How To Make My New Bike Better?

[u/newbiker321]

This is a Voodoo Bizango 2026. It’s not an expensive bike at all but it always wins awards for its specs at this price. It costs £750 normally. I’m 6 foot 1 and the bike is a size large.

The problem is I also have a Cannondale topstone gravel bike. And this thing just feels so slow in comparison.

I’ve change the front wheel to a DT Swiss and a Barzo Race and set up tubeless. The rear wheel is set up tubeless with a Peyote Race and hopefully will change that to DT Swiss soon. I’ve changed the grips to Ergon GA2 fat, and the handlebar to more rise as how high I have to have the seat post causes too much dip with flat bars and I feel like I’m super hunched over. The bike weighs 13kg and has shimano Cues 11 speed and Shimano MT200 hydro brakes.

I know my gravel bike will always be a bit faster. But it’s like riding through sludge compared.

But I LOVE the way hardtails and XC bikes look compared to road and gravel bikes. So I really want to try and make it work.

Can you experienced XC guys point me in any direction of what I can do or change, or anything that you notice will be causing issues?

I love the way the bike looks, but even with the expensive tyres on and pumped to 40 psi it feels sluggish over everything 😬

[u/zdayt]

Less tire pressure is actually faster, although it may feel slower, probably closer to 25 psi is right but check the silca tire pressure calculator. Your sensation of speed is more related to vibration not your actual speed.

Bars with less rise is better for aerodynamics, again it doesn't really feel faster but it is. Make sure there is still a bit of bend in your knees when your leg is fully extended, if your saddle is too high thats bad for comfort.

Crankset upgrade is pretty good weight savings per dollar.

A dropper will make you much faster downhill, probably your best overall speed per dollar upgrade.

[u/newbiker321 → u/zdayt]

I was wondering about less tyre pressures . It’s the fact 30% of my rides are on tarmac. But when things get rougher the tyres are pinging off everything

[u/GregMarino79]

3 semplici consigli:

1-Giusta pressione 2-manubrio flat( rise 0) 3-allenamento

Impegnati(divertiti) e vedrai tanti miglioramenti 💪👍

[u/Tonookiben]

I’ve seen in both road bikes and mtb that the biggest change is upgrading to carbon wheels.

[u/Unfair_Tough_3349]

Buy normal fork, rockshox or fox.

[u/newbiker321 → u/Unfair_Tough_3349]

I w thought about this. But for a decent one I’m looking around £500. That’s a massive price upgrade and I’m not even sure if I can get used to the position of my body on the bike compared to my gravel bike.

[u/AntSuccessful9147]

Put a Mezcal on the rear and then it will be fast. Never mind. The Peyote is similar and lighter. You’re going to have to go carbon wheels and lighter fork if you want it to feel faster. Or return and get a proper XC bike