Forbidden Druid Electric Bike Tech

Who says an established canine can’t learn new tricks?

Forbidden took the modern wolf in sheep’s clothing and gave it a brand-new bag of high-power, high-tech tricks.

Introducing Druid E. The proportionally sized, full-power e-MTB lineup we’ve all been waiting for.

Available in two styles: Druid LitE and Druid CorE. Both equipped with the revolutionary Avinox drive system. A 2.52 kg (5.5 lbs) package that delivers 105 Nm of max continuous torque (120 Nm on boost), 800 W peak power (1,000 W on boost), the ability to run 600 Wh or 800 Wh batteries, and the fastest charging available on the market.

Finally, a proportionally sized e-MTB that effortlessly shuttles you to the top of any climb and delivers the class-defying descending prowess you know and love from Forbidden’s high-pivot Trifecta suspension platform. A bike you’ll actually love riding down as much as you do on the way up.

Druid LitE

A 140mm rear and 150mm front travel setup, equipped with a 600 watt-hour battery, weighing in at just under 46 lbs (45.9 lbs or 20.8 kg). Druid LitE is available in 3 Build kits.

Druid CorE

The burly sibling to the Druid LitE comes equipped with 150mm of rear and 160mm of front travel. It’s 0.6 degrees slacker, uses an 800 watt-hour battery, and weighs in at just under 50 lbs.(49.8 lbs or 22.6kg). Druid CorE is available in 3 Build kits.

Avinox Drive System

We’ve had plenty of time to get a lay of the land and test numerous motor systems, but ever since our first test ride of the Avinox, it was an absolute no-brainer for us. And it’s not only for the reasons you might first think. Yes, it’s fast. Yes, it’s the most powerful. But it’s when things get grim and technical that this motor really starts to shine.

Thanks to its advanced hardware and software, it allows you to finesse each pedal stroke to ensure you’re always getting traction. Combine that with our low pedal kickback—thanks to the idler position—and you’ve got yourself a mountain goat of a bike that’ll have you climbing up the side of a house.

Spec-wise, you’ve got 105 Nm of torque in a 2.5 kg package, a touchscreen display, intuitive controls, and a well-thought-out app. Customizations through the app are endless. From the information displayed on the screen to fine-tuning every aspect of each assist mode.

And it doesn’t stop there. There’s even an option for fast charging: zero to 75% in just one and a half hours.

Trifecta V3 Platform

Darwin once stated, “The crab is the highest form of evolution.” Alright, we made that up, but there’s no doubt you’ll recognize that we’ve gone to a new suspension layout on the Druid E.

For us, an e-bike isn’t just a case of throwing a motor into a bike we already make. We took the time to design the Druid LitE and CorE from the ground up, focusing on some key design objectives.

The first of those is seatpost insertion. We knew we wanted to maximise room for long dropper posts while still packaging the motor and battery cleanly and efficiently. The vertically positioned shock allowed us to do exactly that. You can now slam a 180 mm dropper into an S1 frame.

It’s still a high pivot, it’s still four-bar, and retains all the Druid ride characteristics you’ve come to know and love.

It’s Witchcraft, electrified.

E-bike Specific Geo & Spec

Druid E gets the full OneRide proportional sizing treatment and is the world’s first truly proportionally sized e-bike. Thanks to motor assistance, the bike’s geometry and ride position can be more downhill-oriented, where control and composure matter most. This is why you’ll find a taller front end, slack angles, a mixed-wheel platform, and short cranks.

That 467mm reach on an S3 might have you scratching your head, but hear us out. While the industry often associates shorter reach with outdated geometry, in this case, when combined with taller stack, it’s a functional adjustment to ensure good fit. For more on this check out the video above (if you haven’t already).

Increased stack, combined with shorter cranks, lifts your head up and squares off your stance, putting you in a more natural-feeling, upright position. From this position, you’re better equipped to control and manoeuvre the bike, allowing you to flick it around as if the extra system weight isn’t even there.

Continuing in the vein of DH-focused handling, we’ve chosen to go with a mullet setup. This setup gives the rider more influence over the chassis of the bike, making it easier to initiate and maintain direction changes.

And while you might think all this DH-oriented geometry would be a detriment on steep climbs, with our proportional geometry, the rear-centres grow and seat angles get steeper as you go up in size, keeping you centred on the bike, both up and down the hill.

The end result is a bike that feels stable, confidence-inspiring, and intuitive in all riding situations.

The Graphs

Those who love them, love them a lot.

The Finer Details

Trifecta V3 Platform

The latest iteration of our Trifecta platform elevates the spellbinding ride characteristics you expect from a Forbidden to a new level. We’ve fine-tuned the rearward axle path, idler position, and kinematics (the holy trinity of ride characteristics) to deliver the best e-MTB we’ve ever ridden. The new platform also gives us more seat post insertion and allows us to neatly package the motor and battery.

Avinox Drive System

A 2.52 kg (5.5 lbs) package that delivers 105 Nm of max continuous torque (120 Nm on boost), 800 W peak power (1,000 W on boost), and the ability to run 600 Wh (2.87 kg / 6.33 lbs) or 800 Wh (3.74 kg / 8.25 lbs) batteries. The batteries are lightweight and compact, which helps to keep the overall bike weight low. They boast ultra-high energy density and large capacity, facilitating extended range and optimal power delivery.

Touch Screen and Controls

Druid E features a 2-inch OLED full-colour Control Display as the interactive hub, enabling connectivity between the Avinox Drive Unit and your mobile device via the Avinox app. Tuneable assist modes, wireless handlebar controls, and an intuitive app set the Avinox system apart from the rest.

AXS Extension Cord Compatible

Druid E builds that are specced with AXS transmission come equipped with SRAM’s AXS Extension Cord. The SRAM AXS Extension Cord connects the AXS transmission to the bike’s battery, allowing you to power the drivetrain directly without the use of an AXS battery.

Carbon Rocker Link

The Trifecta V3 platform features a carbon rocker link. The carbon rocker link is light, stiff, reduces unsprung mass, isolates the shock from lateral forces, and gives the bike the right amount of progressivity. 8 x 30 mm bearing hardware, top and bottom, comes as standard on all shocks.

Idler Pulley

Druid E sports our e-bike-specific 18-tooth steel idler equipped with two Enduro solid lube bearings. These changes, along with a refined tooth profile, increase the idler’s longevity while ensuring compatibility with the latest drivetrains.

Custom Frame Protection

We developed a full complement of custom frame protection for Druid E. Chainstay, seatstay, downtube, and motor cover protection have all been developed and designed in-house specifically for this bike.

Waterbottle Fitment

Even our smallest Druid E frame size can fit a full-size 26oz water bottle, regardless of your rear shock reservoir. Remember, hydration is your friend, but sweaty backs most definitely are not.

Lifetime Warranty

Druid E carries the same lifetime warranty as all our carbon bikes.

Forbidden out.