Voodoo Bizango size

lukas125

Sorry to repeat an old topic but wondering if any owners can offer any up to date advice...

I'm just under 6ft with 32" leg and I'm looking at this bike which comes in either 18 or 20" frame. Most size guides suggest I should get the 20". I've sat on the 20" and it seemed pretty huge to me, but maybe that's partly down to the 29 wheels which are new to me. My current 26er is a 19", and has always seemed right at the top end of comfortable size - I'm not too keen on the idea of going up another inch.

Unfortunately there wasn't an 18" available to compare with, but the guy there did suggest that it may be too small.

I hate these decisions. Any thoughts?

Cheers

sundaytrucker

I am an owner of the 20" Bizango and at 6'3" it is just about right, I wouldn't want to be any shorter. I would be very surprised if the 18" is too small for you. Maybe put down a £10 deposit for Halfords to order the 18" so you can have a go, far better than wasting £600 on a bike only to feel it is not adequately sized.


edit: I have a 34" inside leg measurement.

lukas125

sundaytrucker wrote:

I am an owner of the 20" Bizango and at 6'3" it is just about right, I wouldn't want to be any shorter. I would be very surprised if the 18" is too small for you. Maybe put down a £10 deposit for Halfords to order the 18" so you can have a go, far better than wasting £600 on a bike only to feel it is not adequately sized.

edit: I have a 34" inside leg measurement.

Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better about going for the 18. The 20 really does seem like a big machine for the average 6 footer.
Have you been happy with the bike in general?

sundaytrucker

My apologies for the late reply, I don't check into this forum too frequently.

I love my Bizango and although I am about to replace it with a Cotic Solaris I would have no qualms with keeping hold of it. In fact I won't be rushing the sale of the Voodoo just in case I don't get along with the Cotic.

Something that I found quite inspiring about voodoo was that I emailed them the oter day to enquire about a replacement mech hanger after snagging mine I a rock and the guy who replied was non other than Joe Murray, the designer of the frame.

As an introduction back into Mountain Biking I couldn't have picked a better bike for the price and even a year or after it was initially released it is winnig awards in some magazines.

My bike riding skills haven't out grown the Voodoo and I doubt they ever will, it is a very accomplished ride. Enjoy your new bike.

lukas125

That's a bit of an upgrade for you! Thank's for the reassuring comments. I picked it up on saturday night and apart from a few short trundles up my street it's sat in the garage since, with the storms and other commitments. Can't wait to take it out for a proper ride.

sundaytrucker

Wow, I didn't realise my typing was as bad as that last post looks. Jesus.

Yeah The weather has been playing havoc with my ride time too. The local route gets a bit too boggy and not so fun when wet.

I am sure you will love it once you get out and about. Once I learnt how the bike behaved it was very enjoyable, I even liked climbing hills!

buddy_club

Enjoy your new bike, I love my bizango

sundaytrucker

It seems my Bizango will be sticking around after the eBay Cotic I was supposed to collect tomorrow has been stolen. Good job it is an excellent bike.

lukas125

After a few rides I think I agree. I've moved the saddle back to it's furthest back position and the bike now feels perfect for size. Very glad I didn't go for the 20".

Still getting used to the 29" wheels but I think i'm now starting to understand the benefits - there is one stretch of bumpy singletrack on my regular route where my old 26 used to get bogged down but the bizango absolutely flew across it. When this bike picks up momentum it really moves, but the tradeoff is more effort to get it going.