Bikes Online - Polygon Siskiu T9 A Short Rider's Review

Words by Candice

I had the opportunity to take the Polygon Siskiu T9 for a spin on my home trails in Northwest Arkansas, which are known for their technical features—like rocks, roots, and plenty of pedaly challenging terrain. Right from the start, the bike performed exceptionally well, smoothly navigating the techy sections and effortlessly absorbing all the trail chatter.

That said, NWA trails can be a bit pedal-heavy, and I did notice the T9’s weight compared to my usual bike. My current bike is around 27 lbs, while the Polygon’s size small frame weighs in at about 34 lbs. This extra weight made climbing a bit more demanding, especially on the steeper sections. However, this is more of a personal preference, as I’m accustomed to a lighter bike for climbing. A different rider might not feel the same or deal with a ton of elevation and climbing. Despite the extra weight, the T9 never felt cumbersome on the trails, and it absolutely shined on the descents—plenty of fun and control!

All in all, despite the weight difference, I had a blast testing the T9 on my local trails. It’s a fantastic trail bike with an impressive build, and considering it’s priced under $3,000, it’s an absolute steal for what you get.

Trail-Ready Without Breaking the Bank

Polygon managed to keep price down and the build high. The T9 offers so much value not just on your pocket book, but on the trails too. Bikes online has this bike for sale for $2,999.00 and with components like these (below) it’s hard to find a bike priced this good! 

  • Frame: Size small ALX Trail Frame
  • Rear Shock:  Fox Float X Performance 140 travel
  • Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite 150 travel
  • Brakes: TRP DH-R Evo 
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT 
  • Handlebar & Stem: Entity Expert 35mm
  • Front Hub: Shimano HB-MT400
  • Rear Hub: Shimano FH- MT40
  • Cassette:  Shimano Deore 10-51t
  • Shifter: Shimano Deore XT SL-M8100
  • Wheels- Front & Back Rim: Entity, Alloy Double Wall, 35mm TLR
  • Tires:  Schwalbe Hans Dampf EVO
  • Riding Style: All Trail
  • Weight: Roughly 34lbs

Sizing- My short rider opinion

The Polygon Siskiu T9 in a size small is designed for riders between 5’1” and 5’6”, and at 5’0”, I’m technically a bit below the recommended range. To help with standover height, I opted for a smaller dropper post than the standard 150mm that comes with the bike. While there were a few instances where I struggled to mount the bike on the trail, it wasn’t a frequent issue.

That said, I believe the size small frame would be ideal for riders within the suggested height range, but the shorter dropper allowed me to make it work. Ultimately, bike setup is highly customizable, and it really depends on how you ride. For me, the size wasn’t a major problem, but I’d make a few adjustments to improve standover clearance, especially since I fall outside the recommended height range for this frame.

Below is a list of the Sizes and Geo of the Polygon Siskiu T9.

After several rides on the T9, I’ve found it to be perfectly suited for technical riding. It tackles chunky, challenging terrain with ease! However, the one downside for me was the weight, particularly when climbing hills. The T9 felt more like a downhill bike than a typical trail bike due to the added pounds. That said, the Siskiu T9 remains an incredibly fun and playful ride, and given its impressive build quality and unbeatable price, it’s tough to find a better deal.

Tech Climbing:

Technical climbs on this bike felt a bit sluggish for me due to its weight, but it absolutely shined when tackling rocks and roots, handling them with ease. While the extra weight made climbing more demanding, the bike more than compensated with its stellar performance on technical terrain. Of course, what feels heavy is subjective and can vary from rider to rider. 

Tech Descending

The T9 was an absolute blast on the downhills.  This bike cruises smoothly over technical features like rocks and roots. Catching air on tabletops and hitting a few drops felt effortless. I had an amazing time on the descents—the bike truly excels on the downhills. 

Pros: 

  • Affordable Cost
  • High End Components
  • Mid travel
  • Smooth on tech trails
  • Fast on Downhills
  • Tires had a great tread that gripped the terrain 
 

Cons: 

  • Heavy frame/ weight (again, this is relative) 
  • Tire width (2.6) felt bulky and hard to climb with
  • Dropper Lever seemed fragile
  • The standard dropper post on size small frame is 150mm, but polygon should consider a smaller option for shorter riders


Grab Yours + Support the Crew

If interested in purchasing the Polygon Siskiu T9 you can head over to Bikes Online  to shop,  be sure to use the link to support the Women’s MTB Network. 

We want to thank Bikes Online for this opportunity to test the Polygon Siskiu T9 and their brand support.

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