TESTED: Polygon Collosus N7 enduro bike

Polygon are quickly becoming world leaders for offering high value mountain bikes in just about every market segment. While Bikes Online have been selling Polygon bikes in Australia for over a decade, a lot has changed in that time. Over the last few years the range has had some very thorough updates, bringing many of their bikes to the fore on design, suspension dynamics and trail handling. The quality of the finished bikes and the ride they deliver for the prices the bikes sell for is incredible. Having just tested the Polygon Collosus N8E 160mm travel eMTB I was blown away by the balanced handling of the bike, and the value it represented in fa market where bikes are typically at the very expensive end of the price scale.

Tester: Ryan Walsch
Riding Experience: Happy to ride any bike like a motorbike, and land it that way
Generally Rides: Forbidden Druid
Height: 178cm
Weight: 74kg
Bike Test Track: National MTB Testing Facility, Canberra

The Polygon Collosus N7 I have on test does away with the motor and battery of the N8E, and steps back from the Shimano XT 12-speed group set down to Shimano Deore 12-speed, amongst a few other changes. This means it will set you back $3299, not $7999 like the N8E eMTB. The Collosus N7 delivers is a 170mm travel 29er enduro bike using the same 6-bar independent floating suspension (IFS). There is also higher specced Collosus N9 ($4999) that gets an upgrade to a Fox 38 fork and X2 shock, plus a mostly Shimano XT drivetrain and SRAM Code brakes amongst other changes.

Polygon claim that the Collosus N7 is 'the toughest bike from Polygon yet' and that it is 'built to handle the most demanding terrain'. Building the bike up it was apparent that the build quality is there, with smart component choices to bring it in at $3299. On the scales it weighs 18.33kgs with pedals for the size large test bike. The Polygon Collosus N7 doesn't really have any direct competitors thanks to its price. A Specialized Status 160 or Giant Reign 29 come close, although both are much closer to $5000 than $3000.

Initial Impressions

At first glance, Its hard to see how the N7 could be well under $4000 as the finish is excellent, the welds are neat and uniform, the metallic fleck gloss paint job looks great in the sun and the quality of the linkage hardware has not been skimped on for the cheaper model.

What sets the Polygon Colossus N7 (and Colossus N8E we reviewed recently) apart from many other bikes is the IFS system or Independent Floating Suspension system which more simply controls the rear wheel path, anti squat value and leverage curve independently to each other. It does have a few additional moving parts and looks pretty complex but I really like how it feels on the trail.

For so many moving parts, Polygon have kept the IFS system neat. Etched torque settings on the bolts make it easy to carry out your pre ride checks while keeping the aesthetics of the bike looking sharp and not too busy in the linkage department. Equipped with RockShox latest iterations of the ZEB Select and Super Deluxe Select + rear shock, setup is incredibly easy. There are rebound and compression adjustments for front and rear and by following the fork's setup chart on the back of the lowers I balanced the rear out with 30% sag. After a quick fiddle of the rebound adjustment I was on the trails quickly and without need for further tinkering. The IFS system is very supple yet supportive towards the bottom of the 170mm of travel ramping up nicely on bigger impacts. When paired with the new RockShox units, the bike is super supple off the top without feeling mushy.

Polygon use a threaded bottom bracket shell, ISCG 05 chain device tabs and an internally routed dropper post, all nice-to-haves at this price point but not always common. It shows that the lower price point does not mean skimping on features or finish.

In the spirit of fairness, I always like to test our bikes as they are shipped, this meant I was running tubes in the Vee Tire Flow Snap 29×2.6” tyres. They have a pretty meaty tread and thicker than normal sidewall combined with Vee’s Tackle compound. I have a habit of being hard on wheels and tyres, so I erred on the side of caution and ran the tyre pressures a few psi higher than I would normally to avoid rim and tyre damage.

I played around with the position of the controls and cockpit to get comfortable, the Tektro brakes feel really consistent, their ergonomics are good but different to what Im used to with a longer lever that would happily accommodate multiple fingers rather than one or two. So I moved the position a couple of times and they felt great from that point in providing ample stopping power with no apparent fade whatsoever.

With setup complete, I was keen to get the 170mm enduro machine that costs less than half of many popular rigs out onto the trails!

On The Trail

At 178cm I am often left sitting in-between a size medium and large frame feeling either cramped or stretched out. The size large Colossus N7 we had on test measures true at its 480mm reach and had me pitched right in the middle of their recommended height range chart. With a slightly taller front end thanks to the longer 170mm travel fork and slacker 63.5 degree head angle than the N8E I reviewed, the seating position and handling on the trail feels more relaxed and confident. With a wheelbase of 1266mm, rear centre of 435mm and a centred seating position riders can sit comfortably and in control on long arduous climbs.

Maneuvering the long travel hauler is not a big ask thanks to the short 435mm chain stay, however the overall weight of the wheels and bike can be felt when really having to hoof it about rapidly. The soft compound Vee Flow Snap tyres work best when pointing down hill and pushing hard, they are pretty predictable and offer heaps of grip on the dry and rocky conditions where spent my time riding during the test priod. The big 2.6” wide tread pattern did not roll very efficiently which was expected from Vee Rubber's gravity tyre, making climbing more of a chore than the bikes pedaling characteristics would allow.

I have been impressed by Polygon’s 6 Bar Independent Floating Suspension system, it really does pedal well, especially over rough or technical climbs where traction is key. It doesn’t bob or move under power and remains active under load making it very efficient despite its 170mm travel and overall weight.

On the downs the IFS system descends nicely, remaining active while providing minimal pedal kickback. It also keeps the system active even under brakes, meaning the bike is easy to manage bike regardless of how it is ridden. The bigger impacts of drops and bike park features don’t unsettle the N7 either, showing how versatile how the linkage is.

I did experience a bit of excessive chain noise due to our Deore Clutch being a little light on, some tweaking and possible some additional Mastik tape or “Slapper Tape” or even a chain guide could help quieten things down. The KMC chain doesn’t hold the chain ring as well as the genuine Shimano chain but I will put it down to the confidence inspiring capabilities of the bike than any specific issues with it.

The Polygon Collosus N7 feels most at home going big. With 170mm of travel and a solid and composed feel it instills confidence and works very well considering an extremely affordable price point for such a capable bike. The N7 feels least at home on the long climbs required to gain long descents, however with a lighter wheel set or faster rolling set of tyres, this would drop kilos and absolutely transform its capability in the hills!

At $3299 there is likely some room in many rider's budget to change a few things to tailor this versatile rig into my own, if it was up to me I would; replace the in-house branded handlebar, it is in my opinion a little awkward feeling, lacking a few degrees of sweep and could dampen the trail feel of this overall solid buil. I would replace the dropper post lever with something a bit more ergonomic and smooth (the fact the N7 has a smooth and quality Tranz-X Dropper post boggles the mind). Finally, set the tyres up tubeless, and maybe add a faster rolling rear tyre.

Our Take

I have been really impressed by our recent experiences with Polygon’s new lineup, in particular the new IFS suspension platform. The Collosus N7 delivers quality components and a well built frame, modern geometry and a refined feel on the trail. All these things add up to make this bike an impressive option for riders of all skill levels. The lower price point could leave room to further tailor the bike to your specific needs further, or if it is within your budget, you could look at the Polygon Collosus N9 for some higher end equipment.

Photos and video by Nick Waygood.

Polygon Collosus N7 – $3299
Weight 18.33kg (as tested)
From bikesonline.com.au

Available Sizes S, M, L (tested), XL
Frame Material Aluminium
Fork RockShox ZEB Rush RC, 170mm
Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 170mm

Shifter Shimano Deore 12sp
Derailleur Shimano Deore 12sp
Crank Shimano FC MT150, 32t 170mm
Chain KMC X12
Cassette Sunrace CSM Z800 11-51t, 12sp

Hubs Alloy, Boost, 32h
Spokes Stainless, black
Rims Entity XL2 35mm inner
Tyres Vee Tire Co Flow Snap 29 x 2.60”
Brakes Tektro HD M735, 203/203mm 4 piston front, 2 piston rear

Stem Polygon Alloy, 35mm
Handlebars Polygon Alloy riser, 780mm
Seatpost Tranz-X 170mm drop
Saddle WTB Volt