2007 Voodoo Sobo - My Scandium and Carbon Clad toy/racer

Here's my carbon clad 2007 Voodoo Sobo. I bought the frame back in January with the intention of just transferring all the parts from my Hoodoo onto it, but then felt guilty so then begun the gradual acquisition of some lighter parts. Most of the parts were second hand, and those that were new were on offer/discounted. Two weeks ago I started putting the 'jig-saw' together. I was aiming for sub 10kg (22lb)...

BB & cranks, headset & forks fitted


Wheels on. Bars fitted along with the shifters and brakes. Weight at this point: 9kg


Everything fitted except the seatpost and saddle


Full specs as follows:

• 2007 17" Voodoo Sobo (1600g w/headset cups, hangar, v-brake bosses and seatpost clamp fitted)
• 2013 Rockshox SID RL's with Uberbike headset
• Shimano Deore (M590) crankset, Deore front (M590) and rear (M531) mechs, Deore (M530) shifters
• Shimano Deore XT (M770) 11-32 cassette with a KMC X9 Super-light chain
• Magura Marta SL Magnesium brakes with 160mm Magura Storm SL rotors
• Ritchey WCS Carbon bars and stem (90mm)
• Cheapo carbon seatpost and WTB Rocket V SLT saddle
• Hope Hoops: Stans Crest rims on Pro2's with a folding Maxxis Ardent up front and either a Maxxis Crossmax or Advantage on the back (weather/terrain dependant), Schwalbe extra light tubes
• Wellgo CNC flat pedals

Finishing touches:

• Superstar Components foam grips
• Carbon headset spacers
• Red anodised rotor bolts
• Lizard Skins Carbon Leather chain stay protector
• Elite Custom Race bottle cage ('Black Winner' colours)
• Mucky Mutz front and Crud Catcher rear mudguards

And this is how it stands today at 10.7kg! (23.6lb for the 'retro' lot). I'm a little gutted I missed my sub-10 target but I can't grumble at 700g over. I'm going to fit a Mucky Mutz to the rear and swap the standard Deore Mech to a (Deore) Shadow (M592-SGS). I may also put a Gravity Dropper Descender on at a later date. I've also just bought some Ritchey WCS Ti clipless pedals which I'm hoping to fix and fit for racing. The rear master cylinder is also leaking a bit so I'll probably have to change the brakes, unless a Marta SL Mag lever turns up.

Re: 2007 Voodoo Sobo - My carbon clad toy/race bike

I've only had a handful of opportunities to ride my new steed since I built as I've been in Canada working. One of those opportunities was to ride/race at Hadleigh Park Farm before it was opened to the public. Unfortunately there weren't many photographers out on the course so I've literally only got 2 photos of the Sobo (and me of course). I finished 37 out of 150 competitors, with an overall time of 1hr 20mins on the 20km race.




I finally managed to get around to overhauling the Ritchey WCS Ti pedals I acquired. The bearings, seals and axles were knackered so I bought some new ones direct from Ritchey. I've not weighed them properly but their claimed weight is 250g (for the pair)

Re: 2007 Voodoo Sobo - My carbon clad toy/race bike

Obviously a budget was required (presumably) but to go with M590 drivetrain is one reason why you might be 'overweight'. The Sobo is a bloody nice piece of kit I'll say!

Those chainrings tho are all steel, so swap them out for an Aerozine (for example) or FSA set & you'll save considerable weight. I've got a stupid light Magura Alu frame, and a small Scandium Raleigh, both light without needing the Uber-expensive components. One thing I've found which is good weight saving, high-quality at a decent price is 'old' XTR M950/952/953 is light and pretty much unkillable; and cheaper than new Deore or SLX. Paired up with some M810 or M952 shifters and shifting is awesome! You'll not save much weight (around 220g) but it all adds up. It's not about how much weight to save tho - it's about what improves performance.

Tyres will make a big diff too - Ardent's aren't featherweight If I had to take a guess you'll keep changing around parts until you hit that weight target?

That's a nice race performance too, even just for a fun race if that's what it was?

Re: 2007 Voodoo Sobo - My carbon clad toy/race bike

I admit the group-set was a bit of a compromise between weight and money, however, as you say, I probably would only save a matter of a few hundred grams for the few hundred quid spent on an XT or XTR group. The top ring on M590 chainset was alloy to begin with; maybe it was upgraded before I got it(?).

I had the (folding) Ardent from my previous bike hence why it's on there. It weighs in at about 650g's. I am a fan of Maxxis tyre's going back to the days when I had a proper 4x4. I only thing I've considered swapping the them out for is some Schwalbe's but that only because I can get them a bit cheaper in Germany.

It was a serious race but I never take things to seriously! I could probably knock off 10mins from that time with some serious training and a much needed improvement of my 'downhill' confidence/skills. Unfortunately for me that won't be anytime for the rest of this year as I'm working abroad a lot; maybe next year...

I've got a groupset upgrade to go on the Sobo...

The Sobo in 'winter spec'. My luggage scales weighed it at about 10.4kg (22.9lbs)...


...although I'm not sure how accurate they are as it was also weighing the bike anywhere between 10.1 to 10.6kg!

I really like the Schwalbe Dirty Dan, the grip in the sludge around here is phenomenal! However, I had to purchase a new pump (Lezyne Micro HVG) because trying to fix a puncture out in the wilds with a puny hand pump was an absolute nightmare!

Re:

Nice Voodoo, we don't see nearly enough XC racers here. I was wondering why you didn't go tubeless in your search for less weight?