Polygon Bend R2 Owner Review: Gravel Bike

Polygon Bend R2 Review by owner, Nilanjan Guha Majumder, after touring on the bike for 1000+ km in the last 3 months…

No. of years cycling: Since childhood, from around 6-7 years of age. Got into sports cycling in 2014.
Model name: Polygon Bend R2
Bought on: 2022 March
Place of purchase: Purchased from Cyclelogisst (@cyclelogisst_official) from Pune.
Approx no. of km clocked so far: It would be around 1000 km so far, including one or two 150+ km rides in the Western Ghats.

Owner Review

Buying experience: The owner of Cyclelogisst (@cyclelogisst_official) of Pune was absolutely helpful, and the assistance they provided me, I am more than happy for that. And the chat I had with the owner, it enriched me in many ways, including knowing the fact that he is a certified mountaineer, one of the sports very dear to me.

However, it will be an absolutely incomplete story if I do not mention Venkatesh Shivarama (@venky.wheelsports) of Wheelsports, Bangalore. Hearing the reason why I want to buy a gravel bike, and the story related to it, he suggested me this bike, and assured me that I would get the best deal possible. I had to wait for 7 months for the right size bike to arrive in India, but he has kept his promise, and supported me throughout this waiting period by answering my questions!

Other models considered at the time of purchase: Marin Four Corner, Marin Gestalt, Marin Nicasio

Reason for choosing this model: I was assured that the build quality is of very superior quality, that’s number one reason – the frame. And Venky sir also told me a few key points which I banked on – the 650b wheels, fat robust tyres, the geometry, and of course, touring ready with the eyelets on the frame.

Positives of this bike:

1. Comfortable yet a bit aerodynamic geometry.
2. The 650b wheel is awesome with the 47mm tyre – a beast on the gravel (read no road). You can always exchange the wheel with a 700c one, and the max tyre width will still be 40mm – awesome, right?
3. Eyelets on the frame for fitting pannier racks.

Negatives of this bike:

1. The saddle could be better, but then all Polygon comes with the same saddle.
2. And I feel a little wider handlebar could be a bit more comfortable. But I have ridden more than 150 km with that twice. And 50+ km a few more times, and it was not bad at all.

   Will I recommend this bike and why: Oh yes, definitely. It’s a beast of a gravel bike. With that 650b wheel paired with 47mm tyres. And a tyre pressure of 30 psi, I almost didn’t feel the vibrations while riding all those notorious off roads in the Ghat sections.

Check my reels/videos if you want to understand what kind of road I am talking about. It’s a beast of a gravel bike. And it can easily be used for BRMs too, Venky sir has done so with his Polygon Bend R2.

Polygon Bend R2 Review: Tech Specs

Frame: ALX GRAVEL FRAME – CARRIER & FENDER READY
Fork: CARBON RIGID FORK W/FLATMOUNT – CARRIER & FENDER READY
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora RD- R3000
Shifter: Shimano Sora 2×9
Brake: Tektro C400 Mechanical Disc
Tyre: Performance Tyre 650x 47C Tubeless ready
Wheel Size: 650B

Check out the Full Specs on the Polygon Website.

Also read, Owner Reviews of the Kona Rove, Marin Gestalt 1 and Triban RC 120. And read about why you should go Gravel Biking in India!