Strengths
-Stiff front end
-Climbing efficiency
-Huge rear tire mud clearance
-Cable stays for seatpost control cable
-Attention to detail in the right places; welded rockers, high end bearings, multi-axle option

Weaknesses
-Cable routing around the rear triangle could use more attention
-Shock options
-More color options?

Reviewer: Thomas Tran

The guys at Niner Bikes have evolved their first FS frame, the RIP9, into a worthy successor. When the Rip9 first came out, it was an instant hit at Interbike Outdoor Demo . The Constantly Varying Arc (CVA) rear suspension allows the bike to pedal very well while seated, and the angles of the frame were spot on for a 4.5" FS 29er. Fast forward 3 years and Niner has released the version 2.0 of the frame. They addressed many key areas of version 1.0 that drew comments or criticisms. The advent of tapered steerer was adopted to increase front end stiffness and the welded box section rockers increase rear end stiffness. Add to that, the ability to use a multitude of rear axle sizes and types, and Niner was able to stiffen the frame considerably without adding weight. Niner didn't just use the typical 'bolt on enhancements' to stiffen the frame, all this was achieved through extensive use of hydroforming and custom casting for key tube junctions. This wasn't a cheap redesign, but then again, Niner has always lead R&D in the 29er field.

Nice touches by Niner:
Tapered head tube
Super strong box sections in key areas
Cable stays for bar mounted adjustable seatpost cables
Tucked in brake cable stays
Multiple axle options for rear wheels, including Maxle
The very best bearings on a production frame
Super sloping top tube to accommodate shorter riders on a long travel 29'er
Water bottle mount for shorter rides without a pack, or those super epics with 100oz+

The package

I normally don't comment on anything but the frame, in a frame review, as all other parts are typically a personal preference. In this case, I strongly feel the bike is more than the sum of its parts. You're riding a system here, and not just the frame.

I have never been one to buy off the shelf. All my parts are specially picked for their performance/weight/function. The package Niner sent me is off the shelf for them. On the surface, it is a mid-high level build, XT/X0/Thomson/Stans/Elixir. Most MFGs just throw together the most price efficient parts and call it done. In this case, once you stand back and see how the parts work together, the appreciation for the perfect blending of parts comes through. What you get with a Niner parts package is years of knowledge of what works and is needed for a 29'er setup; short stem, tire selection, fork selection, etc...



Read more about the RIP9...



Trifecta front end - tapered, thru axle, light/strong wheel
Niner worked with Fox to get this fork made for 2010, FIT, 15mm, 120mm travel, tapered steerer. The front end stiffness will be immediately noticeable, for the better. I'm a big believer in tubeless rims, so I felt right at home on the WTB hubs/Flows/Rampage setup. Rims are strong and wide, allowing for a stiff front wheel build, yet not overly heavy.

This being a 'longer' travel 29er FS, Rampage are about the lightest tire you want to use on the front. I would have like to try a lighter rear tire for my use and terrain. The Rampage are stout and very cut resistant, but are slow to pedal. Not any slower than comparable tires, but slow nonetheless.

Wide Niner flat handlebar. Keeping the bars low on a longer travel 29'er is very important, especially in the smaller frame sizes. Niner uses a short Headtube, coupled with flat bars. This allows a reasonable bar to ground height for the Small and Medium frames, as it is likely that these riders are not tall, and want to keep a good bar/saddle height relationship. A wide bar is really needed to control a big 29'er front end, on a longer travel bike. As speeds, or steepness increases, you want a lot leverage and control over the front wheel. The Niner bar is not short on width at 710mm, and gives the level of leverage needed to keep a bike like this under control. Taller riders sometimes will need a riser bar to accomplish the seat/bar relationship that is best for them.

The ride

This is where the part selections pays off big time. The FIT 2010 fork is a big jump up in performance from 2009 Fox, or the Reba forks. This allows the frame/fork package to work together as a really well tuned system. The fork/TA hub/Flow rim allows you to point the bike on any line and keep it there. In the past, to ride a Rip9 fast with a Reba/Maverik, you either get a plush ride, but the front end wallows, dives and wanders. When you add pressure, you get less dive but trade that for a harsher ride. The Rip9 rear end has always been plush and feels like endless travel.

Seated climbing is a strong point of the RIP9 and has always been. The amount of good traction that the CVA design gives you is mind boggling. On climbs, it has the ability to track the terrain, conform around roots and rocks and keep the rubber planted is what you're paying for. Tire slips were never my issue on steep ascents, but rather my legs and lungs. I spent over 100 miles climbing on this bike. During some of the endless uphill sections, I'd look down and marvel at how the shock doesn't move at all. I get can the shock to move with out of the saddle climbing, but even with that, it moves a whole lot less than other frames, given how plush I have the shock set.

When things point downhill, you'll notice very little brake jacking, if any on this frame. I can brake hard and late into bumpy corners without the feeling of my braking affecting the quality of travel in the rear suspension. With certain FS designs you can feel the rear suspension essentially lock up and stop working when the brakes are on hard into a corner with braking bumps, effectively leading to skipping across the top of the bumps and more skidding.

Conclusions here...



Conclusion

This is a top candidate for a 1 bike stable. If you ride it all, up, down, rough, smooth, all day, or the "I've never been there rides", the Rip9 is a top choice. It pedals well for those all day 60 mile epics. It is super stable for jumps or rutted chutes. Pay the extra dollars and get a fork with a TA and tapered steerer even if you don't buy from Niner. I'm one to reuse my favorite parts on hand, but this is not going to be one of those times. Sell the old fork if you planned to use it, and buy a new one. The frame/wheels/fork should strongly be considered as one package and build the bike from there.

I had a few chainsuck events during my 3 months riding the bike, so some tuning and alignment are in order. A bike like this deserves consideration to run 2x9 with some type of chain tensioner. You find that the RIP9 loves to rip the DH, and your chain will invariably be flapping in the wind.

Who should buy it?
-If I only buy one bike
-Hardtail diehard, tired of getting dropped by his buddies in the rough and fast downhills
-Want a great all day, all terrain 29er

Value Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars



Overall Rating:

4.75 out of 5 Stars