
- Impressively smooth and secure 10spd Shimano drivetrain
- Well controlled air sprung fork with through axle tames bumps easily
- Nimble and fun handling on almost all trails
- Seatpost is a bit stiff
The Voodoo Bizango is the totally sorted hardtail that’s ruled the roost for a few seasons at this price point. Over the years, Voodoo has added a smaller 16” size to fit shorter riders, lowered the top tube for more room to move and changed the aluminium frame’s blend for a smoother ride. One thing they’ve never done though is mess with the excellent value and impressive ride quality.
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Voodoo is exclusively distributed by Halfords who can maximise bang-for-buck by buying bigger volumes of bike kit. The 29in wheeled Bizango currently has a further hundred quid off and is selling for £525, making what was already a bargain into an absolute steal. For this cash you’re still getting the fundamentals nailed down with a nicely shaped frame and supple, 120mm travel Suntour Raidon fork with a proper bolt-thru axle (more usually found on bikes costing over a grand).
This air-sprung unit is easy to set up and really calms proceedings hammering through holes or over rocks and bumps on bridleways or trail centres. With the flick of a lever, the damping inside the fork firms up for climbing too. The bigger diameter, Voodoo-branded wheels really help smooth out the terrain too, and come with popular Maxxis Ardent tyres that roll fast and offer good grip and control in a variety of conditions – very useful once you start to get a shift on.
The double-butted T6 aluminium Voodoo frame isn’t quite as low slung, slack-angled and modern as some new-school hardtails jumpy or BMX types go for, and it’s also a little bit stiff and rigid compared to pricier frames. One thing you can’t argue with though is the way it rides. The geometry, combined with a nicely shaped bar and decent stem length, means it steers confidently and intuitively on most trails without ever serving up any bad surprises.
This neutrality, and the composure of the stiff fork when things get hectic, basically lets you get away with chucking the bike like a proper trail bike and come out smiling, rather than ending up in A&E. If things do need slowing down, the Shimano Acera brakes might look a bit old-fashioned with motocross-style long lever blades, but once ‘scrubbed-in’ get you out of trouble fast and are rock-solid reliable.
A Suntour XCM crank with Octalink bottom bracket is one of the places cash has been saved, but it’s still reasonably stiff and solid under power. The 2x10-speed transmission uses top-quality Shimano Deore kit with a gearing wide range for climbing and fast downhills, and has the major bonus of Shadow Plus clutch on the rear mech that keeps the chain firmly in place over lumpy ground and ensures the Bizango rides nice and quietly.
A couple of minor grumbles are how the wider diameter seatpost feels a little bit harsh on your tender bits sat down over rough ground, and, while the 2.25in wide Maxxis Ardents roll really well once up to speed, either the back end of the frame doesn’t deliver power that ruthlessly or the bigger 29er wheels are a little hesitant winching you up steep climbs or from standing starts. We also lost cable clips during testing and ended up with brake hose flapping around, but it’s a quick and easy fix to slap a cable tie on instead.
Even neglecting the fact you’d struggle to find a better frame or nicer kit elsewhere for this money, the Bizango is a nimble, well-balanced package that’s not only fun, it rides and steers like a proper trail bike on flatter trails. The controlled air-sprung Suntour fork is easy to set up for all weights and the sorted rider position is combined with well-thought-out kit for a great overall package. And with the basics nailed down, for a tad over £500 this Voodoo is simply a killer deal anyone can enjoy riding.
About the bike
Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own :
State the frame material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.:
Brake Type:
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Forks:
Suntour Radion Air sprung with lock out
Frame Material:
Alloy
Gender:
Mens
Number of Gears:
20
Pedals Included:
Yes
Suspension:
Front Suspension
Wheel Size:
29"
Bottom Bracket:
Shimano Octolink spline bottom bracket
Cassette/Freewheel:
Shimano 10-spd 11-36T
Chain:
KMC X10
Chainset:
Suntour XCM 22/36T
Fork Lock-out:
Yes; Lever type
Fork travel:
120mm
Forks - Adjustable damping:
Yes
Frame:
Double butted aluminium
Front Brake:
Shimano Acera M355
Front Hub:
Formula DC-20 15mm
Front Mech:
Shimano Deore M610
Gear Shifters:
Shimano Deore M610
Geometry:
MTB trail
Grips:
VooDoo Yellow
Handlebar Type:
Flat
Handlebars:
VooDoo
Headset:
1 1/8th semi intergrated ball bearing
Pedals:
Wellgo alloy
Quick Release Front Wheel:
Yes
Quick Release Rear Wheel:
Yes
Rear Brake:
Shimano Acera M355
Rear Hub:
Formula DC-20
Rear Mech:
Shimano Deore M610
Rims:
VooDoo double wall alloy
Saddle:
VooDoo
Seatpost:
VooDoo
Stem:
VooDoo
Type:
Mountain Bikes
Tyre Size:
29" x 2.25"
Tyres:
Maxxis Ardent
2 comments
Wow, that's a good chunk of cash off the asking price - makes it even more of a bargain. I'm pretty sure Halfords does Cycle To Work Scheme as well, so you could easily get the bike plus some extra bits and pieces quite easily.
I just got one as a replacement for a stolen bike. You can get it close to £400 by using Quidco for 3%, British cycling for 10% and then discounted Halfords vouchers most folk get through work related employee benefit schemes. They discounts all stack just fine.