Polygon Goes Straight for Gravel Recreation with its Bend RV

Polygon Bikes might not be a household name, but the Indonesian brand produces a million bikes a year and is seeking to build its name as a consumer brand. It’s taking a new angle with a selection of new bikes and a no hassle direct-to-consumer business model as well as a growing retailer network in the United States.

The Polygon name isn’t new to some cyclists, as years ago the same name was a powerful force in brakes but that era eventually came to a halt. The current Polygon offers equal sides of gravel, cyclocross, road and mountain bikes, and at the Sea Otter Classic, we took a close-up look at its new gravel bike, the Bend RV.

Updated from last year, the Bend RV gets a SRAM Rival 1×11 drivetrain and SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes. The frame is made from Polygon’s ALX 6061 triple-butted aluminum that seeks to be strong and durable, yet comfortable at the same time.

The Bend RV has a taller, tapered head tube for a more upright riding position and the internal cable routing options are a nice touch. There is also plenty of tire clearance (up to a 40c), with Polygon spec’ing a 38c Schwalbe G-One tire this year. The chainstays have a narrow shaped section designed as a flex zone to reduce bone-jarring hits.

The geometry is decidedly more comfort oriented for extended gravel riding than the racier position of the brand’s cyclocross-specific models, with long 43.5cm chainstays, but a relatively high (for gravel) bottom bracket drop at 6.5cm.

The Bend RV features a carbon fork with flat mount brakes, fender mounts and thru-axle compatibility. The SRAM Rival 1×11 drivetrain keeps shifting simple, reliable and light.

Available sizes are small (49), medium (52), large (56) and extra large (59cm). The new Polygon Bend RV will be available approximately mid-May and it has a suggested retail of $1,699.

The brand is making a big push in the States, putting together a promo video to launch its Bend RV gravel bike.

The company also offers a Bend RIV touring model that also features an alloy frame with similar geometry, a different fork, stout chainstays without the tapers for flex, and plenty of carrying capacity.

There’s also a Bend CX carbon cyclocross model available in the online store in the form of a Di2 Ultegra complete bike and as a frameset.

See the full photo gallery below the spec list, and stay tuned as we await a review bike.

See our ever-growing stream of new cyclocross and gravel-oriented bikes, wheels, tires, components and cycling gear from 2017 Sea Otter here.

Polygon Bend RV Specs:

MSRP: $1,699 complete
Frame: ALX 6061 triple-butted aluminum, flat mount brakes,
Fork: Carbon, 12 mm TA
Headset: FSA Orbit C40
Drivetrain: SRAM Rival, 1×11
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival, 11-speed
Front Derailleur: n/a
Shifters: SRAM Rival, 11-speed
Brakes: SRAM Rival Hydraulic
Rotors: SRAM Rival
Crankset: SRAM Rival 38t
Cassette: SRAM Powerglide 1130 11/42t
Chain: KMC X-11
Bottom Bracket: SRAM GXP
Handlebar: Entity Xpert dropbar w/flare
Stem: Entity Xpert
Seatpost: Entity Xpert 27.2, 15mm offset
Saddle: Entity Flux
Wheelset: Entity XL2 disc
Tires: Schwalbe G-One, 700x38c
Warranty: 5 years for registered original owners on frame and fork
Extras: alloy pedals
More info: polygonbikes.com

Polygon Bend RV Photo Gallery: