For 2019 Polygon is introducing two new affordable performance road bikes designed for women. Touting women-specific geometry and component builds to get more women on the road the new Divine R comes in either carbon or aluminum framed models. Both new bikes get a solid, quality spec but an oddly limited size run.
Polygon Divine R women’s performance carbon road bike
Polygon says the new Divine R is their first road bike series designed just for women. They highlight its women-specific geometry and components to deliver a comfortable, high performance ride. While we’ve seen many companies move away from specific geometry for women, Polygon has adapted the bike to better accommodate women’s road riding needs with narrower bars, shorter stems, and women-specific saddles.
Even though it could be said that Polygon is a bit late to addressing women road riders, it is nice to see that their debut offers both a carbon and aluminum framed versions of the new Divine R. And Polygon are spec’ing it with high quality performance components at affordable prices.
Divine R7 carbon Tech Details
The carbon version of the Divine R uses Polygon’s ACX performance carbon construction and gets a carbon fork with a tapered alloy steerer. The bike sticks with standard single bolt rim brake calipers and thus 130mm rear spacing, but does get full internal cable routing, even Di2 compatibility for future upgrades.
The Divine R7 in carbon is oddly available in only a single frame size. Most likely that is a result of the cost to open up the new mold, but probably also that taller riders can more easily fit on the analogous standard men’s Strattos.
But with a retail price of just $1400 for the only complete carbon bike and a full Shimano 105 R7000 groupset, if that fits you it probably would make for a high value bike. Polygon also includes a tubeless-ready alloy wheelset and 28mm tires with both complete bikes.
Divine R5 alloy Tech Details
The aluminum version of the Divine gets an ALX performance frame, and is paired with a full carbon fork, but a straight steerer. The alloy bike also gets internal routing, at least in the front triangle.
The Divine R5 with its aluminum frame option offers a bit more fit flexibility with three frame sizes, again leaning towards smaller riders.
At $1000 the R5 alloy is also only available in a single complete bike build. Again it opts for a complete new 105 groupset, and tubeless-ready alloy wheels wrapped in 28mm tires.
