Forbidden Druid - Avinox Powered

ntm95 said:
I would suggest trying out the druid lite now and report back. I think you'll be surprised.
Nobody is saying the core is not great, but it's even better when lighter. Truly a pity the core wasn't offered with a 600wh.
And as a former claymore owner, the deviate vs forbidden performance comparison isn't really fair. Even in highlander to druid acoustic, you'd have been blown away.
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Really?

I'd still rather be on my Claymore on the downs but I guess it depends what setup you are running on both. I'd like to try the same EXT shock on the Druid to make a fairer comparison but at the moment when it gets proper chunky and rowdy I'd still rather be on the Claymore
 
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These are my predictions on the possible new Avinox battery packs.

If they will use the latest (avaliable Dec 2025) FEB or Molicel 21700 high capacity cells, the new packs would be quite interesting.
Screenshot_20251127_215029_Facebook.jpg

Similar if not the same dimensions as the current 800Wh(3,74kg) 10S4P(40 cells) pack:

40 x 3,6V x 6,5Ah ≈ 936Wh(26Ah)
Predicted new weight ≈ 3,9kg

Similar if not the same dimensions as the current 600Wh(2,87kg) 10S3P(30 cells) pack:

30(cells) x 3,6V x 6,5Ah ≈ 702Wh(19,5Ah)
Predicted new weight ≈ 3kg
 
Highland Wheels said:
Really?

I'd still rather be on my Claymore on the downs but I guess it depends what setup you are running on both. I'd like to try the same EXT shock on the Druid to make a fairer comparison but at the moment when it gets proper chunky and rowdy I'd still rather be on the Claymore
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I can directly compare the claymore vs the dreadnought v2 as I have owned both with similar setups back to back, and there, it's a complete blow out. The d2 is faster up and down. Particularly in corners. The geo is just better.
Only place I'd give the claymore the edge would be in slower chunk. As speeds pick up the d2 takes the lead, regardless of terrain.
 
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Fair, I'd actually looked at a Dreadnought before getting the Claymore. Both seemed kinda similar so went with the Deviate as they are based locally to me and Scotland and all that 😂

Maybe I need to try a Deadnought now
 
Highland Wheels said:
Fair, I'd actually looked at a Dreadnought before getting the Claymore. Both seemed kinda similar so went with the Deviate as they are based locally to me and Scotland and all that 😂

Maybe I need to try a Deadnought now
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Whoops, sorry, not trying to cost you money !
Synopsis- more front end traction, more consistent traction in corners, more stability at speed, more support when pedalling, less drivetrain drag (significant), more active rear end under braking (also significant).
Caveats- wants to go fast, you need that kinetic energy to make the most of it. The claymore by comparison was happier at lower speeds and more relaxed riding.
I reset all my previous descending pb's with it without even trying, often even on a warm up lap. That's in eastern bc style riding where corner speed is a decisive factor. So these experiences may not necessarily translate to Scotland's terrain.
 
ntm95 said:
I would suggest trying out the druid lite now and report back. I think you'll be surprised.
Nobody is saying the core is not great, but it's even better when lighter. Truly a pity the core wasn't offered with a 600wh.
And as a former claymore owner, the deviate vs forbidden performance comparison isn't really fair. Even in highlander to druid acoustic, you'd have been blown away.
Click to expand...
It's really too bad neither brand sells bikes remotely near me, no chance at demoing bikes, who knows I may have ended up with an acoustic druid over a highlander 2, that said I can only compare to the experiences I've had. I may try to get a 600wh battery at some point, but tbh it's low on my list of things to do, the all day rides I end up doing when traveling often put me in the 5-20% remaining at the end, so I'm pretty happy with the 800wh, and would be even more interested in the rumored 1000wh over a 600wh. Either way I'm happy to join the Forbidden party.

Truly a pity the core wasn't offered with a 600wh.
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I agree, my biggest complaint is that I couldn't choose among any of the colorways with the battery size I want, and as a frameset so I could compile my own parts.
 
600wh has been great for me. But yeah, all day rides or liberal amounts of turbo would really want an 800wh.

It’s less the total weight and more where it sits. First thing I noticed when I got on my lite was its playfulness and ability to “pop” much better than my lighter by a few pounds Kenevo sl. Going to heavier front tires and a 170mm heavier fork diminishes that a bit, but the bike still splits the difference between playful and plow quite nicely. I think I will be happy at 160/150 at some point for most of my trails. Lately I have been riding mostly faster, steeps and the bigger front fork and longer FC is super nice
 
ntm95 said:
Whoops, sorry, not trying to cost you money !
Synopsis- more front end traction, more consistent traction in corners, more stability at speed, more support when pedalling, less drivetrain drag (significant), more active rear end under braking (also significant).
Caveats- wants to go fast, you need that kinetic energy to make the most of it. The claymore by comparison was happier at lower speeds and more relaxed riding.
I reset all my previous descending pb's with it without even trying, often even on a warm up lap. That's in eastern bc style riding where corner speed is a decisive factor. So these experiences may not necessarily translate to Scotland's terrain.
Click to expand...
Nah I'm pretty happy with how the Deviate rides to be honest. It suits me and I had Simialr, PBs on every trail I rode, yet to beat some of them on the Druid but I'll get a load more seat time on it so it's a given it'll be quicker eventually
 
Highland Wheels said:
Nah I'm pretty happy with how the Deviate rides to be honest. It suits me and I had Simialr, PBs on every trail I rode, yet to beat some of them on the Druid but I'll get a load more seat time on it so it's a given it'll be quicker eventually
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How do they compare when it comes to climbing efficiency and anti squat?
 
Anyone in the UK waiting for the December drop? Ordered in April but been pushed back.
 
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Jdof said:
The thing is all this emergent suspension brands have not any support beyond Europe, and that’s where the appealing ends. I live in Chile. A brand is as good as its customer support. I can buy Fox spare parts at my local shop and do maintenance my self at home, even a full damper rebuild. In the event of a warranty claim, I can be talking directly with a representative same day personally.

On the other hand Fox took a no compromise way with this USD fork, where rigidity and friction where a priority and weight wasn’t. And so far the fork has delivered.
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How are you liking the performance and reliability of the Podium? Can you please compare it to other forks you have written from Fox? Also, please share your weight, terrain and shock settings if possible. I am strongly considering the podium for my Velduro rogue when it comes in a couple of months. I like the intended flash 35 also but I think I can get a really good deal on the Fox as I live in Scotts Valley.
 
Anyone had any success straightening a transmission cage.? What's the best method?

20251202_154639.jpg
 
bakedbun said:
it's bent from the factory.

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Yeah but this seems a bit more than factory bend. A rather large piece of nz native timber derailed my chain from the lower jockey wheel and got itself jammed in there now the top 3 or 4 gears as in the largest cogs are now not changing particularly well
 
jcmonty said:
What chain lubes are people finding work well with this bike? I live in dry , dusty conditions and am finding that depending on how well I lube the chain , I can get a pretty bad “dry grinding “ sound before my typical ride complete . I have been a rock and roll extreme (blue) lube guy forever . Prior to this bike , i typically could get 2-3 rides without lubing.

I am not keen on the waxing process ; so seeing if anyone has had more luck with different lubes
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Once you go wax, you'll never go bax 😁
 
losgatosgtr said:
How are you liking the performance and reliability of the Podium? Can you please compare it to other forks you have written from Fox? Also, please share your weight, terrain and shock settings if possible. I am strongly considering the podium for my Velduro rogue when it comes in a couple of months. I like the intended flash 35 also but I think I can get a really good deal on the Fox as I live in Scotts Valley.
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Having the Podium 170 for a few months now. This fork is replacing a Factory 38 with 180 mm of travel. While waiting for my Core, that is supposed to be delivered next week, my current bike is an Orbea Wild. The 38 is a solid performance fork. Being a setup nerd I feel I know how to squeeze every mm of performance from it.
But the Podium is a league of its own.
This fork rides very (very) high, giving the impression that you have too much air, until you hit a rock garden and the feeling is like noise canceling headphones, the rock garden been the noise. The rigidity is stupid. The fork superglue the tire to the ground. The fore aft stiffness is comparable to a 40 fork and the torsional stiffness is un distinguishable form the 38.
In regards of reliability, so far, the stanchions a bone dry, no oil leaks. Also, and this is very important, the Fox support in my region is top notch.
The best upgrade in a lot of years of upgrades.
 
OnEdge said:
Once you go wax, you'll never go bax 😁
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Ooo yeah.... I'm a waxer from way back!! Got my secret "KFC 11 herbs & spices" home made wax mix and my small slow cooker.... run 3 chains all waxed and swap them out every 400 to 500km... and rewax. Then again, I also don't ride in teeming rain or when it's wall to wall mud... a bit of a fair weather rider these days!! 😜😆👍
 
Chairman said:
Yeah but this seems a bit more than factory bend. A rather large piece of nz native timber derailed my chain from the lower jockey wheel and got itself jammed in there now the top 3 or 4 gears as in the largest cogs are now not changing particularly well
Click to expand...

Maybe something shifted, I recommend doing the t-type setup again from the beginning and if that doesn't fix it, buy a new cage.
 
bakedbun said:
Maybe something shifted, I recommend doing the t-type setup again from the beginning and if that doesn't fix it, buy a new cage.
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This ^

Alu pulley cage costs about the same as a hanger of old and is easy to swap. I’ve gone through a handful…regular enough that I keep a spare, just like I did with hangers.
 
Red Peekay said:
Ooo yeah.... I'm a waxer from way back!! Got my secret "KFC 11 herbs & spices" home made wax mix and my small slow cooker.... run 3 chains all waxed and swap them out every 400 to 500km... and rewax. Then again, I also don't ride in teeming rain or when it's wall to wall mud... a bit of a fair weather rider these days!! 😜😆👍
Click to expand...
I replaced my drivetrain with a Shimano XT Linkglide drivetrain and a waxed chain. After a couple hundred km of riding it still looks brand new. I've been waxing my gravel bike chains for a year, and now all the bikes are getting waxed chains as their chains get replaced. I'm a believer.
 
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