Strengths: feels solid under you, absorbs more that my scandium frame.
Weaknesses: for an expensive and state of the art frame, the EBB sucks. The eccentric BB cups press fit into the bottom braket as you tighten the bolt. Per the instructions to adjust , they recommend unscrew the bolt then put a screw driver into bbc hole and use the cranks as leverage to turn the eccentric bb. If your cups get stuck from the slight press fit, you can't adjust your chain tension.
Lame design for such an expensive frame.
Bottom Line:
I would have rated this a 5 but the eccentric bb is a crappy design. Before you but this frame, try to get ahold of a frame with this eccentric bb and try to adjust it. You will see that its a PAIN>
Weaknesses: EBB creaks like crazy. I fix it and it goes away for 1 ride and os back the next ride. If the chain comes loose out on the trail, it is next to impossible to fix it without bottom bracket tool and a big enough allen wrech to put the crank off.
Bottom Line:
Super fun and super fast bike When the ebb works it works but most of the time it sucks
Bike Setup: Air nine carbon frame, stans crest wheels, easton ec 90 seat post, easton ec70 bar, truativ noir ss crank, avid elixir cr brakes, conti race king tires, king 19 cog
Strengths: Super light build can be achieved and very fast climber set up as a 29" MTB hard tail or as a slightly weird looking cross bike.
Weaknesses: EBB noise comes and goes but not enough to be more than a mild annoyance at the start of a ride and usually fades into the background after 10 minutes. EBB shell adjustment when I am running SS is a bit of a pain and doesn't seem to be able to be adjusted without taking out the whole shell most of the time but sometimes I get lucky and can rotate with just loosening the locking bolt. Not a big fan of the internal cable routing as swap between single and 10 speed rear quite frequently and using the internal routing is too much of a faff for this.
Bottom Line:
First off this is by far and a way the best mountain bike and possibly the best cycle I have ever owned but it is not perfect and has some definite areas for improvement. I have had this bike for 6 months after a rather long wait (9 months) but the wait was definitely worth it. I ride it every morning on 15 mile off road smooth ish trail loop with a couple of 500 meter climbs and it is so fast I am still amazed at how much time I have taken off my old PB.
I have built up the bike to either be ridden as a SS cross (see spec below) which is how I ride it in the week or as a front suspension cross country weekend fun and occasional race machine.
In SS Cross dress this is a very capable cross machine, stiff fast to climb but also able to decent with some pace despite the smaller tyres and the disk brakes allow much later braking than friends on rim brake cross machines.
In proper 29" dress this bike really comes to life, still stiff but with enough feel to know what the bike is doing and darn is it fast up a hill, most of my friends are on full sus 120mm travel bikes and I just leave them for dead on any incline. Even the odd mates on hard tails are left in a could of dust. But it is not just uphill this bike excels, I am also easily able to keep with with the same full sus friends on any decent and unless it is a really rock section, put some space between us most of the time.
There are some issues with the bike though, as other have noted the EBB shell can be noisy and you do need to tweak it to get ride of this but it will usually come back again so definitely not set and forget. It is also not the easiest shell to adjust and quite often needs to be fully removed to adjust. If like me you swap quite frequently between SS and Geared you will find using the internal cable routing a real pain so I put some stick on cable tie guides on the underside of the down tube and inside of rear chain stay so as not to take away from the bikes clean looks. I do really like the external guides for the rear and front brake as it makes changing brake set-up and cables between configurations a 2 min job.
Ordering enough parts to have two different rides was not cheap and probably no cheaper than buying two bikes but it does mean I use the bike every day and so don't feel quite so guilty about the expense.
Similar Products Used: First 29" but previously owned, FSR XC M4 Full Sus, Kona AA Front Sus, Ti Mtrax Rigid, Killi Flyer Comp Rigid
Bike Setup: 29" MTB - Black & White small frame, Cannonade Carbon Lefty, Stans rims, Chris King Hubs, 2.2 Racing Ralph tubeless, Thomson seat post & stem, 3t flat bars, XTR hydraulic brakes, XTR rear mech & 11-36 10 speed cassette, middleburn RS7 36T, Fizzik Tundra 2 Saddle - 21LBS
Single Speed Cross - Black & White small frame, Niner Rigid Carbon Fork, Stans rims, Chris King Hubs, 1.35 Racing Ralph with tubes, Thomson seat post & stem, 3t drop bars, Avid BB7 mechanical brakes & Campagnolo record drop levers ,Chris King SS cog, middleburn RS7 36T, Fizzik Tundra 2 Saddle - 16LBS
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Submitted by
glagola1
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA, US
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2012
Strengths: Fast, fast, fast.... Puts down the power. Light. Looks great. Stiff. Compliant where it needs to be. Perfect fit for 5'-10". Configures as SS or geared. Internal cable routing means no cable stops.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
Is it possible to make carbon fiber babies? I hope not. The bike rips. I have been riding an Anthem Advanced for the last few years and this bike is so much more responsive and fast. It has actually made me faster.... just by getting on it. I highly recommend it. The EBB has been rock solid.
Similar Products Used: I haven't owned a rigid SS 29er before so...
Bike Setup: Niner rigid fork, Niner bars, Niner RDO post, X0 brakes, Stans Arch on CK hubs, RF Sixc cranks.
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Submitted by
deeppow
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2012
Strengths: Great Geometry, nice and stiff at the bottom bracket.
Weaknesses: EBB creaks, can be mitgated by bandaid fixes
Bottom Line:
This is a great frame. It is nice and stiff latterally and has some compliance in the rear. It is a climinb machine and decends as well as many 26" FS bikes. I love the way Niner hardtails handle if only they could get the EBB issues resolved. For this kind of money you should not have to perform afternmarket fixes to quiet the bike. Once I get the creaking EBB silenced I am afraid to change gearing out of fear that the noises will come back. Niner, please go to sliding dropouts!
The frame is pricy but it is comparable to other carbon hardtails. I would give 5 stores except for the EBB issues.
Similar Products Used: Niner One 9, Gary Fisher Superfly 100
Bike Setup: Air Niner Frame set up as SS
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Submitted by
jviray
a Weekend Warrior
from Chatsworth, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2012
Strengths: Light, Fast, Stiff
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
My 1st 29er...waited for ~ 2 months...just pt and it goes...super fast,light, stiff! I was going for the carbon flash 29er however this bike bring tears in my eyes! If you got the bling, definitely check this bike out! Just need more fine tuning and off I race!
Similar Products Used: Racer X, Alma, Spark, flash
Bike Setup: Blk Carbon Frame, XTR components 2 x 10, Chris King, Fox tapered w/cashima, crest, captain, fast track, crank brothers carbon - hbar, stem, seat post, pedal,saddle phenom expert, ESI
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Submitted by
rkand
a Cross Country Rider
from Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2012
Strengths: Looks, looks, looks. Oh, and weight.
Weaknesses: I've had tons of problems with the EBB. Yes it can be setup in a way to work well. Yes, I followed the instructions the first few attempts which only resulted tons of creaking and slippage. I had to cancel a race warmup slip lead to a "cranky" EBB that didn't want to tighten correctly at the trails. Finally settled on a combination of Carbo-Grip and a 20% overtightening the bolt. Don't attempt without a torque wrench, and get a belt wrench while you're at it.
Bottom Line:
You'll either get comments about how awesome it looks or how noisy the EBB is. Luckily the latter can be setup properly with practice.
Regarding the other comments about the internal cabling - I've never done it but after watching the videos and looking at the hardware, I'm not surprised. I was a little dissapointed the rear brake cable wasn't internal too.
But, at the end of the day, I do enjoy riding it immensly. The bike is super light, but is solid underneath you. It's performs exactly as I'd expect from a bike in its price range. I'm going to knock the overall value to "good" though because I also expect a frame in this price range to be easy to use and adjust, and the EBB setup is just not there.
Submitted by
Supra
a Cross Country Rider
from Johannesburg, South Africa
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2011
Strengths: Stiffness, agility, response, speed, and geomerty
Weaknesses: Bottom pull mechanism for front der. Dirt clogs up the cable where it goes into the frame. Internal cable routing is not the most user friendly mechanism out there...
Bottom Line:
This really in an amazing bike, it is ridiculously fast! I have ridden plenty 26" hardtails and fullsuss bikes over the years, but this bike really stands out. Doesn’t climb like a lumpy 29er. Super responsive and incredibly stiff. When sitting on the bike it just feels right, the guys from Niner really nailed the geometry on this frame, everything feels right. This might bike the last bike I owe. If stage racing/XC/long endurance events is your thing, this is your machine of choice. If not, you might just buy it for its looks and just keep it in your shed to look at, by far the best looking frame out there!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Flash 29er, Specialized Stupmpy S-Works 29er
Bike Setup: Truvative WC carbon cockpit, Full 2011 XTR groupo, Crest rims, dt spokes, Pro Evo hups, Specialized Captian control front tyre, Specialized Fasttrack rear.
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Submitted by
JonathanM
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2011
Strengths: Stupid light, stiff, beautiful, internal cable routing, bb30 compatible, Single Speed-able, tapered head tube. It's the most advanced and versatile hardtail on the market hands down. I've beaten every personal best times on my local trails with this bike. It's not even fair for my buddies.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike for cross country racing and it has delivered that and much more. With beefy wheels/tires I have taken this thing to the rougher trails and still bombed with my friends on their AM bikes and drop them on the climbs. This thing is light, stiff and so far pretty dang durable. I've not been gentle and I'm about 192 riding weight and no cracks so far. I really thought at least a chain-stay would've cracked by now but no, nothing.
Basically Niner has etched their way into the carbon hardtail market with something sexy that is not only light and fast, but durable as well, kudos.
Similar Products Used: Superfly, Jet 9, HiFi Pro, EMD 9
Bike Setup: 2x10 X9 w/bb30 crank. Thompson stem and post. Niner carbon bars. Tang Reba XX fork. Flow rims with King hubs. Atac pedals. Bonti rxl saddle.
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Submitted by
JP
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2011
Strengths: Frame design, weight, responsiveness when hammering out of saddle.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
With a set of Maxxis Aspen tires this bike was as fast as a road bike. I hooked up with many a roadie on this thing to their total dismay. It has it's limits with the rigid fork, and is so stiff that technical rocky riding seemed a bit retro at first...reminded me of way back when even front forks were unknown. I switched the tires to the bigger 2.2 specialized and the bike was a bit slower, but waaay more controlable in the technical stuff....Since then I've done some pretty rough riding on it and it works well. With a fork it just might make my Turner Sultan seem unneccesary. Can't really compare it to anything...It's just the fastest damn thing I've ever ridden...Great bike, and yes it gets stares from everyone!
Bike Setup: Full 2011 Shimano XTR Trail 2x10, Niner Carbon fork, Easton Haven Carbon wheels, Specialized Captain Control 29 x 2.2 tires, Selle Italia SL XC saddle, Thompson post and stem, Easton carbon bars, XT pedals.
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Submitted by
trailof
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2011
Strengths: Love this bike. Stiff and accelerates IMMEDIATELY, but still has a very comfortable ride. I considered the SIR, and test rode the A9C, and I get the comfort, the stiffness, and the light weight. Built with matching fork and average parts and still weighs 18ish singlespeed.
Weaknesses: I haven't found one yet really. I don't like the change in the finish up close. Looks awesome from a distance, but the UD carbon layup and the clearcoat(?) over it look ok but not as awesome.
Bottom Line:
Fabulous bike. Got a deal on pricing for doing a custom build, everything has been great. The EBB has worked perfectly for me, took a time or two to learn the easy way to adjust it. This has been a GREAT bike, my all time favorite including the other higher end frames I have ridden owned by friends over the years.
Similar Products Used: First carbon mountain bike, so can't compare. Have always ridden steel frames (Kona Explosif and Cinder Cone, Redline Monocog) before and this is just as comfortable if not more.
Bike Setup: Niner flat top bar, Thomson stem and seatpost, WTB saddle, Stans Crest with ZTR hubs, RaceFace Evolve SS crankset and BB, Avid Elixir R brakes, Ergon grips, Maxxis tires tubeless using Stan's sealant.
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Submitted by
browsielover
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkhorn, WI
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2011
Strengths: Light, Stiff, Responsive, Adaptive
Weaknesses: Internal Routing? Not that bad, but if I had to pick SOMEthing...
Bottom Line:
I have so much damn fun riding this bike. It has the snappiest, most responsive ride of any trail bike I've ridden. I'm not sure if it's the Niner geometry or the light weight (combo of the two), but you get this into fast rolling and technical corners, you can really trust this bike. When the going gets rough, it seems like it absorbs/floats over trail pretty well. Though seemingly rather compliant in the rough, when you stand on it, it simply does not flex... it just JUMPS! Very good climber. Other things about this bike - totally versatile! The BB is awesome and works great, easy to adjust. The fact that if I get tired of 1:1, I can drop in a deraileur and a susp fork and basically have a different bike is very cool. I gotta say, the Nexus 3 adds a whole nutha element, too. I spend most of my time on the 1:1 gear, but when you're flyin down the trail on a fast bike, why waste momentum when you get into an open flat? I use an old-school SunTour XC Pro thumb shifter (I call it 3-on-the-tree) and shift up to the 1:1.36 gear and all of a sudden I'm 20+mph and not spinning like a sewing machine! On the other hand, when the trail tilts up and other SSers are hiking, I plop down to 1:.73 and pedal up.
Similar Products Used: RIG, SIR9, Nothing too similar to this - not much compares... I also have a Superfly100Elite and they are 2 totally different bikes
