Polygon Bend R9X // The FAR End Of Gravel
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- čas přidán 20. 05. 2024
- The 2024 Polygon Bend R9X is an endurance gravel bike with traits of an XC bike. It blurs the line between gravel and XC, but how does that translate to everyday riding?
Polygon Bend R9X (Affiliate, thanks!)
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Well, I seem to be the only commentor so far that actually OWNS one of these, and I have to say that I LOVE my new bike. Polygon knows the stock stem is too short, and is now actually shipping a separate/second one when you buy that's 70mm? I believe, and it made all the difference as I tried the short one too before switching it. Because I'm right on the edge of size L-XL, I bought the XL and I think that too made it less "cramped feeling", even with the short stem, but again, the longer one they sent me (free), really makes the fit feel great to me. The bars on the XL certainly don't feel too narrow to ME, and I love wide bars, so.......? What people aren't talking about is how you're getting some really good componentry (electronic SRAM groupset/Rockshox dropper post/decent carbon wheels), combined with a huge number of mounting points, all at a really good price point!! Yes, I'll be switching out the tyres for some faster/lighter ones, but I'll be keeping those aggressively-treaded ones for serious dirt riding. All in all, I think it's a really interesting and fun bike to ride, and I'm happy as a clam at high tide! Great review!
Definitely great value. Website also says press fit bb, but I got threaded on this demo. Good call
The stock stem is meant for Asian Market, I guess.
Still loving your work, thanks for the effort!
Rode my Huffy in the snow yesterday,17* degs. Nice bike sir.
R9X is an awesome gravel bike with a cheap price tag. I bought it last December 2023, replaced the tyre with WTB ByWay, 44T front chainring, 100mm -7 degree stem. With those setups, the bike effortlessly maintains the speed at 30km/h on the tarmac and more comfortable as well. Love this bike ❤
Outstanding review!😎
I stay with my Diverge EVO and it's 47 mm Rhombos tires + 180 mm disc front, great combo.
Really nice review, and what a killer option from Polygon 💪👊
Hi Nolan, good video
That's a nice looking bike.
I was wondering about that bike. I really liked the specs with shorter cranks and dropper. Could I not go with it the lauf with the rigid fork up graded to weekend warrior for the power meter. Just too much bike for the money in comparison
Seems curious to use a 140mm/160mm brake rotor combo on a bike this far towards a mountain bike in the gravel spectrum. Any concerns with the braking?
I think your planned upgrades sound perfect. Bars in particular seem way to narrow for its intended use. Paired with a longer stem it should feel much more roomy. May even want to shift the spacers to reduce the stack a bit.
Right, that’s a good idea especially since the Corralitos have some rise
If you've never tried a RK 2.2 black chili protection (aka the magic RK) this bike is begging for them! They are fat, grippy, and roll like no other.
That thing looks like FUN! I need some more Honzo ST videos too plz. 😅
Good point. Honzo needs some air time 😀
It's like the aluminum alternative to YT Szepter but with a shorter reach paired with a longer chainstay and shorter seat tube length. Can you also test that model please? How is toe overlap? To me it looks like YT and a few others went with a 15-25mmlonger reach numbers to avoid toe over lap.
My 2c -- 700x50 max is still gravel bike territory. XC minimum is 55mm (2.2") + room for a little dirt. (And flat bars.)
A few XC tires do still exist in the 29x2.0 and 29x2.1 tire range. Hutchinson makes a few. I've had a Mezcal 29x2.1 front with a Terreno 2.1 rear on my gravel bike. Fun combo.Now have Hutchinson 2.1 up front and 50mm Soma Cazadero out back.
@@mellissanash7517 there still exist 1.75 and 1.9 in some part of the globe. Especially for fondo xc ride or endurance training xc, who don't really need knobby tyre.
after replacing the stem, did you adjust the seat?
I have a Salsa Fargo and it's classified as a drop bar mountain bike. Seems this is just shy of what a Fargo is, mainly in the tire size category because a Fargo can fit plus tires.
I used a dropper post for the first time on a road race and I gotta admit, it made high speed descending totally wild. You can get really low SAFELY and it's amazing. But you'd have to consider the aero drag the rest of the time of a round seat tube and the extra weight. Probably a wash and not really worth it for road riding overall. But still cool.
What's the estimated wattage loss of a round seat tube?
24.3 nanowatts
@@TheBikeSauce throw it in the trash
It's around 5 watts. I was just in a 3 hour race and lost top 10 by 3 seconds. Theo-rectumly, an aero seatpost would have put me in top 10 by around half a minute. But you can't put a square seatpost in a round seathole. ;) I'd need a completely different bike. Or some duct tape and styrofoam to "aero" the backside of my seatpost for free. #justsayin #noteverybodyisadentist @@DMurdock
What is the stack height for size medium? Polygon states 612 mm which is too close to size large (621) and far away from small (589) making me think that is a typo and the correct number is 602 mm. Anyway I can verify the 612 mm number?
Given that this is far from just a department store bike, why do they put tyres on that might as well go straight to landfill? Maybe they could ship them without then the buyer gets to choose, and maybe get them set up tubeless at the same time?
This bike designed with Indonesian gravel, most of them are similar to single track. And most indonesian gravel/xc still use tube despite popularity of tubeless in US
it's more of adventure and touring oriented than race bike. And I would like to see more bikes like this rather than record-chasing race bikes because for most people bikes should be for getting to places.
That being said... R7 is better value than this one. Price is at the level of full carbon bikes despite only difference is slightly better dropper post, carbon wheels and e-shifting, which are definitely not +1k worth of upgrades. One can get previous year's Marin Headlands at new condition for this price.
Hi, what's that bike frame software shown at 3:12? Is it free? Thanks
Free. Bikeinsights.com
Could you compare with hard tail mountain bike of similar weights?
It’s actually not THAT close to an mtb. The front center and bb height are very different and wouldn’t be an apples to apples comparison
@@TheBikeSauce
Many refer to flat bar gravel = hard tail MTB. But I differ that they are lighter and have higher speed gear ratios than MTB.
But often replacing drop bars with flat bars is expensive. Any recommendations for flat bar bikes? Trek FX Sport?
Is waiting for a 12 speed GRX a good idea if not in a hurry?
@@elachichaiSpecialized Sirrus X, Marin DSX, and Giant Toughroad comes to mind.
The bend from the rear Triangle that welds to the seat tube looks so out of place. Makes this bike looks like an eyesore.
I want to be upright. Give me a shorter reach and shorter stem and taller stack.
Just get a Sworks Epic HT...
Meh, I'll stick with my Fezzari Shafer... upgraded with Logos Epoche carbon wheels for what you paid for this.
Ok wow, that is ONE GENUINELY UGLY BIKE.
😆 that’s one honest reaction
looks ugly, id expect to see such an ugly design on a walmart bike.