First look: Forbidden’s Druid CorE and LitE e-bikes

Forbidden Bikes Founder Owen Pemberton knew from the moment he began testing e-bikes that he couldn’t just bolt a motor to an analogue bike.

“It’s funny because a lot of e-bikes were built around getting the geometry pretty much the same as non-e-bikes, but the more e-bikes I rode, the more I realised that that’s not what you want to do.” 

Instead, Forbidden dug deep into how an e-bike should ride, reimagining power-assisted mountain biking from the dirt up. 

The result was the Druid CorE and LitE, two versions of a do-it-all eMTB that melds Forbidden’s truly proportional sizing, tailored geometry and kinematics, and the class-leading Avinox powerplant into an e-bike that rides like no other.

“We’ve had mountain bikers who’ve never ridden e-bikes before saying [the Druid] is still manoeuvrable and it’s still poppy, but it’ll plough when you need it to,” Owen says.

“As a whole bike the Druid eMTB is an insane package. It’s so much fun—I think we’ve nailed that sweet spot.”

Read more about the design process from our interview with Owen Pemberton here. 

The first shipment of the Forbidden Druid CorE and LitE e-bikes has arrived in New Zealand and a second shipment is expected in November. Global demand is extremely high and numbers are limited, so don’t wait to secure your Druid e-bike.

You can view the bikes in person at Outset Bike’s retail store at 12 Carr Road, Royal Oak, Auckland. You can also place your order online at outset.bike here.

The CorE is the burlier, more aggressive model, designed for enduro and all-mountain riding.

• Intended Use: All-Mountain / Enduro
• Suspension:
  • Rear: 150mm travel
  • Front: 160mm travel
• Geometry Highlights:
  • Sizes: S1, S2, S3, S4
  • Head angle: 64 degrees
  • Seat tube angle (effective): 76.5 degrees 
  • Reach: 430mm, 447mm, 467mm, 487mm
  • Chainstays: 427mm, 442mm, 456mm, 471mm 
• Motor System: DJI Avinox Drive System
  • Torque: 105 Nm continuous (up to 120Nm on boost)
  • Power: 800 W peak (up to 1000W on boost)
  • Display: 2-inch OLED full-color touchscreen
• Battery: 800Wh (standard)
• Weight: Approximately 22.6kg (49.8lbs)
• Wheel Size: 29-inch front / 27.5-inch rear
• Colours: Electric Teal, Slated

The LitE is the more trail-oriented model, designed to be lighter and more agile without sacrificing power.

• Intended Use: Trail / All-Mountain
• Suspension:
  • Rear: 140mm travel
  • Front: 150mm travel
• Geometry Highlights:
  • Sizes: S1, S2, S3, S4
  • Head angle: 64.6 degrees
  • Seat tube angle (effective): 77.4 degrees 
  • Reach: 437mm, 454mm, 474mm, 493mm
  • Chainstays: 427mm, 441mm, 456mm, 470mm 
• Motor System: DJI Avinox Drive System
  • Torque: 105 Nm continuous (up to 120Nm on boost)
  • Power: 800 W peak (up to 1000W on boost)
  • Display: 2-inch OLED full-color touchscreen
• Battery: 600Wh (standard, with an 800Wh upgrade option available aftermarket)
• Weight: Approximately 20.8kg (45.9lbs)
• Wheel Size: 29-inch front / 27.5-inch rear
• Colour: Ride the Lightning

Q: What makes the Forbidden Druid CorE and LitE e-bikes different from other e-MTBs? 

A: The Forbidden Druid e-bikes are designed from the ground up to be a true e-MTB, not just an analogue bike with a motor bolted on. They feature the innovative DJI Avinox drive system which provides exceptional power and fast charging. They also incorporate the Trifecta V3 high-pivot suspension platform, a design engineered specifically for the weight and demands of an e-bike, giving you legendary descending capability and incredible climbing traction. A key difference is also the OneRide proportional sizing, where the geometry (like chainstay length) is tailored to each frame size for a balanced ride.

Q: What’s the main difference between the Druid CorE and the Druid LitE? 

A: The key differences are in their intended use, travel, and battery capacity.

• Druid LitE: Designed as a more agile trail bike. It features 140mm of rear travel and a 150mm fork. It comes with a 600Wh battery for a lighter, more nimble feel. The LitE weighs in at approximately 20.8 kg.
• Druid CorE: This is the burlier, more aggressive sibling, built for bigger hits and enduro-style riding. It has 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork. It’s equipped with a larger 800Wh battery for maximum range and power. The CorE weighs about 22.6 kg.

Q: Tell me more about the Avinox motor system. Is it powerful? 

A: Yes, the Avinox motor is exceptionally powerful. It delivers:

• 105Nm of max continuous torque (up to 120Nm on boost mode)
• 800W peak power (up to 1000W on boost) The system also includes a 2-inch OLED full-colour touchscreen display on the top tube, wireless handlebar controls, and an app for customising your ride modes.

Q: How does the Avinox motor system compare to Bosch or Shimano? 

A: The DJI Avinox system is a newcomer but is already a top contender. It boasts one of the highest torque outputs on the market (105Nm continuous, 120Nm boost) and is known for its smooth power delivery. It also features a sleek integrated design with a top-tube display and a fast-charging battery, setting it apart from more traditional systems.

Q: How far can I ride on a single charge? 

A: The range of your e-bike depends on many factors, including the terrain, your riding style, and the assist mode you use. However, Forbidden provides a baseline:

• 800Wh battery (Druid CorE): Estimated range is up to 157 km.
• 600Wh battery (Druid LitE): Estimated range is up to 117 km. The Avinox system also gives you live range estimates on the trail, adjusting for your current power usage.

Q: Can I charge the battery off the bike? How fast is the charging? 

A: The battery on the Forbidden Druid e-bikes must be charged while it is installed in the bike. The Avinox system is known for its fast-charging capabilities, allowing you to charge the 800Wh battery from 0% to 75% in about 95 minutes.

Q: Is the Forbidden Druid e-bike battery removable? 

A: The battery should only be removed by a professional mechanic.

Q: What are the key suspension and geometry features of the Druid e-bikes? 

A: The Druid e-bikes use a high-pivot, four-bar suspension platform. This design offers:

• Active suspension: The suspension remains active under braking and pedaling, providing superb traction.
• “Trifecta” technology: This is Forbidden’s signature combination of rearward axle path, idler pulley position, and kinematics for an unparalleled ride feel.
• Proportional sizing: As you go up in frame size, the chainstay length also increases proportionally. This ensures a balanced feel for riders of all heights.

Q: Can I get a Forbidden Druid e-bike frame-only? 

A: Currently, Forbidden does not offer the Druid e-bikes as a frame-only option. They are sold as complete bikes with different build kits.

Q: What wheel size do the Forbidden Druid e-bikes use? 

A: Both the Druid CorE and Druid LitE are designed around a mixed-wheel (MX) setup, with a 29-inch wheel in the front and a 27.5-inch wheel in the rear. This combination provides the best of both worlds: the rollover capability of a 29er with the playful, nimble handling of a 27.5-inch wheel.

Q: Can the Forbidden Druid e-bikes fit a 29-inch rear wheel?

A: The Druid LitE and Druid CorE, are designed and optimised around a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel. Using a wheel size other than what is recommended would negatively affect the bike’s geometry, suspension performance, and handling, and could also cause clearance issues.

Q: What is the price of the Forbidden Druid e-bikes in New Zealand? 

A: New Zealand pricing for the Forbidden Druid e-bikes varies depending on the specific model and build kit.

• The Forbidden Druid LitE is generally priced from approximately NZ$15,595 to NZ$20,495.
• The more aggressive Forbidden Druid CorE starts at NZ$17,945 and can go up to NZ$20,500 depending on the build kit. 

*Please note these prices are an approximate guide and may vary based on stock, exchange rates, and specific build specifications. For the most current and accurate pricing, please contact Outset Bike directly.

Q: Can Outset Bike build a custom Forbidden Druid e-bike for me?

Outset Bike specialises in customising bikes, whether that’s building your dream bike from the frame up or equipping a stock bike with your preferred parts. Get in touch with our workshop to talk about your dream build.

Q: Where can I see and test ride these bikes in Auckland? 

A: You can find the Forbidden Druid CorE and LitE e-bikes at Outset Bike in Auckland. Our showroom is located at 12 Carr Road, Three Kings, Auckland 1042. You can also contact us by phone at +64 (09) 280 4450 or email at hello@outset.bike to enquire about availability and book a viewing.

Check out the full Forbidden Druid e-bike range at Outset.