Niner Rip9 Frame Only 2011: Roll in Peace. After over a year of testing and tweaking, Niner is proud to introduce the R.I.P. 9. With four and a half inches of pure, unadulterated fun, the R.I.P. 9 will roll through any terrain...
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. Continue reading →
Submitted by
Jwiffle
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester, VA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2012
Strengths: One of the first true aggressive trail/AM full suspension bikes.
Pedals very well, very little bob from the rear suspension.
Descends very well also. I rail the downhills about the same as the 6" 26er I had before it.
Weaknesses: CVA suspension pedals well, and although it is pretty plush on the descents, not as plush as Giant's Maestro.
Some flex in rear end (note: this bike is now over 4 years old, from what I understand the models in the last several years have beefed up the rear end considerably; also, the little flex hasn't seemed to mean anything other than I can get the rear brake to buzz sometimes).
Bottom Line:
i'm surprised I haven't written a review for this bike already! Anyway, I have had my RIP9 since late 2007, and I can't count the adventures I've had on it. Race tires with a triple for 100 mile mtb races to big meats with 2-bash for normal trail riding. The riding here in the western VA is rocky, and the bike handles it well.
I first got into the big wheels looking for something different and more XC oriented than my 6" Reign, so I got a KM set up rigid and SS. Loved the big wheels so much I decided to get a 29er FS. Not too many options for an AM 29er at the time, but the RIP9 seemed like a good candidate. Haven't looked back!
The RIP9 climbs very well, and I was able to build it fairly light without going too crazy (29.6 lbs with Rampages). The CVA suspension provides no pedal feedback/kickback that I can notice, nor does it really bob unless I'm really mashing it standing. I rarely use the propedal setting on the RP23 shock, and when I do, I only use the first. Propedal just really isn't needed since it pedals so well; I only use it on a long fireroad climb. Can't have the propedal on for the descent, though, just doesn't feel right at all.
Bike is fun on the descents, too. Pretty plush, soaks up most of the trail chatter and takes larger hits well. I don't hit any really big drops, but it has handles the 3 footers I've done just fine.
Overall, I'd say this is a great bike if you want a 29er trail/AM bike.
Similar Products Used: I demo'ed several other full-squish 29ers back at Interbike in 2007, like the Lenz behomoth I think it was.
My previous bike was a 2005 Giant Reign.
Bike Setup: Size Large, Manitou Minute 120mm fork, XTR shifters, XT ders, NoTubes Arch/Hope wheels, XT brakes. Tires I've run on it: Rampages, Mountain Kings, Karmas, Aspen, Ardent.
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Submitted by
schnee
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2012
Strengths: BURLY - as a Clydesdale+, this is the first frame that doesn't wobble and flex. Comfortable - the plush suspension just soaks up abuse. Good at many things - climbs well, descends even better, nice balance of stability and maneuverability.
Weaknesses: Long wheelbase makes it not so great in twisty, tight singletrack. Some XC triple cranks create major chain suck issues.
Bottom Line:
The first version of the Rip9 was noodly, and Niner overcompensated so much with the redesign that I think they made the perfect Clydesdale bike.
As far as the frame, the tubing is big, squared-off and burly. You can swap out the rear dropouts to fit a 12mm Maxle, which is usually only seen on bikes with twice the travel and weight. The tapered head tube makes the steering rock solid. Let me put it this way - I've had bikes literally wiggle left and right as I pedaled because of my size and torque output (imagine an ex Linebacker cranking away). This bike feels absolutely SOLID under all conditions.
As far as the performance, since I'm in the 250+ pound range I had to send the rear shock to PUSH (as I do on all my bikes) and I bought a fork made for a WFO and shimmed it down to fit this frame. It took these mods like a champ, and feels plush, bottomless, and can still turn on a dime when I run into situations I don't want to just plow through (rare with this bike). At speed, you lean with your hips, and just carve away.
The only problems are one that it's not really built to encounter. First, this is a do-it-all bike. It can be a lot of work to manhandle it through super maneuverable twisty stuff; for that, buy a JET / RDO / etc. or stay on a 26er. Second, they used to have horrible chainsuck with XT triple cranks. They've solved that a bit (with a notch in the chainstay that made some room) but really, this bike is meant for a double + bashring. You'll have too much fun throwing it over logs and chunky rock gardens to worry about needing a big ring.
The last thing is to be cognizant of which version of this one you buy. The 2009 re-envisioning (in Raw, Milk Dud and Black Ano) had a steep head tube. The 2010 refresh (in Black and Red) has 1 degree more slack. I found that made a real difference when you're in super steep stuff, like 'chest on the saddle even with when you're using the dropper' situations. The newer, slacker bikes are a bit better there. When I was on my 2009 I could just FLY on most terrain, but it felt a bit dicey. I had to run a shorter stem than I would have on similar bikes.
Similar Products Used: Ibis Mojo, Rip9 2009 (new design, steeper headtube), Rip9 2010 (new design, slack head tube)
Bike Setup: Rip9 2010 (with the new slacker head tube) set up burly all-mountain. King/MTX33 wheels. White Brothers Fluid 150mm fork @ 138mm. Fox RP23 shock with PUSH custom valving. Shimano SLX double cranks with bash guard and Time ATAC pedals. Truvativ risers with 70mm stem. KindShock dropper seatpost.
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Submitted by
pmollenkof
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA
Weaknesses: Hard to pick any, but just a tad heavier on the hills. Slightly expensive.
Bottom Line:
This was my first 29er bike, and I was really unsure if this bike would be too much travel for the mostly XC, sometimes technical singletrack I ride. I'm so glad I made this choice. This bike is a FANTASTIC ride. It pedals and rides so well, and literallly eats everything up in front of it. I've noticed that I actually TRY and ride over rocks and logs just because I love how this bike handles the rough terain. It's an absolute blast riding downhills and tearing around corners. I really can lean into turns and it just carves up the trail. I always have a huge smile on my face after a fast and flowy section.
The biggest surprise to me though, is how well this bike also climbs. It's not a super quick race bike up the hills, but it pedals really nicely and doesn't feel bulky, or wandering when the trail gets steep. It also just rolls right over large rocks and roots on steep hills, which really helps me climb better. I really feel a great response from the bike from every ounce of energy I put into it while climbing.
Overall, this bike has made me a faster & stronger rider. Really, my main problem is that I want to ride this bike all the time because it's just so much fun. Has made me fall in love with mountain biking even more than before.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Bike Setup: Shimano Deore XT components, Fox F29 120mm fork, Avid Elixir brakes, Bontrager Race tubeless wheels
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Submitted by
john
a Weekend Warrior
from petaluma,calif,usa
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2011
Strengths: stiff,stable
Weaknesses: cheap paint
Bottom Line:
this bike really makes climbing easy.the descent is just as good when i come up on 26ers you can really see how much harder they work.it seems like i can clear patches of bad road or baby heads with ease.I think when more tire options come out it will only get better:)
Bike Setup: ti rock shox forks, stans wheels king bottom,hadley hubs,hope brks.
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Submitted by
jhkvt
a Weekend Warrior
from S. Burlington, VT
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2011
Strengths: Just had such a fun weekend riding some "Alpine XC" as the description boasts. With 36t chainring climbing is tolerable even when it gets steep and rooty, downhills are just so much fun and reminiscent of carving downhill turns over little whoopdeedoos.
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
So happy to have this bike. Value is "4" only b/c seems like there are seemingly comparable priced aluminum FS 29" frames at around half-pound lighter for same sturdiness/performance.
Similar Products Used: Trance x 26" - great bike as well.
Bike Setup: 130mm Reba RLT Ti Fork; Roval Control EL wheelset; Captain 2.2 2bliss front, Racing Ralph 2.25 rear; XT Crankset; Avid Elixir R brakes, All Mountain Post seat dropper post; X9 rear derailleur; WTB saddle always.
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Submitted by
geekrunner
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2011
Strengths: Very stiff frame, Licorice Anno is very stealthy color, nice red blingy pieces, Enduro bearings in the suspension pivots, 2010 frame has 71.5 head tube angle which is great in-between setting. Tapered headtube adds to the stiffness and stability.
Weaknesses: Not real wild about the integrated headset, but that's my only beef.
Bottom Line:
If you could only own one bike, this would be the one! I purchased the frame with my employee discount at BOI in 2010, so I got the 2010 model just prior to Niner announcing the 2011 lineup. I was sad that I could not get the Hot Tamale RIP9, but they changed the head tube angle on the 2011s to 70.5 so I'm better off actually. The 71.5 angle is just right in between twitchy quick steering, and slow chopper-like steering. Depending on the terrain, this could be raced cross-country, especially where there are long fast descents. It is rock-solid stable on gnarly fire road/horse trail descents on southern Indiana trails, and as comfy as a Barcolounger. I did run the Panaracer Rampages at first, but then swapped out for the Maxxis Ardents and am much happier with how it rolls. I've ridden it twice on the Brown County Breakdown, 2010 and 2011. Did 85 miles in 2010 and 97 out of 100 possible miles this past October. I could not imagine riding any other bike for that event than the RIP9. The only caveat is to make certain the headset stays adjusted properly. With the integrated headset, you don't want the bottom bearing loose in the integrated cup and ovalizing the cup, then the frame is toast. If they went to an internal headset, I'd be perfectly 100% happy, but I'll settle for 99.99999% happy!
I'm not a big guy, 5-11 and 170 lbs. But if you are a big guy and break bicycles, this bike will not let you down!
Similar Products Used: 2004 Mongoose Grand Marquis All Mountain 26er
Bike Setup: 2010 Rockshox Reba Team 120mm with 20mm thru axle, Shimano Deore XT group, Salsa Pro-Moto riser bar, Thomson Elite stem and seatpost, Sun Ringle Charger Pro all mountain wheelset, Maxxis Ardent 2.25 running tubeless.
The R.I.P. Nine is all mountain perfection. After 300 miles I can say I am in love with my new bike! That was my initial feeling and every ride I am out on the RIP 9 I am still just as amazed at its awesomeness. First off let me say that from the very first ride I became a better rider. I was faster and better at technical features immediately. Ever ride out I am clearing stuff that used to give me trouble. This bike is as plush as my Slayer but waaaaay faster and way better to climb with. 28 pounds vs 35 for the Slayer. I rode a RIP 9 in Or. about a year ago and thought about building one for ten months. I only wish I did it sooner. This bike is sooo good I would not get another bike without a demo ride for fear of dissapointment. I must say the XX brake rotors have a Judder, pulse thing that is obnoxious but I think a solid rotor may fix that problem. This may be the first bike I ride till I wear it out.
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mtn. Slayer 50, Gary Fisher Rumble Fish and a Trek Remedy 9.
Bike Setup: XX
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Submitted by
Recon
a Cross Country Rider
from Longview, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2011
Strengths: Handling; smooth ride; quality; rolls over obstacles my 26" had a tough time clearing; downhill control is excellent
Weaknesses: No problems yet.
Bottom Line:
The RIP9 is great! I ride five time a week, and this bike always puts a smile on my face. Although I went all out and spent more on the build than I should have, I haven't been disappointed yet. Took several rides to really get used to the 29er attributes. Extremely stable on the descent- the CVA really works well. I can ride this bike on some gnarly trails at Growlers that I would never have tried on my old bike and never feel like I'm on the edge of control.
A word to the wise if you choose to use a Rampage tire on the rear: it'll get you in shape in a hurry if you pedal uphill for any distance. Grips really well but has a ton of rolling resistance.
Five chilis for value (you get what you pay for) and five chilis overall.
Bike Setup: XTR 2x10 Build Kit
XTR Brakes
RockShox Reba XX Dual Air Fork
Gravity Dropper
Easton Haven wheelset
PanaRacer Rampage tires
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Submitted by
Throttlemire
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2011
Strengths: Rolls over everything. Descending. High-speed stability. Balanced feel. Quick handling.
Weaknesses: Weight. Steep Climbs. Noisy pivots.
Bottom Line:
This bike will make you a better, faster and more confident rider. The geometry feels perfect and not like a big travel bike, but it can handle some big hits and drops. Fast cornering but stable at high speed. Make sure you have good brakes because you will ride faster.
Bike Setup: Stan Arch Wheels, SRAM shifters, XT brakes, CB Drop Post, Schwable Front, Control Rear
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Submitted by
qbngringo
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2011
Strengths: Stiff, handling, climbing, 29er, attention to detail
Weaknesses: Weight, but it makes the bike stiff and able to handle anything you throw at it.
Bottom Line:
I love my Rip 9, i am coming from a Cannondale Rize carbon fiber bike so it is a huge change. The rize is stiffer and you can tell the difference the CVA suspension makes. Clearly these bikes are very different with the rize being a 26". The one disadvantage the Rip has is that it is a little heavy.
Bike Setup: XT drivetrain and brakes, Easton Haven Wheels, Kenda Slant Six, 120mm fox Talas
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Submitted by
myckls
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangor, ME usa
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2011
Strengths: handling, climbing, downhill, rock gardens
Weaknesses: tight cornering, not as nimble. will make you miss more work days to get in more riding time
Bottom Line:
i cant believe how this bike has improved my riding. read a lot of reviews and found a few people saying that but didn't really "get it"... now i know.
i'm 6'5" and 245 fully loaded. i had never even heard of Niner 3 weeks before buying this bike. what sold me on this bike (didn't even demo it first) was a review by someone with about the same measurements as myself when he wrote that "it just fits". and it surely does.
the longer wheelbase makes me feel more comfortable on this rig and therefore more apt to practice riding previously outside my skill ability. no endo's yet whereas it was usually 1 every other ride on my 26" specialized on less technical terrain.
was worried about chain suck after reading the reviews. only had this happen once so far in about 10 rides. haven't noticed much in the way of wheel flex either.
tight cornering is not as good as on my 26" bike but that is to be expected since this bike has about a 6" longer wheelbase. doesn't really matter tho as once out of the corner its like riding on a cheetah.
climbing with this unit makes me think the hills are defective. i see the hill, feel the incline, yet i don't notice much changing when pedaling up it.....weird.
only a few pedal strikes thus far. that was more of my fault misreading the terrain than it is a bb height problem.
cant say enough about this bike. its about a month old so i'm still breaking it in.
Submitted by
the_joshamatic
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2011
Strengths: Cornering
Pedaling
Smooth, fast, and fun
Really, this bike just disappears under you
Juicy brakes were fantastic
The Chainline Cycle guys are first rate - Darrin is 29er disciple (owner of Jet9), a solid dude, and judging by the parade of high-end bikes coming in for service, turns a wrench with the best of them
Weaknesses: Wanders a little on long, slow climbs (I was spinning the lowest gears), wish it was cheaper (you get what you pay for, I suppose)
Also, I suspect there are better forks for this frame
Bottom Line:
Rode this bike while chasing a local rider up and down Knox Mountain in Kelowna, BC. Terrain ranged from rocky off-camber corners to shale-covered chutes to bermed-out swooping corners and rollers. My local guide was on a Bighit (6" front, 7" rear), yet I never felt out-gunned on the descents. I was amazed at how quickly I stopped thinking about the bike I was riding, despite this being my first time out on this bike or any 29" full suspension frame. The handling is totally intuitive and the suspension seems to have zero negative traits. Everything just works so right that you get "one with the bike" almost immediately. The bike doesn't feel "tall" and cornered very well in the range of cornering speeds I encountered (from switchbacks to some wide open berms, all while descending). I'm a taller do-it-all trail rider who doesn't really huck, and this is my favorite frame I've ridden to date.
Submitted by
socal_jack
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2011
Strengths: CVA suspension just flat works, RP23 working OK for me and I'm a clyde at 225#. Geometry pretty much nailed on this bike.
Weaknesses: Huh? Not really a weakness but the interrupted seattube pretty much required a dropper for really sketchy stuff for the small size frame.
Bottom Line:
This bike will give you a perma-grin, descents as said elsewhere are amazingly good, uphills are a piece of cake with the ability to stand and grind like a hard tail when the going gets tough.
Although I've owned probably 7-8 mtb's this was the first that I bought as a frame and built up and spec'd as I saw fit after issues with hubs and wheelset weakness on other 29er bikes. The result has been a bomb-proof, flex-free, confidence inspiring platform for mtb hilarity.
Similar Products Used: Demo'd a Sultan before getting the RIP9
Bike Setup: Marz 140mm TST2 air fork, mix of SRAM and Shimano drivetrain setup 22/32/bash Tru-Vativ Hussefelt crankset(bars, stem also), Halo Freedom 36H rims with CK HD rear hub 10mm fun-bolts, 15mm CK front, Avid BB7s. Cytoe(mtbr) bash guard. Reverb seatpost.
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Submitted by
ABQ Clydesdale
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2011
Strengths: Climbs like nothing I've ever ridden before and bombs the downhills as fast as I dare. Being a big guy (6'4" and 235#) and coming from a 26" hard tail, this bike has made me 20-30% more efficient climbing and 50% more efficient downhill. Absolutely beautiful frame. Stiff as can be. No flex at all.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet
Bottom Line:
Obviously a huge upgrade over my previous bikes; seems like I clean a section of trail I've never made before on almost every ride. I ride a ton of very loose and pretty technical terrain here in the desert (including sand, rocks large and small, loose slate, slick rock, roots, drops, etc.). The RIP absolutely eats it all up. Others have said that they think the RIP just begs to go faster and will likely get them into trouble someday. I couldn't agree more. The faster I push it on the downhill, the more stable the ride. At speed the line doesn't really matter...just bombs everything. I did a ton of research and test riding before buying this frame and specifying the build. I'm happy as can be with my choice, even at the price paid.
Similar Products Used: Rode Specialized SJ hard tails since '99 and was well overdue to move up to a 29'er. Demo'd Spesh Epic Comp 29'er and Stumpjumper FSR 29'er. Then I demo'd the RIP. I feel like Goldilocks: the Epic flexed too much; the SJ FSR was too squishy in the climbs; and the RIP is JUST RIGHT!
Bike Setup: 2010 XL RIP 9 frame in raw with Fox RP23 with boost valve; Fox F29 Talas fork (adjustable from 90 to 120 mm); full SRAM X-9 drivetrain except for rear derailleur which is X0; custom build DT Swiss wheels with Shimano XT hubs; Shimano XT brakes (165f; 180r); Gravity Dropper seatpost (which I love); Race Face Atlas bars with RF Ride stem; WTB Speed V saddle; Schwalbe Racing Ralph rear tire with Nobby Nick up front (both tubeless).
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Submitted by
jcc456
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2011
Strengths: Climbs great
Descends even better
Weaknesses: Expensive, but worth it.
Bottom Line:
I have a medium 2010 RIP9. I ride Colorado Front Range trails and consider myself an aggressive xc rider as i love the climbs as much as the downhills. I prefer a "trail-oriented" bike as opposed to a race oriented one as I would rather have the extra cushion and travel when I need it on the more technical downhills. I am not a weight weenie and focus on component reliability much more than low weight.
I demoed a Pivot 429 and found it to be far too twitchy. I also tried a Specialized SJ FSR 29er (parking lot ride) and it did not feel as comfortable or predictable as the RIP9. Furthermore, my last Specialized had a proprietary rear shock that was nothing but trouble and I really wanted to avoid this again. Sorry Specialized.
The RIP 9 just worked for me. It felt like an extension of my body and this makes all the difference for me.
I have to admit at first I had a little buyer's remorse in jumping on board the 29er bandwagon as my first few rides on the RIP9 found me floundering on steep technical climbs I used to blast over on my Stumpjumper FSR.
It has taken me at least 10 rides to adjust my riding style to accommodate the 'blast over everything' mindset that really lets these larger wheels shine. I used to clear rocky, technical climbs by carefully selecting my route, hammering when I needed to, and then finessing the handling - even if it meant dropping my forward momentum. When I tried the same style on the RIP9, I would often come to a halt and then have trouble in getting my rolling momentum back. This often led to me getting stopped on a climb.
I began following 29er rider's advice and simply pointing and shooting. This made all the difference in the world. These larger wheels let me blast over the stuff that I had to work so hard to avoid on my 26er. Now I can climb as well, if not better, than ever before. A recent trip to Moab had me climbing over ledges and other technical sections that I would never even have attempted on my 26er.
For as good a climber as this bike is, it really shines on the descents. It is stable and very predictable. It carves extremely well at all speeds and the larger wheels have added several degrees of confidence to my descending. I have pushed this bike as far as I am personally comfortable without pads and full face protection and never had so much as a hint that the bike was being pushed close to the end range of its capabilities.
The handling is very precise and I can only detect a minimal difference in cornering up switchbacks as opposed to my old Stumpjumper.
I really noticed the advantage of the 29er on the rolling slickrock trails in Moab. I was able to drop my 26er friend on the rough rolling sections very easily. The RIP9 just ate up the trail.
Fully built up, my bike weighs 30.5 pounds. This is a substantial increase in weight from my old bike but it is most definitely 'worth the weight'.
I have had no mechanical issues with the bike at all. I hope this continues to be the case.
Another point is that, according to what I have seen on the bike forums, Niner really seems to take care of all problems very quickly and efficiently. The thing that swayed me to shell out for this bike was the fact that the company owners actually will respond to forum posts about their bikes. I have total confidence that they will take care of any problems should one arise.
While I did find this to be true with Specialized as well, I always had the feeling that my Stumpjumper was a "beta test" version and that Specialized left it to the consumer to find out what was not right with the bike. No such feeling with the Niner.
**Demo courtesy of Darrin at ChainLine Cycle in Kelowna, BC ([url]www.chainlinecycle.com[/url])
I am the first one to tell you to support 'new' ideas in cycling, and to give them Read More »
here's a photo of my new rip 9 i just had built up. it's pretty much my dream bike and was my 40th birthday present to myself. my former bike is a large santa cruz superlight.
i Read More »
I am 5'8" and I have a 31" inseam and I'm looking at buying a Niner R.I.P 9 frame but I'm not sure what size to go with. According to Niner I'm right between a small and medium. Read More »
The newest Newsletter is out:
[url]http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs077/1101892244311/archive/1104481012987.html[/url]
This month we focus on the newest evolution of the Read More »
I got my new R.I.P. 9 finished up yesterday! I hope to get everything adjusted and dialed in this weekend so that I can hit the trails this week!
I built it up as more of an ag Read More »
