Updated With Video: Forbidden Bike Company's New Longer Travel Bike

Aug 20, 2020
by Daniel Sapp  

Original article:



Forbidden Bike Company came onto the scene a couple of years ago with the Druid, their 130mm travel trail bike. The Druid stood apart from other bikes in this category by having a high pivot design, something more often seen in DH bikes than trail bikes.

The bike that was seen in the lift lines of Whistler Bike Park, in a photo making its rounds on the web, seems to retain the same high pivot design that the Druid is known for but with a good bit more travel in the back paired to a RockShox Zeb. Judging from what we can see, we'd suspect that the new, unnamed bike has around 160mm of travel and is geared more towards bike park and enduro duty.

Longer travel but a similar high pivot design.

With the World Enduro coming up in Zermatt, Switzerland, it would only make sense for recently signed Lewis Buchanan to be racing it there. In the POV video Forbidden just posted to their Instagram, he's seen charging hard on an unmarked bike. He also posted a photo on his own Instagram of the front end of a bike with a Fox 38 on it. We can only imagine that would be a bigger bike than the Druid...

Pinkbike user Benji Kershaw spotted this prototype underneath Lew Buchanan in Innerleithen.


We reached out to Forbidden to see if they had anything to add. All they would tell us is that it is a brand new bike in the final stages of testing and that it's not a new or revised Druid; it's something else and that they will have more information to share this fall.

We'll keep everyone updated whenever that information is available.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Spotted Prototype Bikes Forbidden


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213 Comments

  • 181 9
 No bar end plugs...tut tut
  • 13 143
flag Explodo (Aug 17, 2020 at 12:10) (Below Threshold)
 People use those?
  • 85 6
 might be forbidden on this bike...?
  • 103 2
 @Explodo: People who don't want core samples taken from their bodies do. I remember a kid taking a bar in the chest and it cut a nice little circle right through the wall of his heart. It was all over the bike news sites some time last decade I think.
  • 56 2
 @Explodo: dude I know suffered a punctured lung from the lack of a bar end plug. I use them.
  • 32 0
 @pdxkid: I suffered a punctured lung WITH bar ends. Bonkers to not run them!
  • 13 0
 I once landed on the end of a rubber bar plug hard enough that the edge of the plug broke off and the uncovered bit of bar cut a little semi-circle into the skin on my leg. I fucking dread to think what could have happened if that plug hadn't been there.
  • 9 0
 I have a permanent “ab” protruding from my stomach as the result of not running one.
  • 19 0
 I once crashed and the ritchey bar end plug stamped its mark on my chest so hard that it took nearly a year to loose that "R" mark. I would NEVER ride without a bar end plug or a grip that close that end.
  • 5 0
 @big-red: yea, I have one of those on my stomach, not fun
  • 8 0
 @ipreferdirt: my brothers buddy did a bar spin then got the barend stuck in his belly
  • 23 0
 I saw a kid very literally cut his thumb off because of not having a bar end. Was doing fakies in a quarter pipe, flipped over, end of the bar slammed down on his left thumb. Took it off on the spot and was too messy to fix. Did something somewhat similar myself while doing 180s in the driveway, but with a bar end. Broken thumb is a lot nicer than a removed one.
  • 4 0
 I just hope the guy riding the bike lost his bar end while clipping a tree or something like that. I lost a few like this in the past.
  • 11 0
 Damaged floppy grip end (exposing carbon) direct to the crotch from off camber over-the-bars was enough for a Friday night emergency room visit and surgery to the pouch. Weirdest shit happens on the mildest mistakes.
  • 26 0
 Don't forget what a bar nearly did to Cedric back in 2013:

youtu.be/gsHz1IlLVyg?t=93
The impact will push your clamp-on grips out of the way like nothing, btw.
  • 2 0
 We have to walk our bikes in the lineup now because of people like this. Apparently some sort of incident involving a finger getting cut off.
  • 1 0
 @enki: I've had a similar experience last year in Finale.

F#*k riding without bar ends!
  • 10 0
 I'd never heard of incidents like these, but it makes sense I suppose. I guess I'll have to see if I have any of those things lying around for my bikes now.
  • 3 0
 Learned from my dad to put a coin or washer inside the left side moto grip. Mostly to prevent damage to the grip and then the grip twisting. Even though the bars are thicker, a little more safety is a nice bonus.
  • 6 2
 @Dustybarrels: the boys constricted to their safe space reading this comment.
  • 3 0
 @sspiff: well at least you didn’t get “de-gloved” Because that’s a thing

www.google.com/amp/s/road.cc/content/news/269353-oxford-teens-penis-degloved-his-bikes-handlebars-freak-crash-doctors-urge%3famp
  • 2 0
 @enki: I saw that for the first time yesterday and it gave me the heeby jeebies. What actually happened? Did he have no bar ends fitted?
  • 3 0
 @usedbikestuff: Like hell he degloved himself by accident. Just another ER alibi.
Also, "degloved"? Who was this guy, d'Artagnan ? I prefer "wirestripped".
  • 1 0
 @enki: OMG... I heard about Ced’s awful crash but never actually saw the footage. I feel like I need therapy for PTSD now.
  • 1 0
 Forbidden is so confident in their frame that they don’t need bar plugs
  • 1 0
 @Explodo: Very necessary. Got a hole in my skull same size as my bar end.
  • 1 3
 @sspiff: Torn grips have no place on my bike. Also - 1) keep your brakes in top shape. 2) tire mismatch to terrain is gambling 3) and almost most importantly: wear shorts that FIT. Laying back over the seat, I've had many times my Fox shorts (baggy and with open buttonless zipper) caught on the rear of the seat. Baggy MTB shorts sure are cool...when your crotch is torn open in the emergency room.
I cold go on, but honor thy 'nads.
  • 1 0
 @Davec85: Not sure. You can't really see from the video, and it's possible it was a brake lever too.
  • 2 0
 @gabriel-mission9: Thank Christ it didn’t go up yer arse!!
  • 13 0
 @curendero: I always ride with a butt-plug for exactly that reason! Can never be too safe!
  • 1 0
 @enki: Actually gagging from that video... Cheers!
On my side of things, I lacerated my liver and kidney. Pretty sure I'd have one less kidney and a nice hole through my liver today (and possibly not be alive to tell you about it!) if I didn't have bar ends Smile
  • 1 0
 @Cowboi: Good call ref!
  • 4 0
 *runs into garage to ensure bar ends are secure*

Quite the few horror stories here.
  • 1 0
 @PocoBoho: yup. I have some low grade ones but going to get something more secure.
  • 1 0
 @captaindingus: no way, thought i heard it was from a rotor? either way. losing a fingy in the lift line = bonkers
  • 3 0
 The end of the grip does look a little ragged so I can imagine this particular rider had them on beginning of the ride but lost them in a crash (or the flange wore thin and the complete plug disappeared in the bar). So I'd say plugs for MTB/BMX should be a bit more substantial than the cheap plastic plugs that you just pop in. That said, I wonder how many of these horror stories were without plugs but with lock-on grips (with at least one collar on the outside). I'd say that with the collar on the outside, the bar isn't all that sharp anymore and even without plug may be even safer than soft non-lock-on grips with plug. Armchair medic here, can't tell for sure.

To add to the pile of bar end stories, I once crashed my DJ bike and got the end of the bar in my thigh, about three inches away from my crotch. Vision went blurry, passed out, recovered, puked, all good. Except I got a tennisball size hematoma where it hit and cut into a muscle. Took a few weeks before I could properly ride and run again but nothing serious. Wouldn't have liked it if it were a bare metal pipe chopping in there. That said, my grips weren't even the safest. Just simple rubber slide on grips with a thick closed end. Good enough for a while but eventually of course these will wear off.
  • 1 0
 @Explodo: Smart plan.
  • 1 0
 @enki: Thankfully I was not core sampled like him recently. It was close and if it was open surely would have been similar. So scary do not ride ever without them.
  • 1 0
 @enki: If I remember correctly, it was a stick that punctured Cedric's thigh and nearly killed him.
There was also a guy in of the singletrack sampler's videos that got impaled on a broken carbon bar in his thigh, but they luckily had an ambulance dude with them on the ride, might have saved his life.
  • 1 0
 get the rubber ends folks
www.citygrounds.com/products/origin8-rubber-bar-end-plugs
  • 61 0
 I was waiting for this. Forbidden has my business when I buy my next bike.
  • 4 0
 same... I have just been waiting for the inevitable
  • 17 1
 Ditto - hopefully will have link for mullet options
  • 1 1
 @artistformlyknowasdan: yes but expensive ones right!
  • 1 0
 @audric: lucky I'm working on my DDS Razz
  • 5 1
 @audric: yeah? The Druids seem to have pretty reasonable pricing compared to equivalent spec bikes. Sure, more than Giant and YT but thousands less than Yeti, Evil, Pivot, etc.
  • 1 1
 @artistformlyknowasdan: hopefully steep angle both ways
  • 3 0
 That or the 29er Craftworks ENR that's currently in development.
  • 1 1
 Just pray that you can get one. I had about $8k to drop on a build for this year and was set on the Druid. When the time came, it was gonna be a three month wait for a frame. Patience isn't my strong suit so I had to go with something else.
  • 3 0
 I couldn't wait any longer and ordered a Druid XT, due to arrive at the end of the week lol
  • 1 0
 @TheStabbyCyclist: ive been looking at their website for stock for the last few months. luckily im busy with other studd and somewhat patient haha!
  • 1 0
 yup! Mine too
  • 5 0
 Mine as well, as long as it runs 27,5 wheels!
  • 1 1
 next bike -nuff said -oh wait i ll have mine in cosmic eggplant with slx group -thanks
  • 2 0
 @MrZ32: Be still, my beating heart!

Where do I find news about this?
  • 2 0
 @boozed: ya gotta ask the man himself.. nothing currently marketed
  • 1 0
 @optimumnotmaximum: You'll have to buy your slx groupo yourself as the slx complete bike is black/blue! Wink Cosmic eggplant is for frame only and I think it will be the same for this nice blue one too... Frown
  • 2 0
 @Timo82: i know, but one can dream
  • 43 11
 That is actually the new Norco Range
  • 4 4
 i don't get it...?!!
  • 7 3
 @audric: he doesnt either
  • 19 0
 @audric: The head engineer at Forbidden worked on the high-pivot Norco Aurum before leaving to form Forbidden bike co.
  • 6 7
 ...but with a significantly heftier price tag I'd wager.
  • 3 0
 Is there any proof of the Range going high pivot?
  • 9 5
 @dkidd: why? The Druid XT has arguably better spec than an equivalent Norco Sight C2 for same money...
  • 9 1
 @haen: the new proto Norco dh bike that was posted a few weeks ago is actually the range
  • 1 0
 @haen: saw it at Silverstar this weekend
  • 3 0
 @Ajax-Rider: Have actually heard rumors that it could be a new Shore.
  • 3 0
 I think you are on it! The design language matches the new Aurum proto we saw at CW summer series. Also, the inner profile of the rear triangle on the Forbidden proto's have tight radius curves. The Norco's trend more toward larger radius curves. Welp can't get that hour of research time back.
  • 1 0
 nice embargo dude!
  • 1 0
 @mixmastamikal: they are making a new shore but i'm not sure if the norco team bike is a range or an aurum, apparently they're working on a range so maybe?
  • 14 0
 Is that a blue/purple druid DH bike behind the one featured in the photo?
  • 1 0
 Not sure, but I’m liking the colour. Smile
  • 5 0
 I'd have guessed the same frame but as it looks built up as a park bike. Looks like a DH drivetrain, no dropper and maybe even a dualcrown fork, but the frame looks identical.
  • 1 6
flag Timo82 (Aug 17, 2020 at 17:07) (Below Threshold)
 I wanted a longer travel Forbidden so bad then I realised it has super high anti-rise so it must be super good until you brake then, no more suspension! Not for me... until I saw that blue frame!!!!!!!!! :O I NEED ONE!!! haha If it is blue and purple sticker, it would be sick with purple hope brakes and/or hubs!!

Pleassseee Forbidden, make that blue frame available on slx AND xt kit as I can't afford only a frame! Frown
  • 2 0
 @Timo82: Ask and ye shall receive. SLX kit is listed at 6k canadian with a decent spec, and $7k for full XT.
  • 1 0
 @enki: Yeah I know, but want the blue option for those complete bikes... For the Druid, they have a color for SLX, another one for XT and the purple one is frame only! I understand for a small brand like this but well, I hope we'll have the choice. Wink
  • 1 0
 @Timo82: Honestly, Ive been on one and I've yet to notice the high anti-rise as a negative, that said, It has made me more strategic in my braking (and a better rider).
  • 2 0
 @mgrantorser: Yeah I had to be more strategic in my braking with one of my old Xprezo too but I must say that now I appreciate my Knolly's suspension! It could take a bit less anti-rise to keep the bike straight while braking but yeah....the druid numbers are pretty high! Frown That would be pretty much the only bad thing about this beauty!
  • 2 1
 @Timo82: kavenz vhp16 addresses the anti-rise issue with a high pivot Horst link. Just saying...
  • 1 0
 it's a 7 speed version but with a zeb so no dual crown fork
  • 9 0
 Name it Knowledge. This is going to be a weapon in the hands of Lewis Buchanan!
  • 2 0
 This is the best name candidate comment!
  • 7 0
 These bikes are beauties, but is it just me, or do the reach numbers on the druid seem short? 485mm on an XL is a lot of brand's size large numbers? Hoping their new model has 500+ XL reach numbers!
  • 10 0
 Neat
  • 8 0
 Forbidden fruit
  • 8 1
 This dudes mechanic couldn't be more disinterested in the riders feedback.
  • 4 0
 I came here to comment that!! Surprise you're the only one.... lolll He really didn't want to be there! haha He was like ''stop complaining, I don't fucking care, just go ride your bike and leave me alone!'' lol He didn't even try for the camera! haha
  • 15 0
 Sorry guys that you think that, but it's just my resting bi*ch face, not that I'm not interested or anything Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @tudvan: I actually felt a bit sorry for you, must have been a boring day. Wait 30 mins and then make 30 seconds of adjustments, rinse and repeat!

Lew was so adrenalinized after each run as to be close to incomprehensible in his instructions, great guy but it must be like talking to a drunk when one is sober!
  • 4 0
 @Bomadics: Haha, in a way! But I think it's just about me being really really laid-back and chill. I'll get some energy drinks next time so I'll be more agitated than a stabbed rat Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @tudvan: No need to be agitated out here we call that laid back attitude "Island Time", just finish that R&D so I can buy the new bike, and when you guys are out here testing we can go ride!
  • 1 0
 @tudvan: these guys must’ve never seen Jorli from FOX interaction videos.
  • 7 0
 Endruid!
  • 5 0
 Downdruid?
  • 5 5
 Xdruid. Cuz X gonna give it to ya
  • 7 1
 Needs more Chromag
  • 3 0
 Hmmmm....new names on this model?! Sticking somewhat with the Druid theme, I’m picking:

- Temple
- Order
- Brewmaster
- Beast
- Leader
  • 23 0
 Come on, we all know it's going to be Fruit.
  • 7 0
 If we're going by D&D classes, i'd go for Paladin.
  • 3 0
 @atauro: the Battlemaster!
  • 2 0
 Price Price point Price tag ....
  • 3 1
 Nerd
  • 4 0
 Warlock
  • 3 0
 Mother-in-law
  • 4 0
 Witch one?
  • 5 2
 I did the math for the fork travel in lee video, his mechanic said 20% sag on the fork is 8.4 cm and 8.4 x 20%% is 168 meaning the bike has a 170mm fork, I think
  • 3 1
 can you maybe rethink your calculation?
170mm travel, so 10% would be 1,7cm (17mm), by 2 = 3,4cm (34mm). 84mm would be +- 50% sag...

edit: just rewatched the scene with headphones, he says 3.4 - 3.5 (also though to hear 8.4-8.5 when i watched it on the speakers), so as written before, 3.4cm is 20% of 17cm. which sounds like a really nice travelled bike Wink
  • 3 1
 @MTBert: close enough
  • 9 1
 @dylansanderson2004: spewing out random numbers with no arithmetic relation and then presenting the correct answer. That's my kinda math.
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: Haha yeah that was funny!!
  • 1 0
 170/160 would be good for me!! Range will be too much... Now I think I have to try to sell my bike! lol
  • 1 0
 @Timo82: Because it's a HSP bike the rear is probably closer to 150mm, that was what everyone talked about with the Druid. They said it felt like a bike with more than 130mm of travel.
  • 1 0
 @Shred-BC: Not sure to understand what you mean... HSP so max 150mm? HSP is known to be on big DH bikes, not on small trail bike like the Druid. Why would it be 150mm? The best for me would be 160f/150r but 150 is way to close from 130.... plus on the picture the front is clearly 170+. I hope you're right but I really think it will be closer to 170/160.
  • 2 0
 I always thought being a sponsored rider would be cool due to being able to test new bikes. I guess getting paid to ride would be pretty cool too.
  • 3 0
 The chick in the background with the blue Druid blew by me like I was standing still at whistler a couple weeks ago...
  • 1 0
 Lewis is super fast on the smaller version, check our his yourtube channel. Be cool to see a review on this and what Lewis thinks of it....compared to the smaller travel bike...
  • 2 2
 I’m more interested in what none sponsored riders think otherwise you just get endless ways of saying it’s amazing
  • 3 0
 Damn, just in time. I was about ready to buy an enduro.
  • 3 0
 Excited to see the details on this frame.
  • 1 0
 It has at least 170 up front. The normal Zen. Non e-books model has a minimum travel of 160. In the photos you can see both of the sag indicators well above the seal.
  • 2 0
 Normal Zeb. Non e-bike*
  • 4 0
 @NcAltitude: Yeah I saw that too! I'm sad, I would have liked a 150rear/150 or 160 front Forbidden! I think it will be 160 rear and 170 and 180 front.
  • 2 0
 That's the bike design standard right there. That's how I want bikes to be drawn in the Simpsons.
  • 1 1
 I hope this new bike will have proper size Reach numbers or the next size up has a shorter seat tube length than normal.
I’m hoping for 2021 Commencal Meta numbers ????????
  • 3 0
 Blue color looks rad
  • 1 0
 Cant wait. Next question is how long for them to get production going, I still cant get a Medium frame in the Druid.
  • 2 0
 My suspicion is when the next batch of druids comes in, these will be right there in the same container
  • 2 0
 Looks like a Session....10.
  • 1 0
 Process X vs Forbidden Fruit. If this thing comes out with half decent specs, I'm jump at it.
  • 4 2
 This bike is for Biden. It is a good bike.
  • 3 0
 27.5 for the win
  • 1 0
 I still just want a Druid, cool to see they are expanding and making something longer travel too. I'd
  • 1 0
 What color is that in background? It’s not cosmic eggplant! How much travel is “long travel?”
  • 1 0
 do you have to buy two chains and connect them together to get around all that or what??
  • 2 0
 Yes Lew, I also ride like that when I'm a little scared
  • 5 4
 Hopefully it’s at least 165mm in the rear and dual crown rated.
  • 4 0
 considering that blue one next to it appears to have no dropper and a small cassette on it... granted poor picture but it APPEARS to have a DM stem on it as well, you may just be in luck.
  • 1 0
 @ctbiker888: how can you see that it’s a DC fork?
  • 1 0
 No drive side spy shots? I AM DISAPPOINT
  • 1 1
 there is
  • 1 0
 Please call it the Forbidden Temple
  • 2 0
 Remp Dog on the DL
  • 1 1
 lew Buchanan teasers finally all make sense now, lew also said on his story that it is out in 14 days
  • 1 0
 Yeees! Plz have at least 77deg real seat angle!!
  • 1 0
 if this can mullet, I'm sold !
  • 2 0
 lew buchanan is running the mullet wheels out of his druid
  • 1 0
 On this bike too.... You didn't look the video, did you?! loolll
  • 1 0
 Forbidden is a sweet looking bike
  • 1 0
 A friend of mine perforated his face cheek with unplugged bars
  • 1 0
 Bigger question is it still a no go for oval rings ?
  • 2 0
 I think the clocking would be the issue. You'd only be able to do it with a RaceFace DM, or a 104 BCD ring (and rotate the chainring forward 90 deg). I doubt the offsets would match perfectly for 115 deg clocking (well, you'd for sure be off with the 104 BCD), but it would give you something. Anyone tried that?
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: maybe but forbidden bikes don’t answer the question yes or no would be helpful from them.
  • 1 1
 @enduroFactory: where’d you ask?
  • 4 0
 @enduroFactory: uk.forbiddenbike.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions
  • 1 1
 @ollyforster: that says you can use an oval. What info are you looking for?
  • 1 0
 Ovals do not play well on high pivot bikes. I have one and found out the hard way
  • 1 0
 @ATXZJ: what crank were you using and how'd you clock it?
  • 1 0
 Excited to see it's final form
  • 1 0
 Since when is a 160mm bike considered a bike park bike?
  • 1 0
 Did he ever find out how capable it is?
  • 1 0
 Well well well!
  • 4 4
 So "First Look:" article dropping tomorrow?
  • 1 0
 Forbidden Shaman?
  • 1 0
 29" or 27.5???
  • 1 0
 29
  • 1 0
 Full review tomorrow?
  • 1 0
 What pedals are those ?
  • 1 0
 Looks like Crankbrothers Mallet DH
  • 1 0
 Templar!
  • 1 0
 Hello pole!
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