Urban Velo - Bicycle Culture on the Skids

VooDoo Maji

VooDoo Cycles was founded in 1994 by a handful of cyclists. The bikes were designed by Joe Murray, a bike designer, framebuilder and hall of fame professional mountain bike racer. While VooDoo is primarily a mountain bike company, keep in mind that the chief designer was a champion racer in the 1980’s, and back then they did it all. They raced hill climbs, downhill, cross country, dual slalom and quite often road and trials, too. Sometimes all in the same day! In other words, they were supremely well-rounded cyclists. And while that’s not altogether unheard of today, it certainly afforded Joe Murray a wealth of experience when it came to designing bikes.

The Maji is VooDoo’s take on the urban singlespeed. Sold as a frame only with an optional fork, the Maji brings the vibe of a classic hardtail mountain bike to the street. When I get on the Maji, I just wanted to start jumping curbs and popping wheelies (which I admittedly kind of suck at). The frame is stiff enough to make it an efficient climber, but the Maji is most in its element bombing a long downhill stretch.

Built from tried and true 4130 chromoly tubing, the frame is a shining example of Taiwanese manufacturing. The TIG welding is clean and the paint job is a flawless metallic black. In other words, the quality belies the very reasonable price.

Much like a mountain bike, the bottom bracket is high (278 mm) and the top tube is short (520 mm on the 52 cm model). The frame weight, for those wondering, is just about 5 lbs even. The rear end is spaced at 120 mm, and the cast track fork ends feature built-in micro adjustable chain tensioners. The frame has clearance for up to 40c tires, though the largest I tried were 35c. Though regular caliper brakes will work with up to 28c tires, long reach calipers are recommended for versatility.

As far as nits to pick, my number one complaint would be that the Maji uses a 26.8 mm seatpost and not 27.2.

The Maji is available in 52, 54, 56 and 58 cm sizes (black only). The frame retails for $250 and the optional straight blade chromoly fork is $80 (red only).

Check out www.voodoocycles.net


	VooDoo Maji VooDoo Cycles was founded in 1994 by a handful of cyclists. The bikes were designed by Joe Murray, a bike designer, framebuilder and hall of fame professional mountain bike racer. While VooDoo is primarily a mountain bike company, keep in mind that the chief designer was a champion racer in the 1980’s, and back then they did it all. They raced hill climbs, downhill, cross country, dual slalom and quite often road and trials, too. Sometimes all in the same day! In other words, they were supremely well-rounded cyclists. And while that’s not altogether unheard of today, it certainly afforded Joe Murray a wealth of experience when it came to designing bikes. The Maji is VooDoo’s take on the urban singlespeed. Sold as a frame only with an optional fork, the Maji brings the vibe of a classic hardtail mountain bike to the street. When I get on the Maji, I just wanted to start jumping curbs and popping wheelies (which I admittedly kind of suck at). The frame is stiff enough to make it an efficient climber, but the Maji is most in its element bombing a long downhill stretch. Built from tried and true 4130 chromoly tubing, the frame is a shining example of Taiwanese manufacturing. The TIG welding is clean and the paint job is a flawless metallic black. In other words, the quality belies the very reasonable price. Much like a mountain bike, the bottom bracket is high (278 mm) and the top tube is short (520 mm on the 52 cm model). The frame weight, for those wondering, is just about 5 lbs even. The rear end is spaced at 120 mm, and the cast track fork ends feature built-in micro adjustable chain tensioners. The frame has clearance for up to 40c tires, though the largest I tried were 35c. Though regular caliper brakes will work with up to 28c tires, long reach calipers are recommended for versatility. As far as nits to pick, my number one complaint would be that the Maji uses a 26.8 mm seatpost and not 27.2. The Maji is available in 52, 54, 56 and 58 cm sizes (black only). The frame retails for $250 and the optional straight blade chromoly fork is $80 (red only). Check out www.voodoocycles.net	VP Components

VP Components