Forbidden Enters the E-MTB World with the High Pivot Druid E — Powered by DJI Avinox

After years of building high-pivot trail bikes that earned a loyal cult following, Forbidden Bike Co. has made its long-anticipated leap into the e-MTB space. And true to the brand’s engineering-first philosophy, they didn’t retrofit an existing frame with a motor, they built the Druid E from the ground up. The result? Two purpose-built electric mountain bikes: the quick and responsive Druid LitE, and the burly, terrain-hungry Druid CorE.

These bikes are connected by a shared DNA—both feature the all-new Trifecta V3 suspension platform, high pivot “wichcraft”,  OneRide proportional geometry, and the Avinox motor system developed by DJI. Yet, both bikes are distinct in character, tailored for different kinds of riders and terrain.

Druid LitE – A Nimble, Playful Trail Companion

The Druid LitE is Forbidden’s answer for riders who want an e-bike that rides like a trail bike—not a tank. Built with 140mm of rear travel and 150mm up front, the LitE balances efficient climbing with an agile, poppy feel on descents. This makes it ideal for fast laps, varied trail systems, and fun pedals with a bit of everything thrown in.

Engineered to be lightweight (by full-power e-MTB standards), the LitE comes equipped with a 600Wh battery, which keeps the overall weight in check and helps the bike maintain its spry personality. The vertically mounted shock, part of the redesigned Trifecta V3 platform, opens space for long dropper post insertion—even on smaller frame sizes.

Druid LitE Specs:

• Rear Travel: 140mm 

• Front Travel: 150mm 

• Battery Size: 600Wh for a lighter ride and efficient energy management

• Weight: 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg), striking a solid power-to-weight ratio

• Intended Use: All-around trail riding, quick-handling technical climbs, and flowy descents

• Frame Design: High-pivot Trifecta V3 suspension with vertical shock and idler pulley 

With a slightly steeper head angle and a more responsive front end compared to its big sibling, the LitE is the bike for riders who value responsiveness, agility, and balance over brute force.

Druid CorE – Bigger, Stronger, Built for Gravity

For riders who don’t shy away from steep chutes, big hits, and long days in big terrain, the Druid CorE is Forbidden’s electric enduro machine. Compared to the LitE, it gets more travel, more battery, and slacker geometry—making it the go-to choice for aggressive descents, shuttle runs, or epic backcountry adventures.

The CorE features 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, with a slightly more relaxed head angle (0.6° slacker) and increased stack height for downhill confidence. The larger 800Wh battery gives it a significant range advantage, ideal for riders tackling bigger rides or spending longer days in the saddle.

Druid CorE Specs:

• Rear Travel: 150mm 

• Front Travel: 160mm 

• Battery Size: 800Wh 

• Weight: 49.8 lbs (22.6 kg)

• Intended Use: Gravity-fed trails, backcountry missions, bike park laps

• Geometry: 0.6° slacker than the LitE, with a longer wheelbase and taller stack for stability

The CorE has been been designed with proportional geometry and a mullet wheel setup (29” front, 27.5” rear) to ensure that riders still get that Forbidden feeling.

Avinox Motor System – Power, Control, and Customization

Both the Druid LitE and CorE are powered by the Avinox drive system, an advanced e-bike motor platform from DJI—the same tech company behind drones, gimbals, and now one of the most powerful and lightweight e-bike motors on the market. After testing various systems, Forbidden landed on Avinox not just because of the raw numbers, but for how it feels on the trail—quiet, natural, and composed, especially when traction is limited. We at Worldwide have been personally testing the system on the AMFLOW and it has been nothing but impressive. Faster, smoother and lighter than any other system that we have tried. We are stoked to see this on a Forbidden bike! 

The motor delivers an impressive 105 Nm of continuous torque and up to 120 Nm in boost mode. It runs with peak outputs of 800W (1,000W on boost), housed in a unit that weighs just 2.52 kg. This combination gives the Druid E series incredible power-to-weight characteristics.

Avinox Motor System Specs:

• Torque: 105 Nm continuous, 120 Nm on boost (30 seconds)

• Peak Power: 800W standard, 1,000W boost (30 seconds)

• Motor Weight: 2.52 kg (5.5 lbs)

• Battery Options: 600Wh or 800Wh

• Charging Speed: Zero to 75% in about 90 minutes using fast charging

• Display: 2” full-color OLED with intuitive touchscreen interface

• Control: x2 wireless handlebar remote + full tuning via the DJI Avinox mobile app

• Additional Features: Tuneable assist modes, customizable ride metrics, and smooth power delivery for technical terrain

What sets the Avinox system apart is how it combines torque delivery with traction control, allowing you to apply power precisely on tricky climbs and variable surfaces. It is also incredibly quick and lightweight, giving it a step ahead of all of its competitors

Trifecta V3 and OneRide Sizing – True to Forbidden’s Roots

The new Trifecta V3 layout continues Forbidden’s high-pivot, four-bar legacy but with thoughtful updates for e-bike integration. The vertical shock orientation makes room for longer droppers, even in the smallest frame sizes, and helps with battery positioning. The idler pulley is beefed up for durability, and the refined kinematics reduce pedal kickback while improving sensitivity across the travel range.

Geometry is equally dialed with OneRide proportional sizing. That means frame geometry is tuned per size—stack, reach, seat angle, and rear center—all scale to keep the ride feel consistent. Combined with short cranks, increased stack, and steep seat angles, the result is a position that feels upright, balanced, and incredibly intuitive on both climbs and descents.

Final Thoughts

The Druid E series marks a significant step for Forbidden, not just because it's their first e-MTB, but because it stays true to the way their bikes are designed to ride. These aren’t just modified analog frames with motors—they’re purpose-built platforms developed from the ground up to handle the added demands of full-power systems while preserving the handling, suspension characteristics, and geometry that riders expect from the brand.

The Druid LitE is the lighter, more responsive option for riders focused on versatility and agility, while the CorE offers more travel and range for those pushing into rougher terrain or longer days. Both are powered by the DJI Avinox system, which offers serious performance and one of the most refined ride feels in the segment.

For anyone who’s waited for an e-MTB that doesn’t sacrifice real mountain bike ride quality, Forbidden just delivered two solid options.