[Closed] Bizango - is it really rather good?

I have one sitting in the garage, its not the current model, its the one before (dark frame with yellow Suntor forks).

It feels very nimble and light in comparison to my (admittedly slightly beefier) Krampus.

I'd certainly be vary happy with another one.

I don't think you can do much better for the money.

I've got a Bokor. Basically the same with some slightly better bits on it. Love it. Make sure you wait for one of the random Halfords sales.

I have a 2016 flouro green one. Paid £350 for it, mint second hand. Changed the chainset, but other than that it is original. Absolutely love it, its far better a bike than I need, only thing I can find fault with is the rear tyre clearance is a bit tight.

In a word - yes, it is.

I've logged over 2,000 miles on mine - everywhere from canal bimbles, places like Gisburn and 'Degla, big long 50 mile adventure rides like the Lakeland Monster Miles, through to throwing it down Antur Stiniog and Bike Park Wales. It's still more capable than me though.

Like everything, components wear out and get upgraded - the only original bits left now though are the frame and the front wheel... 😀

i got one as a frame from on here, stripped back to the silver and now running in singlespeed guise thanks to the sliding dropouts. Impressed so far, nice and snappy around the singletrack

It's a very capable bike for the money - I had one of the yellow ones, swapped the grips (weird lock-ons that don't lock if you move the brake levers away from them) and put a dropper on it, and I did everything on it. Gradually upgraded it, so all I have left of the original bike now is the brakes, rear gear shifter and one of the tyres!

Still got the frame in the shed - might build it up as a winter beater/ commuter at some point.

I've got a 4 year old one (sliding drop out version). Its another triggers broom, just the frame remains. Its single speeded now but great bit of kit however its set up.

I bought my son one for X Mas - 2018 18 inch model for 520 GBP. Its a fantastic bike and is capable well beyond the money. It is longer than my own M full sus. The forks are good and surprised me - to see about longevity. The Groupset and wheels are good. The only observations are not a thru back axle and not a taper headtube but is not a deal breaker.

Believe the headtube is tapered but the fork isn’t. Different headset and tapered fork should fit.

I bought one 4 or 5 or 6 years ago, when I decided to have a move from 26er to 29er.
I upgraded as I went.
Drivetrain from the 26er, new wheels from Superstar in a sale, Reba (tapered) reduced in a sale.
When I got the Solaris it became my winter singlespeed.
Great bike for the money.
Edit. For anyone who's upgrading components, get the BB shell and headtube faced while you're on with it.

Believe the headtube is tapered but the fork isn’t. Different headset and tapered fork should fit.

Headtube is actually a straight 44mm tube, but yes it will take a tapered fork if you change the bottom half of the headset.

I had one of the older ones, black/yellow. As others have said great bike for the money.

Got a 2016 yellow one.
My go to bike.
Does it all for me.
Mines rocking: 1x11 xt/slx drive train, deore brakes and discs, 2015 rockshox rebas, new saddle, pedals, bars and a reverb. It's brilliant. Brand snobs will turn their nose up at it but the reviews speak for themselves.

Yes it is really rather good.
I bought my 2014 Bizango for £280.00
I have modified it a bit, but its basically the standard bike.
I am a cruiser, Bikepacker. not a speed freak, and it suits me perfectly. Very stable.

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions folks. I see it is still sitting at £650 rrp at the moment, so will heed the advice and wait for a flash sale that Halfords often have. I will get a British Cycling discount on it too, so happy to wait.