[gat3keeper]

After weeks of research, I am now decided to buy my first trail / "enduro'ish" bike . I've narrowed down my choices to Polygon T7 or T8.

Reason:

1. Availability. Easy to buy in my area and my trusted bike shop is just few kilometers away from where I live.
2. Value for money. Comparing to other brands (Marin,Giant,Trek, Specialzied) that is accessible to me, Polygon is the cheapest yet good components.
3. I prefer brand new Alu vs 2nd hand carbon bikes.

Note: I originally seeking for carbon Evil / Transition frame but frame alone cost more than whole Polygon T8.


Now, T7 or T8?

Here's the notable difference:

T7 Fork: Rockshox Recon vs T8 Fork: Fox Rythmn
T7 Rear Shocks: Rockshox Deluxe + vs T8 Rear Shocks: Fox Float DPS
T7 Drive Train: Deore m6100 12s vs T8 Drive Train: SLX 12s
T7 Brakes: TEKTRO HD-M735 vs T8 TEKTRO HD-M745 4 PISTON

*Price of T8 is $500 more than T7

What I like bout T7:
1. More budget for trail essentials (helmet, knee pads,etc..)
2. More budget for Carbon handlebar?
3. I like the color

What I don't like T7
1. Fork? I'm not an expert but all of the youtuber I watched are replacing their stock RS Recon.


What I like bout T8
1. For my skill level, I think the bike is good for 1-2 years without changing anything.
2. I also like the color

What I don't like bout T8
1. I'm not sure if $500 is worth the upgrade from T7 (fox fork, fox rear shocks, slx) since the orange Fox 36 or red lyric is the epitome of forks.


So guys, what do you think?

 

[flying bison]

Honestly, 500$ extra isn't bad for a better lighter drivetrain, a better fork, and better brakes. If you're a beginner though, just get the T7, this way you have 500$ to upgrade parts as you see fit. Both bikes have decent components, and the only standout difference like you noticed, is the fork. The rhythm is much better than the recon, but take the 500$ difference, combine it with the 200$ or so you can get by selling an unused recon and you have the cash to get a pike select or fox 34 performance... Which BTW are what I would look at if upgrading the fork on this bike. Fox 36 and lyrics are a bit much for a 140mm bike, I don't even think they make a 36 in 140mm travel.

 

[Cary]

The $500 gets you a lot of upgrades. It is always better to buy the better bike now than upgrade later if you are able.

 

[Sparticus]

I’d get the T8, no question. Better brakes, suspension, drivetrain. Money well spent.
Buy once, cry once. And then enjoy the improved performance every single time you ride.
Speaking for myself, if I got the T7, every time I rode it I’d be wishing I’d bought the other bike.
=sParty

 

[gat3keeper]

I’d get the T8, no question. Better brakes, suspension, drivetrain. Money well spent.
Buy once, cry once. And then enjoy the improved performance every single time you ride.
Speaking for myself, if I got the T7, every time I rode it I’d be wishing I’d bought the other bike.
=sParty

Good point!

Sent from my 2107113SG using Tapatalk

 

[noapathy]

100% agree - I looked at both of these and IMO the only semi-close competitor to the Polygon T8 was the Vitus Mythique VRX with Deore and a Marz Z2 fork for $2300 (usually out of stock). The T7 is a distant third, maybe.

 

[BicyclesOnMain]

Good point!

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The only reason I ever hesitate recommending spending the whole budget is if you have a specific upgrade you want to do later that would make the middle level pointless. Otherwise you'll never regret going with the better option.

 

[Tall BMX'r]

Looks like the medium size ( on T7 & T8) comes with either 27.5' or 29" wheels. Large and XL are 29" and the Small is 27.5 only. The 27.5 setup gets you 140mm shock and 150mm fork. The 29 gives you 135mm shock and 140mm fork. That is the same spec as my 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower, but my Hightower comes with the FOX 36. I changed the air spring in my fork to a 160mm. It was mostly to correct a geo issue with my XXL frame. If you ride a medium the extra travel on the 27.5 wheel setup might be the way to go?

 

[fos'l]

IMO, spend the $500; as new to the sport as you seem to be, the Fox components alone should be good for several years before you need an upgrade.

 

[fuzz_muffin]

T8, no question. I've ridden both.

Fork is the only thing that matters here, everything else is insignificant re differences.

 

[Curveball]

I’d get the T8, no question. Better brakes, suspension, drivetrain. Money well spent.
Buy once, cry once. And then enjoy the improved performance every single time you ride.
Speaking for myself, if I got the T7, every time I rode it I’d be wishing I’d bought the other bike.
=sParty

Yeah, I can't really put it better than this.

My cousin bought a T8 and loves it. It's a very, very good bike for the money.

 

[Curveball]

T8, no question. I've ridden both.

Fork is the only thing that matters here, everything else is insignificant re differences.

I agree that the differences in the forks alone would be very noticeable.

 

[gat3keeper]

T8, no question. I've ridden both.

Fork is the only thing that matters here, everything else is insignificant re differences.

How bout the rear suspension?

Fox dps on t8 vs RS de luxe on t7, is there significant difference as well?

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[Curveball]

How bout the rear suspension?

Fox dps on t8 vs RS de luxe on t7, is there significant difference as well?

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Completely different bike, but my main enduro bike had a RS deluxe and the rebound was either super harsh or trebuchet. One click either way. I couldn't replace it fast enough.

 

[Sparticus]

Completely different bike, but my main enduro bike had a RS deluxe and the rebound was either super harsh or trebuchet. One click either way. I couldn't replace it fast enough.

My Trek Rail came stock with an RS de luxe -- it blew a seal on the first ride.
Got a warranty replacement within a couple months but by then I'd replaced it with a Fox DPX2 which has proven to be a really good little air shock.
=sParty

 

[fuzz_muffin]

How bout the rear suspension?

Fox dps on t8 vs RS de luxe on t7, is there significant difference as well?

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I mean it's honestly not worth worrying about. If anything the RS shock hardware is actually better than the fox polymer bushings (for the polygon), would get play after a couple of rides. Replaced them with RS hardware.

 

[harambe2]

As someone who has a T8, I also debated buying a T7 and upgrading the fork/shock, but in the end, the T8 made the most sense. Buying take-off/used fork/shock upgrades would easily cost $500 even after selling the RS fork/shock and the T8 still has the better drivetrain and brakes.

 

[CRM6]

Personally,I always purchase according to the suspension. Fork and shock are the most expensive parts to replace/upgrade. The T8's Fox stuff will last a long time and perform great. Concentrate on Brake and wheel upgrades as funds build up.

 

[gat3keeper]

Are the rear suspension (Fox Float DPS) and fork (Fox Rythmn 34 ) of T8 have at least half the performance of the of top of the line Fox?

 

[PhillipJ]

Don't know about the DPS. The Rhythm is more like 80-90% of the performance of the Factory 34.