I Upgraded My Polygon Siskiu D5 For Reduced Back Pain

I bought a 2021 Polygon Siskiu from Bikes Online in November of 2020 for $1,099.00 US. The Siskiu D5 is an aluminum framed bike, with a rear air shock and a front spring fork with lockout, both by SR Suntour. The bike has 27.5 inch wheels and tires, both by Polygon's house brand Entity. Brakes are Shimano M201 hydraulic units. All other components are Entity.

However, I can't leave well enough alone so I immediately installed a TransX dropper post and ESI Super Chunky silicon grips (my favorites). I also upgraded the stock 2x9 Shimano Alivio drive train to a 1x9 drive train using two kits from JG Bikes. One kit included an 11-42 tooth Sunrace cassette, a Shimano Deore rear derailleur, and a Shimano Deore trigger shifter. The second kit included a JG Bikes branded Hollowtech II style crankset and 30 tooth narrow wide chainring.

Earlier this year I developed chronic back pain, which resulted in me not riding mountain bikes from May through mid-July. My chiropractors, Gardiner Family Chiropractic, recently cleared me to ride again, so I did. During that first, easy ride I discovered that the more upright my posture, the less pain I had. So, I bought a Funn 785mm alloy handlebar with a 30mm rise, much more than the nearly flat stock handlebar. I re-installed the stock black rubber grips, since I felt the orange ESIs might have been a bit much in terms of color. I have an SR Suntour Epixon Epicon XC fork awaiting installation, which I will cut a little long so I can experiment with stem height. My hope is that these will enable me to keep riding.

Specifications and costs are below.

Costs

Initial Purchase $1,099.00 US w
TransX dropper post, $129.00 US ModernBike.com
ESI Super Chunky grips, $17.99 Amazon.com
JGbike 10 Speed MTB 4pc groupset for Shimano Deore M6000, $199.99 Amazon.com
Right Shift SL-M6000-R
Medium cage Rear Derailleur RD-M6000-GS
Sunrace CSMS3 11-42T Silver Cassette
KMC X10 10S Chain
JGbike Crank Arm Set Mountain Bike Crankset Arm Set, $39.99 Amazon.com
Funn 785mm, 30mm rise aluminum handlebar, $29.99, Amazon.com
Total: $1,515.96

Stock Specifications

Frame: ALX XC 120mm travel (27.5”) Taper H/T QR boost
Fork: SR Suntour XCM HLO, QR 100mm, 120mm travel
Rear Shock: SR Suntour Raidon LO Air E2E:190X51mm
Handlebar: Entity Sport, alloy W:760mm R:12mm BB:31.8mm
Stem: Entity Sport, alloy E:45mm R:-DEG BB:31.8mm
Headset: ZS 44/28.6 | ZS 56/40
Saddle: Entity Void, steel rail
Seatpost: Entity Sport, 0mm offset, 30.9mmX350mm
Crankset: Shimano Altus FC-MT2102 boost 9SP 36X22T 170mm
Pedals PP flat pedal
Bottom Bracket: BSA threaded
Chain Guide: NA
Chain: KMC X9 9 speed
Cassette Sprocket: Shimano CS-HG200 9-speed 11-36T
Front Derailleur Shimano Alivio FD-M3120-E
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Alivio RD-M3100 9-speed
Shifting Lever: Shimano Alivio SL-M3100 9-speed
Brake Lever: Shimano BL-M201 hydraulic disc brake
Front Brake: Shimano BR-M201 hydraulic disc brake
Rear Brake: Shimano BR-M201 hydraulic disc brake
Rotor: Shimano SM-RT10 F:180mm / R:160mm
Tire: Entity Spiderbait 27.5”X2.25
Wheelset: alloy double wall rims (27.5”) w/alloy hubs

#PolygonSiskiu #GardinerFamilyChiropractic #BackPainRelief