

[jbrown15]

I'm even more interested based on what you are saying. While I don't have numbers in hand like you do, I'm sensing some Voima-ish geometry influences. Indeed this steed will be very very fast, even with the powerful DJI motor turned off.

By far the sole reason I'm heading to Sea Otter is to see this bike. 11-day countdown.

Having owned a Voima K1 size frame, knowing the geo on the eDruids, I don’t think they are close at all. The reach is pretty close but the wheelbase on the eDruids is quite a bit shorter than a K1 Voima.

The reach on a large isn’t much shorter that what other brands have for a reach on their larges. The chainstay only gets on the longer side for the XL size.

 

[DirkWisely]

I don't have a great understanding of bike geo, but my impression is that a shorter reach means a more upright posture, correct?

 

[slickrock]

Having owned a Voima K1 size frame, knowing the geo on the eDruids, I don’t think they are close at all. The reach is pretty close but the wheelbase on the eDruids is quite a bit shorter than a K1 Voima.

The reach on a large isn’t much shorter that what other brands have for a reach on their larges. The chainstay only gets on the longer side for the XL size.

OK, Sonni-ish then, which has tighter numbers on the wheelbase and rear-center than the Voima. Again, I'm going from unspecified geo numbers. If you are privy to them as well, well then do spill the beans, as I'm flying blind on this.

Well, I usually don't put much stock in demoing bikes as the setup is always so far off.

But there is going to be a demo not terribly far away that I'm going to need to go and ride before doing anything.

If I would be so lucky that they would even have one to throw a leg over and demo. I would be happy just to behold it. This bike may very well be the only DJI steed at the event since Amflow/Avinox/DJI are not on the exhibitor list, strangely, though I guess not really because of our draconian tariff policies. Come to think of it, I'm surprised Forbidden is will be there for similar reasons.

 

[DirkWisely]

If I would be so lucky that they would even have one to throw a leg over and demo. I would be happy just to behold it.

Yeah I'm not expecting to be able to ride it, and even if I can I'm not sure riding around a parking lot will tell me a whole lot about the bike. Seeing it in person will still be cool either way.

 

[jbrown15]

OK, Sonni-ish then, which has tighter numbers on the wheelbase and rear-center than the Voima. Again, I'm going from unspecified geo numbers. If you are privy to them as well, well then do spill the beans, as I'm flying blind on this.


If I would be so lucky that they would even have one to throw a leg over and demo. I would be happy just to behold it. This bike may very well be the only DJI steed at the event since Amflow/Avinox/DJI are not on the exhibitor list, strangely, though I guess not really because of our draconian tariff policies. Come to think of it, I'm surprised Forbidden is will be there for similar reasons.

I can't share the geo numbers, I sat in on the presentation of the bike and have the geo numbers but I'm not about to post them and get in crap from Forbidden....lol

All will be revealed soon enough.

I am extremely excited about the bike and will probably get one later this year. Currently I'm on a 2025 Wild M10.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Having owned a Voima K1 size frame, knowing the geo on the eDruids, I don’t think they are close at all. The reach is pretty close but the wheelbase on the eDruids is quite a bit shorter than a K1 Voima.

The reach on a large isn’t much shorter that what other brands have for a reach on their larges. The chainstay only gets on the longer side for the XL size.

If that's the case, then I was likely given incorrect dimensions. Bl which is totally possible.
I'm not knocking the machine and I'm real excited to see it. It just threw me off a bit.

 

[MetroNeck]

I can't share the geo numbers, I sat in on the presentation of the bike and have the geo numbers but I'm not about to post them and get in crap from Forbidden....lol

All will be revealed soon enough.

I am extremely excited about the bike and will probably get one later this year. Currently I'm on a 2025 Wild M10.

Are you able to share if someone who is looking for a 160mm+ version will have to be more patient, than someone who will want less travel?

 

[DirkWisely]

Are you able to share if someone who is looking for a 160mm+ version will have to be more patient, than someone who will want less travel?

When I ordered mine I don't recall any travel options, just component level options. I don't actually remember what the travel was though.

 

[jbrown15]

Are you able to share if someone who is looking for a 160mm+ version will have to be more patient, than someone who will want less travel?

If you’re hoping for more than 160mm of travel you might be a little sad.

 

[bcmtb]

any hints of weight?

 

[bakedbun]

any hints of weight?

none, I'd guesstimate 43lbs(19.5kg) for a size large 'e-druid' w/600wh battery. If rumors are true that they are offering two versions/builds/bikes or whatever my guesstimate for the bigger bike will be 47lbs(21.3kg) with the 800wh battery in size large.

 

[DirkWisely]

Do people with druid experience know how the sizing compares to a Levo? I'm on an s4 now.

 

[jbrown15]

any hints of weight?

the lightweight version will come in around 44lbs and the bigger version with 800wh battery will be just under 50lbs.

 

[whitymon]

44lbs with a high pivot?

 

[jbrown15]

44lbs with a high pivot?

For the shorter travel SL version yes, it’s only a high pivot.

 

[bcmtb]

the lightweight version will come in around 44lbs and the bigger version with 800wh battery will be just under 50lbs.

whoa sounds awesome! would love to get one of these. excited to hear more.

 

[jbrown15]

whoa sounds awesome! would love to get one of these. excited to hear more.

Yeah it’s gonna be an awesome bike.

 

[412MTB]

 

[whitymon]

I can't wait to see how it will go, I really wish that it will also paved the road to real long, at least 170mm, travel ebike with avinox.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Out of all of the new bikes coming out, I'm most excited about this one. Can't wait to see it!

 

[Red Peekay]

Spoke to my local AD here Downunder, they have the full specs, happy to share with me over the phone but I had to go in to see photos etc. Too far to do that at the mo.
However, 2 models, Druid SL and Druid Core. The SL has 140/150 travel and 600 Whr battery. The Core has 150/160 travel and 800 Whr battery. The core has 3 variants down here, price in Aud approx (will depend on CAD exchange rate,) is base model $15.5k (manual shifter), mid model $1 6.9k (electronic shifter) and top model $20k. Weight comes in just over 20kg.

So will be more expensive than the top model Amflow, but probably in line with most boutique brands sold down here. No mention of a Dreadnought. TBH, Forbidden will probably want to bed this one in first before releasing a second model. Only 3 more days and all will be revealed.

 

[Lightme]

Spoke to my local AD here Downunder, they have the full specs, happy to share with me over the phone but I had to go in to see photos etc. Too far to do that at the mo.
However, 2 models, Druid SL and Druid Core. The SL has 140/150 travel and 600 Whr battery. The Core has 150/160 travel and 800 Whr battery. The core has 3 variants down here, price in Aud approx (will depend on CAD exchange rate,) is base model $15.5k (manual shifter), mid model $1 6.9k (electronic shifter) and top model $20k. Weight comes in just over 20kg.

So will be more expensive than the top model Amflow, but probably in line with most boutique brands sold down here. No mention of a Dreadnought. TBH, Forbidden will probably want to bed this one in first before releasing a second model. Only 3 more days and all will be revealed.

Thanks mate. What city are you in? Can I ask the dealer you spoke too? Currently on an Amflow and strongly consider one of these.

 

[DirkWisely]

$20k is a scary price, but I don't know how to weigh it in dollarydoos. What does rent cost in a high COL city there?

 

[Red Peekay]

Thanks mate. What city are you in? Can I ask the dealer you spoke too? Currently on an Amflow and strongly consider one of these.

Yarra Valley Cycles down here in Vic. Summit Cycles were listed in Collingwood, but they have dropped the brand, which is why I didn't pop out. Yarra Valley Cycles takes a bit of effort to get out to, so I'll wait until the official release before heading out.

 

[Red Peekay]

$20k is a scary price, but I don't know how to weigh it in dollarydoos. What does rent cost in a high COL city there?

That's probably a couple of bucks US for sure!! Enough change out of a fiver for coffee for you guys! The exchange rate is killing us down here. Only good thing is that Forbidden are Canadian and we are about 10 cents below their dollar. I can only hope all this Chump stuff drops their dollar vs ours but suspect we mirror each other vs the USD. Not sure about rent, I own my apt, but like any big city, not cheap.