The Air 9 is our fast, light, geared-only alloy racing hardtail. This upgraded version integrates hydroformed tubing throughout. More than a cosmetic feature, hydroforming allows us to shape tubes and optimize strength and stiffness in key areas, giving us the ability to create beautifully tuned frames with precise ride characteristics. You will find hydroforming in the toptube, downtube, headtube, chainstays and seatstays.
Submitted by
Harry
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2011
Strengths: I was very impressed on the reaction time the niner had on climbing technical terrain. It was much easier to get over the technical terrain easier than it was for the 26 bikes that I rode with. It rode really well going up steep areas that seemed impossible to climb. The frame is awesome, and the fork was great as well. It seemed as if I spent less energy going thru and up the technical terrain, than I did when I had a 26. The bike didn't buck me around compared to the 26. I weigh around 140. I rode over stuff that I have never ridden over before.
Weaknesses: The cornering, but I think it was more Me than the bike. I just need to learn how to corner around 180 degree turns on it.
Bottom Line:
I really like the bike. I will be purchasing one soon. If anyone doubts the niner frame and being on 29 wheels. Try it! It is a great feel. I haven't ridden any other 29ers in over 5 years. The last I rode was a Trek when 29ers first came out, and boy they have changed. Niner makes a great product, and they really care about the cyclist and the product. They have a great customer service, and a phenomenal frame. Very impressed!
Bike Setup: NIner Air 9 frame, rock shox (reba) fork, XT (10 SP), XT Disc Brakes, Fizik Saddle, Continental Tires, Stans wheels/hubs
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Submitted by
Niner Air9 Junky
a Cross Country Rider
from South Florida
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2011
Strengths: I love this bike. Super light frame that has minimal flex while climbing. Its like a goat. I pass FS guys all the time going up hill. Its very nice on the eyes and the geometry is spot on for my XC type of riding. Wheels just plow through the roots in Florida.
Weaknesses: Frame is a little expensive but so far it has been worth it. Nothing else has happened that would make me think less of this bike.
Bottom Line:
This is by far the nicest hardtail I have ever riden. Using large volume tires really helps soften out the ride and the compliant frame absorbs some vibration. The X9 shifting system with a 2x10 set up just kicks tail. It's much more simple than three rings up front. The Elixer CR breaks have made me endo so I know they stick. Hope to race this bike in the upcoming season. It straight up a billy goat that can handle the downhills as well. It has really helped me learn to pick great lines. Niner did a great job with this!
Similar Products Used: Various 26'ers and a few lower priced 29'ers.
Bike Setup: Reba RLT Ti Fork, full X9 components, Thompson set post, Ritchey handle bars, Cane Creek headset, Thompson steam, Elixer CR break (with absolutely no problems), XT pedals, WTB Pro sadal, Nano up front and Kenda's in the back.
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Submitted by
rickyrod
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2011
Strengths: Lightweight, fast bike with fast climbs, rigid when descending.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Very happy with this bike, no complains at all. I gave it a four because of only 3 months of riding but will keep posting.
This is by far the best bike I have ever ridden. I own a Scalpel Carbon with Lefty Carbon Fork (22 lbs)and I though I would have to trade off a little speed for the larger tires. The first time I rode the Air 9 I was just as fast as I was on my Scalpel, but more comfortable and confident. The bike gains so much momentum uphills that it climbs effortlessly. I thought it would take a few rides to get used the larger tires, but it inspired confidence from the beginning. I had planned on keeping my Scalpel for my short, faster trails, but I'm already sold on this bike for every use.
Bike Setup: Air 9, Fox F29 RLC, Elixir 5, X-9 shifter, derailers & crank, Oury grips, American Classic wheels & jubs, Maxxis Ignitor tires
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Submitted by
dmcfence
a Cross Country Rider
from anacortes wa
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2010
Strengths: light.............. light..... did i mention LIGHT!
Weaknesses: paint chips pretty easily and takes up half the bed
Bottom Line:
the bike rails at speed very well and climbs like a scalded goat on helium. niner delivers on every level with the air 9. for sizing i am 5-10 and a med was just right fyi. if you want to put sram xx on the air 9 you will want the q166 gxp crankset.
This is going to be primarily about fit and steering. I am a hair over 5'6" and went with the medium because the head tube is steeper than the small. I have a 100 stem with narrow 22" bars and a lay back seat post. I am not particularly long armed/torsoed and the fit is fairly good. Stand over is tight but fine. The cockpit feels great to me. I will likely go to a 90 with a wider (flat) bar and potentially someday to a straight post. The climbing is insane and it is nimble through the turns. Switchbacks have not been a problem at all. I am coming off a BMC 4 stroke FS. This bike is great and the medium can be used by those less than 5 8 comfortably if you don't mind less room with the standover height.
Bike Setup: Med frame, 80 mm rigid karate monkey fork, 100 stem, 22 inch cheapo bar, lay back post, dt swiss 240s with stan's ztr crest. front small block 8 and rear cross mark tubed tires running tubeless.
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Submitted by
colexslaw
a Racer
from Albuquerque, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2010
Strengths: Light, fast, good climber, low price.
Weaknesses: Weak frame, slow steering.
Bottom Line:
This would be a great frame is it was stronger. I cracked the frame above the seat-stays after less than 3 months of XC riding/racing. The frame broke this quickly and i only weight 130LBS. It seems that niner has lots of problems with frames breaking. On paper this bike is great, and in fact other than the slow steering(Compared to Specialized or Fishers), it rides great too, but in reality this frame is not up to the rigors of being a race bike. After breaking mine i talked to many people who i race with who have owned niners and they all said they have broken atleast one if not more of them. Not just the air 9 either, Jet 9, Rip 9, One 9(all aluminum or scandium models). I was greatly disappointed in the bike and would not recommend buying a niner untill they get there sh*t together with frame quality. I will say however that Niner has great customer service and stands behind there product %100 if something does go wrong.
Similar Products Used: Specialized S-Works, assorted fishers.
Bike Setup: Stans 355 wheels, reba team, XTR, Formula brakes, truvative Noir WC cockpit and seatpost.
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Submitted by
29erider
a Cross Country Rider
from Marquette
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2010
Strengths: light, climbs like a goat, great bang for the buck
Weaknesses: tough on the downhills(but that can be expected from a fully rigid bike). and the low slung bottom bracket allows your pedals to get ravaged by rocks
Bottom Line:
if you bike alot you will get beat up just training on a rigid bike but this is a great race bike. great deal. for the first time ever i find myself looking forward to the uphills
Bike Setup: sram xo shifters, raceface cranks, white brothers rigid fork, avid juicy sevens brakes
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Submitted by
Drewmanmtu
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Haven, MI, US
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2010
Strengths: Light weight and climbs like a dream. I have never ridden anything faster on smooth trails. Originally had some stability problems in sand but since switching to the Karma's it tracks nice and straight. I did notice some people commenting about the paint quality, but on my first ride I had a large rock nail the down tube. I expected to see a large chip once I got back to the car but there was nothing.
Weaknesses: On rough down hill sections the bike is a little twitchy. It is probably mostly due to my inexperience with the ridge fork so time will tell.
Bottom Line:
So far the bike is every thing I expected. I can see myself picking up a different suspension front fork for rough trails sometime in the future.
Bike Setup: Race Face Deus, Sram X0, Salsa Delgato Race, Niner Carbon Fork, Kenda Karma, Shimano XT Hydraulic Disk Breaks
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Submitted by
Keys
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, MN
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2010
Strengths: The frame is strong and stiff, with plenty of clearance for mud. It's light.
Weaknesses: Niner production had me waiting months to get the frame and even longer for the carbon fork.
Bottom Line:
When I bought this frame, I was looking at a Salsa Mamasita, and a Lynskey Pro29. The Lynskey, however beautiful...it was really expensive. The Salsa has some rear clearance issues, and having once smashed a carbon frame...I was shy of the carbon seat stays.
So, I went with the Niner. I have no regrets. It climbs like a billy goat.
Bike Setup: Wrapped by XTR dual control, Niner carbon fork. The bike is fully ridged. Wheels are DT-Swiss 190 hubs with Stan's ZTR rims. Riding tubeless.
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Submitted by
BigJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2009
Strengths: Extremely light with great geometry. Climbs like no other bike I've ridden. 29 inch wheels roll up and over everything.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome ride. Compared to all of my previous 26 inch full suspension bikes, it rides nearly as smooth on rocky terrain. It's super light, super fast and climbs like a beast (i'm clearing steep sections of trails that i've previously had to hike). Would highly recommend trying one.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Cake 2, Specialized Stumpjumper, Specialized Enduro
Bike Setup: Niner air raw. RF deus cranks. Shimano XT derailluers. Avid Elixir brakes. Mavic C29ssmax wheelset.
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Submitted by
thecanuck
a Weekend Warrior
from Marietta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2009
Strengths: Great Handling, inspiring ride, forgiving on loose corners, climbs better than anything I've ridden. The finish and build quality is superb - best I've seen. Very light weight but that doesn't matter that much on a bike like this.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I've ever ridden, period. Unlike most MTB bikes of the 26 inch variety,this bike climbs like you're on a trail run rather than a bike ride. It's way easier to get into a comfortable rhythm on even the steepest, rock stewn climbs. It goes down hill even better, btw. You'd be crazy not to try one out if you're in the market for a new bike.
Similar Products Used: Nothing compares. It is just that awesome.
Bike Setup: SRAM xX-9
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Submitted by
s3pt1k
a Cross Country Rider
from Salty City, Utah
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2009
Strengths: Super light, nice ride quality, raw finish is nice at first, Niner service
Weaknesses: SUPER flexy, creaky, cracked the chainstay, scandium isn't all it's cracked up to be if you weight 200lbs+, Niner service
Bottom Line:
I'm 200lbs+ all geared up. I liked this bike right at first, but after some time on it, began to realize something was VERY wrong. The ride quality was great, but the frame was "off."
The framed creaked all the time and was quite noodly when I wanted to really lean the bike. The creaks got worse after a few months and after a thorough frame check, I found a crack on the rear drive-side chainstay. The clear-coat really started to get trashed too and just looked junky. Niner needs to anodize their aluminum hardtails (though I don't think Scandium can be anodized).
I contacted Niner service and they were great to arrange a replacement (and give me a refund of the cost difference, but that took over a month for me to get, after repeated promises the check had been sent).
I made it clear that a Scandium frame wasn't right for me so they arranged a replacement EMD 9 (which, incidentally, I LOVE).
The EMD made me realize I hated the AIR 9. The geometry (though supposed to be identical) was much different. I get a lower SO by 1/2 inch and and the rear end is MUCH easier to get over, which makes manualing much easier. IMO, for a larger rider, the EMD beats the AIR 9 hands down.
It's not likely I'll ride another Scandium frame again.
Does anyone know where a small atomic blue AIR 9 frame might be found? I would prefer new but would look at a used frame in good shape. I've looked at everyplace Ican think of. Read More »
I hate to have more competition but...
[url=http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/air9-carbon-frameset-giveaway/]AIR9 Carbon Frameset Giveaway - Hammerheadbikes.com[/url]
[url=http: Read More »
I'm sure this info is buried somewhere on the website but I couldn't find it. I also am well aware of what the Niner website says but I'm a big believer in getting opinions from pe Read More »
