Tom reviews the Polygon Collosus TLE 8

Polygon has just announced the release of its first ever lightweight e-MTB, the Collosus TLE—also marking the brand’s debut carbon e-MTB. I’ve been putting the latest rig from Polygon through its paces over the past few months, testing it on the famous trails of the Sea to Sky corridor of British Columbia.

Two models will be available in Australia: the Collosus TLE 0 and the Collosus TLE 8, with the latter being the model I had the chance to test. The Collosus lineup is expanding rapidly, now featuring non-motorised models as well as lightweight, and full powered e-MTB versions.

Most recently, we reviewed the Polygon Collosus N7 , one of the non powered offerings. While both bikes share the same model name, they deliver distinctly different ride experiences. The TLE has its own unique character that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring!

Watch our video review of the Polygon Collosus TLE 8 here:

Overview of the Polygon Collosus TLE

The Collosus TLE is an aggressive trail bike rolling on dual 29 inch wheels. It boasts 140mm of rear travel paired with a 160mm fork, striking a balance between capability and versatility. Polygon designed this bike to be a true all rounder—one that could potentially be the only bike in your shed. The 140mm rear travel might seem a bit under gunned for an all rounder, but the 160mm fork and progressive geometry help bridge the gap in many situations.

Weighing in at 20.2kg, the Collosus TLE 8 sits on the heavier side of the lightweight e-MTB category. However, it still retains the nimble handling expected of a trail bike once you get it moving along. That agility would likely be even more pronounced if its weight were closer to 18kg, as seen in many of today’s lightweight e-MTBs.

Polygon’s suspension design for the TLE builds on the latest non-powered Collosus models, incorporating a refined version of the brand’s IFS (Independent Floating Suspension) system. In this iteration, the key component of the IFS system is the double link positioned at the bottom of the seat tube. By separating these links, Polygon’s engineers gained greater flexibility in fine tuning the bike’s anti-squat characteristics.

Additionally, this version integrates a flex-stay design, allowing a slight degree of flex through the seatstays as the shock moves through its travel. This adaptation simplifies the overall structure, reduces weight, and still provides ample room for kinematic tuning.

Drive unit

The Collosus TLE is powered by the Bosch Performance Line SX motor, a proven and reliable choice in the lightweight e-MTB segment. Delivering 55Nm of torque, 600W of peak power, all powered by a fully integrated 400Wh battery. For those looking to extend their ride, the optional Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender (included) offers additional capacity, though it does add 1.6kg to the overall weight. I found the 250Wh range extender to be particularly useful for longer rides. You’ll be pleased to know that all TLE models come stock with a range extender, which is typically an aftermarket upgrade that costs around $850 AUD. Kudos Polygon!

The 400Wh CompactTube battery is fixed inside the frame and isn’t easily removable, accessing it requires removing the motor. While this design keeps the bike looking sleek and helps reduce weight, it does make battery swaps more challenging on the rare occasions when they’re needed.

For a deeper dive into this drive unit and how it compares to competitors, check out Wil’s (Flow’s Tech Editor) full review below.

Related:

• Bosch SX Motor Review | The new performance benchmark in the lightweight e-MTB category?

Geometry & sizing

Polygon offers the Colossus TLE in four sizes: S, M, L, and XL. The small has a reach of 435mm, while the XL stretches out to 501mm. The large, which I tested, has a reach of 481mm, a comfortable fit for my 179cm height.

All models share a 450mm rear centre length, which Polygon attributes to the size and positioning of the Bosch SX drive unit. Due to this constraint, the engineers weren’t able to shorten the rear end on smaller sizes. I found the 450mm chainstays complemented the bike’s ride characteristics well, providing a balanced and stable feel on the size large. However, for riders on a size small, this length might feel a bit stretched out.

With a 64° head angle, the Colossus TLE stays true to its aggressive trail bike nature. It’s slack enough to inspire confidence on steep descents and maintain stability at high speeds, yet not so slack that it feels overly sluggish when navigating tighter terrain.

Polygon Collosus TLE 8 price and specs

There are two models available with prices starting at $8,999 AUD for the TLE 8 (tested). The higher end TLE 0 comes in at $11,399 AUD. Both options come with full carbon frames, piggy back shocks, a 160mm travel fork, and powerful brakes. All of which supports the intended use as an aggressive trail bike well.

• Frame | Collosus TLE, Carbon, Flex-Stay IFS Design, 140mm Travel
• Fork | Marzocchi Z1, Rail Damper, 160mm Travel
• Shock | Marzocchi Bomber Air, 230x65mm
• Motor | Bosch Performance Line SX, 55Nm Torque & 600W Peak Power
• Battery | Bosch CompactTube 400Wh
• Wheels | DT Swiss 370 Hybrid hubs, MT6 Alloy Rims
• Tyres |  Schwalbe Hans Dampf EVO SuperTrail, Addix SpeedGrip, 29×2.6in Front & Rear
• Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission AXS 1×12, 10-52T Cassette
• Brakes | Magura MT7, w/Magura MDR 203mm 6-Bolt Rotors
• Handlebar | Race Face Chester 35, 35mm Rise, 780mm Width
• Stem | Race Face Affect R 35, 40mm Length
• Seatpost | Tranz X, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 150mm (S-M), 200mm (L-XL)
• Confirmed Weight | 20.2kg
• Price | $8,999 AUD

Polygon Collosus TLE 8 fit & setup

As mentioned earlier, I tested the large size, which features a 481mm reach. At 179cm tall, this falls comfortably within my ideal range of 475–485mm.

If you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing down. With the added weight of the drive unit, the bike already feels naturally planted, so opting for a slightly shorter reach can enhance agility without compromising too much stability.

Suspension setup

The Marzocchi suspension was a standout feature (more on that below). While both the fork and shock offer limited adjustability, I didn’t find this to be a drawback—it actually removes the temptation to endlessly tinker and helps keep setup simple.

I found Marzocchi’s recommended settings to be on the lighter side, so I increased the pressure in both the fork and shock by about 5–10 psi. I was running a volume spacer in the fork and a 0.1 spacer in the shock. This helped compensate for the added weight of the e-MTB and complemented the bike’s character, which encourages you to push.

I tried adding more air to the rear shock to reduce bottoming out, but it made the initial stroke feel too harsh. In the end, I settled on 177psi (30% sag), accepting that the occasional bottom out on bigger impacts was a fair trade off for a more supple feel off the top. I didn’t have a larger volume spacer on hand but that is something I’d be interested in experimenting with. As for the fork I was running 78psi in the fork, and for reference, I weigh 76 kg fully kitted up and ready to ride.

Polygon Collosus TLE 8 weight

In the stock spec the Polygon Collosus TLE 8 weighs 20.2kg, that is set up tubeless and without pedals. The weight is on the heavier end of the spectrum for a lower powered e-MTB. I’d still classify it as a lightweight e-MTB, but reducing the weight further would enhance handling and make it easier to pedal without the motor. While it’s rare that you’d need to ride without assistance, there may be times when you’re in a group with non powered bikes or simply want a more fitness focused ride. It’s nice to have that option.

What I like about the Collosus TLE 8

There’s a lot to like about the Collosus TLE. As an all rounder, it’s well suited to a wide range of trails and riders. Its geometry encourages you to push harder than most other bikes with 140mm of rear travel. In fact, it often feels like it has more. until you hit a larger compression and are quickly reminded that there is in fact just 140mm of travel there. But for the majority of the time the 140mm doesn’t limit the bikes descending ability.

Much of this confidence inspiring feel comes down to its well thought out geometry and suspension design. I found the bike to be a great fit, with key geometry numbers that align well with the terrain it’s designed for. The 64° head angle offers stability without compromising handling, while the 450mm rear centre length—particularly on the size large—gives it a planted, composed feel. The IFS suspension further enhances this by delivering plush travel and excellent rear wheel grip.

Once you build momentum, the TLE carries it effortlessly. It excels at tracking the terrain and holding a line with confidence. This characteristic makes it especially well suited to many Australian trails, particularly in regions where long, steep, sustained descents aren’t as common as they are in areas with bigger mountains.

At first, I assumed its planted and stable feel was mainly due to the extra weight of being an e-MTB—a factor that certainly plays a role. However, a closer look at the geometry chart reveals another key contributor: it has a notably long wheelbase for a trail bike. In fact, its wheelbase surpasses popular non powered trail bikes like the Specialized Stumpjumper 15, Santa Cruz Hightower, and Norco Sight. While those bikes rely solely on geometry for stability, the TLE benefits from both its extended wheelbase and the added weight of the motor, enhancing its composure on the trail. I’ll admit, I judged a book by its cover when I first saw the 140mm rear travel on the spec sheet. But on the trail, it punches well above its category, rallying harder than expected.

What could be improved on the Collosus TLE 8?

Overall, my experience with the Collosus TLE was overwhelmingly positive. The few drawbacks I encountered were minor quirks rather than issues requiring major changes.

That said, some finishing touches felt a bit flimsy. For example, the chainstay protector began peeling off early in testing, and the charging port cover detached completely. While these are small issues, a bit more attention to durability in these areas would be appreciated. Particularly in regards to keeping dirt and water out of the charging port.

The battery range extender and bottle cage share the same slide on fixture, making swaps between them incredibly quick. However, the system is noisy. In particular, the bottle attachment tends to rattle quite noticeably, which can be irritating on rough terrain.

I’ve mentioned the weight a few times, but it’s a crucial factor for lower powered e-MTBs. Lighter weights not only improve battery efficiency but also significantly impact handling. From my experience, lightweight e-bikes around 18kg or less ride very similarly to regular mountain bikes. However, once you go beyond 20kg, the extra weight becomes more noticeable, especially in slower technical sections.

The last thing I’ll mention is the rear travel, which sits at 140mm. I’ve put this last as it’s not exactly a critique of the bike but more of a curious thought that bugged me. Considering the bike’s geometry, ride characteristics, and fork travel, I can’t help but wonder what 150-160mm of rear travel would do for this bike. Everything about this rig encourages you to push hard, which often results in using up all 140mm of travel. Increasing it by 10-20mm wouldn’t sacrifice much efficiency, but it would enhance downhill performance and create a better balance by closing the gap to the 160mm fork.

This is the first generation of this model, so it’s still early days to speculate about future updates. However, I’d personally love to see an option to run it with 150mm of rear travel, unlocking even more potential from its already impressive descending capabilities.

Component highs & lows

The Collosus TLE 8 offers impressive value for money, with a well chosen spec that balances quality and performance. While it doesn’t feature top tier components, most spec choices performed reliably and delivered a solid riding experience.

A great example is the Marzocchi suspension. Both the Z1 fork and Bomber Air rear shock delivered outstanding performance during testing. However, they offer minimal adjustment options—each featuring just a single rebound and compression dial. This limits fine tuning on the fly compared to higher end Fox models, which often include four dials for adjusting both high and low speed compression and rebound. For more control, you’ll need to head to the workshop to add or remove volume spacers or fine tune the air pressure with a shock pump. Aside from setup and tuning, the overall feel and performance are surprisingly close to higher end Fox alternatives. For those unfamiliar, it’s worth noting that Marzocchi is part of the Fox family, meaning many parts and dampers are shared between models. This crossover is why the ride quality can feel similar.

Another standout feature at this price point is the inclusion of the wireless SRAM GX Transmission. Known for striking a great balance between modern technology, performance, and cost, the GX Transmission lived up to its reputation, performing flawlessly throughout testing.

The Bosch SX Performance Line drive unit isn’t the most powerful or the lightest SL system available, but it excels in reliability and user friendly design. The interface is intuitive, and adjusting settings through the app is a seamless process. Pairing the bike with the app is straightforward, allowing for quick and easy customisation.

I highly recommend using the app, as it’s an excellent tool for fine tuning the SX drive unit. Personally, I like to increase the Turbo mode to +5 to maximise its power when needed. The app makes this kind of tuning incredibly simple, offering +/-5 adjustments within each of the four assist modes.

Another commendable move by Polygon is including the 250Wh range extender as standard. Range extenders are often pricey upgrades, so having one included adds great value. On a lightweight e-MTB, it’s especially useful to have the option of extra battery power when needed. Charge it up, stash it in your kit bag, and you’ll be glad to have it when the conditions are prime, and you’re keen to squeeze in a few more laps!

Brake & tyre issues

I experienced complete brake failure with the Magura MT7s. The lever would pull all the way to the bar without applying any stopping force, allowing the wheel to spin freely. After a professional bike mechanic inspected the system, the issue was traced to a faulty lever, which caused brake fluid to bypass the piston and prevented the system from retaining pressure. Aside from this failure, when functioning properly, the brakes delivered plenty of power and a satisfying lever feel.

I also encountered issues with the stock Schwalbe tyres. While the Hans Dampf tread pattern is a solid choice, the compound and casing options didn’t feel well suited to this bike’s weight and intended riding style. The stock casing, Schwalbe’s SuperTrail variant, is relatively lightweight for an e-MTB of this nature. I would prefer at least one step up in durability—Schwalbe’s SuperGravity casing would be a better fit.

As for the rubber compound, I found the Addix SpeedGrip option lacked confidence inspiring traction, particularly on rocks and hard packed dirt, where it led to some unnerving moments. While it performed fine in softer loamier conditions, this compound is more suited to XC riding rather than a bike like the Collosus TLE, which borders on an enduro machine. Ideally, it would come with at least one step up interns of softness, such as the Addix Soft compound, especially for the front tyre. Even better would be the Addix UltraSoft option up front for maximum traction.

Flow’s verdict

The Collosus TLE is the one and only lightweight e-MTB in the Polygon lineup. With this the Indonesian brand has gone for an option that fits in as a great all round mountain bike, covering as many bases as possible.

The The Collosus TLE is for someone who wants a do it all bike that leans towards trail riding over Enduro smashing. Whilst the aggressive geometry and 160mm fork equip the bike for tackling rough terrain, it’s better suited to slightly less gnarly trail riding most of the time. The non-powered Collosus models have traditionally been burly, hard-hitting bikes, and if you’re familiar with those, the TLE isn’t quite as ultra aggressive. However, the TLE is a more versatile and well rounded option.

It suits a wide range of terrain, has a reliable drive unit and is specced appropriately, for the most part. Specifically the powerful brakes and suspension that is both supple and supportive. The TLE 8 I tested delivers solid value at $8,999 AUD. It’s priced competitively, right in the ballpark, if not more affordable, than many of its similarly specced rivals.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER - Tom Wilson

Hometown

North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Height

179cm

Weight75kg

RIDING STYLE

The tyre-rolling cornering type