Polygon Siskiu T7 Review

Polygon Siskiu T7: A Full-Suspension Mountain Bike That Doesn’t Break the Bank

Direct-to-consumer mountain bikes have gotten complicated with all the brands flying around. As someone who’s been riding the Siskiu T7 for six months now, I learned everything there is to know about whether Polygon’s value proposition actually holds up on the trail.

Polygon sells bikes direct to consumers, cutting out the dealer markup. The Siskiu T7 is their mid-travel trail bike, and it’s been making waves for offering serious capability at a price that undercuts competitors.

What You Get

The T7 is a 29er with 150mm travel front and 140mm rear. That puts it in the “trail” category – capable of handling technical terrain while still being efficient enough to pedal uphill.

The frame is aluminum (alloy, technically) with internal cable routing and modern geometry – 66-degree head angle, long reach, short chainstays. It looks and rides like a current-generation bike, not a design from five years ago.

Component Highlights

Probably should have led with this section, honestly.

Suspension: Suntour Zeron fork up front, RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock. The RockShox rear is notably better than what you’d expect at this price. The Suntour fork is adequate but will likely be the first upgrade for many riders.

Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 1×11 – the workhorse of mountain biking. Reliable, relatively affordable to replace when it wears out, shifts accurately. No complaints.

Brakes: Shimano hydraulic discs with 180mm rotors. Plenty of stopping power for trail riding. I’ve had zero issues.

Wheels: Entity brand wheels, tubeless-ready. Nothing fancy but they’ve held up to my abuse without drama.

How It Actually Rides

Better than the price suggests. The geometry is modern and confidence-inspiring – stable on descents, composed through rough sections. The rear suspension handles small bumps and bigger hits equally well.

Climbing is reasonable. It’s not an XC bike, but the suspension pedals efficiently enough for long climbs without being punishing. I keep up with friends on lighter, more expensive bikes.

Descending is where it shines for the price. The slack geometry and capable suspension let you push into terrain that would overwhelm lesser bikes. I’ve taken it on some genuinely rowdy trails and felt supported, not outmatched.

What Could Be Better

The fork is the weak link. It works, but it doesn’t have the sensitivity or tunability of higher-end forks. Riders who push hard will feel its limits. Upgrading to a Fox or RockShox fork would transform the bike.

Contact points are basic. The saddle, grips, and pedals are fine but uninspiring. Most riders replace these eventually anyway.

It’s heavy. Around 33 pounds depending on size. Not unusual for an aluminum full-suspension trail bike at this price, but you’ll feel it on long climbs.

The Value Proposition

Here’s where Polygon excels. The Siskiu T7 costs around $2,000-2,200 depending on when you buy. Getting a full-suspension bike with modern geometry, hydraulic brakes, and a good rear shock at this price is unusual.

Comparable bikes from Trek, Specialized, or Giant cost $500-1,000 more for similar specs. The direct-to-consumer model works in your favor.

Who Should Consider It

Riders who want full-suspension trail capability without paying flagship prices. People getting into mountain biking who want something that won’t hold them back as they improve. Anyone who’d rather save money on the initial purchase and upgrade specific components later.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Riders who prioritize weight above all. Anyone who wants premium suspension without upgrading. People who need local dealer support – Polygon is direct sales with limited physical presence.

Bottom Line

That’s what makes the Siskiu T7 endearing to us budget-conscious trail riders. It represents what’s possible when you cut out traditional retail markup. It’s not perfect, but its flaws are reasonable at the price. For most trail riders, it delivers more capability than they’ll exhaust before upgrading to something more expensive anyway.

I’d buy it again. That’s probably the best endorsement I can give.