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IB16: Voodoo Cycles prepares to recast their spell on the U.S. with new high end bike line

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If you’ve been riding long enough, you probably at least know someone who had a Voodoo. Chances are also pretty good that same Voodoo may be still hanging in their garage or passed along to another family member. Somewhere along the way though, after an ownership shake up Voodoo bikes vanished from the U.S. marketplace only to become essentially a house brand for Halfords in the UK.

That part of Voodoo’s business probably won’t change, but the U.S. is about to see a whole new line of Voodoo Cycles that look to bring back the brand’s quality heritage after a five year absence. In the works for a while now, the project is back under the design lead of industry legend Joe Murray with help from Daryl Roberts who brings quite a bit of experience in titanium from Form Cycles and Roca Roja.

The line was shown for the first time at Interbike and is slowly making its way into production…

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Voodoo Cycles and high quality hardtails go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise to see a full line of them in both steel and titanium. Following industry trends, the new Zocalo is a titanium 29/27+ bike built around clearance for 27.5 x 2.8″ tires. Along with a sliding thru axle dropout that will allow single speed use or adjustment for different tire sizes, the frame includes a threaded bottom bracket, stealth dropper routing, and rear rack mounts.

Voodoo’s titanium frames will stand out from the crowd with a special black finish that Daryl says is similar to what they use on black chrome wheels.

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Their two ti bikes will also be available in the same frame but in Reynolds 853 steel like the Dambala above. All of the dimensions and specs are the same, just in a different material.

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Their other titanium bike is the D-Jab which is a 27.5″ specific frame with a 140mm travel fork. While not all of the specs are finalized, Daryl did mention that their titanium frames use a mix of 3/2.5 and 6/4 titanium depending on the tube. The steel counterpart for the D-Jab is called the Bizango.

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Voodoo Cycles will also have a full suspension bike with 27.5″ wheels and a short dual link suspension system with 150/140mm of travel. The aluminum Mambo will use Boost spacing and is 1x/2x compatible.

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Voodoo is also bringing back two road frames with the beautifully lugged Avalou complete with a 1″ threaded steerer and 853 steel frame…

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And the much more modern Bondye carbon road bike which will fit up to 30mm tires with disc brakes.

We’ll have more details on the bikes when they start rolling out of the factory which is expected to be January for the first production runs with a February delivery. The new bikes are not on the website yet, but expect a new site to launch sometime in November.

 

 

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24 Comments
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roox
roox
7 years ago

what a perfect start to the day. Good to hear Joe is back in the game!

barfly
barfly
7 years ago

Nice bikes. Please Zocalo 29+ so I can meet my maker a happy man…

mike
mike
7 years ago

I just rode my voodoo D-Jab yesterday..had it since 1995..

dkeezy
dkeezy
7 years ago

Kind of been hankering for a steel SS 29er that’s nicer than a Surly but less spendy than custom – I’ll definitely keep my eye out for the Dambala.

Chris
Chris
7 years ago
Reply to  dkeezy

Gunnar Ruffian. Made by Waterford in Wisconsin who have more experience in steel than anyone in the US (Waterford is run by Richard Schwinn – yes, that Schwinn – and is basically the old Schwinn Paramount shop) Very reasonable prices – $1100 for a frame last time I checked. Way cheaper than full custom. They’ll do full custom start around $1500 if memory serves. Bargain price for an American made frame built by people who have decades of experience (as opposed to someone who goes to UBI and thinks that makes them the next Richard Sachs!)

DKeezy
DKeezy
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

I’m familiar with them, their bikes are gorgeous and a great value. I worry whether they lag behind a bit on geo – I’m definitely interested in short stays and stem and long top tube and long top tube and front center. Plus, I’ve loved the ride of every Kona I’ve been on, so Joe Murray’s involvement piques my interest.
Should I give Gunnar more credit on keeping up to speed with trends?

DKeezy
DKeezy
7 years ago
Reply to  DKeezy

-1 for poor copy editing ^^^

Craig b
Craig b
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

The way I read this, it sounds like you’re throwing shade on Joe Murray, and have really no idea who he is besides being a hall of fame mtb’er, racing that started in the sports infancy, he also designed and built one of the greatest hardtails of all time. The voodoo bizango. Which I have a ’98, first built in 97 I believe by voodoo with Joe Murray in the drivers seat, handmade, built in the USA, using tange prestige steel, before switching to Reynolds 853. If the entire line of voodoo’s is not good enough for you. How about being the designer for some of the most awesome bikes while at Kona, Merlin, Marin and i think even gary fisher bicycles. I think actually he also had his own line at a time of custom, during his Voodoo stint. The dude just didn’t take a weekend course and knows nothing about bicycles. He is the real deal, especially when it comes to steel. Whether it’s his racing past or bike building experience. ..leave the path of VooDoo business side out of it.

Oh and he also built the first titanium bike fyi
Has won awards for bikes he has designed
And.even has designed bike tires

So with all respect to schwinn, Sachs, ubi graduates and experience. I think a steel rig with Joe Murray’s name attached will suit most people just fine

And btw… I’m sure David Bohm( who builds awesome steel rigs for many years) wouldn’t approve of throwing shade at ubi..

Daryl W. Roberts
7 years ago
Reply to  Craig b

Joe will appreciate your knowledge on his experience and background. As do I.
He is still riding his bike (almost daily) and working on many high level and current projects.
His experience spans decades and will continue as long as he wants/needs to work.
Thank you again for showing respect.

Hong Quan
7 years ago

Joe designs awesome bikes.

Alan
Alan
7 years ago

I still have an orange bizango in my basement. Glad to hear they are resurrecting the brand and doing it justice.

Eric Daume
7 years ago

They need to keep their old logo font. That is possibly the best looking bike logo ever.

Michael Cleveland
7 years ago

I was quite excited to see this but my first two thoughts…. where are the 29’ers and sliders?

Daryl W. Roberts
7 years ago

The Dambala and Zocalo are both 29″ or 27.5+ compatible. The 29ers are still there and we are going to show more in the near future.

Brian T. Cannon
7 years ago

Is the Zocalo setup with 120mm shock?

Tony Lapinskas
7 years ago

Love my 2013 Voodoo Canzo, my favorite 29er. And thanks to Joe Murray for his help in keeping the Canzo on the trails

konstantina tz
konstantina tz
7 years ago

VERY NICE!!!!

efi vlaho
efi vlaho
7 years ago

i want it !!

Rick
Rick
7 years ago

Still riding my 07 Canzo, rode it this morning, would the next generation of it!

Rick Hurst (@rickhurst)

Confusing that the UK voodoo bizango is a 29er!

Daryl W. Roberts
7 years ago

The Bizango is the only frame model that has 2 different versions. 1 high end steel frame that is a new model and the Halford’s version from the U.K.
We assure you it will become less confusing with time.

Steve (@ScavCavill)
7 years ago

I’ve got a Voodoo Hoodoo, had it two months now, I’m really pleased with it.

AndyG
AndyG
7 years ago

my Bizango was stolen 10 years age , never got over its loss 🙁

2Dopler
2Dopler
7 years ago

Zocalo Geo please!!!!

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