Ellsworth Evolution

With 120mm travel, the Ellsoworth Evolution will compete with the likes of the Niner RIP 9, Gary Fisher Rumblefish, Specialized Camber 29 and Turner Sultan. With a tapered head tube and Ellsworth’s renowned ICT suspension design, the Evolution looks killer.

Pivot Mach 429

WOW! The Pivot Mach 429 has been on my radar as a “must ride” for 2011, but just today I saw the new white/blue color combo on the Pivot Facebook page and all I can say is WOW! That bike is beautiful.

Niner Jet 9

I loved the 1st-generation Niner Jet 9 and have only heard more of the same about the updated version. It just looks fast and fun. Niner knows how to make killer, trail-eating 29ers.

I know Santa is a loyal reader… any of the three would fit just dandy under our Christmas tree this year.

After closer inspection, I think it will be safe to answer yes to all the above questions. I’ve closely followed Niner as they have re-designed the Jet9 from the ground-up. Their attention to detail and amazing customer service throughout has been a model for all to follow. Speaking of following, are you following Steve Domahidy as he walks you through the buildup of the new Jet9 from the factory? Check out the Niner Facebook Fan Page for details.

More Details: See the Old vs. New Jet9 Comparison Up Close (PDF)

This tire is MEATY for sure. I recall seeing it at the WTB booth at Interbike–definitely DH-only! At 1400 grams each, this thing would be a pig to pedal uphill, but I’m sure it will crush the downhill!

Here’s a bit more info from Niner:

The much anticipated WTB Kodiak tire is now available for purchase exclusively from the Niner Bikes online store and from the Niner Bikes dealer network.

“This tire is the result of our desire to offer the longest travel, burliest production 29er mountain bike, and WTB’s help with the project has been invaluable.” said Niner co-founder Chris Sugai, “WTB knows that there are a ton of riders out there that want a 29er with freeride and downhill capability and their willingness to step up and be the first to make a wire bead, dual-ply 29er tire shows that their passion for the big revolution is genuine”.

WTB Kodiak Tire Details:

A 2.5′” monster, this Niner exclusive tire is the burliest rubber you can spec on your 29er bike. Made with WTB’s High Grip DNA™ rubber compound, the tread is specifically designed for fast, gnarly, technical descending. The WTB Inner Peace™ sidewall reinforcement has your back when it comes to pinch flat protection, sidewall stiffness and keeping tire damage to a minimum. Finally, the wire bead means less bead stretch and better rim retention when you do push the limits of your riding.

WTB Kodiak Specs: 29×2.5″, 1400 grams, 50 Durometer, 27 TPI, MSRP is $49.95 – buy now

More Info: Visit NinerBikes.com

Hot off the press is the official release of the 2010 Niner AIR9 Carbon in all its sexy goodness. I’m not a 26-inch hardtail fan at all, but a 29er hardtail is a different story and a carbon-fiber 29er hardtail is even better. Look for more details as they come in, but here are a few specs on the all-new Niner AIR9 Carbon.

Niner AIR9 Carbon:

• High modulus carbon fiber
• Bio-Centric EBB bottom bracket for geared or singlespeed use
• Tapered steerer tube
• Built around 80-100mm forks
• Internal cable housing
• Colors: Tang or Vanna White
• MSRP: $TBD

More Info: Visit NinerBikes.com

In spite of my rose-colored glasses, I’ve still gone into my 29er experience with my eyes wide open–expecting to find the Achilles heel of the big hoop phenomenon. I thought I’d find floppy-handling, top-heavy feeling and awkward riding in tight terrain, but have found confident, solid, predictable and fun instead. My latest 29er is the Niner Jet 9 and it’s been mine for the taking, but in the end, the Jet took me for a ride that solidified the legitimacy of 29ers and Niner Bikes.

About the Niner Jet 9

The Jet 9 was introduced in late 2007 and rolled out of the factory in early 2008. After a few production delays and some challenges with the pivot rockers, everything has been smooth sailing. This steed sports 3.1-inches of rear wheel travel and the ability to roll with either an 80mm or 100mm fork up front.

The CVA Suspension design reminds me of my old Balfa 2-step. At its core, it’s a flavor of virtual pivot, but with Niner’s touch to give it just the right wheelpath and ensure high-quality and efficient travel in all conditions.

This XC machine isn’t just built for the race course, but is intended to be ridden in all conditions. In fact, Niner co-founder Chris Sugai rides the Jet as his personal day-in-day-out bike–even though he could choose from any bike in the line.

Features of the Niner Jet 9:

• 6061 aluminum frame weighs 5.8 lbs
• Custom-tuned Fox RP23
• Tire clearance for even the largest tires
• Sealed cartridge bearings in all pivots
• 3.1-inches of rear wheel travel
• CVA (Constantly Varying Arc) suspension design
• Sizes: Small, Medium (tested), Large and X-Large – view geometry chart
• Colors: Kermit Green (tested), Jet Black, Vanna White
• Weight: 27 lbs (as tested)
• MSRP: $1749

Niner Jet 9 29er Bike Review

When it comes to building solid 29er bikes, I trust “29er only” manufacturers, like Niner Bikes, more than makers of other flavors of mountain bikes who also make a couple of 29ers for kicks. Having a dedicated 29er engineering and fabrication process ensures that everything is built with 29ers in mind and not merely a modified 26-inch design. Yes, I’ve ridden several great 29er designs from Kona and Ellsworth, but a dedicated 29er outfit just knows their way around the big hoops.

In spite of the nay-sayers out there, Niner is pushing the travel envelope with the 29er platform–not necessarily with the Jet but with the RIP trailbike and the new WFO long-travel trailbike. As a result, Niner has the most experience with 29er suspension designs and knows how to make a bike that is both squishy and efficient in a variety of travel options.

As tested, the build-kit was mostly top-shelf parts with the venerable Fox F29 100mm front fork. The overall Jet package was solid with great parts all-around. I was particularly impressed with the complete wheel package from the WTB LaserDisc Lite hubs, Stans ZTR Arch rims and WTB Prowler SL, which was lightweight, laterally stiff and offered dirt-gripping traction in all conditions. I was surprised how well the 2.1 width tires hooked up. I could push them hard enough to let loose, but under normal riding, they were stellar.

Funny story about the wheels. I ran into a few friends on a local trail. One of them commented, “I don’t think I’ve ever said this to a guy before, but those red nipples look awesome.” I just laughed and said, “Uhhh… thanks, I think.” The whole wheel package with the red nipples did tie in the red accents on the pivot bolts nicely.

Climbing on the Jet 9 is efficient and fun. I love the momentum-carrying 29er wheel platform for its ability to power through anything and the Jet 9 can definitely motor up steep and loose terrain with the best of them.

With the long Fall we had here in Utah, I was able to ride on some my favorite trails and climb with mid-season efficiency though my body wasn’t quite in mid-season form. I was able to spin up my local time trail climb in my typical time–had I ridden the Jet during the summer, I’m sure I would have beat my personal best.

Both standing and seated climbs are met with a solid platform and excellent traction.

I was a little weary of the mere 3.1-inches of travel, but in the back of my mind I was confident in Niner’s ride quality. When I did point the Jet downhill, I was met with calm and collected handling with the ability to ride through much more than your typical 3-inch XC bike could even dream of. The more I rode the Jet the more I liked it and the more confident I became.

This bike truly rides beyond it’s travel on the downhill and remains very efficient on the up.

In Kermit Green, this bike looks awesome, but both the ride quality and build quality are proof that this love at first sight will also be a long-time companion.

Good Jet 9

• XC efficiency with trailbike manners
• Exceptional build quality
• CVA suspension platform is smooth and keeps the center-of-gravity low
• “No Wander” climber keeps things tracking straight
• Precision handling inspires confidence
• Frame just looks sexy

Bad Jet 9

• Small bump sensitivity and chatter bumps can be a tad rough
• Water bottle location is tight
• You’re unlikely to find one for a test ride

The Bottom Line on the Niner Jet 9

With XC roots and trailbike manners, the Niner Jet 9 is fast on the way up and capable on the way down. Handling is superb and build quality is top-notch. There’s no question that the Jet is a Niner. While it is an XC bike, this bike is extremely versatile and could easily be that one bike to rule them all.

Buy Now: Visit Wrenchscience.com to Build a Niner Jet 9

Miles of trails wind through Bootleg Canyon with plenty of options for DH, freeride and epic trail rides. It’s not quite buffed-out Utah singletrack, but it will definitely do in a pinch. Day one has come and gone and between Kendall and myself, we’ve got a quick take on 9 new bikes coming your way in the next few days.  Here’s a quick take on some of the sweetest trail bikes on the market for 2009 (well, some are on the market now). More detailed reviews to follow… stay tuned.

2009 Niner RIP 9

Niner did a great job of keeping this bike a secret. Utilizing the best innovations from the new WFO 9, the 2009 Niner RIP 9 is the real deal. Everything but the seat tube is changed and all for the better. I flogged the 2008 RIP 9 all summer long and absolutely loved it, but a quick ride on the 2009 version and I’m in love.

Read my full 2009 Niner RIP 9 review >>

2009 Kona Hei Hei 2-9

Not to be outdone in the 29-er world, Kona is coming on strong with their own big wheeler. This bike was one of the most surprising bikes of the day… very impressive!

Read my full 2009 Kona Hei Hei 2-9 29er review >>

2009 Rocky Mountain Altitude 90 RSL

A full-carbon beauty of a trailbike from Rocky Mountain, this bike changes the game in both suspension and geometry design. Definitely one of the most buzzworthy bikes of the test, but does it live up to the hype?

Read my Rocky Mountain Altitude 90 RSL review >>

2009 Pivot Mach 5

I’ve spent the better part of the past year trying to get saddle time on the Pivot Mach 5 trailbike. After an hour in the saddle, It was worth the wait–this bike is a thing of beauty!

2009 Ibis Mojo

This is one of the most sought-after trailbikes on the market and rightly-so. With nearly 1000 Ibis Mojo frames on backorder, the wait-time is long, but it will definitely be worth standing in line for.

My partner-in-crime, Kendall Card also rode… more pics coming soon!

• Pivot Mach 429
• Intense Spyder 29
• Turner Sultan
• Kona CoilAir

At least 4 more bikes to ride tomorrow. Gotta love the Outdoor Demo!

After riding the Niner RIP 9 at last year’s Interbike and posting a quick review of it, I knew I wanted to get one to ride here on my local trails. The Outdoor Demo at Interbike is a great way to get a couple of quick laps on a bike, but it doesn’t always reflect the true nature of the bike. Plus, there’s nothing like riding a bike on your local trails.

I happened to get a hold of the RIP 9 at the same time I had the Ellsworth Evolve 29er, so I had two great all-mountain 29ers at the same time. It was the perfect scenario to get a feel for just how good a 29er can be. With many 29ers on the market and so many more on the way, how does the Niner RIP 9 stack up against the competition in both small and large-hoop flavors?

About the Niner RIP 9

The RIP 9 was built from the ground-up to be a do-it-all trailbike. The design challenges out of the gate seemed insurmountable when all the “perfect elements” were drawn out on paper. 4.5 inches of travel (more than any other 29er), a proprietary suspension design, short chainstays to keep handling sharp and controlled, enough tire clearance for meaty tires and ample space for a standard front derailleur.

In the end, Niner has nailed an all-mountain bike unlike any other with predictable handling characteristics, a proprietary suspension design–all at a respectable price point.

Here are a few more specs on the Niner RIP 9:

• Frame: Custom butted and drawn 7005 aluminum with particular attention to detail
• Travel: 4.5 inches via CVA suspension utilizing sealed cartridge bearings on all pivots
• Shock: Custom-tuned Fox RP23
• Other details: Stout replaceable derailleur hanger can withstand repeated abuse, pre-reamed and faced head tube and bottom bracket for easy building
• Weight: 6.5 lbs (frame only), 29 lbs. complete as built
• Sizes: Small, Medium (tested), Large and Xtra Large
• Colors: Hi Ho Silver Anodized (tested) or Atomic Blue
• Price: $1649 (frame only) with build kits available soon

Niner RIP 9 Long-term Review

This summer has been full of epic riding. I’ve discovered several new trails nearby that have served as the testing grounds for every bike I’ve reviewed this season.  Head-to-head testing on the local singletrack has been combined with several longer rides to get the proper feel for every bike.  During this time, few other bikes have been so at home as the Niner RIP 9.

I’ve heard some of the complaints of friends who have said it took some getting used to with their new 29ers–mostly on the downhill. It turns out that many suffer from sloppy handling and an awkward, tip-inducing high center-of-gravity.

When riding the RIP 9, I simply can’t relate to their trepidation.  Yes, 29ers are different than the 26er you’ve got in your garage, but Niner 29ers are nothing to be afraid of. The key is that the RIP 9 was built from the ground-up as a 29-inch full-suspension bike. It wasn’t adapted from previous designs (this is Niner’s first full-suspension bike), so handling and ride characteristics are spot on.

As I’ve mentioned before, 29ers aren’t for everyone. Smaller riders and newbies may not get the right feel and/or may not generate enough power to pedal one comfortably. I’ve found that the sweet spot with all 29ers is to ride just ahead of the natural cadence of the gear and the RIP 9 is no exception.

With a fair amount of miles on my legs, I’ve felt completely at home on the RIP 9. Twisty, turny singletrack is no match for this ripper. And, anyone who thinks it may have sloppy handling will be proven wrong once they lay into their first turn.

Climbing is very efficient, but I have made use of the lockout switch on occasion–mostly on smooth, drawn-out climbs on Clark’s Trail here in Draper, Utah.  But, on every other rocky, steep and loose climb, I’ve left the squish engaged without worry.

Descents on the RIP 9 are predictable and fun. Just last week, I descended down Mill D North Trail from the Wasatch Crest Trail hooting and hollering the whole way down. This particular trail is riddled with log drops, rock lips, rock gardens and both tight and wide-open singletrack. On several occasions, I just powered off the log drops without even thinking and the bike was always there–smooth as ever.

There’s no question that this bike is one of the top trailbikes on the market today regardless of its wheel size.

Just a couple of gripes about the build to keep in mind (even though you’ll get to custom build it yourself). If you’re considering the Manitou Minute 29er, make sure to get the 20mm thru-axle version–you’ll truly appreciate the extra stiffness. My test bike had a standard QR, which should be abolished anyway. The Fox Racing 32 F29 120mm fork would be a great option on this bike. Also, the Mavic C29ssmax wheelset suffers a bit from “rubber band syndrome”. Lateral stiffness and tracking is awesome, but it feels as though there’s a slight delay between the initial pedal stroke and the wheel turning. Again, keep those things in mind when selecting your build kit.

Good RIP 9

• One of the best all-mountain bikes on the market
• 29-inch wheels ride like a Cadillac
• Lightweight and efficient
• Predictable handling is perfectly dialed
• Excellent price for what you’re getting

Bad RIP 9

• Small chatter bumps can sometimes bounce you around
• 160mm front rotor is overmatched, opt for a 185mm
• Availability is still limited

The Bottom Line on the Niner RIP 9

This is one of the top trailbikes on the market–29er or otherwise. An ultra-smooth climber and fun downhiller, the RIP 9 will roll through nearly anything you can dish out. While it can’t take the abuse of say the Rocky Mountain Slayer, the RIP 9 is a true all-mountain trailbike for most riders. Since you get to choose your build kit, you can personalize this bike to your exact riding style.

Buy Now: Get a Niner RIP 9 at WrenchScience.com

Good timing and a little luck has me with two top-notch 29-er trailbikes for the next month: The Niner RIP 9 and the Ellsworth Evolve. Both are top-shelf bikes available as a frame-only so you can customize the build from head-to-toe to your exact liking.

I’ll be riding both bikes on the same trails back-to-back to get a good feel for how they compare. I’m looking forward to flogging them both and letting you know how they compare.  Look for quick updates along the way and full, in-depth reviews of both the Ellsworth Evolve and Niner RIP 9 in the coming weeks.

Just completed: Ellsworth Evolve Review and Niner RIP 9 Review

More Info: Visit Ellsworthbikes.com or Ninerbikes.com

I had a blast on the Niner RIP 9 at Interbike. I fell in love with it as the finest 29er I rode at the demo. And, on top of that, the crew at Niner Bikes was as cool as they come. I chatted with Chris Sugai (co-founder) at length before heading out on a pristine RIP 9 (read my Niner RIP 9 Review). Great guy and great bikes!

So, after a year of R&D, Niner has introduced a new 3.1″ travel XC bike, the all-new Niner Jet 9. This bike looks very similar to its long-travel brother, but it turns out Niner didn’t cut many corners in its development, so, aside from the CVA suspension design it borrows little from the RIP 9.

If you’re looking for an XC ripper, the new Jet 9 looks to be your steed. The 2008 Niner Jet 9 is designed to be mated with either an 80mm fork for quick, XC handling or 100mm fork for a more comfortable overall feel. As an added bonus, anyone committing to pre-order the 2008 Jet 9 (expected ship date is mid-Feb. 08) by Dec. 15 will get a free Niner-branded Patagonia Half-Mass Messenger Bag just for being on top of your game.

Quick Niner Jet 9 Specs

The Jet 9 is an XC machine with the following features:

1. 3.1 inches of active travel
2. Fox Float RP23 shock
3. Renowned CVA Suspension platform
4. Designed for 80mm or 100 mm forks

Here’s a quick synopsis of the all-new Niner Jet 9 from Ninerbikes.com:

“The JET 9 is our swift, light, race ready full suspension bike. Designed around the same award winning CVA™ suspension system found on the R.I.P. 9, the Jet 9 features 80mm of plush, fully active travel at nearly a pound lighter frame weight from it’s bigger brother” ~ Niner Bikes

To pre-order a 2008 Jet 9 for Feb. 2008 delivery, simply visit your local Niner Bikes dealer, plunk down $200 and you’re set. In Utah, the local Niner dealer is Revolution Mountain Sports.

BUY NOW: Visit Ninerbikes.com to purchase a Niner Jet 9 ($1749 MSRP)

Going into this year’s Interbike Outdoor Demo, I had a few items of business I wanted to take care of. Tops on that list was to ride a 29-inch mountain bike. Last year, as I pounded the trails on a myriad of standard mountain bikes with 26-inch wheels, I kept seeing this sweet-looking Niner full-suspension bike cruising around Bootleg Canyon. This year, I was determined to get on that bike, which happens to be Niner’s flagship bike, the Niner RIP 9.

Niner Bikes was started by Chris Sugai and Steve Domahidy after Steve embraced 29-inch wheels and Steve had built Supergo’s proprietary bike lines (Weyless mountain bikes and Scattante road bikes) into winners. The 29-inch movement was just starting to catch on and Chris and Steve were bent on building a company with great bikes, great people and amazing customer service.

After chatting with Chris Sugai at the demo, I was completely sold on his passion and dedication to building a great product and a successful, customer-oriented business. He was super personable and very willing to chat about his bikes. Niner appears to be enjoying the success of their labors and I’m sure Chris didn’t have to be in the booth, but I’m guessing he wouldn’t have it any other way. Likewise, everyone else in the booth was equally informative and excited to fill me in on the features of their bikes.

About the Niner RIP 9

While other manufacturers of 29-inch mountain bikes are building a slew of hardtails or shorter-travel full suspension designs, Niner introduced the RIP 9 with 4.5-inches of smooth travel at Interbike 2006. Dedicated to providing the best handling mountain bike and staying true to their geometry and handling standards, the crew at Niner spent likely thousands of hours fiddling and tinkering with their designs before nailing the geometry and design achieved by the Niner RIP 9.

The heart of the Niner RIP 9 is the Constantly Varying Arc (CVA) full-suspension design. If you’re interested in finding out how the CVA was developed, check out RIP 9 CVA information page. Basically, it’s an optimized version of a proprietary virtual pivot bike. We could talk all day long about how awesome this suspension design is and how it’s so much better than anything else on the market, but that all that talk means little until you hit the trail and experience it for yourself. And, once you experience it on the trail, you’ll begin to plug your ears and say “la la la la la” as you hear the pitch on other suspension designs because the CVA is all it’s cracked up to be.Aside from the CVA suspension design, the overall fit and finish of the RIP 9 is on par with other custom bike manufacturers and carries a full 2-year warranty.

Quick Review of the Niner RIP 9

I hopped on the Niner RIP 9 as the second bike of the day and instantly noticed how smooth it rolled over everything in sight. The loose gravel in the demo area disappeared as I rolled through the maze to the trails. A quick climb on the RIP 9 revealed the only perceived flaw on this rig–I had to pedal in a lower gear to keep the momentum I was used to. That said, it wasn’t like I was huffing and puffing to push this bike up the hill… it’s only a slight, but noticeable difference. I guess it is worth mentioning that I wasn’t super keen on the flat bars on this bike, but that’s a personal preference. It’s funny riding flat bars again… it just felt odd.

Once the trails turned downhill, the beauties of the RIP 9 were quickly apparent. This uber-smooth bike laughs at rocks, drops and twisty-turny singletrack. Without a doubt, the RIP 9 has singlehandedly opened my mind to go bigger. 29ers aren’t just for eccentric 26-inch haters, they are for anyone who wants to enjoy a great ride on a great bike. And, the fact that the RIP 9 has bigger hoops is really a side story to the overall quality and design that makes it a great bike.

A little about the parts spec on the RIP 9… while this bike is available as a frame-only option, it looks like Niner is making inroads towards offering a complete bike package. This bike was spec’d to the hilt with Manitou Minute 29 featuring 120mm travel and a 20mm thru-axle for the ultimate in rigidity, all-new Mavic CrossMax 29-inch wheels and a great all-around SRAM X.9 drivetrain and Avid Juicy brakes.

The Bottom Line

There’s no doubt that this bike will continue to win over more and more people in he 29-inch bike market. With Niner Bikes, you get an amazing bike and a great company that’s dedicated to treating their customers right. Oh yeah… you also get one of the smoothest all-mountain rigs on the market.

Looking to get your hands on a Niner RIP 9? Check out www.ninerbikes.com, plunk down your credit card and get in line for one of the best all-mountain bikes available. Retail price of the RIP 9 is $1649 (frame-only).

Buy Now: Visit NinerBikes.com to Purchase a Rip 9

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