Video: Forbidden Announces Mixed Wheel Druid GX Ziggy Edition

Jun 14, 2021
by ForbiddenBike  

Press Release: Forbidden

We're no strangers to the mixed wheel revolution, releasing the Ziggy Link back in May 2020, allowing Forbidden owners to easily recalibrate their Druids and Dreadnoughts for a 27.5in rear wheel. Taken aback by demand, which has grown exponentially in the past 12 months, the wheels were quickly in motion to offer a complete bike equipped with a Ziggy Link.

Our first out-of-the-box, ready-to-rip, mixed wheel size hell-raiser, the Druid GX 'Ziggy Edition' takes the corner slaying abilities of the full-29er Druid and turns them up to 11. Featuring our signature ‘One Ride’ proportional geometry not only ensures a consistent ride experience, regardless of size or stature but also amplifies what this bike can do on the trail. Separated by more than just a 27.5in rear wheel, the GX goes further, knocking 0.5 degrees off the head angle and dropping the bottom bracket by 4mm compared to its full 29er siblings. If the intentions of the Druid GX were in any doubt, the Crankbrothers front and rear tuned Synthesis Enduro wheels, full SRAM GX 12-speed transmission and G2 four-piston anchors should go some way to establish that it’s here to play.

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DRUID GX ZIGGY EDITION MSRP : $6599 USD | $8249 CAD | £5899 GBP | €7099 EUR


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DRUID GX SPEC:
Frame: Forbidden Druid, 130mm travel, full-carbon, Ziggy Link equipped
Fork: Fox Performance Elite 36 GRIP2 - 150mm travel, 44mm offset
Shock: Fox Performance Elite DPX2, EVOL air can, 3-position lever
Transmission: SRAM GX 12 speed - 10-52T cassette
Brakes: SRAM G2 RSC 4-piston, 180mm rotors front and rear
Wheels: Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro Alloy, mixed size wheelset
Front tire: Maxxis Assegai, 29 x 2.5in, 3C MaxTerra, EXO casing
Rear tire: Maxxis Minion DHR II, 27.5 x 2.4in, 3C MaxTerra, EXO+ casing
Cockpit: RaceFace Aeffect 50mm stem, 800 x 20mm Turbine bars and Half Nelson grips
Saddle: SDG Radar Chromo
Seat post: RaceFace Aeffect R (size-specific drop: Small 125mm drop / Medium 150mm / Large and X-Large 170mm drop)
Included: RaceFace tubeless valves, ratcheting torque wrench, Forbidden digital shock pump, and a spare derailleur hanger

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Geometry

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Druid GX bikes will be shipping to North American dealers by late June with UK and European dealers receiving stock by early August. There’s never been a better time to indulge yourself with a fun-loving, high pivot sporting hooligan of a bike, so don't delay as stock will be limited. Please contact one of our amazing dealers for availability and lead times.


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Presented by: Forbidden Bike Co.

Director/Edit: Cole Nelson
Additional Cinematography Liam Morgan
Featuring: Dillon Butcher
Produced by: Stephane Pelletier and Owen Pemberton
Still Photography: Liam Wallace / Liam Morgan

Music: "Sword Woman" Performed by: Maule

Learn more: forbiddenbike.com


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases Trail Bikes Forbidden Forbidden Druid


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95 Comments
  • 95 5
 Glad the wheels are labelled front and rear ,I’m always putting them on the wrong around.
  • 34 0
 Same, turns the chain line into a real mess!
  • 18 3
 I’m sure the carbon synthesis rims are different front and rear so makes sense to label them, dunno bout alloy ones mind you
  • 14 0
 The synthesis wheelset has different rim widths and spoke counts front and rear.
  • 5 1
 @toad321: yes. Fronts are about 2mm wider and 28 spoke. Fronts are really good on the alloy ones.
  • 3 0
 @kcy4130: if you look carefully you can see left and right imprinted on the grips,so you know where to put your hands,They’ve thought of everything
  • 1 0
 @jase111171: But how do I know which side of the bars to install the left/right grip on??!! I sure hope the bars are labeled too! Wait what about the stem? the fork? tehehe. I mean, we're joking of course, but the number of walmart bikes seen with the fork backwards or stem is sometimes alarming.
  • 1 0
 @toad321: Just in case you try to put your cassette on the fork?
  • 1 0
 @warmerdamj: more when you’re building the wheels up.....
  • 45 9
 $6600 for gx with guide 2 brakes and alloy wheels? Ouch.
  • 24 0
 I bought my XT Druid last summer for $5300. Prices have seemingly gone up eh?
  • 37 1
 @fudgedredd: i never thought id see the day. an american saying eh
  • 12 0
 @mior: 'a yank says eh' i hear you mutter, what is he, some kind of nutter?
  • 6 0
 @fudgedredd: yeah crazy how prices have increased. I wish I would of bought that xt druid for 5300 when it was available. The price increase has put it out of range for me.
  • 4 2
 Wild that this is happening on the same day that Intense announced their budget 951 builds. - intense951.com/collections/frontpage/products/951-series-trail?variant=39431015989425

$3,700 for a 31lb build with a carbon frame, 140/150, NX build, Performance Float DPX2, Rythm 36 Float and a dropper post.

Druid's look like awesome bikes, but I'd love for someone from their marketing department to explain how an extra $3K only gets you up to GX and Guide on a druid.

BTW - Intense's $6K build gets you Elite Float, Shimano XT and more.
  • 2 0
 @madridphi: Truth be told, I wouldn't pay the current price for it as it jumps out of my desired range. I did add a Push coil and Secus for about the same total price as the new model without those upgrades. I'm sure it's mostly material and shipping container price increases and delays all-around that are creating the hikes.
That said, I do love this bike.
  • 2 0
 Bike prices keep going up
  • 1 2
 @atourgates: I don't understand that intense website - is that just for that one model of bike? It's almost like the 951 is now a sub-brand within intense...? Anyway, which 6k build are you comparing it to - there isn't a 6k 951...
  • 16 7
 Every American in every bike release comment section not realizing that the Fed been printing money like inflation ain't real... and bike bits are in low supply... complain all you want about bike prices, half of y'all still took the damn stimmy. Now your money is worth less, that's how money tends to work.
  • 7 7
 @ryanandrewrogers: Stumpjumper EVO Expert is $6000, carbon, X01 drivetrain, Code brakes and the same suspension. That’s 10% cheaper for better specs. But sure, keep using your fb talking points about the economy without knowing anything about it or even having done a basic Google search on what the inflation in 2021 is and what’s even driving it.
  • 2 0
 @DHhack: yeah I agree. Forbidden bikes look like great bikes. But they do carry a premium above other brands. It could be scales of economy, bigger brands having more sales able to carry a better price. I was able to get the new evil insurgent gx build for 6,000 (which is still very steep), but comparing it now to the druid seems like a way better deal.
  • 2 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: Just to be crystal clear, my comment has absolutely nothing to do with the what’s causing the cost increases, but it does reflect my own personal budget limits based on what I can get from other brands for less or similar prices especially at this point in time. The Druid with XT for $5300 was a pretty good deal.
  • 1 0
 @fudgedredd: ive been watching the website to buy either a druid or dreadnaught for about a year and haven't been able to catch them in stock. been watching the prices increase the whole time.
  • 1 0
 @meathooker: Yep. I've seen that as well. Not arguing the gradual increase.
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: Yeah - they do 951 bikes on their own site. Their 6K build is here: intensecycles.com/products/2021-primer-29?variant=31757170081815
  • 1 0
 Talking of bike prices going, gone up. Kona Honzo ESD was NZ$3,299, then $3,599, now $4,299. Was going to buy one, ordered it etc. Kept getting an ETA which kept getting moved back and back, to which I've just given up on waiting now. It's kinda though odd considering no one in NZ has any in stock
  • 16 0
 Can't be that much more expensive to spec Codes over G2 can it?
  • 7 0
 Code R $221
Code RSC $350

G2 RS $221
G2 RSC $257
G2 Ultimate $400

Really depends which codes or which G2s you're talking about. Also availability these days at volume purchase quantities.
  • 10 1
 Guides make you go faster though... not by choice... but they make you faster!
  • 2 0
 @TannerValhouli: you're not wrong about that.
  • 12 0
 Those alloy crankbros wheels don’t belong on a bike this expensive. Complete POS hub with 17° between engagements
  • 4 0
 Welcome to 2021 pricing. Build kit quality goes down, price goes up.
  • 1 0
 better than my wheels
  • 2 0
 I have the alloy systhesis wheels, but the ones on industry9 1/1 hubs. Only ridden the rear thus far, seems like a decent rim, decent option for wheels. But yeah, the cheap hub version is not worth the savings!
  • 5 0
 @kcy4130: the Synthesis alloy hoops are actually really good. Not just decent. IMHO.
  • 1 0
 even my £30 Shimano hub has 10° of engagement, I can't believe that has 17°
  • 1 0
 The original Druid XT had Dt Swiss 350 which you can upgrade to 54t ratchet (or more with a knock-off after market).
  • 10 1
 Ziggy Linked Druid is legit the most fun bike to corner in the entire world.
  • 9 1
 I love that the bike has dirt on it for the photo op. It's so sick that Forbidden isn't worried about pristine press releases and the bike is meant to be ridden.
  • 23 0
 That's probably highly curated dirt - took their marketing intern 7 tries and four hours to get the dirt splatter just right to hit that sweet spot of just right dirtiness.
  • 1 0
 I saw a few in person and commented how much better they look in person than in pictures. Their graphics to me look bland in pics, but look classy in person.
  • 1 2
 @g-42: @mikelevy comment gold?
  • 12 7
 Ah yes the industry running out of things to improve on so now we are onto the "Mixed wheel trend" smh
"Hey boys, its more flickable, playful, plush, cool, and fun rig!"
* MSRP 6k hahah
  • 3 1
 Yeah, the trend of updating 27.5 models by just throwing a 29er on front makes me think we are at peak bike. I expect pretty small changes in models going forward. Hell, even the Ibis ripmo v1 vs v2 comes down to whether you want a more agile bike or a more stable bike. Both are great.
  • 1 0
 i can mullet my $500 hardtail with a 26" $50 wheel off of buysell and a cheap tire and it would technically be a mullet
  • 6 0
 @HB208: The Druid has has the option of the Ziggy link for over a year. The change here is you don't need to buy a full 29er bike and then get a second rear wheel and aftermarket link, now you can just get it straight from them like that.
  • 1 0
 Um... it's called MX now.
  • 1 0
 Nice to see the Ziggy link Druid being released shipping suck and the supply chain is hurting. As for the remark about idler maintenance, keep it clean and lubed and it’s all good. Dreadnought is near have no fear the park is calling the mullet wheel beast
  • 6 1
 g2...(cause all the good brakes were sold out)
  • 2 0
 It's literally out of stock. I am still confused why brands will release a bike that you can't even buy. Not that I'd spend $4k more Canadian than the frame only ($4249 vs $8249) for a GX build...
  • 7 1
 @Ryan2949 Bikes are landing in our Cumberland warehouse in the next week or two, hence the web stock being a little delayed. We will have a limited quantity to sell online once they land, but the majority of bikes are going to our fine dealers across the globe www.forbiddenbike.com/pages/find-a-dealer which will be happy to start fielding interest prior to them landing. Cheers!
  • 2 0
 @stephanepelletier: Does this shipment to your warehouse include Druid framesets purchased a few months ago from dealers? Fanatik had an original availability date of late April/early May. I've got a lot of orange and purple parts taking up space on my workbench, I need that Cosmic Eggplant to come in!
  • 1 0
 @stephanepelletier: will there be any Dreadnoughts in there?
  • 5 0
 @jplant @PTyliszczak the way shipping has been everything got really messed up hence all the shifting timelines, the good news is that those Druid frames and Dreadnought XT completes are on the water with the GX bikes (in separate containers, which means pinpointing the exact day for each is tricky). Everything should be landing in the next 1-3 weeks in Cumberland, depending on how long they sit through customs. Cheers!
  • 2 0
 @stephanepelletier: Thanks for the info! PS, I'm still drooling over your Blasty build
  • 3 0
 @stephanepelletier: thanks so much for the info. And a sincere thank you for actually answering the question. I hope it doesn't take too long to get that druid down to North Carolina so I can build it up and send y'all some pics.
  • 3 0
 @stephanepelletier: thanks so much for the info. And a sincere thank you for actually answering the question. I hope it doesn't take too long to get that druid down to North Carolina so I can build it up and send y'all some pics.
  • 2 0
 @stephanepelletier: thanks so much for the info. And a sincere thank you for actually answering the question. I hope it doesn't take too long to get that druid down to North Carolina so I can build it up and send y'all some pics.
  • 1 0
 @stephanepelletier: best news ever. Equating for my XT dread.
  • 1 0
 @stephanepelletier: Do you know which dealers will be stocking this? I've contacted a few, some haven't gotten back to me and one said they only stock the frames. Also, what frame colors will this be available in, I haven't seen any mention of that.
  • 1 0
 @charliewentoutside: Hey Charlie, I'd recommend reaching out to contact@forbiddenbike.com, they'll be happy to give you the low down on availability and how to best get your hands on one of these!
  • 2 0
 absolutely loving my ziggy linked druid. pretty cool they let you skip the middle man and go straight to ziggy link with these. I have a 29 rear wheel just hanging out in my garage right now. Coulda avoided all of that
  • 1 0
 But you would have had to spend a lot more for the Ziggy model with lesser components.
  • 2 0
 Am I the only one who read the first sentence of the article as "We're no strangers to love".

You know the rules, and so do I.
  • 4 1
 DJ Khalid: "Another one"


Forbidden: Ok, fine, chill bro...
  • 5 2
 "G2 four-piston anchors" is this supposed to be a joke?
  • 3 0
 :cue pinkbike retrogrouches whining about mullet bikes:
  • 3 0
 Sweet. Bike is sick
  • 2 0
 whats crazy, Evil was able to release a GX build at 6000 msrp.
  • 2 0
 with better wheels and suspension
  • 1 0
 Yeah. I really like this bike and I get boutique warrants more $$ but the pricing on this Druid is pretty far out!
  • 1 1
 Can anybody comment on how much extra maintenance the idler adds? I really like the geo and suspension but I worry about the maintenance of the system.
  • 4 2
 it adds fuckall
  • 1 0
 How much do you service your front chainring? About that much.
  • 1 0
 Eh just dont use wet lube and youll be all good
  • 1 0
 more chain and idler maintenance as you'd expect, same goes for the chain guide which is quite fragile, also issues with bearings and finish. It's a nice riding bike if you like a plush ride, but it's expensive for a imported frame. Pay to play.
  • 1 0
 @shepridesbikes
If you want your drivetrain to last, alot. The oem idler is not great at keeping water/grit out. I would say that every 3-4 rides I am pulling it off to check/clean/regrease it. Chain/chainring/derailleur wheels get wiped down after every ride. The new billet idlers have a revised bearing that no longer needs cleaning/greasing so that is huge step in the right direction.
I have seen idlers trashed in 500kms as per members on the facebook owners page. Personally I have around 1,550 km's on my Druid and I am due to replace the chain (which with a XL size means I have to buy two lol).
  • 1 0
 @nickkozak: thanks for the info!
  • 2 0
 I've replaced my idler once since riding last June. The idler seems to wear out fastest on the drivetrain, especially if you climb often. I wash my bike a lot and the bearings were never had an issue. I keep the drivetrain clean and lubed so that the drivetrain/pulley are quiet and smooth. When it gets dirty, it can be noisier. They are releasing a SS pulley with "solid lube" which will require basically no maintenance and will last 3-4 times longer.
  • 2 0
 That price though .... o.O
  • 2 0
 cool bike but im just here to watch Dill shred
  • 1 0
 The wheel labels are a game changer. Take note five ten! You guys need to start labeling shoes left and right
  • 2 0
 having a full 27.5 option would be great
  • 1 0
 i love almost everything about this bike, but that seat tube is really hard on the eyes. it ruins the look for me
  • 1 0
 Delivering late August... Of which year?
  • 3 0
 Thankfully we're talking 2021, but that is a fair thing to wonder these days!
  • 1 1
 Wasn't this bike like $4300 18 months ago?
  • 2 1
 Nope. Always been boutique prices. Frame only has always been $3299.
  • 2 0
 @fullendurbro: ah the SLX build is $5400 now. I think it was in the $4xxx range when i was looking at them before. I guess that's not too different than all the other companies.
  • 1 0
 @loudv8noises: yeah 6k cad
  • 4 0
 @fullendurbro: $3300 for a carbon frame of a performance bicycle is pretty on-par with the market right now.
  • 4 0
 The Druid XT was 6999 last summer when it was released and now is 8399 (Canadian Dollars)
  • 1 0
 @loudv8noises: Last September the SLX was $4599 and the xt was $5299 USD.
  • 1 0
 @nickkozak: Seems I snuck in at the right time.
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