Forbidden Druid - Avinox Powered

[John_likes_bikes]

This is the Avinox variation people are seeing. Seemingly not related to what frame their in:

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[christucci]

i had the Amflow for over 2 weeks daily riding - was quieter than my Shimano but louder than the TQ50 (awesome motor!). Since I lived through 2 Shimano EP8, 3 Shimano E8000, 5 Brose SMag I can tell that every motor has a different sound and tolerances whatsoever.
But worthy to have an eye upon..

 

[DToX]

mine got delayed again, to early October, from Worldwide Cyclery

Did they email you directly about the delay or did you inquire?

I don't want to blow them up with emails, I wish they have us a monthly update though.

 

[bakedbun]

Did they email you directly about the delay or did you inquire?

I don't want to blow them up with emails, I wish they have us a monthly update though.

I assume you put down a deposit on this very expensive bike so sending an email or two a month is reasonable.

 

[d3ftone]

Did they email you directly about the delay or did you inquire?

I don't want to blow them up with emails, I wish they have us a monthly update though.

I emailed them to update my shipping address and also asked if there were any updates to the estimated shipping date. They replied -

"We were just in touch with Forbidden yesterday on these and they are now expecting to have them to us around the beginning of October."

"Please note that Forbidden did just let us know that due to ongoing tariffs/importing issues, there may be a slight price increase on their end, although they have not finalized that yet."

This was on August 20th.

 

[DToX]

I emailed them to update my shipping address and also asked if there were any updates to the estimated shipping date. They replied -

"We were just in touch with Forbidden yesterday on these and they are now expecting to have them to us around the beginning of October."

"Please note that Forbidden did just let us know that due to ongoing tariffs/importing issues, there may be a slight price increase on their end, although they have not finalized that yet."

This was on August 20th.

Did you put down the deposit only so far?

Last month I asked them to invoice me for the outstanding amount so I should be paid in full and if they try to increase I'm not sure I'll keep the order but we'll see.

 

[Suns_PSD]

It's not WWC's fault, not Forbidden's fault. Why should they eat it?

There are now tariffs on Chinese products & Canadian products, pretty simple really.

 

[DToX]

It's not WWC's fault, not Forbidden's fault. Why should they eat it?

There are now tariffs on Chinese products & Canadian products, pretty simple really.

Delay on top of price increase which pushes delivery almost outside of riding season I think I'd consider trying to get an unno in 2026 as the price difference wouldn't be huge.

I'm not saying I blame wwc for it, I understand it's outside of their control.

 

[d3ftone]

Did you put down the deposit only so far?

Last month I asked them to invoice me for the outstanding amount so I should be paid in full and if they try to increase I'm not sure I'll keep the order but we'll see.

Yeah, deposit in the form of half the cost of the bike.

I already have an Avalanche SSD Marz Bomber tuned for this bike in hand, so I'm committed to getting it at this point. It's a custom 210x60mm, with 2.5mm and 5mm stroke spacers to reduce the travel. So can run it at the stock 150mm, ~157mm or ~163mm.

 

[sethimus]

Delay on top of price increase which pushes delivery almost outside of riding season I think I'd consider trying to get an unno in 2026 as the price difference wouldn't be huge.

I'm not saying I blame wwc for it, I understand it's outside of their control.

it’s not a price increase if the fat fuck wants his cut

 

[christucci]

as a german I have to confess I googled „WWC“ … guess it’s not the „world wrestling council“, or is it? Are they actually defining the Tariffs?

 

[jbrown15]

Good job he has a warranty

I work at a shop and sold him the fork, considering what that thing cost it would be ridiculous if I needed to submit a warranty claim for him after a months worth of riding.

 

[MTB-WALES]

I work at a shop and sold him the fork, considering what that thing cost it would be ridiculous if I needed to submit a warranty claim for him after a months worth of riding.

Yes I haven’t used mine yet so I think I’m going to take it back as fitting a new hub will lose me the warranty on the wheels and in retrospect I don’t think it’s all worth it… marginal gains. Better off spending the money on a biking holiday.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

A few questions for anyone that has ridden one already or has previously owned a high pivot ebike as I haven't yet, but am interested into the Druid E.
I am asking especially as I recently rented a Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL and that bike was the worst of any bike I have ever ridden, like having a a manual coffee grinder between the feet.

Now is Is there a huge difference in feel when pedaling a high pivot mtb/emtb in tour like terrain and at the end uphill of course also?

Is there a noticeable increase in resistance and how often do you need to change the idler as it has only a few teeth it probably gets chewed up quite fast I would think?

Also is there a significant increase in chain loudness going over an additional sprocket? TIA

Was it a well cared for rental? I've ridden and seen some real pieces of that are not anything like an individually setup bike. Otherwise I have nothing more to add.

 

[DToX]

as a german I have to confess I googled „WWC“ … guess it’s not the „world wrestling council“, or is it? Are they actually defining the Tariffs?

Worldwide Cyclery - All Things Mountain Bikes. Shop / Watch / Read. = WWC

 

[Highland Wheels]

Yes I haven’t used mine yet so I think I’m going to take it back as fitting a new hub will lose me the warranty on the wheels and in retrospect I don’t think it’s all worth it… marginal gains. Better off spending the money on a biking holiday.

Probably be quicker with some coaching vs a shiny fork as well or getting a damper/spring upgrade that's matched to you on the Zebs

 

[Red Peekay]

Delay on top of price increase which pushes delivery almost outside of riding season I think I'd consider trying to get an unno in 2026 as the price difference wouldn't be huge.

I'm not saying I blame wwc for it, I understand it's outside of their control.

Ooooo but we're heading into riding season down here... not that it's been too wet or cold this winter here. Been out every week on singletrack right through our winter and looking forward to riding season moving into top gear over the next month!

 

[Highland Wheels]

My Dealer (Cycle Highlands) have received 3 bikes now, unfortunately mine isn't one of them but fingers crossed it's due soon in that case

 

[Red Peekay]

A really good information video from the Loam Wolf on the e-Druid. My big take out was, if in doubt go down in size. It's a plush bike and with their high pivot philosophy, will take some time getting used to. Enjoy.

 

[andreaverona]

Early adopters in Europe are complaining of chain breakages, especially in bike parks.
Let's keep you updated on this issue.
Some people suspect a misalignment between the chainring and the upper pulley.
we'll see if it's an isolated case

 

[Rich888]

newsflash: if it's released now it's a 26 model...

With 2025 parts

 

[emtbeast]

Early adopters in Europe are complaining of chain breakages, especially in bike parks.
Let's keep you updated on this issue.
Some people suspect a misalignment between the chainring and the upper pulley.
we'll see if it's an isolated case

Following, can you provide any sources? Could also be a batch of to short chains, the chain on these bikes due to the pivot are longer than usual.

 

[sethimus]

With 2025 parts

which parts in the spec list have been updated since announcement?

 

[andreaverona]

Following, can you provide any sources? Could also be a batch of to short chains, the chain on these bikes due to the pivot are longer than usual.

I have no idea what could be causing this, but it could be an incorrectly installed chain or derailleur adjustment.
That's why I wrote, "Let's keep you posted..."

 

[Rich888]

Just had a delivery update and they are saying October now, When I ordered in April it was delivery in August

 

[Highland Wheels]

Just had a delivery update and they are saying October now, When I ordered in April it was delivery in August

Tweed Valley always told me October for an S4, hence I went to Cycle Highlands instead but they did say their initial batch would be late Aug/Sep

 

[mrtrinh]

Another review, this time comparing the Druid lite vs the Bosch on the Orbea wild

Has anyone reported motor rattling with the E-Druid? There's a developing story on the Crestline thread about motor rattling that may be due to it's rear suspension design having heavier chain growth and kickback. As high-pivot idler designs like the Forbidden specifically address this aspect, it would be interesting to get some anecdotal input here, understanding of course that this bike is hardly in the hands of reviewers or buyers at this point.

This reviewer also says there is rattle with the avinox. Its not just frame specific. Some, not all Amflow, Forbidden, and Crestline owners have experienced some type of rattle.

 

[DToX]

I emailed them to update my shipping address and also asked if there were any updates to the estimated shipping date. They replied -

"We were just in touch with Forbidden yesterday on these and they are now expecting to have them to us around the beginning of October."

"Please note that Forbidden did just let us know that due to ongoing tariffs/importing issues, there may be a slight price increase on their end, although they have not finalized that yet."

This was on August 20th.

They just sent me an update, bikes hit the US late September, add ~5–10 days for customs, add ~1 week for Worldwide Cyclery to prep. Expected first or second week of October to customer delivery. No mention of price changes in the email.

 

[sprousaTM]

It might not be a question a lot of people are asking, but I am curious in how the bike pedals WITHOUT the motor... I have just now seen that the idler pulley uses 2 bearings with doublerow balls in each in solid lube if I am not mistaken... I believe this will add a lot of drag to the bike.. I know its an ebike, but there are some cases where I do love to pedal it without motor.. e.g. in a group with bio bikes, if some slower ppl are joining...
I asked my lbs on an update regarding my T3 Core S4 a month ago.. No updates... asked 2 days ago, no answer in yet.. But as I stated above somewhere, the first drop only had 3 bikes total in s2 and s3

 

[ShapeThings]

Can't speak to the eDruid, but I've had three high-pivot meat bikes (druid v1 & v2 + Norco) and the drag is there compared to a conventional drivetrain, but not massive. I go up steep fire roads, so I'm miserable either way.