Press Release: Forbidden Bike Co.Ziggy Link allows Forbidden Druid owners the ability to apply the business up front, party out back, mixed wheel size approach to their bikes. Replacing the lower link from the Druid’s two-part Rate Control linkage, the Ziggy Link recalibrates the geometry to accept a smaller 27.5in rear wheel and immediately converts your 29er Druid into a mullet sporting corner slayer.
One of the early prototype links coated in Cumberland's finest dirt.
Based in Cumberland, BC we have year-round testing on our doorstep.
After increased rumblings of mixed wheel size bikes surfaced in early 2019, shortly before their successful debut between the tape, our attention piqued enough to explore the concept further. Initially intrigued to see how a 29in front, 27.5in rear-wheel setup would perform when applied to a short-travel trail bike like the Druid, we began a process of experimentation to see if the fabled mullet setup would yield favourable results on the trail.
Rate Control Linkages from left to right: a stock 29in setup, our first mixed wheel size prototype and Ziggy Link.
Being an impatient bunch, we started off by just throwing a 27.5in rear wheel in the back and headed to the trails. This was fun and it showed us that there was promise in the concept, but the pedal smashing bottom bracket height made it almost unrideable on anything but sustained downhill sections of trail. Our first prototype ‘mullet link’, designed to wholly retain the Druid’s geometry, was a step in the right direction, but it didn’t feel like it matched the natural aggressiveness that a mixed wheel size chassis delivers on the trail. Back to the drawing board, we wanted to push the geometry a little further to take better advantage of the handling characteristics that the wheels alone bring to the table. The production link design we settled upon lowers the bottom bracket height by 6mm and slackens the Head Angle by 0.5-degrees; essentially the halfway point between the Druid's stock geometry and the “we just chucked a small wheel in the back and now we can’t pedal anywhere” approach.
These subtle changes in the Druid’s geometry when coupled with the mixed wheel size configuration delivered precisely the total package we were looking for and Ziggy Link was born.
Ziggy Link installed into one of our soon to be released colorways.
High Pivots and Ziggy Link are a heady concoction...
We all know that 29in wheels are fast, but hitting corners and linking turns on a Ziggy Link equipped Druid is a feeling that needs to be experienced. Delivering increased reaction times, a heightened ability to change direction and adapt to the trail ahead, to letting things get rowdy while remaining relaxed and composed is all eye-wateringly fun. Ziggy Link will be launching with added stardust and a lick of red anodizing to match that most recognizable of Kentucky Waterfalls worldwide by May 18th from all authorized Forbidden
dealers and online from
forbiddenbike.com
215 Comments
For aftermarket you can only order it at 160mm but then you can travel adjust it from 130-170 with different air shafts
Been looking at website since September 19 with no luck
If you are interested in securing one you can always drop us an email at contact@forbiddenbike.com and we will make sure you are first to know when they land!
Thanks for your patience!
We feel the Druid is plenty slack enough for it's intended use.
If you are keen on really slack/ more travel keep following along and maybe you will get what your looking for in good time..
In laymans terms... Business in the front = big front wheel sticks to the business of rolling over shit, that's it's job, that's what it does. Party in back = smaller wheel loves to Parrrr-tay... he's whippin all over this shit, f*cking up berms and taking names.. flipping around switchbacks hoot'in and holler'in all way down the trail. That's what it means.
Most other bike companies make bikes intentionally purpose-limited so they can sell more bikes.
I do not understand how anyone can buy something so limited in scope (not necessarily this bike, but those that can only take one wheel size and have zero adjustability) unless their pocketbook is massive and they love losing money constantly cycling through bikes (which is exactly what industry wants).
Did you swop your evil for one of these, if so which size? AFAIR your evil was too long a reach. But large in these is very similar but prob longer RC, putting more weight onto front wheel naturally .
I have ridden a Druid, and I agree they are a great bike, well built and good geometry.
If this "friend" of yours is a 27.5 enthusiast, we would encourage them to give the mixed wheel size a go. It's like a 29er but more fun - or a 27.5 but faster. We know this is not going to be for everyone, which is why we offer it as a kit only right now, but we think it is a really great option for riders who like a bit of high speed fun on their rides!
Seriously though, the Druid is my dream bike. Sooo much want!
Still I would love to have one as is. Enjoy yours man
But I am riding a yeti sb6 that « seems to have more than 150 mm of travel » so I am lost now.
ETA actually, not a knock on the sb6 - a great bike by all accounts, but I've never seen a review mention that it feels like more travel than it is.
j/k...been there...many times.
I can't afford a new fork and having a slacker bike but if you can, go for it! Try it!
I’ve had a fork on order for months! Seems like some supply chains are really messed up. A new frame for my wife can’t ship simply because they haven’t got the oem shocks. Nothing to complain about though.
Just done my 5010, fork wise went from 27.5 140mm 20% sag with no tokens to 29 130mm 30% sag and added 3 tokens, also dropped the stem 10mm...it rides ace and climbs just the same, bet the Bronson with be mint!
@thegoodflow I don't think the headtube gonna just shear off but it could... if not made for that and you broke it, good luck with the warranty. I just said to ask them before putting one... lol
Is the Delirium really the same frame as the wardens?
YES
Only difference is the longer stroke?
YES
So I could take a delirium frame and put a 205x60 shock and it would be exactly the same as a warden?
YES
I won't cry for 0.75 lbs even if I probably don't need it to be that strong..:
Talking about that, how much heavier is the v2 frame vs the v1?
0.75 lbs
lots of added features
beefed up linkage parts
bearing overs bushings
new seat tube is stronger
So I spent 10 minutes of my life looking for that email, copy/paste it here and you're not even happy?
I think it’s incredible!
And finally another company that makes bikes balanced for all sizes!
I currently have a raaw Madonna with 450mm stays and it is extremely nimble and playful. Funny how people judge shit they’ve never tried
@ForbiddenBike keep the good stuff coming!!!
I threw the 29er front wheel from my ripmo on it and holy hell. It is something else. The ripmo AF shreds and I like 29ers but always feel a bit like a passenger. Things roll along but I'm not entirely in control. With the smaller rear I feel like I have way more space to move the bike around, and the bike is much more willing to move around but I still have security of that big front wheel not getting sucked into holes in the trail. It is great but now I can't help but wonder what a full suspension version would feel like. This is starting to feel expensive. Lol
I’m thinking of putting a 29 140 mm fork to replace a 275 150mm to compensate for HA change probably and best to get a +1 headset but it seems according to a geo site listed here that the headset +1 actual slackens the seat angle even more? Not sure i understand why bringing back the angle +1 drops the SA. Not sure if an error With the site?
Is that a new factory option ?
Does anyone know ?
Lol.