but the rest of the package is pretty
1,300 Fun rapid cruiser, but
with definite front end limits
olygon's price-beating full-
susser has enough tweaks,
treats and frame performance
_ to ensure the dodgy fork isn't
a deal-breaker.
The frame
The Siskiu's lean, low-slung looks
sketch out balanced all-round
geometry, while the short linkage
and chunky pivot terminals on the
back end keep it tight under torque.
We'd expect the external BB to last
far longer than an internal unit.
There's a skinny QR out back, not a
through-axle, but the dropouts can
be upgraded to 142x12mm if you get
the wheels to match.
The kit
Even at 1,300, the QR-equipped
RockShox 30 fork is disappointing,
for an internally routed unit as soon
good. The Shimano XT rear mech
with clutch switch is a big practical
advantage, Deore cranks are a good
choice and the M365 brakes use the
same levers as the M315s on the
Giant but get upgraded callipers.
While the lock-on grips look like a
nice detail too, they twist in the wet.
The ride
The D7 is the cheapest bike here, but
that's not obvious in the ride. While
it's fractionally shorter in reach than
the others, the 67.S-degree head
angle is on point for the purpose and
travel (120mm) of the bike. Because
the UK importers have taken the
smart step of fitting a 5Smm stem
instead of the 80mm number listed
on Polygon's website, the Siskiu feels
keen, responsive and ready to play
through tight corners and random
traction situations straight away.
While the budget doesn't stretch
to a dropper post, the frame is ready
installed, the wheel-to-oar dislocation
JARGON as you have the funds. Polygon have
helpfully fitted a QR seat collar, so
Quick-release dropping the saddle manually is easy.
skewer.A thin steel The 74.S-degree seat angle naturally
rodwith a
tighteningcamat puts you further over the front wheel
oneendanda and in command when you're seated
locknutat the for climbing or pedalling. It also
other. makes the saddle easy to get behind
if - actually let's be honest, when -
DROPOUT
you need to lift the front wheel and
Theslottedor keep it out of trouble.
screw-threadedtip
of a fork or frame You're going to need to do this
that holdsthe quite a lot, because of the fork. The
wheelaxlein place. RockShox 30 feels smooth enough
when you're pitter-pattering over
the roots, ripples and gravel of a
fireroad, woodland walk or blue-
graded MTB trail. But start pushing
it harder through turns or adding
some braking load into the skinny
30mm-stanchion chassis, and the
flex instantly chokes the stroke. Even
the plasticky Schwalbe tyres can add
enough grip to twist the QR steering
out of shape, and with stickier rubber
is remarkable in all the wrong ways.
That creates a front end that has you
flinching as soon as rocks or drops
appear, and we had countless near-
miss steering moments.
Although that sounds pretty
damning, the saving of the Siskiu
is that the rest of the bike works
really well. While the Epixon shock
feels wooden and unyielding for
the first couple of hours, after a few
more rides it opens up to deliver a
fluid stroke that doesn't noticeably
disturb pedalling. It handles mid-size
hits acceptably for a budget bike too,
so the fact that the back end has to
take the brunt of the impact load
because the fork can't be trusted
isn't an issue. Don't underestimate
the psychological effect of the chain-
quietening clutch on the rear mech
too, which makes things sound as
well as feel a lot more controlled.
While we'd recommend changing
the hard-compound Smart Sam
tyres if you'll be heading into wet
woods regularly, there's no denying
that the centre-ridge tread rolls
really fast. Contrary to expectations,
the sharp intermediate and shoulder
knobs bite into slop pretty well and
clean immediately too.
As long as you stay off the shiny
roots and green rocks, the supple FOR A LITTLE MORE
but not distracting initial suspension Polygon Siskiu D8
movement makes the Polygon a 2,000
Spendinganother700 on a Siskiugets
surprisingly tenacious climber and
youcloserto the dampersit deserves,with
easy, enjoyable day rider. Especially mid-rangeRockShoxunits at both ends.
if you put that 200 you've saved
over the other bikes here towards
,
a new fork as soon as possible.
"s- ," ... " _:~ '~~., - ~ '.-' - '":. .-
'.. -.~ #'
""BUK
FOR A LITTLE LESS
Cheap, flexy fork, but the Siskiu's poised, keen and Polygon Siskiu D6
efficiently smooth ride impresses for the price 1,150
For150 lessyou get a Suntourfork up
front andnoXTrearmechupgrade,but
rJrJrJ~- the restof the bike is untouched.