Polygon Cozmic CX3.0 MTB - Mixed Shimano Groupset

Ever since I got the Polygon Cozmic CX3.0 MTB 2 years ago, I have upgraded quite a few of the components on the bike. I did not write about them as they are mostly minor changes, with only one component upgraded at a time.

With the latest crankset upgrade, I decided to summarise all the upgrades done so far and list them down. Some of them has significant performance improvements, while others are merely cosmetic or with no major improvements.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fork: Rockshox Recon Silver Solo Air, 100mm travel

Original suspension front fork. Good and suitable for normal off road usage.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Crankset: Shimano Deore FC-M590-10, 170mm, 42-32-24T
New Crankset: Shimano Deore XT FC-M780, 170mm, 42-32-24T

Newly upgraded crankset. Biggest benefit is that it looks better!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M590-10

Good and trusty front derailleur, never misses a shift. No real need to upgrade it as it already performs so well.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX RD-M670 SGS Shadow RD
New Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX RD-M675 SGS Shadow Plus RD
* Adjusting the clutch tension on a Shadow Plus RD

Changed from the standard SLX RD to the SLX Shadow Plus RD with the clutch function for reduced chain noise.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Cassette: Shimano CS-HG62-10, 11-36T
New Cassette: Shimano Deore XT CS-M771-10, 11-34T

Deore XT cassette, 11-34T 

34T largest sprocket gives a low enough gearing for most terrain. 36T is usually used only on 29" bikes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Chain: Shimano CN-HG54
New Chain: Shimano XTR CN-M980

XTR chain is highly rust resistant, similar to Dura-Ace chains.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Shifters: Shimano SLX SL-M670, 3x10 speeds. No gear display.
New Shifter: Shimano Deore XT Trekking SL-T780, 3x10 speeds. With gear display.

The trekking version of the Deore XT shifter has the nice and accurate Optical Gear Display (OGD), which I like.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Brakes: Shimano BL-M445, BR-M446
New Brakes: Shimano Deore BL-M615, BR-M615

Upgraded to 1 finger brake lever with Servo-Wave for more braking power 

Better braking power than the stock non-series brakes

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wheelset: Shimano WH-MT55

 Still using the original wheelset, WH-MT55

Using the basic level MTB wheelset, WH-MT55. Rather heavy, but quite indestructible.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tires: Kenda Kharisma II, 26" x 2.10

Still using the original Kenda MTB tires. No problem with these tires so far. Lazy to get new tires to change.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Pedals: Crappy plastic pedals

New Pedals: Shimano Saint PD-MX80 pedals

Upgraded from the lousy stock pedals, to finally settle on this pair of large platform pedals. If it is good enough for downhill racing, it is definitely good enough for me.

From the stock components on the bike, most of the components has been upgraded for better performance. Currently there is a really good mix of components from all the different grades.

XTR: Chain
Saint: Pedals
Deore XT: Crankset, BB, shifters, cassette
SLX: Rear derailleur
Deore: Front derailleur, brakes

All these components are able to work well together as they are all 10 speed Dynasys systems, which means that they all share the same specifications with regards to function.

Final picture showing the entire bike. Weighs 12.5 kg without any accessories.

At 12.5 kg without any accessories, this hardtail MTB can be considered a little heavy. This is mainly contributed by the frame, wheelset and tires which are on the heavy side. The saddle, seatpost, and stem are also stock, which are of course not that lightweight. With an aggressive weight loss program, it seems possible to cut another 1 kg, but that would cost a lot.