New Forbidden Druid V2 MX: a true downhill rider's trail bike that justifies its price tag

The Forbidden Druid V2 MX is intended to be a no-holds-barred trail bike for all-day epics, alpine thrashes and bike-park shredding. So, is the high-pivot and chain idler layout of this 130mm-travel MTB a legitimate trail shredder, or overly complex and expensive?

As always, there’s a compromise between descending speed and climbing efficiency. The Druid V2 balances this well, but it leans in favour of the former with its high pivot and chain idler.

The Forbidden Druid V2 MX is a descending standout in the short-travel trail bikes category, offering the performance and feel typically associated with longer-travel bikes. At the risk of sounding cliched, it's a downhiller's trail bike.

The Forbidden Druid V2 climbs well overall, but it’s not going to win any trophies for being the fastest 130mm trail bike to the top of the hill.

For the £6,999 / $6,899 / €8,699 price, the performance justifies its lofty price tag, and the carbon frame features a decent spec list, but it can’t compete with the likes of YT and Canyon for value. It is competitive against more boutique bikes such as the Atherton AM 130.1, however.

Forbidden Druid GX RS S Plus V2 MX frame and suspension details

Forbidden boasts about the sensible standards on its carbon fibre frame.

There’s a Universal Derailleur Hanger, threaded bottom bracket, Boost hub spacing and no headset cable routing.

The bike gets plenty of frame protection to help it run quietly, and there’s space for a water bottle and tool mounts inside the front triangle.

This model dishes out 130mm of rear-wheel travel from its Trifecta suspension platform – an inverted four-bar Horst-link (the rocker link drives the shock near the bottom bracket). The pivot layout produces a virtual high pivot.

This gives the Druid a rearward axle path that grows by 22mm. As such, Forbidden uses a steel 18t idler wheel to route the chain close to the virtual pivot point, to help tune anti-squat and pedal kickback.

Forbidden claims the high-pivot design works better to absorb bumps and delivers better stability through mid and hard compressions.

Forbidden Druid GX RS S Plus V2 MX geometry

The Druid V2 is available as a full 29er or the mixed-wheel (29in front, 27.5in rear) setup I’ve tested here.

Forbidden claims its One Ride geometry philosophy should mean all bike sizes feel the same on the trail.

That means each size in its four-size range (S1 to S4) gets its own chainstay lengths to provide a similar ride feel, and maintain the front and rear-centre ratio.

I tested the S3, which features a sensible 475mm reach, with a more descending-focused 641mm stack height.

There’s a confident 64.5-degree head tube angle and a 76.6-degree effective seat tube angle. Combined with the reach and stack, there’s a roomy, but not stretched 628mm effective top tube.

The rear stays measure a lengthy 452mm, but will grow by around 12mm at 30 per cent sag. The bottom bracket drops 29mm below the wheel axles to give a low-slung 332mm bottom-bracket height.

Forbidden Druid GX RS S Plus V2 MX specifications

While the Druid's asking price isn’t cheap, you get a decent selection of kit and a frame that’s had plenty of research and development prior to its launch.

It uses RockShox’s 150mm Lyrik Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock.

As its name suggests, you get a full SRAM GX AXS Transmission drivetrain.

Forbidden has also fitted SRAM’s Code Stealth Silver brakes with 180mm rotors. I wouldn’t be sad to see 200mm rotors on the Druid V2, however.

The Druid rolls on Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro Alloy wheels, wrapped in Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO front, and Forekaster 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ rear tyres.

It’s finished with a Burgtec cockpit, OneUp Components dropper post, and Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 saddle.

Forbidden Druid GX RS S Plus V2 MX ride impressions

I tested the Forbidden around plenty of the South West UK’s riding hot spots, with tech descents, flowing trails and climbs of all gradients.

I also took it to Wind Hill Bike Park in Warminster to see how the mixed-wheel trail bike would withstand some additional abuse.

Setup

To get the bike set up for my 75kg riding weight, I ended up with 84psi in the RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork. I ran the high- and low-speed compression damping open.

I slowed down the rebound seven clicks from open out of 19 to get my preferred return speed.

I ran the RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock with 187psi – a few psi more than Forbidden recommends.

This gave me around 30 per cent sag. Again, I ran the compression damping open, and the rebound seven clicks from open out of 15.

Forbidden Druid GX RS S Plus V2 MX climbing performance

The suspension system, including the shock tune and frame kinematics, performs impeccably, almost entirely stopping the suspension from bobbing while pedalling.

That stability means the bike maintains drive without fatiguing you with unnecessary energy loss.

Over a wide range of gradients, the Druid remains efficient with good support, even without engaging the shock's lockout, a testament to its well-tuned suspension setup.

That said, the suspension remains active when the rear wheel hits bumps on the trails.

Rooty and rocky tech climbs are smoothed out efficiently, helping prevent the bike from getting hung up on momentum-stalling features. This enhances its climbing prowess on rougher trails.

The Druid V2 MX’s anti-squat characteristics and shock tune balance excellent support without compromising traction.

Even when pushing hard on short, sharp out-of-the-saddle efforts such as the exits of awkward hairpin turns, or steep kicks on undulating climbs, the suspension remains stable, keeping the Druid V2 MX driving forwards.

Still, for those who prefer maximum efficiency, utilising the shock's lockout can firm up the rear end. However, this is only useful for sustained out-of-the-saddle climbs or on smoother trails.

Its seated position – thanks to Its 76.6-degree effective seat tube angle – put me comfortably over the bottom bracket, promoting a powerful and efficient pedal stroke.

Its seat tube angle, combined with a moderate reach and the 628mm effective top tube, ensures a comfortable seated position that balances fore-aft balance when tackling steeper or gradual inclines.

Forbidden Druid GX RS S Plus V2 MX descending performance

Its 21mm rearward wheel axle path effectively absorbs rumbling roots and square-edge hits, maintaining momentum on rough trails. While I believe the 29in version would be even more impressive at carrying speed, this 27.5in setup still performs admirably.

The Druid V2 MX performs well in small-bump sensitivity, but it’s not quite class-leading. That supportive shock tune provides a firmer initial stroke, and takes a bit more force from harder hits to get the best from the suspension once it moves into its travel.

When it’s sat in its stroke, it shines when tackling sharp square-edge hits such as tangled root spreads or rock gardens.

The rear suspension absorbs these impacts effectively without disrupting the bike's balance or momentum. This capability enhances rider confidence, allowing for aggressive riding over technical sections.

When it comes to handling big compressions, the rear suspension’s progression ramps up nicely as you move deeper into the travel.

It’s got a supportive platform that prevents bottoming out and keeps the bike composed through heavy impacts. It feels as if there’s more than 130mm of travel.

Charging through deep compressions, drops and rough trails, it’s the fork that's the limiting factor compared to the frame.