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Polygon Tambora Flips Between Road & Gravel Geometry

2024 polygon tambora gravel bike can flip dropouts to have road bike geometry
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With a clever set of flip chips for both axles, the new Polygon Tambora all-road bike can turn into a gravel bike and back, giving you two bikes in one.

The flip-flop axle inserts at the rear dropouts and fork dropouts make room for up to 700×45 gravel tires, or tighten things up for smaller road bike tires. The inserts are set at angles, so swapping them also adjusts the geometry to suit the intended application, too.

riders hanging out on the 2024 polygon tambora road gravel bike
All photos c. Polygon Bikes.

For all-road, that means a 72º head angle, 265mm BB height, 1026mm wheelbase (all for size large). Switch to gravel mode and you have a 71.8º head angle, 280mm BB height, and 1045mm wheelbase. Chainstay length grows by 10mm across all frame sizes.

The Tambora is Polygon’s first carbon fiber gravel bike, and it gets most of the accessory mounts of their sleek alloy Bend model. This means four bottle cage mounts, frame bag mounts, and rear fender mounts. It lacks the top tube bag and fork mounts, but it’s aimed more at racers than adventurers.

gravel bike riders on a hazy mountain road

All bikes ship in gravel setup with Vee Rail 700×40 tires, Selle Italia saddles, and carbon fiber forks.

2024 Polygon Tambora models & pricing

2024 polygon G4 tambora gravel bike

The base Tambora G4 $899 model has an alloy frame and comes with MicroSHIFT Advent X group and Tektro mechanical brake calipers.

2024 polygon G5 tambora gravel bike

The Tambora G5 ($1,799) upgrades to a carbon fiber frame with Praxis Alba cranks turning SRAM Apex 1×11 with TRP HyRD mech-to-hydro calipers.

2024 polygon G7 tambora gravel bike

The Tambora G7 ($2,499) gets SRAM Apex XPLR 1×12 with hydraulic disc brakes and upgraded Novatec G24 carbon wheels, plus a carbon fiber seatpost.

2024 polygon G8 tambora gravel bike

The Tambora G8X ($2,999) gets SRAM Rival Etap AXS XPLR 1×12. All models available now through BikesOnline.com in North America.

PolygonBikes.com

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Rupes
Rupes
9 months ago

It would be interesting see how the rear axle flip-flop chip keeps the hanger in the same position relative to the axle.

Workonsunday
Workonsunday
9 months ago
Reply to  Rupes

If you zoom in on these imagines, you van just about to see it, the hanger is linked to the flip chip

Rupes
Rupes
9 months ago
Reply to  Workonsunday

Well, that’s kinda my point. You can’t just flip a hanger backwards and keep the geometry the derailleur needs. It’s either a different insert like Santa Cruz did with their pre-UDH bikes or two separate pieces. Either way, meh, because you’re still going to have to adjust the derailleur for the different road and gravel cassette sizes.

kobius
kobius
9 months ago
Reply to  Rupes

Ben
Ben
9 months ago

Surely we want a lower BB for gravel, or no height difference? After all, we want stability, it’s not a CX bike…
I like the concept. Dislike the top tube kink.

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