Siskiu T8 First Ride

[@hippiebits2071]

I love how this went from you being kind of ho-hum about having to do the review in the weather to you throughly enjoying the ride anyway. Can't wait to see more of this bike.

[@brogbail]

Great video, you were really shredding that trial! Couldn’t agree more about the bike industry. Hopefully polygon and canyon type companies can disrupt it enough to cause some changes

[@ShadLife]

Especially in the price department!! Bikes are so overpriced right now and thus these direct to consumer companies are going to start walking all over the rest of the industry if they don't figure out how to stop prices from getting out of control. The tariffs and inflation didn't help, but obviously some companies are figuring it out.

[@jackjetpilot]

Outstanding review. I can’t wait for mine to be delivered!

[@fairlyfunctional2236]

Nice bike, Shad. I picked up a siskiu d7 last January, great bike. Polygon's factory is in Indonesia, where they produce the frames for many other mtb brands also. Marin is one of them. I've got 3 of those. Lol. The trails you ride are beautiful, great video, man.

[@ShadLife]

Is that the case? That's kind of cool if so. I thought it was made in China and passed through Indonesia to avoid US Tariffs. So it's good to know that it's actually made in Indonesia.

[@edwardjski]

Yeah, the factory is quite impressive. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpqbe5V_a5aVitk

[@Activated.Visualz]

@@ShadLife kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpqbe5V_a5aVitk

[@Activated.Visualz]

@@ShadLife Polygon Factory tour with Dan Wolfe

[@hoff482]

Thanks for sharing, Shad! This bike looks like a blast. Can't wait for my bike to get back from the LBS so I can ride with you again.

[@ShadLife]

I am going to try to mix it up a bit more this summer and stay in town a few weekends instead of always going to Cuyuna. So let me know when your bike arrives. ✌️

[@robertfrazier9810]

Expecting my t8 in the next few days. Great review Shad! You're rocking it bro!!!

[@ShadLife]

Dope! It's a great bike! They are releasing a T9 soon. Basically the same bike with better suspension and components.

[@robertfrazier9810]

My T8 was supposed to be here today, got rescheduled for tomorrow. Apparently, FedEx doesn’t realize that the world revolves around me, not them lol…

[@S_Mendez_28]

WOOHOO! Man, that was some sweet riding. 👌 The sheer joy in your tone said it all. I'm glad that you shared your thoughts on the brakes, which seems to be the main drawback in every review I've seen or read. Being that it's my first MTB I have nothing to compare them to, other than a big box store rim brake, so to me, they seem great! I'll be looking to upgrade those first, though, just so I don't run into any issues once my skills improve. As always, thanks for sharing your time. 🤝👊✌

[@fabiocardoso1691]

Very cool video. Congrats!

[@akaphayte]

Would love to see you review Vittoria tires. I run a Mazza front and Agarro rear in the trail casing here in Mn on the same trails you ride. I think they are the best combo we can get out here. Great videos and channel thank you Shad!

[@ShadLife]

I have a review of the Mazza already. It's a great tire! It's from later last season so you will have to go back a bit.

[@HUKIT.]

I’ve tried Nobby Nics and they were ditched pretty quick but the Hans Dampf has been pretty solid over the years. I’m a tire geek and love to try them all but honestly I keep going to back to Bontrager XR4/SE4’s.

[@manofintegrity8828]

Been eyeing one of those t8’s

[@ShadLife]

Last I heard they were all out of stock. Not sure if they have more on the way or are doing a redesign...🤷‍♂️

[@DuckSlayer32]

Subscribed because of the skeeters

[@MB-jz3uu]

You can take the wheel off give the lever a couple squeezes to bring those pistons out then put the wheel back in. That way the pads will be in a little bit more for faster engagement

[@ShadLife]

Hmmm? That sounds like a good idea. As long as I don't go too far.

[@edwardjski]

Interesting. I don't think I have as much play in my levers as Shad. Your suggestion is good.

[@jhcgaming4522]

Nice ride ❤

[@edwardjski]

Hi Shad, Glad you had a chance to review the Siskiu T8. After much research, I purchased one earlier this year. Mine came with a different seat, mine is matte. Also, you've probably seen comments regarding the organic only rotors and three organic pads. Reports are swapping those out makes a big difference. I haven't yet done it yet. My question to you: At what price would you begin to be disappointed with the bike? Many reviewers talk in terms of "bang for the buck" or "budget level" But the T8 doesn't seem to compare to other budget offerings from what we'd consider to be the traditional/bike shop companies but rather their mid level models. Perhaps the difference is in suspension/frame design? But I definitely do not feel that I've given anything up. On top of that, The T8 dropped in price after I bought it and Bikes Online gave me a credit for the difference. I'm super happy with it and it really makes me want to get on it and ride.

[@ShadLife]

I would say this bike compares to $3k bikes. The SLX drivetrain is usually on more expensive bikes. Although, I do think the welds are pretty ho hum and other brands, like Ibis and the Ripley AF, have much better quality frame construction. Over $3k and I would start shopping for something else.

[@edwardjski]

@@ShadLife Thanks, I appreciate your assessment. I would agree, it seems comparable to $3,000 bikes, even in the weight category which I found surprising.

[@politan83]

Love your perspective Shad, combining deep experience with an appreciation of how normal people approach MTB. Obviously your channel and your call, but I would be very interested what you think of the Vitus Mythique AMP, which seems to be a similar bike in terms of travel and price. Re: tires, I have Minnion DHR/DHF on my hardtail and I am looking to switch to something faster rolling, so I would love to hear more on your experience with tires on Twin Cities trails.

[@ShadLife]

Definitely Vitoria Mazza's, which someone mentioned in the comments already, are one of my favorite front tires. I run a Mazza on the front of my Hayduke Ti with a Maxxis Rekon on the rear. I am looking for something better than the Rekon and when I find something I will definitely talk about it.

[@politan83]

@@ShadLife I have heard good things about the Vitoria Syerra, though they are only available in 2.4".

[@chriskaufmann8655]

Try a lever bleed like you can do on the Shimano brakes. If you do it with the wheel instead of with a block, you might be able to gain back some of that slack. I have to do that with my Deore levers that don’t have a stroke adjust. The curse of little hands ha ha

[@ShadLife]

So leave the rotor in there during the bleed?

[@Marknewell273]

Really enjoyed this video and your perspective of the bike. I'm thinking of getting one the next time it comes on sale up here in Canada. Does yours have a sunrace cassette? That was one thing that turned me off, but you sound more than happy with the shift quality.

[@ShadLife]

Nope, it had a Shimano SLX Cassette.

[@CiviL_Machine]

Shad, I ride cheap brakes like that. What worked for me was taking the wheel off and squeezing the brake to bring the pads closer before putting the wheel back on. Its the only way I've found that works. Hopefully works for you

[@ShadLife]

Yep, a few have suggested this idea. I just want to do it in my workshop so if I do it too far I can fix it easily.

[@CiviL_Machine]

@@ShadLifeunderstandable- with new pads like that you shouldn't have any issues at all. If you go too far just pry them back a little. Love seeing the polygon here I've always been curious about these 🤯🤯🤯

[@belwasp]

Helpful!

[@Alex_Outside]

Great video! I would just suggest shortening the intros a bit :) Edit: Just saw another one of your videos and the intro was way shorter haha. Keep it up!

[@ShadLife]

Interesting. What do you consider the intro. I had a bunch of information about the bike I talked about at the beginning. Not so sure I would consider that an intro...🤷‍♂️

[@Alex_Outside]

​@ShadLife you're right. I think I have seen so many videos of this bike that the start felt like an intro for some reason haha. Anyway, great video! Peace ✌️

[@williammullins1746]

This or the Rocky Mountain Instinct Alloy 30 Shimano for the same money?

[@ShadLife]

I didn't like the Instinct Alloy 30. I couldn't prevent the pedals from hitting the ground when I was pushing the bike hard. I am not sure if it was the BB height or the suspension, but for me I sold it within less than a month of owning it. The Siskiu T8 was a much better bike in my opinion. Even the suspension and components are better.

[@williammullins1746]

Well darn! I just ordered an instinct after seeing the T8 was out of stock. And now I just got an in-stock notification.

[@ShadLife]

@@williammullins1746 See if you are able to add some volume spacers to the rear shock. That might help it ramp up quicker and make it less likely to hit the pedals. I am curious to know if you have the same problem I did. Let me know.

[@williammullins1746]

Will do! & I’m enjoying your videos man!

[@williammullins1746]

so far I love it, 5 months riding it completely stock. I'm about to start playing with the ride9 settings. For the trail riding Ive done in Austin TX and Hot Springs its been great. I have had some pedal strike but nothing that I have not attributed to my skills or lack thereof

[@Paloloyski]

what frame size is this and wheel size?

[@ShadLife]

Small and 27.5

[@Paloloyski]

@@ShadLife thank you

[@etofoya8217]

I have changed almost everything on my d7. Riding up hill sucks. I hit the ninja ramp with ease.