Flat bar gravel - interesting comparison

[MattyK]

This is more of a discussion than a "what should I buy" but I thought this was fascinating.

Backstory: My flat bar bike is old and needs replacing because the rear rim is about to wear through (makes sense right?). Hey it's a slow hub gear bike and it would be nice to have slightly fatter tyres than 32s so I can do some rail trail light touring weekender rides. It does OK but of course I want something newer.

So this looks nice:
https://www.bikesonline.com.au/2022-mar ... ravel-bike - at $2299

But then the same company sells this (as a hybrid), and the similarities are fascinating
https://www.bikesonline.com.au/2022-pol ... ybrid-bike - $1199

Same Reach, Stack and seat angle (so riding position is the same)
Same wheelbase (though you're trading front center for rear center)
Exact same tyres
Both have thru-axle
Same suspension travel (though a slightly nicer fork on the DSX)
X7 is lighter
Both have SLX gearing, very similar gearing range (1 less gear, same low end but slightly less top end on the X7)
Better brakes on the X7
DSX is much slacker head angle at the front
DSX can add a dropper post
DSX has tubeless compatible rims
Everything else seems similar enough on paper.

Honestly those wins for the DSX don't seem like $1100 of value-add, at least to me. Am I missing something?
Could Polygon make an absolute killer here just by changing some minor specs that have almost no manufacturing cost impact (geometry, rims and seat tube diameter)?

[Mr Purple]

I think you pay $1100 extra to have 'gravel' in the name.

Why do I think of cheap 90's mountain bikes any time I hear the phrase 'flat bar gravel'?

[MattyK]

I think you pay $1100 extra to have 'gravel' in the name.

Why do I think of cheap 90's mountain bikes any time I hear the phrase 'flat bar gravel'?

Both points fairly accurate. Building up an old bike with modern parts is on the option list as a fun project but I suspect it wouldn’t give much change from $1000 once everything is done with decent parts.

PS got any of them free watts? *scratches skin*

[Mike Ayling]

Do you really want/need suspension forks for the places that you are going to ride?

[Andy01]

I was looking at the X7 as an option last year, but ended up going with a Giant Roam 1 instead (at the time the Giant was cheaper - $1299 and less 10% discount with Cycling Brisbane voucher, so $1169). Minor differences in geometry I think, and the biggest difference is the Giant has 2x Deore 10spd (44/32T front), so it has a higher possible top speed than the 36T on the X7. At 90rpm cadence the X7 tops out around 39km/h, and the Roam goes to 48km/h - may not be an issue on gravel though. Generally I just use the big ring and only drop to the small front ring if I need to slow right down (like going through deeper water after the heavy rains this year).

Really happy with my Roam for what I use it for. Around the suburbs the front air shock just damps out the harshness of the bumps when dropping off curbs and going through the couple of rocky creek crossings. Compared with my old Norco hardtail, the Deore 10spd is a dream, the Shimano hydraulic discs are MUCH better than mechanical discs, and the 63mm air shock is better than the old 100mm coil spring. I have done over 3,000km on it and it hasn't missed a beat.

[blizzard]

Polygon and Marin often have similar bikes but with the Polygon being cheaper by some margin. I think it's down to Marin having a (slightly) brand name / reputation. I'm pretty sure Marin are all built by Polygon.

[Mofra]

I had a Polygon flatbar roadbike for 5-6 years and it was a fine little commuter. Frame eventually cracked but if you're comparing aluminium to aluminium Marin or Polygon I would be surprised if there's a substantial difference in frame quality.

Polygon are manufactured in Indonesia. Marin (IIRC) make their aluminium frames there too.