Long time no see

Hi guys, planning to try out MTB for light off road and to cycle around taman. My budget is around 1.3k.
Currently looking at Polygon Cascade 3 / 4 and MARIN BOLINAS RIDGE 1 (2020) . Any other suggestion i should look into for my budget? Thanks


Polygon Cascade 4 (RM 1,329.00)
Frame AL6 XC SPORT FRAME
Fork SUNTOUR XCE28 100MM TRAVEL
Head Set ZERO STACK (ZS) THREADLESS
Stem ENTITY OE, ALLOY
Handlebar STEEL
Rear Derailleur SHIMANO TX800
Front Derailleur SHIMANO ALTUS M313
Shifter SHIMANO M315 ALTUS
Bottom Bracket CARTRIDGE BB
Crank Set STEEL TA-CQ68
Cassette SHIMANO CS-HG200
Chain KMC Z-8.3
Pedal PP FLAT PEDALS
Brake HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKE
Wheel Set DOUBLE WALL ALLOY RIMS W/ ALLOY HUBS
Tire DELI 27.5x2.10"
Saddle MTB STEEL RAIL SADDLE
Seat Post ENTITY OE, ALLOY
Wheel Size 27.5"



MARIN BOLINAS RIDGE 1 (2020) (RM1399)
Frame Series 1 6061 Aluminum, 27.5"/29" Wheels, Low Standover, 68mm BB shell, 135mm Forged Dropouts, Chainstay Mounted Disc Brakes
Fork SR Suntour XCE Disc, 100mm Travel, Preload Adjustment, 46mm Offset
Head Set FSA No.10-P
Stem Marin Alloy, 31.8 Bar Bore, 45mm
Handlebar Marin 31.8 Riser, 12mm Rise, 780mm Width
Grip Marin Dual Density
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tourney, 7-Speed
Front Derailleur Shimano FD-TX500
Shifter Shimano Tourney 3x7-Speed
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Square Taper
Crank Set Shimano FC-TY301, 42/34/24T
Cassette SunRace 7-Speed, 11-34T
Chain KMC Z51
Pedal Nylon Platform
Brake Power CX7 Mechanical Disc, Shimano Pad Compatible, 160mm Rotor
Tire MTB, 27.5/29x2.25"
Saddle Marin MTB
Seat Post Marin Alloy, 27.2mm
Teknologi Aluminum frame with a replaceable derailleur hanger and an integrated headset, best fit and performance, feature disc brakes for minimal maintenance

This post has been edited by KvinC: Nov 5 2020, 07:13 PM

Polygon 8 speeds + hydraulic brake+ cheaper price vs marin 7 speeds + mechanical brake + more expensive.

The crankset for polygon TA-CQ68 is not steel but aluminum. I not sure you copy the spec from where but beware, a lot bike shop like to change the original spec also.

Both crankset are very entry level, if chainring spoil, you gonna change whole set.

Thanks for the reply, i copied the spec from rodalink webpage.

It seems Polygon cascade 4 is the better buy but i dont really like the colour and seems the tyre is thinner than Marin.

If i stretch my budget to 1.8k ,any other suggestion for this budget?

Thanks

This post has been edited by KvinC: Nov 8 2020, 12:34 PM

I am not sure because a lot bicycle brand which sell in Malaysia got different dealer. Every bicycle shop ONLY promote what they have in their shop. This is the problem. So you need to understand the nearest bike shop selling what brand around your budget.

Buying online got some disadvantage, first the warranty issue. We can not guarantee the unit we buy is not lemon unit am I right? Majority buying new bike from bike shop, seller will offer you free service 1 or 2 times within 1 year.

As you mention you don't like the color and tyre size, that one only small matter. You should really consider the riding style and riding behavior. Example left hand brake control rear wheel and right hand brake control front wheel. Majority bike selling Malaysia almost are left front right rear setting. If for mechanical brake, that are easy to swap but if hydraulic brake there is another story.

Buy in shop can simply ask seller to swap it free. Buy online you need to DIY or take to bike shop.

So now you can survey those brand easily found near your place and within your budget and bring in here to discuss.

is there a cheap alternative to this bike that tick all the boxes but does not cost anywhere near that price???

https://shopee.com.my/-POLYGON-SISKIU-T7-TA...7004.6949900983

This post has been edited by maxguy: Nov 10 2020, 05:59 PM

Hi thanks, in your opinion is this bike much more worth compared to the rm1k cheaper D7???

Just measure your frame BB mounting width and manually check your default chain line on 2x chainring.

SRAM NX vs deore/SLX drivetrain.


Which is nicer?

I have been there, i don't see anything much other than they trying to rent crap bikes to recreational visitors. I guess you are saying that the MB groups go there to FRIM for their activities right?

Yes. There are mountain bike trails on frim.

We used to ride on a trail that leads to sg buloh.

Snake trail. Helipad. Dream trail. Etc.

D7 is 11 speed, T7 is 12 speed.

T7 highest rear gear sprocket is 10Tooth, D7 is the old standard 11T.

but thats not the biggest diff.

T7 is 130-140mm suspension travel. D7 is 120mm. IMO it is worth going to 140mm if you riding offroad.

Biggest drawback of D7 is the brake. D7 brake is entry level hydraulic. This kind of brake can be found in any less than RM2K MTB.

IMO, brake is most important, cannot brake on time, lost balance = brake bone, ligament.

I just hurt my ligament, 2 weeks already still OKU mode. I lost balance fall 1 side. Haih...I think need 1-2 months only can ride again

Ok thanks for the reply and have a speedy recovery.
Btw where did go and ride???

anywhere off road or even urban ride even the stairs, MTB got no limit where to ride.

if off road, checkout trails at www.trailforks.com

I don't know this 2019 Fox Van RC same like old time DHX 5.0 or not but now seem got people sell it RM77x instead of its normal price US199.



But that seller only offer 1 size.

For entry level fox shock, it seem like a good choice.

This is like a coke vs pepsi debate. Both are pretty good for the price and performance. It really depends on which one you prefer.

SRAM is gonna be very engaging/tactile, you will feel every shift. Somewhat like a manual gearbox in a car. Shimano groupsets on the other hand, feels more like automatic gearbox, the shifting feels smoother and linear.

I'm a SRAM guy. Any Shimano feels "dead" to me. I don't like that feel, but that's my personal preference after having tried both before. If you can, go try both before you decide.

Thanks for the input.

Compared to today's new coil shocks, this will feel basic and not very refined. Can't really fine tune it much because you only get compression and rebound setting. Better to stick to a modern air can like a DPS that's probably gonna feel much better, especially for that 7XX price.