Polygon's Premium Gravel Bikes Are VERY Different // Tambora vs Bend 

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).

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.

First Ride1up and now Polygon with reasonably priced, well equipped options for under 3k...

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

$3k for a gravel bike w/ carbon wheels is awesome. Great job Polygon!

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.

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

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 tried buying either one of these impossible in Canada at this point in time

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.

How much does the flip chip change the fork offset? The Tambora seems to have low fork offset (48mm).

Could the tambora fit 47 or 50mm tire. I know it shows 45 max on website but was curious.

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.

Those bikes don't even have saddle to bar drop... They have bar to saddle drop instead 😂

made this in steel an maybe I buy it

Neat

VS Path