Polygon’s Colossus T has been given an aluminium-frame option, with the brand now offering an even more budget-conscious version of its aggressive trail bike.
Like its pre-existing carbon sibling, the Colossus T Aluminium gets 140mm travel (and a 160mm-travel fork), flip chips galore for either the supplied 29in wheels or a mixed-wheel setup, adjustable bottom-bracket height and angle-adjustable headset cups.
The three Colossus T Aluminium models all keep the multi-link, VPP-style IFS suspension system and geometry from the Colossus T Carbon, so the new bike should ride like its more expensive stablemate.
Three models, all under €3,000
The T5, T6 and T8 models all cost less than €3,000, and get 29in wheels, 140mm travel and a 160mm-travel fork.
The T5 is the least expensive in the range, with a RockShox Psylo Silver RC fork, RockShox Deluxe Select shock and Shimano CUES 11-speed drivetrain, available for the seemingly bargain price of only $2,399 / €2,099.
The T6 costs $2,999 / €2,499 and gets an upgraded RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork and RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock. The drivetrain is the more expensive Shimano SLX 1x12 and the tyres are Maxxis Dissectors.
The top-spec option is the T8, which comes in at $3,499 / €2,999. It includes a Fox 36 Performance fork and Fox Float Performance rear shock, SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type mechanical drivetrain with SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) and Magura MT5 brakes.
Polygon Colossus T Aluminium features
As with the Colossus T Carbon, the new aluminium models retain Polygon's twin-link IFS suspension, which it says is derived from the six-bar suspension of its more expensive models, but in a more compact and lightweight package.
A shock-shuttle allows for an uninterrupted seat tube and the use of long dropper posts, although the XFusion Manic LC dropper included on all models is only 150mm long on the S and M sizes, and 170mm on the L and XL.
This bike looks bang on trend and inexpensive when compared to recently released trail and enduro bikes, such as Cannondale’s Bad Habit.
With features such as the threaded BB, Boost wheel spacing, lack of headset cable routing, internal frame storage, UDH-compatible dropout and short 165mm cranks, the Colossus T Aluminium could be compared to Cannondale’s latest redesigned enduro bike – but at half the price.
Adjustability and bonus features
The Colossus T Aluminium’s head angle can be adjusted by 0.75 degrees down to 63.75 degrees, or up to 65.25 degrees with the included headset spherical cups.
Like the carbon version, there are geometry adjustments on offer: flip chips on the forward shock mount enable your to change between ‘high’ and ‘low’ BB positions.
All the Colossus T bikes are supplied as 29ers, but a flip chip on the rear triangle, where the shock shuttle mounts, means the bike can be converted to run a smaller 27.5in rear wheel.
The frame uses internal cable routing and I’m pleased: it’s refreshing whenever I see a new bike without the divisive new headset cable routing standard (where the cables travel through the upper headset bearing).
The designers have integrated a down tube box into the frame for storage, which Polygon calls the PolyPocket. This is new to the brand's aluminium frames and includes a Velcro-backed insert to keep the contents secure.
Polygon Colossus T Aluminium geometry and sizing
Sharing the same geometry as its carbon fibre sibling, the Colossus T gets four sizes: S, M, L and XL, with a reach of between 440mm (small) and 505mm (XL).
Proportionally sized chainstays are an impressive feature for such an affordable bike, with a 430mm rear-centre measurement on the S and M sizes, and 435mm on the L and XL. These help keep the bike's geometry feeling natural, as both the front-centre and chainstay measurements grow together.
This is only a 5mm total variation in chainstay length between the size options, but we’ve seen a similar sizing variance to create proportional geometry on more expensive bikes such as the Bad Habit and Mondraker Zendit.
The head angle is 64.5 degrees and the effective seat tube angle sits at 77 degrees, which is on a par with modern angles for an aggressive trail bike such as this.
Polygon Colossus T Aluminium pricing details
- Polygon Colossus T5 Aluminium: $2,399 / €2,099
- Polygon Colossus T6 Aluminium: $2,999 / €2,499
- Polygon Colossus T8 Aluminium: $3,499 / €2,999
