First Look
Polygon Collosus TLE 8 AXS
The Collosus TLE 8 is a 160/140mm travel eMTB from Polygon that is powered by a Bosch Performance SX motor and a 400Wh battery. It’s a lower-output eMTB version of the Collosus T9 that Graham is testing. It has a 160mm Marzocchi Z1, suggesting descending prowess and a 6-bar 140mm travel rear end that promises a supportive and supple platform. The size medium sample here is a good example of balanced geometry. 460mm reach and 450mm chainstays with 619 stack. The triangle doesn’t lie and these numbers point to a bike that I can get comfortable on pretty quickly.
The 250Wh Bosch Powermore Range extender IS included!
But you can also run the bike without it with the 400Wh battery in the downtube
There are two models in the Collosus TLE line up. The lower end version here the TLE 8 and the higher end model the TLE 0. The difference is in the drivetrain and suspension components.
The TLE 8 comes with
- GX AXS drivetrain
- Marzocchi Z1 fork
- Marzocchi Bomber Shock
The TLE 0 comes with
- XX1 Drivetrain
- Fox Performance Elite 36
- Fox Performance Elite Float X
Both bikes have the same alloy wheelsets with DT Swiss 370 hubs and Magura MT7/HC3 Brakes with MT7 calipers. The price difference of 1800 CAD buys some serious upgrades. Are you going to notice any gains on the trail? Most likely not. I would have liked to see a carbon wheelset and handlebars on the flagship model instead of XX1 upgrades. The Fork and the shock performance should be a step up, however.
The detailed breakdown of the parts on the Collosus TLE 8
My tester was a showroom bike at a bike shop before arriving at me. I imagine the OEM tires were pillaged
Not much positive to say about the Hans Dampf.
Polygon lists Maxxis Dissectors as the tire of choice, but my tester came with Schwalbe Hans Dampfs. These tires were bad 10 years ago and they won’t be impressing anyone I know. I would have much preferred the Dissectors in EXO+ and DD variety.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height (cm) | 155-165 | 165-175 | 175-185 | 185-195 |
| Seat Tube Length (A) | 390 | 400 | 415 | 430 |
| Seat Tube Angle (B) | 72.2 | 72.6 | 72.9 | 73.1 |
| Effective Seat Tube Angle (C) | 76.6 | 76.6 | 76.6 | 76.6 |
| Head Tube Length (D) | 90 | 95 | 105 | 120 |
| Head Tube Angle (E) | 64.1 | 64.1 | 64.1 | 64.1 |
| Effective Top Tube (F) | 586 | 607 | 627 | 648 |
| Bb Height (G) | 343 | 343 | 343 | 343 |
| Bb Offset (H) | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Chainstay Length (I) | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| Wheelbase (J) | 1215 | 1242 | 1266 | 1293 |
| Frame Reach (K) | 435 | 461 | 481 | 501 |
| Frame Stack (L) | 614 | 619 | 628 | 642 |
| Standover Height (M) | 748 | 757 | 764 | 770 |
The Collosus TLE comes in four sizes. There is nothing crazy or avant-garde with the geometry here, just a good balance of room, angles and making do with what they’ve got. Polygon is open about the reason they went with 450mm chainstays. The Bosch motor needs room to breathe with the 6-bar suspension, and this is the only way it works. 450mm is a little on the longer side, but for a bike with a thirst for uphill challenges, this might be a good thing.
Bosch SX Motor dishes out 60Nm at 600W peak output
The shock cutout is the design highlight of this toptube
Speaking of the Bosch motor, the Performance SX is a fun little driver that can put out 60 Nm of power at 600 W peak and 250 W continuous power. I first tested it on the Devinci E-Troy Lite a year ago and came away impressed. The little-motor-that-could from Bosch prefers high cadence pedalling but can provide more than enough support to entertain just about any rider but the ones seeking very steep uphill thrills on technical climbs. The SX is in for the long haul, not the fast haul. A 400 Wh battery with the SX motor is usually good for a 1000m (3000′) day. If you choose a lower support level that is. Add the 250Wh range extender and expect that ceiling to climb up to 1500m(4500ft). Plenty of juice for most people. The charge times are around 4 hours for the Powermore 250 and 6 hours for the internal battery. As usual, the Bosch Smart plug connector is a pain in the ass to use. I never seem to get the orientation right. Compared to the charging port on the Specialized bikes, this seems archaic. This is not a Polygon problem; this is all on Bosch.
Sophisticated suspension design
No kinematics were provided
There are no geometry adjustments to be found on the TLE. This 29″ wheels-only platform claims to have all the angles figured out. We’ll see how that looks in reality, but the 64° head angle is right where you want it to be and the chainstays are properly long for a bike with uphill support. Probably the most interesting visual feature of the TLE is apparent when you are sitting on it. The top tube window to the rear shock is a bold choice for an industrial designer trying to help sell a lesser-known bike brand. The window is a clever design to allow a slightly lower top tube and a stand-over advantage. The shock can have better clearance with the frame that way. The Colossus TLE comes with either a Marzocchi Bomber Air or a Float X2 from the factory. They claim no coil shock compatibility. I am not entirely upset by this, and don’t think the customer for this bike will be either.
Powermore 250 fits onto the base plate
A bottle cage also fits onto the base plate
The base plate accepts the powermore and the bottle cage and the swap is instantaneous
The price of the Collosus TLE 8 is compelling. Someone looking for a mid power bike for commuting, touring, and mountain biking on the Shore or beyond, will be happy to hear the Range extender is included in the price. It is almost like Polygon is including the frame for free with all the parts attached to it. When you own your own production line and don’t have outlets to feed, the consumer can get a deal. Polygon also claims they will ship spare parts and warranty claims straight from the factory with fast shipping.
Magura MT7s are powerful and well-loved. I dislike bleeding them however as well as the plastic lever bodies
Dt Swiss 370 hybrid hubs have steel internals
The stack is on the low side, so prepare to swap some taller bars on
I don’t see anything obviously flawed with the TLE 8 and what it represents. It is an attractively priced bike that ticks the right boxes for the right person. The first couple of rides proved to be comfortable, familiar and uneventful. I will need to change the stock Schwalbes to something burlier and better suited to local conditions. Magura MT7s work well, the SRAM GX T-Type shifts great and the Marzocchi Z1 and Bomber Air are workhorses. The Dt Swiss Hybrid 370 hubs will take the abuse too. While I may not be able to put thousands of miles on this bike anytime soon, I will report mid to late summer on how well it survives some torture laps.
9200 CAD // 6300 US // 6300 EUR