As one of Australia’s leading off-road cycling publications, Flow Mountain Bike has built a reputation for in-depth, trail-driven testing and no-nonsense bike reviews.
Known for putting bikes through real-world terrain from demanding singletrack to extended fire road grinds, Flow’s verdict carries weight among serious riders and industry insiders alike.
In its latest test, Flow turned its attention to the Syncline DR9, Polygon’s purpose-built XC mountain bike. Positioned as a premium race machine within the lineup, the Syncline DR9 is designed from the ground up as a modern full-suspension mountain bike for cross-country competition.
According to Flow, it immediately delivers the fast, racy feel you’d expect from a dedicated XC race platform.
Rolling on 29-inch wheels with 110mm of rear travel paired to a 120mm fork, the Syncline DR9 sits firmly in the high-performance MTB category.
Flow highlights that while Polygon is often associated with strong value, this bike proves the brand is equally serious about top-tier race builds without pushing into the extreme pricing territory often seen in flagship XC models.
What Flow MTB Liked About the Syncline DR9?
Flow’s test confirms that speed is the defining trait of this MTB bike. The flexstay rear design and single-pivot suspension layout create a firm, efficient pedalling platform.
Even with the shock fully open, power transfer remains impressively direct. Engage the handlebar-mounted remote lockout, controlling both fork and shock and the bike sharpens even further under hard efforts.
On climbs and flatter terrain, Flow notes the aggressive front end and 68° head angle encourage you to stay on the gas. Compared to some slacker modern XC race bikes, the Syncline DR9 feels sharper and more urgent when accelerating or attacking fire road sections.
The balanced combination of a 460mm reach (size Large) and 440mm chainstays keeps rider weight centred, translating to efficient climbing and composed handling.
That said, Flow points out that while the bike is quick and agile, it doesn’t offer the same downhill confidence as some of the latest-generation, slacker XC mountain bikes.
The steeper geometry prioritises climbing efficiency and race-day sharpness over outright descending stability. For riders chasing marginal gains in technical descents, cockpit tweaks or tyre swaps could close that gap.
Product Takeaways
Flow Mountain Bike’s verdict is clear: the Syncline DR9 is every bit a race-ready XC mountain bike. It’s sharp, efficient, and purpose-built for riders who value speed and power transfer above all else.
With its high-end build kit, carbon frame, and dialled suspension platform, it stands as a serious contender among premium full-suspension mountain bike options, delivering competitive performance with Polygon’s hallmark value.
For racers and performance-focused riders seeking a modern XC mtb that rewards every pedal stroke, the Syncline DR9 proves that Polygon’s ambitions extend well beyond entry-level, firmly into the front of the pack.
To read the full ride impressions and complete evaluation, visit Flow Mountain Bike’s detailed review here!
