So, with lockdowns in Victoria easing I have finally had the time to ride it in anger - and more to the point properly set up.
So far it's survived a number of sessions at the You Yangs, a blast around Harcourt, Red Hill and the Yarra Trails, and a shuttle day at Mt Buller - a good variety of riding for proper setup and review.
Since the last post I've installed the Cascade Components linkage which gives it 142mm travel, and bumped the forks up to 160mm. 150mm is recommended by Forbidden, but with the Vorsprung Smashpot the axle to crown is 5mm lower than the same travel air sprung fork. Pretty much bang on same A-C as running a 150mm Lyrik.
Climbing
First impressions were pretty much spot on. It climbs better than it ought to at its relatively portly weight. The steep seat tube angle keeps you relatively centered and at just the right point that you can easily unweight the front wheel without it feeling like it's wandering for the rest of the time. You can feel the suspension slightly firming as you put the power through the pedals, coupled with the light weight wheels it accelerates with minimal effort. It has a real mountain goat feel through rocky technical climbs and almost never gets hung-up on anything with the combination of the rearward axle path and 29er on the front.
It pedals well with the climb switch on, but develops a significant cyclical bob in certain gears without it on.
I've even been on a couple of rides with friends on their thoroughbred cross-county whippets, and havent felt like I'm being left completely in the dust!
Descending
My last few bikes were a Commencal Supreme Racing, a couple of Specialized Enduros and an Evil Insurgent which all fall pretty squarely in the Enduro category. Long travel bikes capable of hitting big features (in the right hands) at speed, long, slack and a bit lazy. Even thought the Druid is a trail bike, I really haven't felt undergunned on it, even on International at Buller or Turbulence at the You Yangs. It's definitely a more capable bike than its rider. Now matter how rough, it's easy to stay composed on it.
Provided that you stay of the brakes it's very stable and confidence inspiring in fast corners as you can feel in hunkering down and lengthening. I can't compare it to the 29/29 version, but it certainly has a degree of nimbleness to it. With the 27.5 back wheel it's not too fussed by tight technical corners. That said, it does require proper technique as any braking in corner tends to upset it.
As you would expect, through rocky or rough sections it feels stable and fast. The rearward axle path isn't revolutionary or game changing but does make it feel like it has the depths of travel of a slightly bigger bike. With the coil, needle bearing and Cascade linkage, can move the suspension with one finger on the seat. Feels uber sensitive off the top and ramps up well resisting bottom out.
I'm still not 100% convinced on the change from the Evil, and can't help but think that an Offering might have been the Goldilocks bike for me. The Forbidden is a very, very good bike, as capable as the Insurgent in the steep and rough, and the Following on an all day adventure. It just misses a small part of the poppy fun factor of the Evils which makes you want to take advantage of every little side hit, or pump and flow through whatever you're riding.
Parts
No real issues with the parts. I did manage to slash the EXO Aggressor on the rear at Buller on International, but thankfully the only 27.5 tyre in stock up there was the exact same one. Realistically might have to consider something a little beefier for the rear on shuttle days - maybe an EXO+ Dissector for a little more grip and a touch more protection. I'd really like to run a Magic Mary front with either Hans Dampf or Big Betty on the rear but just can't stomach the weight of them.
It's certainly a bike that requires ongoing attention - the rear axle keeps working loose (although just grease and no locktite at the moment), and have to give it a go over pretty regularly to ensure everything is properly torqued.
Did manage to lose a chain at Buller in the rough on ABOM and have pivoted the bottom roller around a little more so it's a bit more secure.
I'm a little disappointed in the Transfer seatpost - it has quite a lot of movement in it at full extension. Probably more than then 3-4 year old OneUp I had last.