I agree with these guys great review from a normal dude like most of us. I have been riding a full sus trek farley for a couple of years. Now it's time to get a regular size bike. And because of your review I think I'll order a t8
I've had my t8 for 8 months, shortened handlebar, new tires, seat, pedals, dropper lever, bash guard once you become one with the bike and dialed, it's fun at bike park, trails, anywhere you do, my t8 is indestructible and bombproof. It fits me, you can fine tune your t8 to your liking.
Great video and one of the reasons I ordered the T8 last week. This video took a LOT of work and is MUCH appreciated! I ordered it on Thursday and received the on Saturday! I got the new Green/Gold (Olive metalflake) color. Looks great! I can tell after a couple rides that I'm going to love this bike! I live by Corvallis Oregon, surrounded by forest roads and trails. Stoked! Now it is getting my 63yo body back into biking shape!
I really liked this video. I have seen a ton of videos on the siskiu T8 but this one was presented in a way that was very different from all the others and was very helpful. Thank you.
Awesome, thank you! I actually just received the new T6E, so stay tuned for that review which will be coming in a prolly a month or so... I also have another youtube channel dedicated to bike content here: www.youtube.com/@jasonsmountainbiketrailrid8070
Only 43?!!! I'm 63 and go mountain biking on some pretty rough and steep trails, you've got decades on the saddle ahead of you! I'd love to be your age again-I'd be trying to compete in the Megavalanche!
Good for you :) I've been riding with a few guys your age and they were awesome!. Most older guys I see these days however tend to use the Ebikes, They tell me it's a game changer, because it's way more fun and they can afford the 8 grand for the good ones, plus ride hills for hours at a time. With that being said, if you put the work in and stay fit you can go hard for a very long time! I Have a bad back and some other issues, so I always wonder how many years I have left... By the way, what bike are you currently running? All the best and thank you for the comments!! Jay
Nice review dude, I need one from a normal person without sponsors you really helped me to take a final decision. I ordered one! Take care, greetings from Chile.
Great review. I've had my T8 for about 6 months and did the dpx2 switch as well. Also to some Maxxis Forekaster tires and a few things here and there. This bike is a great riding bike. Gives you great confidence. My buddies mostly all ride Santa Cruz and I'm usually right on their tails. They've recently asked me to lead the group as they feel they're holding me back.
Thanks for the kind words and comments Burn ;) Sounds like you are killing it on the trail! The T8 has certainly raised my riding game to the next level as well. It's a beast and super stable at speed on bumpy trails, which for me is a game changer. The DPX2 on the other hand just brought this bike to another level in my opinion. Now I can feel the rear end of the bike way better and it's much easier to read traction, less harsh bangs, I can predict turns better, climb better, less peddle fatigue, and I can just go way faster with confidence. I'm curious how are your wheels holding up? What do you think of the DPX2 vs original? and what do you think of those Maxxis Forekasters? I'm always curious about traction vs weight and rolling speed, etc....
Great review!. I had my list down to this and three other bikes in the same price range. Then I woke up one day and BikesOnline had the T8 on sale for $2600aud (that’s like $1700usd!) Sold! With the epic savings I upgraded the tyres (Maxxis also), bb, stem, bars & grips, pedals(obviously, they’re absolutely trash) brakes (I went with SLX with metal pads and larger ICE rotors) Dropper remote (the Polygon one is garbage). I even went one step further and stripped it back to bare metal and powdercoated it a new neutral colour ( it was too fancy for me 😂) Needless to say I’m absolutely loving my upgraded bike. So much fun.
Wow, you did a lot of work! Stripping it down to paint is a serious project! I'm glad you got such an awesome deal and are loving your new bike :) I have not even riding once this year, because I purchase a quad and have been riding that with my son instead. I need to get out there!
I almost love building bikes more than riding em. 😂 But seriously, I loved your video, man. Yours was one of the vids that made me pull the trigger on this bike. Have fun with your son, dude!! 👍🏼
best review of T8, I have an xc merida big nine 500 29er but I think you just convinced me to buying this bike. but im leaning more on the 27.5 keep it up man, very helpful review. thumbs up!
Thank you for the review. I have been looking into the t7 and the t8 but they have not been available on bikes online. So I decided I'm going to get the t8 now I'm having a hard time deciding what color I want but that's the least of my worries
👍First time I’m leaving a comment on a bike video. This was so in-depth a lot of information that I wanted to know. Thank you so much. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your bike it’s beautiful.👏🏼
Good review and good to see some shots of you riding rather than just handlebar view. Nice to see one from a regular rider rather than some 20 year old X Games pro rider selling product.
Thanks! 👍 I totally agree about the review perspective as well ;) I enjoy the pro's perspective don't get me wrong, but obviously most of us buying this bike will not be pro riders and are just looking to have some next level fun! I really appreciate the comments, and have. a great day, Jay
Great review! Loved the camera angles you used. Not only did it show off your riding skill, it also showed how the bike handled on a variety of trail types. I ordered my T8 back in September and am still waiting. I'm itching to hit the trails with a full sun again. Great video!
Much appreciated Arman :) You are going to love this beast!! I totally hear ya about the sun also. I went for a ride yesterday in NY and I was freezing, wet, and it good dark so early I was like man.... The season is coming to a close! Time to break out the snowboard gear :)
@@Jason_Hermann Question, did you do the install of your Fox Float DPS2 rear shock? Also, I'm having a heck of a time finding the right spec'd shock (210mm X 55mm). Where'd you purchase yours?
@@asustal Yes I installed it myself and yes they are near impossible to find! I got mine off a brand new bike that a guy was selling used on Pinkbike here: www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=3&category=11&shockeyetoeye=10210&shockstroke=10055
Thanks Retz I appreciate your kind words ;) Stuck in winter now so no biking and just a little snowboarding here and there these days.... Lift Tickets are over $100 it's insane!
I had a similar experience on the Vee Flow/Snaps. I think they would be great at a DH park, but for where I ride they were just too much. I swapped to Maxxis Dissector 2.4 WT front and rear and love love love them! Totally woke the bike up and, along with going tubeless, shaved 2lbs of rotational mass.
Thanks much for the great video. I am thinking to add this bike and you have provided a lot of helpful feedbacks. Appreciate it. You look like a pro rider to me.
lol, I'm so far from a pro rider my friend, but I really appreciate the kind words :) It's a fantastic bike for the money, no question! All the best, Jay
Hey Jason, again another informative video. I recently bought a 2021 D6. I bought it used for $800. The bike was hardly ridden, so to me it was like new. This is my first suspension MTB. I have a Cannondale hardtail 26er, that i am upgrading. The ride quality is like night and day. Thanks for helping grow my knowledge on full suspension. Don
@@Drummer9 i did add some geometry change by making my hardtail mini Mullet 26rear and 27.5 front. Rear can whip and turn and 27.5 for twist and rollability.
the same thing happened to me. my shaft in the shock snapped and they couldn't replace. so I'm out of a bike and that's why I'm watching this video awesome review love that bike.. 2500 is better than 5500 the shock still broke and it can't be replaced... at least you were able to find a shock to replaced it...🤙🏽
@@Jason_Hermann just sorry and here's a discount on a new bike...lol 😁 it wouldn't be bad if I didn't move out of the US...I'm in a country with alot of mountains and no mountain bikers...sad but true🤙🏽 hopefully that will change...with these prices people her can afford to get into it!
Thanks for watching and the kind words :) I have a new Mountain bike dedicated channel here also if you are interested: www.youtube.com/@jasonsmountainbikereviews
Great review man! I'm not far from PJ or Windham myself (about 45 mins for the former and 1 hr 15 mins the latter.). This video pretty much inspired me to upgrade the hardtail I've been rocking. Ordered the T8 in large last week when they came in stock and can't wait for it to get here! I know you're a Camera channel first, but would love to see some more MTB content brother! Keep shredding and maybe we'll bump into each other out there!
Hey Justin and thanks man :) I would love to do more mt bike content, but I can't get any companies to send me a bike for that purpose. I can't afford to buy another bike just for review either... Also to your point the MTB content over time does ok, but for the most part my subs are camera people... I thought about another channel for that, but the reality is I don't have enough time for 2 channels currently. Perhaps in the future though! When I get a new bike I will certainly review that for sure, and who knows maybe Polygon will send me a bike to review ;) It seams like they would want to send me a bike for review consider how many views this video got.... I did make a new T8 trail ride video the other day while testing out a new lens if you want to check it out here: th-cam.com/video/Pn7XX8mfJDo/w-d-xo.html
Great review, honest normal guy information, easy to understand, outstanding video footage, I’m in NY and I am looking forward to hitting those PJ trails, I am comparing the T8,7 against the Trek Fuel EX 5, 7 it’s too bad that rear shock went so quickly bummer, Loam wolf YT review says to chuck the fox and use sun tour 🤷♂️ I like the frame geo on the trek, but man the price point on the T8 is awesome, hopefully I’ll see you on the trails this year, much success on the channel
Thank you Gabriel for the really nice comments :) It is a shame the shock went so fast, but I do think I was crushing it hard on those big jumps at the bike parks. It's really not a downhill bike or shock and I hit 100's of those jumps. All I'm saying is if I was riding on regular trails reasonable, I don't think the shock would have broke near as soon. That Trek Fuel EX 7 is pretty awesome looking for sure! There are so many good options now days it's incredible honestly. Polygon actually came out with a new Marin Rift bike that has similar geometry as well: www.bikesonline.com/2022-marin-rift-zone-29-3-dual-suspension-mountain Finding a bike in stock is another story though... If your feeling up to it hit me up next time your in the area and perhaps we could shred a few trails ;) All the best, Jay
@@Jason_Hermann What do you know. A year later and I still use this video for reference. This off-season is looking like I'll either need some serious upgrades, or a new bike. It's been amazing, but not without some significant issues. - What adjustments did you make to your brakes in order for them to work well? The trails you ride are more aggressive thanwhat I'm using and my stopping power is noticeably poor. |I'll probably have to look into a new shock as well as I'm having the same issue with the floppy blue lever and some oil leakage; so thanks for the suggestion. Shame there's been no more footage since though. This review is probably the best one I've found on youtube.
Oh yeah 👊 I also made a few more upgrades to my T8 if you want to check them out ;) th-cam.com/video/tzBE4L4O2mM/w-d-xo.html What upgrades are you working on??
Thank you and just getting back into it at the old age of 45... I used to ride a lot when I was younger before I got my drivers license... haha, it was game over after that!
Nice review. I like how you cover the basics and what typical users (not pro's) might enjoy and encounter. I am looking for egg monies so I can buy one someday. Thanks!
Well I guess the seal broke and the sub was leaking out then, I'm honestly not sure. My new Shock has a little oil inside though I noticed when putting in the volume spacer, but to your point it was only a small amount prolly to keep the seals lubed up. All the best and thanks for the info, Jay
first thing I did was replace the bars with a set of raceface bars (they were the spare bars I keep in case I bend the bars on my main bike.) the stock bars are almost twice the weight. Next I'm replacing that crappy dropper lever. It's honestly the only "sub-par" piece of equipment on the bike. I also changed the tires with my spare set of Maxxis 2.8 dhr and dhf's. The Schwalbe's just aren't suitable for where I ride. But I'll keep them around just in case I ruin a tire on a long weekend. Did a few jumps and drops during my shake down rides and the 2.8's didn't have any clearance issues.
6061 is really awesome aluminum. It's a little more flexible than 7005 but isn't as brittle and will last a lifetime. I have a few antennas I built in 1975 using 6061 that are still up in the air doing fine after all these decades of wind, snow & freezing. What tiny amount of flex it might add is probably only going to give it a more lively feel.
That is good to know, because I just saw a pretty nice sized dent in the frame I guess from when I crashed last week, not sure... It's about the size of a dime right on the edge of the down tube near the bottom bracket where the frame turns.. It's the prime spot to get nailed by a rock I suppose :) Thanks again for sharing, Jay
Best T8 Review. Better than those sponsored dudes. I have a few questions as i had my T8 for 6 months and i feel the Shock is starting to go out. The Blue trigger thing is getting loose(still able to switch to the 3 compression options): What size shock/dimensions did you order(I’m so clueless)? Factory the T8 came with 135mm travel. So what do you look for in the shock? Did it give you more travel or kept the same? Thanks for your help
@@Jason_Hermann thanks!! Couldn’t find a DPX2 in stock. But found a Float X, suppose to be the replacement of the DPX2. Getting some buyer remorse though, might have over spend and specd, but hopefully the ride will make up for not and make me feel good about it.
Great video! I enjoy watching your Sony camera reviews and also a bike rider but I never really got into mountain biking. I think I might try your recommendation and look into that bike.
Thanks Eric, it is a great option for sure and mountain biking is a lot of fun! It's like hiking on wheels and the trails vary in skill level so it's super easy to get into. All the best, Jay
Getting faster/lighter rolling tires made the absolute biggest difference for me. I was climbing much better and going down hill much faster. Make sure your brakes are working well when you change the tires. I went with Continental Mountain King Tires.
I'm looking at the 2022 T8, I'm 44. Hardtail-only life is definitely starting to be a beating. Would definitely be nice to be able to relax a bit more at the downhill parks.
Hey Paul, I have never seen one in stock. Every once an a while they take pre-orders and that is when you need to order one. You can sign up for a notification when pre-orders are available. I had to wait about 2 months to get my bike from when I pre-ordered.
Thank you and yes! When I would want something lighter duty/ lighter weight for riding horse trails and gravel rds and light duty single track it would be nice to have. The T8 is much more beefy, but does also take more effort to peddle which at times can lead you to wanting an easier to peddle bike. I have no regrets though, because when I do ride on easy trails I'm usually with my kids so it's fine...
Thanks, I have a whole bunch if you look in the description area of this video... I mostly used my Sony A6400 and Go-pro Hero 9 for the trail footage, and Sony A7C for the talking head and b-roll footage of the bike.
Hey Jason, I literally did the exact same thing. Watched your d6 video and followed suit but d7. Yeah after a year, now on more chunky black runs and wanting to do a lot more downhill days this year, was just wondering before I jump in, do you at all wish you went with the n9 instead of t8? I’m between the 2, and I wouldn’t say I “blast black and double black” a description I hear for people who should buy enduro. I want to improve on chunk / tech, but really like the kickers / drops, and want to do more DH days. Thanks!
Hey Ryan, great minds think alike ;) As far as the N9 vs T8 that is a tuff call honestly. Clearly the N9 would be a better choice for hardcore downhill/ jumping... However, all the other riding is going to take a bit of hit due to the extra travel and weight of the bike. Peddling is going to be a % harder for example especially up hill. If you don't plan on peddling much then yeah, I would go for the N9 for the additional travel. Otherwise, I'm not really sure what I would do. It's hard to have it all in one package and big jumps require beefy suspension...
This is late but maybe youll get the notification.. I have never rode MTN bike before, just road. I'm looking at the T7. Would you recommend that for complete beginner?
Yes I would, it's a great bike for the money, and the D6 was also great, but not quite heavy duty enough for me.. The T series is beefier and can handle more abuse on the trail depending on your riding style, size, and weight...
Great review of the T8. I'm in the same boat as you. 43 years old, 6'3" 230 lbs, just getting into MTB, came off of a 26" hard tail. Bought an older used full suspension but quickly realizing I need some modern geometry. I've been looking a lot at the t7/t8, but wondering if I should spend a little more up front (another $800) on something to grow into like an alluminum frame Santa Cruz Hightower, or Ibis Ripmo AF. I don't think I'll ever be a crazy descender or anything but finding even on my dated 2015 Breezer supercell my skills and confidence are rapidly improving. So curious if you had to do it over would you spend a bit more on higher end bike or stick with the T8?
That is a seriously tuff decisions for sure. I think I might get an e-bike next honestly for maximum fun factor.. haha I don't have any regrets, but the more high end bikes are usually nicer out of the box and a little lighter weight as well. Meaning better rims, better brakes, sometimes components and suspension also depending on how much you spend of course. My rear shock failed as you saw in this review, so that would have been nice having a better one to start, but you know the deal, it's a ton of money... This bike is an insane value for the money if you break down all the parts and compare them to the other main stream brands so overall all I would say not really. I got my money's worth I would say and don't really need better, although better is always nice to have... I road the T8 really hard for almost 2 years and it's still holding up, although starting to show some signs of wear for sure. I have 2 broken spokes now 1 in front and 1 in the rear, but that is pretty common as it happens to friends with better bikes, so I can't say that is a bad thing really, especially with how hard I beat on the bike. The downhill parks are crazy abusive to the bike and really push it to the max, so I feel like I am asking for trouble when riding it like that, but it has help up under those conditions 10X already, other than the shock breaking and 2 broken spokes... I hope that helps a little at least, and please enjoy the second half of your life 👊 Jay
@@Jason_Hermann As it turns out I got a crazy good deal on a 2023 Vitus Mythique VRX. So no Polygon or Ibis or SC for me right now. I planning to just ride as much as I can to build fitness and skills then see what direction I want to go in a few years. Killer bike so far though.
Thanks for the review👍👍. I'm now short listing my first full suspension bike, down to two bikes. Polygon siskiu t8 and 2023 Norco fs a2. I can go to my local shop and order Norco and they'll build for me, the t8 online only and I have to build myself. The t8 is about $500 aud cheaper than the Norco fs2. Norco is very convenient for me if anythings goes wrong but t8 nice looking bike value for the money can't be ignored. I'm into the sport and mechanically novice. What you think about the t8 compared to the 2023 Norco FS2?.
That is a hard decision, and knowing all the work I have done to my bike, I would prolly recommend the Norco for somebody that is not as mechanical. Spec wise they look very similar overall I would say, but the Norco is a newer design and has a different rear suspension of course... I don't think you could go wrong with either bike, but again convenience is a strong factor to consider, because these things break all the time, or at least require maintenance lets say... The harder and more often you ride the more maintenance required pretty much... I hope that helps Jamal and all the best, Jay
@@Jason_Hermann Thank heaps for the advice really appreciated🙏🙏, Looking forward for your next video. Will subscribe now. Keep biking and respect from the land of down under👍👌
Thanks for your video, you are very detailed, and it helps a lot to be able to take a devotion when buying a bike, where is the track that appears in your video? greetings from houston
Great review. I am currently looking at getting the T8 for my first full suspension bike. I ride a lot of blue and some green trails and a few black diamond techy trails on my Marlin hardtail here in Washington. Definitely want to up my riding game with a full suspension. I was leaning to the med 27.5er, I’m only 5’8”, which would you recommend the 29er or the 27.5.
That is a great question Patrick. Everyone I know that rides MTB including myself, prefers the larger 29" wheels. They just roll over stuff easier due to the size. They also turn a bit slower, but I got used to that on the first ride... So in extremely tight turning situations at very low speed, the wheels are a bit more cumbersome, but in every other area of riding I think the 29 is a better option. I hope that helps, Jay
Not really, but the D6 is easier to peddle though for sure.... The T8 feels slower and heavier when riding more than anything. When going over bumpy stuff at speed, the T8 is far better though which is the advantage to the extra suspension and beefy build....
Not really other than the wheels are starting to really need some help, and I switch to OneUp Pedals ;) 2 years of sever abuse and I have two broken spokes one on each wheel. This is totally normal wear and tear though in my opinion and nothing really against the bike itself. So I might upgrade the wheels or possible move to an eBike next season I was thinking...
Hi mate, Just wondering how tall you are. I see that you got a size large and i am 5 foot 11. I went and had a look at a d7 in large today but i think it was misslabled as i couldnt reach the pedals
Hey Joe, I'm 6'1" and the seat goes up and down like an office chair with the thumb lever on the left side handlebar. If the seat is all the way down my knees are bent with my feet on the ground. All the way up and my legs are almost straight for max peddling torque.
Hi there! I was curious how your T8 has held up. There's group of FB that has reported quite a few frame cracks. Just wanted to see if yours is still going strong. Thanks!
Frame cracks? Wow!! Where? No I have not had any major issues other than what I mentioned in this video with the rear shock failing... The rims are starting to get a little beat up a bit and could use a tuning for sure... Tightening of spokes and a truing session or whatever that is called, but that is normal wear and tear... I was considering getting a wheel set this year, but not sure.... Mine is still going strong and has several heavily abusive downhill bike park days on it in addition to all the regular trail riding I do.
@@Jason_Hermann I'm glad to hear that. You seem to have put the bike through its paces and are continuing to do so that's a bit of a relief for me as I haven't been able to take mine out yet. I've seen snapped chain and seat stays on the T8. Could just be chalked up to defects on those particular frames. The thing that seems most common along the D and T series is a crack developing along the gusset weld where it meets the top tube which is a little concerning to me. Could just be bad luck or people pushing their bikes to the extreme. The admin stated that he doesn't do any jumps yet his frame cracked in this spot. I'm not sure what to make of if except just go ride when the time comes and enjoy it. I'm glad that yours is still going strong besides the normal wear and tear. Thanks for the response as I wanted your feedback!
Thank you and the N9 is a beefier version of the T8 pretty much. More travel and better suited for hardcore riding ruff riding. The T8 is more of a rugged trail bike that can also do some fun downhill also I would say.
i live 5 minutes from Windham Mtn! hit me up if you want to go riding this summer, I'll show you our local singletrack trail system (Elm Ridge Wild Forest). I'm 50 years old and probably ride at a similar style as you. I am looking hard at the 2023 T8 as my next bike. Great value, currently on sale for $2200
What are your thoughts on the brakes? I read some unfavorable reviews of the Tektro HD-M745, but a few people have suggested changing the brake pads and the rotors. Wondering what your experience was.
Having not ever using brakes better than the ones on th T8 I felt like they were awesome. However, the pads did start to fade after a lot of miles, so I upgraded to the MTX Red pads... They work better for sure! See here: th-cam.com/video/tzBE4L4O2mM/w-d-xo.html
Great review man! Thanks so much! I'm also a just a regular rider in my early 40s; in the tri-state area as well. Been considering the T8. My apologies if you mentioned it & I missed see it...but what size did you go with & how tall are you? Thanks in advance!
Why did you go with L instead of XL? I am also 6'1 and I am leaning towards an XL mainly because I have longer arms and think the extra reach would be more comfortable. Thanks and great detailed video!!
@@nikhildsouza6568 Well I wanted the bike to be on the smaller side then on the larger side. 6'1" is the upper limit for the large... I figured I could move the bars out a bit if my knees were interfering, but not the case. This bike is huge!! Not sure if you have had a bike recently, but this beast is like a foot longer than my old bike. The XL is even bigger. That was my thought anyway, but you gotta do what is right for you :)
just curious, how tall are you and if you dont mind me asking, whats your weight? I'm 5' 8-9" ish and a hefty 190lbs, thinking I should get a medium , thx
Thank you very much Kevin :) Do you Mountain Bike Also? I know I've seen some road and possible gravel bikes? We have unbelievable trails up in NY near me...
Do you feel that the Tektro HD745 4 pot brakes work OK? Do you think a bigger (203mm) rotor on the front would help? I'm also considering preferably the T8 or maybe the N9. Are the Fox 34s stiff enough? Do you think using XT double shift shifters would be of any advantage?
I feel like the brakes work good and I did change the pads to the MTX if you check out my T8 upgrades video here: th-cam.com/video/tzBE4L4O2mM/w-d-xo.html A larger rotor would help on the front for sure, but not sure if it's needed. As far as the forks go, no they are not stiff enough in regards to the air volume as it turns out for my weight 205lbs. I added three volume spacers and the shock doesn't bottom out now on big jumps with proper air psi. Not sure about the shifters, never used those... Shifters work fin on the T8 though I would say.
Hi Brenden, thanks for the kind words and the T8 is an incredible machine! I have a 21 ounce bottle that fits. The larger size does not fit. I usually use a hydration back pack though when I ride more than 1 hour which is most of the time. It's convent, because it holds my tools and stuff also ;) I have this very affordable unit for reference: amzn.to/3DtaAqN
Darn you Jason. I swear you are working as a sales rep for polygon because you basically sold me. I'm 6' and around 240lbs. Looking to trim down to 225ish where I was in me early 30s. I'm thinking the large frame is what I need but my inseam is only 31" so it's slightly shorter then the bottom end measurement for a large frame. What size is your bike and what is your inseam? I have a broken acromion in my left shoulder (never refused) so definitely need the cush ride in the front. With the mods I would probably start there then do the rear shock like you did.
lol, that is funny Jeremy. I would go with the large frame because the seat has tons of hight adjustment for your inseam concern. I have a 33" inseam for comparison and I am about 6'1". Take care of that shoulder and all the best, Jay
Sounds great, shoot me an email or direct message and we can try and figure something out. I think I'm going to go riding tomorrow for the first real ride this year. Prolly going to Stewart State Forest near Maybrook/ Montgomery New York...
The brakes have felt great and I have no issues thus far, but they are a bit worn after all the riding I have done, so I'm actually looking at getting new pads, and possible rotors if necessary... I'm looking at the MTX Braking Red pads for replacements too far, but I'm not sure yet if my rotors can handle the ceramic pads.
@@Jason_Hermann Excellent video! I'm 6'2" and being between size L and XL according to the website. Do you feel the L size is on the smaller size being that you are 6'1"? I'm thinking sizing down for me is the way to go instead of the XL.
This is hands down the best all around review on the T8 and I've watched them all here on TH-cam. Thank you! I hope you post more about this bike.
Wow, thanks Maurice :)
@@Jason_Hermann its true your video is the best
I agree with these guys great review from a normal dude like most of us.
I have been riding a full sus trek farley for a couple of years. Now it's time to get a regular size bike. And because of your review I think I'll order a t8
I've had my t8 for 8 months, shortened handlebar, new tires, seat, pedals, dropper lever, bash guard once you become one with the bike and dialed, it's fun at bike park, trails, anywhere you do, my t8 is indestructible and bombproof. It fits me, you can fine tune your t8 to your liking.
Great video and one of the reasons I ordered the T8 last week. This video took a LOT of work and is MUCH appreciated!
I ordered it on Thursday and received the on Saturday! I got the new Green/Gold (Olive metalflake) color. Looks great! I can tell after a couple rides that I'm going to love this bike! I live by Corvallis Oregon, surrounded by forest roads and trails. Stoked! Now it is getting my 63yo body back into biking shape!
Great to hear and enjoy :)
I really liked this video. I have seen a ton of videos on the siskiu T8 but this one was presented in a way that was very different from all the others and was very helpful. Thank you.
Awesome, thank you! I actually just received the new T6E, so stay tuned for that review which will be coming in a prolly a month or so... I also have another youtube channel dedicated to bike content here: www.youtube.com/@jasonsmountainbiketrailrid8070
Only 43?!!!
I'm 63 and go mountain biking on some pretty rough and steep trails, you've got decades on the saddle ahead of you!
I'd love to be your age again-I'd be trying to compete in the Megavalanche!
Good for you :) I've been riding with a few guys your age and they were awesome!. Most older guys I see these days however tend to use the Ebikes, They tell me it's a game changer, because it's way more fun and they can afford the 8 grand for the good ones, plus ride hills for hours at a time. With that being said, if you put the work in and stay fit you can go hard for a very long time! I Have a bad back and some other issues, so I always wonder how many years I have left... By the way, what bike are you currently running? All the best and thank you for the comments!! Jay
Quite a review! On sale now for $1,999. $500 off from your price. Nice review Jason.
Nice review dude, I need one from a normal person without sponsors you really helped me to take a final decision. I ordered one!
Take care, greetings from Chile.
Thanks for the comments and sharing your thoughts I really appreciate it! You will love the bike don't worry ;)
Great review. I've had my T8 for about 6 months and did the dpx2 switch as well. Also to some Maxxis Forekaster tires and a few things here and there. This bike is a great riding bike. Gives you great confidence. My buddies mostly all ride Santa Cruz and I'm usually right on their tails. They've recently asked me to lead the group as they feel they're holding me back.
Thanks for the kind words and comments Burn ;) Sounds like you are killing it on the trail! The T8 has certainly raised my riding game to the next level as well. It's a beast and super stable at speed on bumpy trails, which for me is a game changer. The DPX2 on the other hand just brought this bike to another level in my opinion. Now I can feel the rear end of the bike way better and it's much easier to read traction, less harsh bangs, I can predict turns better, climb better, less peddle fatigue, and I can just go way faster with confidence. I'm curious how are your wheels holding up? What do you think of the DPX2 vs original? and what do you think of those Maxxis Forekasters? I'm always curious about traction vs weight and rolling speed, etc....
Love this guy no hype just what he sees and feels. I am considering this bike for the spring 2023.
Thanks Louis ;) It's still holding up!
Definitely the most comprehensive, honest review of the T8 anywhere. Good mix of talk and trail riding. I also like rec’s on upgrades.
Much appreciated Macfawlty ;)
My T7 is on the way, coming from a budget hardtail, great review keep it up
Great review!. I had my list down to this and three other bikes in the same price range.
Then I woke up one day and BikesOnline had the T8 on sale for $2600aud (that’s like $1700usd!)
Sold!
With the epic savings I upgraded the tyres (Maxxis also), bb, stem, bars & grips, pedals(obviously, they’re absolutely trash) brakes (I went with SLX with metal pads and larger ICE rotors) Dropper remote (the Polygon one is garbage).
I even went one step further and stripped it back to bare metal and powdercoated it a new neutral colour ( it was too fancy for me 😂)
Needless to say I’m absolutely loving my upgraded bike. So much fun.
Wow, you did a lot of work! Stripping it down to paint is a serious project! I'm glad you got such an awesome deal and are loving your new bike :) I have not even riding once this year, because I purchase a quad and have been riding that with my son instead. I need to get out there!
I almost love building bikes more than riding em. 😂
But seriously, I loved your video, man. Yours was one of the vids that made me pull the trigger on this bike. Have fun with your son, dude!! 👍🏼
best review of T8,
I have an xc merida big nine 500 29er but I think you just convinced me to buying this bike. but im leaning more on the 27.5
keep it up man, very helpful review. thumbs up!
Thank you for the review. I have been looking into the t7 and the t8 but they have not been available on bikes online. So I decided I'm going to get the t8 now I'm having a hard time deciding what color I want but that's the least of my worries
Best T8 review on the web. Well done and thanks
Thanks Adam 👍
👍First time I’m leaving a comment on a bike video. This was so in-depth a lot of information that I wanted to know. Thank you so much. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your bike it’s beautiful.👏🏼
Awesome, thank you! 👊
Good review and good to see some shots of you riding rather than just handlebar view. Nice to see one from a regular rider rather than some 20 year old X Games pro rider selling product.
Thanks! 👍 I totally agree about the review perspective as well ;) I enjoy the pro's perspective don't get me wrong, but obviously most of us buying this bike will not be pro riders and are just looking to have some next level fun! I really appreciate the comments, and have. a great day, Jay
Great review! Loved the camera angles you used. Not only did it show off your riding skill, it also showed how the bike handled on a variety of trail types. I ordered my T8 back in September and am still waiting. I'm itching to hit the trails with a full sun again. Great video!
Much appreciated Arman :) You are going to love this beast!! I totally hear ya about the sun also. I went for a ride yesterday in NY and I was freezing, wet, and it good dark so early I was like man.... The season is coming to a close! Time to break out the snowboard gear :)
@@Jason_Hermann Question, did you do the install of your Fox Float DPS2 rear shock? Also, I'm having a heck of a time finding the right spec'd shock (210mm X 55mm). Where'd you purchase yours?
@@asustal Yes I installed it myself and yes they are near impossible to find! I got mine off a brand new bike that a guy was selling used on Pinkbike here: www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=3&category=11&shockeyetoeye=10210&shockstroke=10055
Holy Shit the way you ride is so fluid. You are definitely a talented biker and not to mention you're sending it on 40.
Thanks Retz I appreciate your kind words ;) Stuck in winter now so no biking and just a little snowboarding here and there these days.... Lift Tickets are over $100 it's insane!
Great review Aaron. I'm excited to ride my T8 this weekend after watching your personal experienced with your T8.
I had a similar experience on the Vee Flow/Snaps. I think they would be great at a DH park, but for where I ride they were just too much. I swapped to Maxxis Dissector 2.4 WT front and rear and love love love them! Totally woke the bike up and, along with going tubeless, shaved 2lbs of rotational mass.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences Jeremy ;) Those Dissectors are no joke!
Great review! I’m looking into buying the T8 after my bike got stolen about a week ago
Thanks much for the great video. I am thinking to add this bike and you have provided a lot of helpful feedbacks. Appreciate it. You look like a pro rider to me.
lol, I'm so far from a pro rider my friend, but I really appreciate the kind words :) It's a fantastic bike for the money, no question! All the best, Jay
@@Jason_Hermann the Polygon T8 is more now at $2700 usd. You think I should wait? Would its price go down? what you think? Thanks.
Hey Jason, again another informative video. I recently bought a 2021 D6. I bought it used for $800. The bike was hardly ridden, so to me it was like new. This is my first suspension MTB. I have a Cannondale hardtail 26er, that i am upgrading. The ride quality is like night and day. Thanks for helping grow my knowledge on full suspension. Don
Nice men try to go back to 26 again you will also enjoy the nimble and twist turn abilities of 26inch
@@marklouieadame Thanks Mark I will switch back an forth!
@@Drummer9 i did add some geometry change by making my hardtail mini Mullet 26rear and 27.5 front. Rear can whip and turn and 27.5 for twist and rollability.
Great camera work and great review. I like all the input you have for the viewers. Keep up the awesome work
I appreciate that!
the same thing happened to me. my shaft in the shock snapped and they couldn't replace. so I'm out of a bike and that's why I'm watching this video awesome review love that bike.. 2500 is better than 5500 the shock still broke and it can't be replaced... at least you were able to find a shock to replaced it...🤙🏽
You can't find a replacement?
@@Jason_Hermann just sorry and here's a discount on a new bike...lol 😁 it wouldn't be bad if I didn't move out of the US...I'm in a country with alot of mountains and no mountain bikers...sad but true🤙🏽 hopefully that will change...with these prices people her can afford to get into it!
Great review and feedback from a down to earth regular guy. I love my T8 😊
Thanks for watching and the kind words :) I have a new Mountain bike dedicated channel here also if you are interested: www.youtube.com/@jasonsmountainbikereviews
Great review man! I'm not far from PJ or Windham myself (about 45 mins for the former and 1 hr 15 mins the latter.). This video pretty much inspired me to upgrade the hardtail I've been rocking. Ordered the T8 in large last week when they came in stock and can't wait for it to get here! I know you're a Camera channel first, but would love to see some more MTB content brother! Keep shredding and maybe we'll bump into each other out there!
Hey Justin and thanks man :) I would love to do more mt bike content, but I can't get any companies to send me a bike for that purpose. I can't afford to buy another bike just for review either... Also to your point the MTB content over time does ok, but for the most part my subs are camera people... I thought about another channel for that, but the reality is I don't have enough time for 2 channels currently. Perhaps in the future though! When I get a new bike I will certainly review that for sure, and who knows maybe Polygon will send me a bike to review ;) It seams like they would want to send me a bike for review consider how many views this video got.... I did make a new T8 trail ride video the other day while testing out a new lens if you want to check it out here: th-cam.com/video/Pn7XX8mfJDo/w-d-xo.html
@@Jason_Hermann Awesome! Just subbed!
Great review, honest normal guy information, easy to understand, outstanding video footage, I’m in NY and I am looking forward to hitting those PJ trails, I am comparing the T8,7 against the Trek Fuel EX 5, 7 it’s too bad that rear shock went so quickly bummer, Loam wolf YT review says to chuck the fox and use sun tour 🤷♂️ I like the frame geo on the trek, but man the price point on the T8 is awesome, hopefully I’ll see you on the trails this year, much success on the channel
Thank you Gabriel for the really nice comments :) It is a shame the shock went so fast, but I do think I was crushing it hard on those big jumps at the bike parks. It's really not a downhill bike or shock and I hit 100's of those jumps. All I'm saying is if I was riding on regular trails reasonable, I don't think the shock would have broke near as soon.
That Trek Fuel EX 7 is pretty awesome looking for sure! There are so many good options now days it's incredible honestly. Polygon actually came out with a new Marin Rift bike that has similar geometry as well: www.bikesonline.com/2022-marin-rift-zone-29-3-dual-suspension-mountain
Finding a bike in stock is another story though...
If your feeling up to it hit me up next time your in the area and perhaps we could shred a few trails ;) All the best, Jay
Fantastic review from a casual riders perspective.
I'm sold!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you :)
@@Jason_Hermann What do you know. A year later and I still use this video for reference. This off-season is looking like I'll either need some serious upgrades, or a new bike. It's been amazing, but not without some significant issues.
- What adjustments did you make to your brakes in order for them to work well? The trails you ride are more aggressive thanwhat I'm using and my stopping power is noticeably poor.
|I'll probably have to look into a new shock as well as I'm having the same issue with the floppy blue lever and some oil leakage; so thanks for the suggestion.
Shame there's been no more footage since though. This review is probably the best one I've found on youtube.
I have the T7 currently up grading it now. I absolutely love it. Great review bro. My cassette came loose also. Other than that great bike.
Oh yeah 👊 I also made a few more upgrades to my T8 if you want to check them out ;) th-cam.com/video/tzBE4L4O2mM/w-d-xo.html What upgrades are you working on??
Thanks for the vid! I’m really thinking of getting back into it. Last I rode was in 2013 when I had a Stumpjumper FSR.
Go for it! It's a lot of fun and fantastic exercise 👍
I wanted this bike but bikesonline unfortunately doesn’t ship to Hawaii so have to go with a Canyon spectral 29 but LOVE the color of the T8 and specs
I came for the purple bike, I stayed for the awesome review and content! Thanks for sharing!
I liked your review, even though i just bought a YT Jeffsy and if you've only been riding for two 2yrs, you're killing it 👊
Thank you and just getting back into it at the old age of 45... I used to ride a lot when I was younger before I got my drivers license... haha, it was game over after that!
Thanks for your review
Thanks for watching!
Nice review. I like how you cover the basics and what typical users (not pro's) might enjoy and encounter. I am looking for egg monies so I can buy one someday. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
minus the shock issue, all your issues are just maintenance issues that any bike will have.. Great review btw
Thanks! 👍
great content and love the background music, sounds like an 80’s action tv series. 😃
lol, 100% and I was thinking the same thing when I selected that music.
Shocks not leaking oil people , when you do an air can seal service they give you a tube of lube that is pretty large for the volume of the can
Well I guess the seal broke and the sub was leaking out then, I'm honestly not sure. My new Shock has a little oil inside though I noticed when putting in the volume spacer, but to your point it was only a small amount prolly to keep the seals lubed up. All the best and thanks for the info, Jay
Great review, really good perspective from someone on the relative same level and insight.
I appreciate that, thanks and happy trails Elvis ;)
first thing I did was replace the bars with a set of raceface bars (they were the spare bars I keep in case I bend the bars on my main bike.) the stock bars are almost twice the weight. Next I'm replacing that crappy dropper lever. It's honestly the only "sub-par" piece of equipment on the bike. I also changed the tires with my spare set of Maxxis 2.8 dhr and dhf's. The Schwalbe's just aren't suitable for where I ride. But I'll keep them around just in case I ruin a tire on a long weekend. Did a few jumps and drops during my shake down rides and the 2.8's didn't have any clearance issues.
Is yours a 29 or 27?
6061 is really awesome aluminum. It's a little more flexible than 7005 but isn't as brittle and will last a lifetime. I have a few antennas I built in 1975 using 6061 that are still up in the air doing fine after all these decades of wind, snow & freezing. What tiny amount of flex it might add is probably only going to give it a more lively feel.
That is good to know, because I just saw a pretty nice sized dent in the frame I guess from when I crashed last week, not sure... It's about the size of a dime right on the edge of the down tube near the bottom bracket where the frame turns.. It's the prime spot to get nailed by a rock I suppose :) Thanks again for sharing, Jay
Great review and riding clips during..
Happy biking
Thanks ✌️
Best T8 Review. Better than those sponsored dudes. I have a few questions as i had my T8 for 6 months and i feel the Shock is starting to go out. The Blue trigger thing is getting loose(still able to switch to the 3 compression options):
What size shock/dimensions did you order(I’m so clueless)?
Factory the T8 came with 135mm travel. So what do you look for in the shock? Did it give you more travel or kept the same?
Thanks for your help
Thank you for the kind words Mattx3 and you need to look for these "size specs" when getting a new shock: 210x55mm Travel will not change....
@@Jason_Hermann thanks!! Couldn’t find a DPX2 in stock. But found a Float X, suppose to be the replacement of the DPX2. Getting some buyer remorse though, might have over spend and specd, but hopefully the ride will make up for not and make me feel good about it.
OMG !! You are amazing !!😍🤯 i want this bike ! Hello to Belgium 🥰👌
Hey, thanks and yeah the bike is amazing for the money!!
Great video! I enjoy watching your Sony camera reviews and also a bike rider but I never really got into mountain biking. I think I might try your recommendation and look into that bike.
Thanks Eric, it is a great option for sure and mountain biking is a lot of fun! It's like hiking on wheels and the trails vary in skill level so it's super easy to get into. All the best, Jay
Great review! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching and I appreciate the kind comments David ;)
I dig the "Charlie's Angel's" backing track!
The trails you’re riding look amazing. Nice video.
They are incredible James and thank you ;)
Getting faster/lighter rolling tires made the absolute biggest difference for me. I was climbing much better and going down hill much faster. Make sure your brakes are working well when you change the tires. I went with Continental Mountain King Tires.
Good stuff and I totally agree about the rolling resistance. It's a huge factor for non downhill riding in particular...
I'm looking at the 2022 T8, I'm 44. Hardtail-only life is definitely starting to be a beating. Would definitely be nice to be able to relax a bit more at the downhill parks.
I wantone of these so bad. Everything I've read and seen has had me convinced for awhile. Now if they ever get back in stock.
Hey Paul, I have never seen one in stock. Every once an a while they take pre-orders and that is when you need to order one. You can sign up for a notification when pre-orders are available. I had to wait about 2 months to get my bike from when I pre-ordered.
Great review !!! Thanks for all the info !!
Glad it was helpful Johnny Bravo 👊
If you had a T7 27.5 would you upgrade to a T8 29? The T7 is just great for everything such as bike parks and jumps but I am interested in the T8.
Prolly not, because the T8 is very similar to the T7... Better fork and what not though ;)
Very useful, my friend, review SISKIU T8 POLYGON, success is always my video, my friend 🙌👌
Great video. Really well done. Stunning bike
Thank you!
Excellent review and videography. Are there times/rides/conditions you might still choose the D6 over the T8?
Thank you and yes! When I would want something lighter duty/ lighter weight for riding horse trails and gravel rds and light duty single track it would be nice to have. The T8 is much more beefy, but does also take more effort to peddle which at times can lead you to wanting an easier to peddle bike. I have no regrets though, because when I do ride on easy trails I'm usually with my kids so it's fine...
I like the way you reviewed the bikes, maybe you could do one on Santa Cruz Chameleon
I appreciate that and I would love to, but I can't afford to buy anymore bikes... I'll certainly review the next bike I get though 👊
Great vid, wonderful and honest review.
Thank you!
What an amazing review , which camera you use ?
Thanks, I have a whole bunch if you look in the description area of this video... I mostly used my Sony A6400 and Go-pro Hero 9 for the trail footage, and Sony A7C for the talking head and b-roll footage of the bike.
Hey Jason, I literally did the exact same thing. Watched your d6 video and followed suit but d7. Yeah after a year, now on more chunky black runs and wanting to do a lot more downhill days this year, was just wondering before I jump in, do you at all wish you went with the n9 instead of t8? I’m between the 2, and I wouldn’t say I “blast black and double black” a description I hear for people who should buy enduro. I want to improve on chunk / tech, but really like the kickers / drops, and want to do more DH days. Thanks!
Hey Ryan, great minds think alike ;) As far as the N9 vs T8 that is a tuff call honestly. Clearly the N9 would be a better choice for hardcore downhill/ jumping... However, all the other riding is going to take a bit of hit due to the extra travel and weight of the bike. Peddling is going to be a % harder for example especially up hill. If you don't plan on peddling much then yeah, I would go for the N9 for the additional travel. Otherwise, I'm not really sure what I would do. It's hard to have it all in one package and big jumps require beefy suspension...
This is late but maybe youll get the notification.. I have never rode MTN bike before, just road. I'm looking at the T7. Would you recommend that for complete beginner?
Yes I would, it's a great bike for the money, and the D6 was also great, but not quite heavy duty enough for me.. The T series is beefier and can handle more abuse on the trail depending on your riding style, size, and weight...
Thanks Bro, good information 😊
Great review of the T8. I'm in the same boat as you. 43 years old, 6'3" 230 lbs, just getting into MTB, came off of a 26" hard tail. Bought an older used full suspension but quickly realizing I need some modern geometry.
I've been looking a lot at the t7/t8, but wondering if I should spend a little more up front (another $800) on something to grow into like an alluminum frame Santa Cruz Hightower, or Ibis Ripmo AF.
I don't think I'll ever be a crazy descender or anything but finding even on my dated 2015 Breezer supercell my skills and confidence are rapidly improving.
So curious if you had to do it over would you spend a bit more on higher end bike or stick with the T8?
That is a seriously tuff decisions for sure. I think I might get an e-bike next honestly for maximum fun factor.. haha I don't have any regrets, but the more high end bikes are usually nicer out of the box and a little lighter weight as well. Meaning better rims, better brakes, sometimes components and suspension also depending on how much you spend of course. My rear shock failed as you saw in this review, so that would have been nice having a better one to start, but you know the deal, it's a ton of money... This bike is an insane value for the money if you break down all the parts and compare them to the other main stream brands so overall all I would say not really. I got my money's worth I would say and don't really need better, although better is always nice to have... I road the T8 really hard for almost 2 years and it's still holding up, although starting to show some signs of wear for sure. I have 2 broken spokes now 1 in front and 1 in the rear, but that is pretty common as it happens to friends with better bikes, so I can't say that is a bad thing really, especially with how hard I beat on the bike. The downhill parks are crazy abusive to the bike and really push it to the max, so I feel like I am asking for trouble when riding it like that, but it has help up under those conditions 10X already, other than the shock breaking and 2 broken spokes... I hope that helps a little at least, and please enjoy the second half of your life 👊 Jay
@@Jason_Hermann super helpful. You do the same 🤘🏼
@@Jason_Hermann As it turns out I got a crazy good deal on a 2023 Vitus Mythique VRX. So no Polygon or Ibis or SC for me right now. I planning to just ride as much as I can to build fitness and skills then see what direction I want to go in a few years. Killer bike so far though.
Sounds like you got the prefect bike for what you were looking for which is outstanding! 👊 All the best, Jay
Thanks for the review👍👍.
I'm now short listing my first full suspension bike, down to two bikes. Polygon siskiu t8 and 2023 Norco fs a2.
I can go to my local shop and order Norco and they'll build for me, the t8 online only and I have to build myself. The t8 is about $500 aud cheaper than the Norco fs2.
Norco is very convenient for me if anythings goes wrong but t8 nice looking bike value for the money can't be ignored.
I'm into the sport and mechanically novice.
What you think about the t8 compared to the 2023 Norco FS2?.
That is a hard decision, and knowing all the work I have done to my bike, I would prolly recommend the Norco for somebody that is not as mechanical. Spec wise they look very similar overall I would say, but the Norco is a newer design and has a different rear suspension of course... I don't think you could go wrong with either bike, but again convenience is a strong factor to consider, because these things break all the time, or at least require maintenance lets say... The harder and more often you ride the more maintenance required pretty much... I hope that helps Jamal and all the best, Jay
@@Jason_Hermann Thank heaps for the advice really appreciated🙏🙏,
Looking forward for your next video.
Will subscribe now.
Keep biking and respect from the land of down under👍👌
Thanks for your video, you are very detailed, and it helps a lot to be able to take a devotion when buying a bike, where is the track that appears in your video? greetings from houston
Thanks and that track is in Port Jervis, NY: th-cam.com/video/SXkK6Ifl_jY/w-d-xo.html
Great review. I am currently looking at getting the T8 for my first full suspension bike. I ride a lot of blue and some green trails and a few black diamond techy trails on my Marlin hardtail here in Washington. Definitely want to up my riding game with a full suspension. I was leaning to the med 27.5er, I’m only 5’8”, which would you recommend the 29er or the 27.5.
That is a great question Patrick. Everyone I know that rides MTB including myself, prefers the larger 29" wheels. They just roll over stuff easier due to the size. They also turn a bit slower, but I got used to that on the first ride... So in extremely tight turning situations at very low speed, the wheels are a bit more cumbersome, but in every other area of riding I think the 29 is a better option. I hope that helps, Jay
I've ridden Windham!!! It's Awesome. I used to live in Delhi.. Yeah,, I have the same work stand too
Very cool :)
Hi. Thank you so much for your excellent review!! 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍
My pleasure!
great review, im very interested in this bike. one suggestion... kill the music during pov rides.
Thanks Mud ;)
Great review. I’ll most likely buy one.
Nice tips and review r.s 🤙
Would you say the d6 gives you a more upright riding position over the t8 really enjoyed the videos on both of these bikes
Not really, but the D6 is easier to peddle though for sure.... The T8 feels slower and heavier when riding more than anything. When going over bumpy stuff at speed, the T8 is far better though which is the advantage to the extra suspension and beefy build....
I think I'm picking one of these up this week. Any updates to share?
Not really other than the wheels are starting to really need some help, and I switch to OneUp Pedals ;) 2 years of sever abuse and I have two broken spokes one on each wheel. This is totally normal wear and tear though in my opinion and nothing really against the bike itself. So I might upgrade the wheels or possible move to an eBike next season I was thinking...
Hi mate, Just wondering how tall you are. I see that you got a size large and i am 5 foot 11. I went and had a look at a d7 in large today but i think it was misslabled as i couldnt reach the pedals
Hey Joe, I'm 6'1" and the seat goes up and down like an office chair with the thumb lever on the left side handlebar. If the seat is all the way down my knees are bent with my feet on the ground. All the way up and my legs are almost straight for max peddling torque.
Love getting “avg guy/gal” reviews which most of us are
Thanks John and I totally agree for the most part :)
Excellent video!
Thank you very much!
Did you add the chain ring bashguard?
Yes I installed it and I got this one: amzn.to/3D5wfFc
I enjoyed watching that, fellow middle aged person. Thank you for the content.
Hi there! I was curious how your T8 has held up. There's group of FB that has reported quite a few frame cracks. Just wanted to see if yours is still going strong. Thanks!
Frame cracks? Wow!! Where? No I have not had any major issues other than what I mentioned in this video with the rear shock failing... The rims are starting to get a little beat up a bit and could use a tuning for sure... Tightening of spokes and a truing session or whatever that is called, but that is normal wear and tear... I was considering getting a wheel set this year, but not sure.... Mine is still going strong and has several heavily abusive downhill bike park days on it in addition to all the regular trail riding I do.
@@Jason_Hermann I'm glad to hear that. You seem to have put the bike through its paces and are continuing to do so that's a bit of a relief for me as I haven't been able to take mine out yet. I've seen snapped chain and seat stays on the T8. Could just be chalked up to defects on those particular frames. The thing that seems most common along the D and T series is a crack developing along the gusset weld where it meets the top tube which is a little concerning to me. Could just be bad luck or people pushing their bikes to the extreme. The admin stated that he doesn't do any jumps yet his frame cracked in this spot. I'm not sure what to make of if except just go ride when the time comes and enjoy it. I'm glad that yours is still going strong besides the normal wear and tear. Thanks for the response as I wanted your feedback!
Loved the video, and the accessories section of the video made me hate being unemployed right now. LOL
Thanks Tivon and I totally hear ya about the accessories! It never ends... 👊
Great review Jason. I am confused between T8 and upcoming N9. T8 is definitely great bike for the money.
Thank you and the N9 is a beefier version of the T8 pretty much. More travel and better suited for hardcore riding ruff riding. The T8 is more of a rugged trail bike that can also do some fun downhill also I would say.
i live 5 minutes from Windham Mtn! hit me up if you want to go riding this summer, I'll show you our local singletrack trail system (Elm Ridge Wild Forest). I'm 50 years old and probably ride at a similar style as you. I am looking hard at the 2023 T8 as my next bike. Great value, currently on sale for $2200
👊
What are your thoughts on the brakes? I read some unfavorable reviews of the Tektro HD-M745, but a few people have suggested changing the brake pads and the rotors. Wondering what your experience was.
Having not ever using brakes better than the ones on th T8 I felt like they were awesome. However, the pads did start to fade after a lot of miles, so I upgraded to the MTX Red pads... They work better for sure! See here: th-cam.com/video/tzBE4L4O2mM/w-d-xo.html
Great review man! Thanks so much! I'm also a just a regular rider in my early 40s; in the tri-state area as well. Been considering the T8. My apologies if you mentioned it & I missed see it...but what size did you go with & how tall are you? Thanks in advance!
Hey Thanks :) I don't think I mentioned the size to your point, but it's a Large and I am 6'1". If your taller than that you might want the XL...
Why did you go with L instead of XL? I am also 6'1 and I am leaning towards an XL mainly because I have longer arms and think the extra reach would be more comfortable. Thanks and great detailed video!!
@@nikhildsouza6568 Well I wanted the bike to be on the smaller side then on the larger side. 6'1" is the upper limit for the large... I figured I could move the bars out a bit if my knees were interfering, but not the case. This bike is huge!! Not sure if you have had a bike recently, but this beast is like a foot longer than my old bike. The XL is even bigger. That was my thought anyway, but you gotta do what is right for you :)
just curious, how tall are you and if you dont mind me asking, whats your weight? I'm 5' 8-9" ish and a hefty 190lbs, thinking I should get a medium , thx
6'1" and at this time I was 215lbs... I now way about 200 even ;)
How tall are you? And which wheel and bike size did you go with?
6'1" and I went with a Large 29" fits me well I would say.
Superb review ---- Excellent
Thank you very much Kevin :) Do you Mountain Bike Also? I know I've seen some road and possible gravel bikes? We have unbelievable trails up in NY near me...
Can you send the link to the bash guard u have. I have the t7. Also nice name lol
Sure, here ya go: amzn.to/38EA4Hx
Great review 💯
Thanks for watching!
being new to MTB, why the maxxis plus size tire on the front?
Does this bike come with a dropper post or did you have to install one? If you had to install one which one did you get?
It comes with a pretty good dropper post ;)
Do you feel that the Tektro HD745 4 pot brakes work OK? Do you think a bigger (203mm) rotor on the front would help?
I'm also considering preferably the T8 or maybe the N9. Are the Fox 34s stiff enough? Do you think using XT double shift shifters would be of any advantage?
I feel like the brakes work good and I did change the pads to the MTX if you check out my T8 upgrades video here: th-cam.com/video/tzBE4L4O2mM/w-d-xo.html A larger rotor would help on the front for sure, but not sure if it's needed. As far as the forks go, no they are not stiff enough in regards to the air volume as it turns out for my weight 205lbs. I added three volume spacers and the shock doesn't bottom out now on big jumps with proper air psi. Not sure about the shifters, never used those... Shifters work fin on the T8 though I would say.
Great video, super informative and useful. I’m looking at getting a T8, what size water bottle were you able to fit? Thanks.
Hi Brenden, thanks for the kind words and the T8 is an incredible machine! I have a 21 ounce bottle that fits. The larger size does not fit. I usually use a hydration back pack though when I ride more than 1 hour which is most of the time. It's convent, because it holds my tools and stuff also ;) I have this very affordable unit for reference: amzn.to/3DtaAqN
I’m going to order a 21 ounce thanks! At one minute into your review you said maybe five other bikes were comparable, what were they?
@@brendanwhite7255 Giant Trance 29 2, Stumpjumper Comp Alloy, Diamond Back Release 1, Neuron AL 7.0 SL for examples...
Nice video! What crank guard was that?
Thanks Luke :) I got this one which is also linked below the video in the description area with all the other gear I use: amzn.to/3D5wfFc
Darn you Jason. I swear you are working as a sales rep for polygon because you basically sold me. I'm 6' and around 240lbs. Looking to trim down to 225ish where I was in me early 30s. I'm thinking the large frame is what I need but my inseam is only 31" so it's slightly shorter then the bottom end measurement for a large frame. What size is your bike and what is your inseam? I have a broken acromion in my left shoulder (never refused) so definitely need the cush ride in the front. With the mods I would probably start there then do the rear shock like you did.
lol, that is funny Jeremy. I would go with the large frame because the seat has tons of hight adjustment for your inseam concern. I have a 33" inseam for comparison and I am about 6'1". Take care of that shoulder and all the best, Jay
@@Jason_Hermann Awesome. Thank you for the reply Jason.
BTW.. Will be out in the area in early July. Want to ride the Catskill Scenic Trail. Awesome PIZZA in Stamford.
Sounds great, shoot me an email or direct message and we can try and figure something out. I think I'm going to go riding tomorrow for the first real ride this year. Prolly going to Stewart State Forest near Maybrook/ Montgomery New York...
@@Jason_Hermann COOL... I am re-habing from a pretty bad ski injury.. so I will be pretty slow.
how are the brakes? Would u rather upgrade or keep them?
The brakes have felt great and I have no issues thus far, but they are a bit worn after all the riding I have done, so I'm actually looking at getting new pads, and possible rotors if necessary... I'm looking at the MTX Braking Red pads for replacements too far, but I'm not sure yet if my rotors can handle the ceramic pads.
hello, nice review of the T8, how tall are you, using a L size ?
Thank you :) I'm 6'1" and I got the large ;)
@@Jason_Hermann Excellent video! I'm 6'2" and being between size L and XL according to the website. Do you feel the L size is on the smaller size being that you are 6'1"? I'm thinking sizing down for me is the way to go instead of the XL.
@@danielwow12 what did you decide? Exactly same problem for me!