Onza marketing wiz and product engineer Robin Schaub rides his bike a lot. Based in the greater Basel (CH) area, he consistently racks up the highest numbers amongst the Onza staff and truly embodies the MTB lifestyle. His dedication to cycling carries over into his work for Onza, but also into the attention to detail he puts into his bikes and his latest project is truly something to behold!

His fully custom Forbidden Druid (size L) epitomises the modern do-it-all machine and utilises high-pivot technology. The idea of a high-pivot is to liberate the suspension and linkage from drivetrain influence, meaning the bike performs relatively neutrally when pedalling, braking, and hitting bumps.

 

Due to the amount Robin rides, settling for anything less than top-end spec is not an option. Coming in at a weight of 14.7kg and featuring 29" DT Swiss EX1700 wheels, Robin has mounted our Porcupine RC for the varying but often abrasive winter trail conditions across Switzerland. The Porcupine RC is perfect for the rough and often muddy terrain. Robin rides tubeless,with Onza Seal Up sealant and MilKit's 35mm valves. 

Robin's idea behind a bike like this is versatility and function. Catching the eye of every rider on the trail and also across the web with its futuristic design is merely a symptom of combining his tastes with the specs to match. Whether it's for those long days out shredding with friends and colleagues or simply a quick rip on the local trail, Robin has built himself the perfect tool for any circumstance. 

One aspect Robin was particularly keen on applying to this bike, was his own customised carbon accessories. His self-made carbon cable-port is subtle and yet serves a distinct function, in his words: "because open cable entries suck". He also designed a custom carbon plate to fit a strap to carry his spare Onza SA3 tube, as well as fitting the frame with Ti-screws everywhere possible. 

On his Instagram, Robin showcases his steed and lists the full spec as following: 

Frame: Forbidden Bike Company, Druild “Blue Steel”, Size L / selfmade carbon cable ports () / selfmade black decals

Suspension: Marzocchi MTB Z1 fork (150mm) / Fox DPX2 Performance Elite (210x55)

Wheels: DT Swiss EX 1700 wheels / Onza Tires Porcupine RC tires / Onza Tires Seal Up sealant / Milkit 35mm valves

Cockpit: Syncros Hixon IC Riser / Ergon GFR1 grips / Acros headset

Seating: Rockshox Reverb AXS dopper (170mm) / Syncros Tofino Carbon saddle

Brakes: Magura MT7 lever w/ Bruni blades and MT5 calipers (black FTW) SwissStop Catalyst 203mm rotors / Intend brake adapters

Drivetrain: Raceface Next R cranks (170mm) / Garbaruk 34t chainring / SRAM X01 AXS derailleur / X01 eagle cassette and chain / E13 chainguide / HT T1 pedals

Weight: 14.7kg