I just received the Bend V9X, it finally came back in stock and I’ve been riding it for 2 days and it’s AMAZING. Sure it’s not the fastest thing in the world but it’s the ultimate cross between MtB and gravel - front suspension, 50mm tires, dropper post, upright stance, mounting points everywhere, electronic drive, tubeless, huge 52t climbing ring. So easy to ride and capable. I feel like I could go anywhere on this bike and it’s an absolute joy to ride on any terrain. And it was less than $3500 including tax and shipping. The value is absolutely mad. I really think it’s a much better overall setup than the R9X and definitely worth the extra $600.
Glad to see a review and comparison of Polygon bikes. I am a fan of this company. But i must say that the Tambora and the Bend do not look inviting or sexy as compared to the Strattos. That to me, is a big put off. In fact the strattos if it could get a 35mm tire clearance, would be a fantastic gravel bike
As far as anything close to this value. Have you thought about checking out the Ari Shafer? It's kind of in the middle of these two Geometry wise. Their electronic groupset model is on sale now for 3k. I'd love for you to reach out to Ari for a review of that and their endurance/road bike
Just test ride a giant revolt 2. Really like it but looks like the tambora g4 and bend r7 have the upright position I’m looking for and better spec for money. Which model would be the better comp to the revolt. I lean to the bend only because I can put larger tires on it bs tambora. Really want something good in the 50mm range. Thanks for any thoughts on this.
My “unsolicited” advice for Polygon is the have a flat bar version of the Bend and they might even go as far as commuter “hybrid “ version with a belt drive and Shimano Nexus group. Just my 2 cents.
Polygon won't do it if it not sell well in Indonesia/Asia as their benchmark. Flatbar gravel commuter considered too niche to released here, thus they rather put them into Marin brand that have more market in the US/AUS/EU.
@@laillosidgar I looked at what the sell. Basically low priced multiple types of bikes that you would find at Walmart. Or what I categorize as “disposable bikes” Not that anything is really wrong with their frames a forks/wheels etc… But directly marketing to that person who wants to buy cheap and probably let it collect dust in their garage then later be in a landfill. That’s generalized but ask any bike shop that gets these bikes in for repair after some looser bought and is trying to upgrade lol.
@@hardmtnbiker correct. Half of them are okay frame with cheap component that sells fast and broke fast. The quarter are considered good frame at entry level price for hobbyist, and the rest are for serious cyclist.
You can save a lot of money on both the Bend and Tambora by going one model down on each which is the same bike just with alloy wheels and mechanical SRAM Apex groupset. Though that Tambora for 2800 with carbon frame, wheels and AXS is a hell of a deal, just wish it had the round seatpost of the Bend so you could run a dropper on it. I do like that the Bend comes with a dropper, as a MTBer I would probably lean towards having a dropper on a gravel bike too.
I just received the Bend V9X, it finally came back in stock and I’ve been riding it for 2 days and it’s AMAZING. Sure it’s not the fastest thing in the world but it’s the ultimate cross between MtB and gravel - front suspension, 50mm tires, dropper post, upright stance, mounting points everywhere, electronic drive, tubeless, huge 52t climbing ring. So easy to ride and capable. I feel like I could go anywhere on this bike and it’s an absolute joy to ride on any terrain. And it was less than $3500 including tax and shipping. The value is absolutely mad. I really think it’s a much better overall setup than the R9X and definitely worth the extra $600.
Polygon is underated brand with so many great line up (xc, gravel, rb, allround, mtb).
As an engineer could you explain why longer wheelbases would make a bike slower beyond short accelerations? I don't get it.
Glad to see a review and comparison of Polygon bikes. I am a fan of this company. But i must say that the Tambora and the Bend do not look inviting or sexy as compared to the Strattos. That to me, is a big put off. In fact the strattos if it could get a 35mm tire clearance, would be a fantastic gravel bike
As far as anything close to this value. Have you thought about checking out the Ari Shafer? It's kind of in the middle of these two Geometry wise. Their electronic groupset model is on sale now for 3k. I'd love for you to reach out to Ari for a review of that and their endurance/road bike
How much does the flip chip change the fork offset? The Tambora seems to have low fork offset (48mm).
First Ride1up and now Polygon with reasonably priced, well equipped options for under 3k...
Just test ride a giant revolt 2. Really like it but looks like the tambora g4 and bend r7 have the upright position I’m looking for and better spec for money. Which model would be the better comp to the revolt. I lean to the bend only because I can put larger tires on it bs tambora. Really want something good in the 50mm range. Thanks for any thoughts on this.
kinda nice that they give you one at the end, lol we really know which one you prefer. Not even half way buy good vid
I like the super entry level Bend R2. But yeah, I can't really justify buying it for now. I also want to get the Polygon Zeta 2 too.
My “unsolicited” advice for Polygon is the have a flat bar version of the Bend and they might even go as far as commuter “hybrid “ version with a belt drive and Shimano Nexus group. Just my 2 cents.
They have it, it called path f4, flatbar commuter with 1x crank. And path i8 for beltdrive.
Not really success as their dropbar bend series
@@laillosidgar I didn’t know, thanks for sharing.
Polygon won't do it if it not sell well in Indonesia/Asia as their benchmark. Flatbar gravel commuter considered too niche to released here, thus they rather put them into Marin brand that have more market in the US/AUS/EU.
@@laillosidgar I looked at what the sell. Basically low priced multiple types of bikes that you would find at Walmart. Or what I categorize as “disposable bikes” Not that anything is really wrong with their frames a forks/wheels etc… But directly marketing to that person who wants to buy cheap and probably let it collect dust in their garage then later be in a landfill. That’s generalized but ask any bike shop that gets these bikes in for repair after some looser bought and is trying to upgrade lol.
@@hardmtnbiker correct. Half of them are okay frame with cheap component that sells fast and broke fast. The quarter are considered good frame at entry level price for hobbyist, and the rest are for serious cyclist.
Could the tambora fit 47 or 50mm tire. I know it shows 45 max on website but was curious.
22.8 is nearly the same as my full sus XC carbon mtb.. In fact my full sus is actually slightly less weight at 22.39. Heavy for a gravel bike
$3k for a gravel bike w/ carbon wheels is awesome. Great job Polygon!
I tried buying either one of these impossible in Canada at this point in time
You can save a lot of money on both the Bend and Tambora by going one model down on each which is the same bike just with alloy wheels and mechanical SRAM Apex groupset. Though that Tambora for 2800 with carbon frame, wheels and AXS is a hell of a deal, just wish it had the round seatpost of the Bend so you could run a dropper on it. I do like that the Bend comes with a dropper, as a MTBer I would probably lean towards having a dropper on a gravel bike too.
Tambora has round 27.2 seatpost. You could put dropper on that.
@@laillosidgar Oh nice
Neat
made this in steel an maybe I buy it
Those bikes don't even have saddle to bar drop... They have bar to saddle drop instead 😂
VS Path
Gotta get my hands on one 👀😆
Sorry dude but "no cash" exchanged means nothing when you get to keep a multi thousand dollar bike. Unbiased review? Unlikely
No need to be sorry. 😊