Bike Check: Tracey Hannah's Polygon XquareOne DH - Crankworx Rotorua 2020

Mar 6, 2020
by Aidan Oliver  
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We caught up with the 2019 World DH Champ Tracey Hannah to chat about her new bike set up for 2020 and her thoughts on the upcoming season. Most of the components stay the same for this year but Tracey has moved up to a size large frame and has been hitting the gym ready for 2020. Tracey hasn't raced since the final World Cup last year so Crankworx Rotorua is her chance to get the race rig dialled ready for Lousa.




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Tracey has switched to a large frame as she has got stronger over off season and benefits from the longer top tube.
Rider Name Tracey Hannah
Age: 31
Hometown: Cairns, Australia
Height: 5'6"
Instagram: @littletrace13

XquareOne DH Details

Frame: Polygon XquareOne DH 27.5, size large
Shock: SR Suntour Jurni, open rebound, 2 clicks compression
Fork: SR Suntour Rux, open rebound, open high speed, 10-11 clicks low speed
Wheels: E Thirteen LG1
Tires: Kenda Hellcat - 21psi front, 22psi rear
Saddle/Seatpost: Smanie prototype seat, Promax seat post
Drivetrain: E Thirteen LGR1 cranks with TRP DH7 7 speed
Bars: Promax bars 740mm
Brakes: Trickstuff Direttissima, Trickstuff rear rotor and pads, Galfer front rotor and pads.

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Polygon UR have switched from Box to TRP for their DH drivetrains.

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Crankworx Rotorua will be Tracey's first race since the Snowshoe World Cup in 2019. She was the winner here in 2019 and 2017 and was unbeaten at Crankworx downhill races last year so will be favourite to kick off her season with a gold medal.


bigquotesWe only had a short practice today and it's a pretty different track to set your bike up than others. Just working on bike set up today.—Tracey Hannah


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Tracey is running Promax bars cut to 740mm.


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Tracey was running prototype Kenda tires last year and the new Hellcat is the finished product.


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A new prototype DH saddle from Smanie.


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Tracey doesn't run the super-powerful Trickstuff Maxima brakes like the rest of her team but the Direttissimas. Despite having 25% less stopping power, Tracey says it's still plenty for her. Tracey runs Galfer pads and rotor in the front, but Trickstuff pads and rotor in the rear.


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Crankbrother Mallet pedals.


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Spinning on E Thirteen hubs.


bigquotesI'm super excited for the World Cup season. I'm stoked that it's starting again soon and I couldn't be happier that it's on. Yeah, super chill, it's cool that I had one of the most mentally hardest years of my life last year, now I can go and enjoy it. I'm not going to put myself through that again.—Tracey Hannah


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E Thirteen carbon crankset.



Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Bike Checks Crankworx DH Bikes Polygon Polygon Xquareone Tracey Hannah Crankworx Rotorua 2020


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109 Comments
  • 93 11
 Doesn't resemble anything like a Session, Gambler, Atherton Bikes, Glory or Fury so Pinkbike members call it ugly.
  • 22 5
 After seeing trust forks and that that one bike with all the linkages for suspension, and grim donut, I wanna ask, why is this frame ugly to most? It a little odd. But its a bike. Its fine haha
  • 72 15
 Yeah because it is ugly. That’s why we call it ugly.
  • 5 2
 It doesn't look good but I would say, from what I've read, this bike is on the top of my list of bikes I want to try. I would have to try it first though...based on looks alone, I don't think I could justify the spend. But if it rides like even half the reviews say...it would be worth the money.
  • 27 0
 looks like a Marin Wolf Ridge.... ;-)
  • 1 0
 @brettshelfer-photo: Exactly.
  • 9 4
 It's not ugly at all, follows the desired diagonal shape... and the swingarm is so damn original. It's just it looks bottomed out and a little bit ebike... but this I just would call it different... Chill and stop bike racism.
  • 15 2
 looks like an e-bike
  • 7 7
 #FUGLY
  • 5 3
 @aug7hallak: Would probably sell better as an e-bike.
  • 4 4
 looks like a Huffy or a Malvern Star lol
  • 2 0
 @chillrider199: It looks much better with Trace on it.
  • 18 1
 Frame aesthetics aside, I think its pretty cool to see a mix of lesser known components brands rather than usual Fox/Sram/Shimano gear. Kinda neat to have the current World Champ running a Rux, TRP drivetrain, Kenda rubber, E13 wheels, etc..
  • 3 2
 Looks like a GT iDrive!

(calm down, I'm joking)
  • 3 2
 Aamzing how close to normal bikes these E-bikes are looking now.
  • 2 2
 It's really just the huge shock extender that looks kind of naff to me. If they brought the shock closer to the BB then I think I might actually give it a pass.
  • 1 1
 If the chain stay was a triangle, nobody would call it ugly. The front triangle looks okay!
  • 2 0
 I love it!!
  • 2 0
 I really don’t get the hate, the frame looks clean and has some great lines, I suppose part of it might be the mono-stay or large bb-junction but man I like it.
  • 50 18
 This frame design hurts my eyes.
  • 29 0
 When Polygon asked her if Tracy thought it looked cool, she was like "yeah, nah" and they thought "sweet!"
  • 14 0
 Now imagine a Trust fork up front.
  • 15 2
 e-blke ugly without the advantage of the extra 250W. The could put a motor in there and no one would know...
  • 2 0
 @hollowing2000: Now that you mention it, the Trust fork could work really well on this one as it may have a similar angle to the seattube angle. This would be interesting to see.
  • 32 5
 Hope her mechanic won't install prototype cranks by mistake...
  • 3 3
 Ahaha true, I had forgotten this bad story with A.Gwin
  • 19 2
 Am I the only one who actually kinda digs that frame design. (I also like the look of the trust forks)
Let the hate flow through you!
  • 13 2
 She runs the fork at open rebound and open high speed compression and the shock with open rebound. Doesn’t this just mean that the base damping tune is intended for a heavier rider than her? Shouldn’t the current reigning champion be able to get a custom tune so that her mechanic can actually adjust it for her/each course?
  • 1 1
 I think that's how its specifically set up for this course.
  • 3 0
 5'6 on a large frame too.
  • 6 0
 Pretty sure Polygon get custom tuned shocks with very light damping for their weird slider suspension bikes because that's how it's supposed to work. So she's probably running it as intended.
  • 3 0
 @chyu: I haven't looked up the geometry of the polygon but that doesn't really mean anything anymore. The 2018 and 2019 Commencal 650b Supremes were so short I'd definitely have picked a large myself and I'm about the same height as Tracey too.
  • 1 0
 @PhillipJ: Sure, but that doesn't explain the fork.
  • 10 0
 I really appreciate how open Tracey is with her mental struggles. Pre race nerves can be seen pretty obvious on her face at times, it's interesting to see how she deals with them.
  • 32 12
 That is just a look of disgust as she accidentally looked at her own bike.
  • 13 3
 Y’all can call the XquareOne design ugly, but I haven’t seen you design a frame and suspension that leaves everyone that rides it speechless.

I’ll take two.
  • 4 5
 Speechless and blind.
  • 4 0
 What a sleek looking bike. I'm guessing Polygon's goal was for all out speed regardless how it looks. This design already has space for a motor and battery, so should be easy for Polygon to make this an ebike next year? Why does no-one comment about Tracey's seat or different rear-end? Quite the angle to that seat, but looks very plush & comfy...I mean the bike.
  • 8 3
 These sizes are ridiculous. 5 6 is large?? Medium should be for the average height person, use components to adjust for personal preference.
  • 12 2
 Its not uncommon for Pro Enduro and DHers to size up for more stability.
  • 4 1
 From what I could find, the size large has a reach of 450 mm, which is about where most medium sized bikes are.
  • 1 0
 @manuni88: interesting! I’ve heard pro cross country racers tend to size down. Is that true?
  • 1 0
 @ORTOGONAL555: 450mm is a medium on most bikes that you sit and pedal, not a DH bike. For example the reach on V10 medium is 437, large is 462. On a Tues Medium its 429, large 633. I'm sure there are bikes with longer reaches per size then her bike but those are arguable the most popular DH bikes.
  • 2 1
 Polygon is Indonesian, lots of smaller people there. They didn't even make XL frames until they started selling more bikes internationally.
  • 1 0
 @ridebikesyall: Probably to save weight! lol, I have no actual idea though.
  • 3 0
 @manuni88: I think it's fair to say DH geometry is just out of date these days. Some companies are catching up but I guess not a lot of R&D is going into DH these days. Look at all the articles about riders sizing up. This one included. Can't wait for the next generation of DH bike design, whenever that happens.
  • 2 0
 @ridebikesyall: my understanding was for XC, road, cx, etc, racers will often use the smallest size that works for them because it is easier to convert energy through a smaller bike and yes, there would be small weight savings associated with that. For DH or enduro there are more external forces working against the bike to cause instability which sizing up can help to counteract.
  • 19 16
 What is it that people dont like about this bikes looks? I think they look awesome. This and the Marin version I feel are the best looking bikes out there. Like a f117 bomber of bikes. Controversial opinion but I think Pole make the ugliest bikes
  • 15 0
 now cover your left eye and tell me, can you read any letters from the bottom row?
  • 9 0
 @Uncled: I’m worried he can’t read the letters on the top row
  • 7 1
 Super space age. I like it.I want to try out the new SR Suntour top of the line stuff.
  • 4 0
 I like or dislike ugly bikes, depending on their performance or lack of. That seems to be a strangely peculiar view to have nowadays.
  • 5 0
 "I'm not going to put myself through that again."

I like it, my kind of mindset. Go get em Tracey!
  • 4 0
 Doesn't look that big for a large - figures on the Polygon site seem to back that up too. Reach on the L is 450mm.
  • 1 4
 Since it's a downhill bike, reach can't be much longer. You'll be putting all your body over the rear wheel anyway.
  • 5 0
 @Notmeatall: most newer dh bikes have far longer reach numbers. A 450 reach is what I'd expect to find on a 2020 dh medium sized bike.
  • 1 0
 @Notmeatall: The all conquering Commencal Supreme 29'er has 445 on medium and 470 on a large.
Looking at a couple of other 2020 bikes they all seem to be within about 5mm on the Supreme.
  • 4 0
 Yep, an ugly bike that the Champion rides, go Hannah.
  • 3 0
 I have just started riding a Kenda Hellcat on the rear of my enduro bike, quite impressed with it in our current conditions.
  • 8 4
 To all the people complaining about the looks...ITS A TOOL NOT A JEWEL!
  • 6 6
 I like tools that feel and look like a quality product. This looks like some toy out of a cereal box.
  • 1 0
 I think a miniature of it would look nice on a collar lol.
  • 3 0
 nice stem. probably emil johanssons pro „the black marker” model.
  • 3 0
 Interested by this piggyback Suntour shock
  • 1 0
 Has Tracey grown? I could of sworn she is like 5ft2!!!! But even so, at 5ft6 to run a size large, that tell's you they really need to make their bikes longer
  • 1 0
 Could have
  • 3 1
 Those hubs are lovely. (No euphamism)
  • 5 2
 I like it
  • 1 2
 Not many do.
  • 1 0
 Ever since the clutch and narrow wide innovations came out, dropping chains are a thing of the past without the chain guide!
  • 1 0
 The real question is how does she get the bill of her hat to bend that way...
  • 3 3
 Didn’t mirjam nicole win 2019 Worlds??

Man rhat is one really really really FUGLY bike, you beed to go fast on it otherwise all people around it will throw up
  • 2 4
 I'm sure that is an excellent bike but I never liked those boxy swing arms without pivots. The bottom bracket looks like it's part of the swing arm too. I don't think that's the case but I don't know. ALso, I've never heard of those brakes. But I only trust Shimano brakes on my DH bikes. My trail bike I'm not as picky but I usually run Shimano if I have a choice. I do know one thing about that bike. If she is riding it she is going to go much, much faster than I am. It's crazy how fast these top level women really are. When I was a young lad I used to think that I could keep up with the top level pro women...until I started riding DH with some average pro women. They are fast.
  • 5 0
 well comparing Shimano brakes to trickstuff is like comparing M3 to Zonda.
  • 1 0
 Being an American I would not expect you have heard of this component company. Like Mondbiker said, these are top level brakes and will be my next set when I finally make it back to Germany. I have a couple of one-off bits on one of my bikes from them and the quality is fantastic.
  • 2 0
 Tracey is looking lean and strong this season. Go get em!
  • 1 0
 guys does anyone know what stem is this?
  • 2 0
 chromag BZA
  • 1 0
 How do you call people who never had sex but do have opinion about it?
  • 1 0
 Thought myriam was world champ
  • 7 8
 and for the tracks that require more pedaling there's room to conceal a bosch motor... Seriously what is up with the rear end of that bike. It's so ugly
  • 1 0
 Talking about seat tube angle... thank god this is a DH bike.
  • 1 0
 How heavy it is ? it look heavy to me.
  • 2 0
 Pretty damn light.
  • 2 1
 I think it looks dope as f*ck ????????????
  • 2 2
 27.5. Apparently she doesn’t like going fast.

-all the idiots in the comments who love 29ers
  • 1 3
 Bike is pretty homely .. but not even in the same universe of ugly as the trust fork. If you put both together the universe might implode. lol
  • 1 0
 Flat levers
  • 1 2
 So in African clicking languages, the click is often spelled with an "x", so XquareOne sounds like "*click*one" in my head
  • 2 2
 Riding beautiful looking bike can have a mental advantage, but not here.
  • 1 1
 Cross between Marin wolf ridge and an ugly e-downhill bike
  • 1 2
 That bike so ugly, it made my happy meal cry.
  • 5 8
 5'6" and size large? that can't be right. Also the build is pretty nice, but Promax... Really?
  • 4 6
 I’m 5’6” and ride a large Nomad, it’s quite natural to be “in” the bike rather than on it for some frames.
  • 3 0
 @Danmcdan: I know exactly what you mean. I like to ride "IN" a bike rather than "ON TOP" of as bike. With a roomier cockpit I feel like I am sitting in the pocket where as smaller bikes I feel are under me.
  • 8 10
 which ebike motor does it have?
  • 10 11
 That is one ugly bike
  • 3 5
 that bike.......the thing that should not be.
  • 5 7
 Now that's an ugly bike! I swear new bikes get worse and worse looking.
  • 5 7
 I LOVE Tracy but please dear baby Jesus make this bike go away.
  • 2 5
 Bike reminds me of mingers.com
  • 1 0
 This link is for online games and automatically takes €5 off your credit. If I ever catch up with you cains08....
  • 1 0
 @james691: used to be a site full of ugly looking people. Could've been about 20 years ago like.
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