Bike models › Road

Polygon Strattos S2: specs, upgrades and what fits

Polygon's entry-level aluminum road bike with a carbon fork, Shimano Claris 2x8 STI shifting, Tektro R315 rim caliper brakes and QR wheels on 700 x 28c tires. Bikes Online US sold it 2019-2023 for about $549-$799; the 2020-2024 bikes share this frame and geometry (2020 had 25c tires and R312 calipers). Best for: First road bike for fitness rides and group rides on pavement.

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My take, from the specs

A first road bike for fitness and group rides on pavement, with Shimano Claris 2x8 shifting built into the brake levers, a carbon fork and 28 mm tires. Tektro rim calipers and quick-release wheels keep it simple to maintain. On a used one, check the rim brake tracks for wear, the chain and 11-30 cassette for stretch, and the carbon fork for any crash damage.

Sizes: S: 5′4″–5′7″ (162–170 cm) · M: 5′6″–5′9″ (168–176 cm) · L: 5′9″–5′11″ (174–181 cm) · XL: 5′11″–6′2″ (180–187 cm)

Stock specs

Upgrade limits

How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.

Best upgrades by area

Three options that fit the Polygon Strattos S2 as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.

Upgrades that fit as-is

Brakes

• Shimano R55C4 road cartridge pads (2 pairs), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
• Shimano R50T2 road caliper brake pads (2 pairs), $. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
• Kool-Stop Dura 2 salmon road brake pads, threaded (2 pairs), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
• SwissStop Full FlashPro Original Black road pads with holders (2 pairs), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes
• Shimano Sora BR-R3000 dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
• Shimano Tiagra BR-4700 dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
• Shimano 105 BR-R7000 dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
• Tektro R539 long-reach dual-pivot rim brake calipers (pair), $$$. road caliper pads ↔ your rim brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers

Comfort

• 35° rise 60 mm stem, $. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Get the 31.8 mm clamp version for your bar
• Suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (budget), $$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• Redshift ShockStop suspension seatpost 27.2, $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
• Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
• Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
• Cinelli Cork Ribbon bar tape, $. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
• Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
• Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
• Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
• Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 2.5 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
• Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 4.6 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
• Ritchey Comp 2-Bolt alloy seatpost 27.2 mm, $$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• Thomson Elite seatpost 27.2 x 330 mm, $$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• Ergon CF Allroad Pro Carbon flex seatpost 27.2 mm, $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• Redshift ShockStop suspension stem 31.8 (±6° or +30°), $$$. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
• Redshift ShockStop PRO suspension stem 31.8 (±6°), $$$$. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer

Control

• External dropper post 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + remote, $$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
• ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
• Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
• Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
• OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
• Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
• Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
• KS eTen-R external dropper 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
• PNW Components Pine external dropper 27.2 mm (90 or 110 mm) + PNW Loam lever, $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube

Utility

• USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
• Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
• Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
• Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
• Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
• Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
• Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
• Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.

Tires

• Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
• Continental Ultra Sport III 700x28 folding (pair), $$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
• Continental Ultra Sport III 700x25 folding (pair), $$. 25 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
• Michelin Power Cup 700x25 clincher (pair), $$$. 25 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
• Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x25 clincher (pair), $$$. 25 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance
• Michelin Power Cup 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~28 mm clearance

Drivetrain

• KMC X8 8-speed chain with Missing Link, $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
• KMC Z8.3 6/7/8-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain
• KMC X8 EPT 6/7/8-speed anti-rust chain with Missing Link, $$. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain

Tubes

• Continental Race 28 Wide 700x25–32 Presta 60 mm tubes (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
• RideNow TPU road tubes 700x18–32 Presta 65 mm (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
• Pirelli P ZERO SmarTUBE 700x23–32 Presta 60 mm (pair), $$$. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
• Tubolito Tubo-CX/Gravel-All 700x30–50 Presta 42 mm (pair), $$. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims

Wheels

• Shimano WH-RS100 700c rim-brake wheelset, QR 100/130, 8–11 speed, $$$. 700c wheel size matches · 100/130 mm hubs ↔ your frame

Gearing

• Shimano Acera RD-M3020-8 SGS 7/8-speed rear derailleur (40T max), $$. 8-speed ↔ your 8-speed drivetrain · Shimano cable pull ↔ your shifter

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Buying one used? Fair prices

Worked out from the price new ($569), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.

See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices

Geometry (size M)

Compare with

• Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4 · compare frames side by side
• Giant Contend 3 · compare frames side by side
• Specialized Allez (Shimano Claris) · compare frames side by side
• Schwinn Volare 1300 700c Drop Bar · compare frames side by side

Sources: Polygon US: Strattos S2 specs + geometry ($569) · Bikes Online US (archived 2023): 2023 Polygon Strattos S2 - Shimano Claris ($799 list, $549 sale) · Polygon bike archive: 2020 Strattos S2 (same frame/geometry, Prowheel crank, HG31 11-30) · Bike Insights: 2021 Polygon Strattos S2 geometry