Niner Bikes One 9 29er Hardtail

4.51/5

(39 Reviews)

Write a review

MSRP : $967.00

Where To Buy

Store	Price

Product Description

The ONE 9 is Niner's light-as-a-feather singlespeed for racing and epic XC rides that will take you back to your childhood glee of being at one with the bike and nothing else to worry about. You will find hydroformd tubing throughout this frame, which is very similar to the construction of it's brother the AIR 9. New BIO-CENTRIC II BOTTOM BRACKET SYSTEM! The Niner Bio-Centric II makes adjustments easy across a wide range of gears and eliminates the need for adjustable dropouts, giving the cleanest possible solution for singlespeed use. No bolt on hubs, no chain tensioners cluttering your ride, no brake adjustments with gear changes. Features: -Sizes: S, M, L, XL -Available Colors: Black Licorice, Niner Orange / Black Licorice, Niner Orange / Raw, Moondust / Black Licorice. -Custom hydroformed aluminum tubeset tuned specifically for single speed use. -Tapered head tube with FSA sealed cartridge bearing headset included 42mm top and 52mm bottom. -Compatible with a rigid or 80 - 100mm travel suspension forks. -Niner Bio-Centric II Bottom bracket system and optional gear kit (down tube guides and deraillur hanger) for geared setup. -Rear Hub Spacing: 135mm x 10mm -Up to 2.4" rear tire clearance. Please note that if you are interested in a single speed specific build, please contact the Wrench Science Niner specialist.

Review Options: Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Reviews 1 - 15 (39 Reviews Total)

| Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by S.O.B. a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: December 17, 2012

Strengths:    Light, does not weigh much, won't break your scale, easy to carry/push on those hike-a-bike sections.

Weaknesses:    Should be called a SIR 9 for "Scandium Is Real" -- Real Light!, but I guess the SIR 9 acronym was already taken.

Bottom Line:

I wanted to build up a lightweight XC SS machine to be used for endurance riding, but I did not want Carbon. Purchased this at a closeout price ( After testing a several bikes, this one fit the bill. I am 5'8" and went with a small as the Niner small has a top tube length similar to most manufacturers medium frames. I just love the way the geometry of this bike fits me. This frame (and my build) is light, nimble, easy to maneuver...I have ridden this bike in the mountains of NC as well as the mountains of California and though I have a geared bike (SIR 9), this is my preferred ride that sees the trials 90% of the time. Sure the ebb has creaked at times, but that only serves as a reminder that it is time to clean it up (easy to do), plus the sound of my Hope hubs drowns it out anyway. :) Love, love, love it!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   286 (NC), Auburn SRA

Duration Product Used:   1 year

Price Paid:    $600.00

Purchased At:   Jenson USA

Similar Products Used:   Misfit Dissent, Niner SIR 9, Soul Cycles Hooligan

Bike Setup:   Niner carbon fork, Thomson stem/post, Avid Elixir5 brakes, XT cranks, HBC chainring, Chris King Cog, SRAM 971 chain, Ritchey WCS bar w/ESI Grips, carbon bar ends, Stans Arch EX Rims/Hope Hubs, Schwalbe Racing Ralphs (2.35 front, 2.25 rear), Velo saddle, XTR pedals, generic bell, Cateye Strada computer, Specialized bottle holder,

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Hoolie a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: November 13, 2012

Strengths:    5 chilis for value on sale at $450. Awesome company, and they delivered on this frame. EBB is finicky, carbo grip and fixed. This is the older round tube version and I love it. Flexy aluminum, good with 120mm fork, and a lot of thought went in to desighn of frame. The closer you look, the more detail you see. I use set up w/ Saint cranks, Downhill-ish wheelset, and XT brakes. The bike works at Downieville, what can I say.

Weaknesses:    Some EBB has issues, crapshoot. But it is fine once you figure out the solution. Carbo grip and clean twice a year for me. Paint is not the most durable, but fine. I liked my old SIR 9 as it was steel.

Bottom Line:

I love this ONE 9. Singlespeed only folks. The ride is no more harsh than SIR 9. I usually ride up a mountain for 1 to 1.5 hrs, then singletrack down pretty technical, rocky stuff. Jumps limited to 1 footers or 2 foot dropoffs, and usually 10 or 30 stairs on some rides. This bike rolls down all of it, no problem. I put some hard miles in the winter too. I use my full suspension bike for bigger jumps, but the ONE 9 goes down all the same routes.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Skyline Napa right now

Duration Product Used:   10 mo

Price Paid:    $450.00

Purchased At:   Competitive Cyclist

Similar Products Used:   Sir 9, ACCESS 29er, GT Carbon Marathon, Turner 5 Spot, Santa Cruz Superlight

Bike Setup:   Niner ONE 9 green, XT brakes, Chris King hubs(stainless steel driveshell) / DT spokes / WTB i23 tubeless rims, FOX RLC 120 fork, Saint Cranks, Thomson post, TITEC Stem, GEAX GATO 29 x 2.3 tubeless, OURY glue ons baby!

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by inmysights

Date Reviewed: October 8, 2012

Strengths:    Light, stiff. Geo is spot on

Weaknesses:    You have to fiddle with the EBB set up, took a few times

Bottom Line:

Had this bike now for two seasons and it is a blast. Initially I had issues with the Ebb slipping, had to tighten it every 20 minutes. Read up on the install instructions and removed all antiseaze etc and set up with carbo grip etc. This second season no slippage and no sounds so for me this is perfect. My buddy bought the more expensive Lynsky and has a lot of issues with creaks and frame flex. Mine is the scandium frame and it doesn't flex like the Ti, very happy with this bike. My only issue would be the paint it scratches very easily.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by ep1nephr1ne

Date Reviewed: June 11, 2012

Strengths:    just a great frame overall light fast well design geometry is right

Weaknesses:    EBB NOISE, color choice wasn't great so i made my own color scheme

Bottom Line:

consider a different setup unless you have to have a SS niner

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by noguru a Racer from New Zealand

Date Reviewed: March 18, 2012

Strengths:    This is the new 2011 version with aluminium Hydroformed tubing - Light, strong, great geometry

Weaknesses:    None

Bottom Line:

Great Bike. If you want a fast, great handling, light hardtail this is the bike to have.
Just a word to anyone hating the Niner Eccentric Bottom Bracket. I have 2 bikes both with the EBB and have had no problems whatsoever. As long as you install it as per the Niner instructions it works fine...no creaking, no slipping. It is really important to clean the bottom bracket shell and adapter with alcohol so there is no grease at all, none, nada, zip. You must also use the Teflon tape as per the instructions. If you are having problems it is because you are doing it wrong! Don't let your local Bike mechanic set it up, he will probably want to grease everything, it's in their DNA, bike mechanics put grease on their cereal in the mornings!!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Woodhill

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $2000.00

Similar Products Used:   I have the old Scandium framed One9 SS which I still ride. Kona Unit SS 29er, Kona Unit SS 26".

Bike Setup:   Currently setup with 1x10, fully rigid with Niner RDO fork. I do intend riding it SS and also have the option to use a suspension fork in races that need it.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Earthpig a Cross Country Rider from Boise

Date Reviewed: March 13, 2012

Strengths:    Light. Good handling.

Weaknesses:    EBB, EBB, EBB, EBB. Paint color options. Did I mention the EBB?

Bottom Line:

I really, really want to like this frame. Considering I paid full retail, I really should like this frame. I like how light it is. I like how well it handles. It fits well. When it's working rather than sitting in the shop, it's a blast to ride. Which leads to...

The Biocentric EBB. The Biocentric EBB is the big weak link in this frame. I've had all sorts of different tensioner set ups - Rennen, Singleator, sliding dropouts, horizontal track end, Bushnell EBB, and pinch bolt EBB. The Biocentric is, so far, the most unreliable, finicky, creaky, slippy, downright poorly designed SS tensioning system yet developed. All of them (except the Surly horizontal track end design paired with a 10mm rear axle bolt and tugnuts on both sides) slipped a little every now and again. However, on the first ride on the One 9 the EBB slipped so much that it had to be re-tensioned every quarter mile or so - the chain would get about a full inch or more of play every quarter mile. The second ride - ditto. I could reef on the Biocentric's 6mm bolt as hard as a 6', 180 lb human could (without stripping the bolt or overtorquing it) and the EBB would NOT stay tight. So, off to the shop (a Niner dealer) I went.

Here's what I learned - first, the Biocentric has to be set so that with the addition of force (ie, pedaling) it "self tensions" - this means that the BB must be set high and forward (in relation to the frame shell) so that pedal strokes move it down and towards the front of the bike, tensioning the chain. Imagine, if you were looking at the non-drive side, the BB would have to be set at about the 10 o'clock position. Other EBB's I had you could set the BB anywhere in the arc of the EBB shell. Strike two. I like my BB in an eccentric to be set low and forward (ie, the 7 or 8 o'clock position), so your center of gravity is lower. Setting it high and forward results in slightly different downhill handling than I would like. And, even with that setting it requires some sort of special spray/goop (Niner recommends "Carbo Grip") to keep it from slipping. After those "fixes," it was OK for about 3 rides.

Then came the CREAK. And when I say CREAK, I mean creaking, cracking and popping so loud on every pedal stroke that people a quarter mile up the trail can hear me coming. I feel like apologizing for how loud it is. Imagine - you're out on a nice, quiet ride and some arse comes up behind you on a bike that's so loud that small animals flee in fear of hearing loss and dogs start howling. Strike three. I literally can't turn my iPod up loud enough to drown it out (the classic "fix" for any bike noise) without hurting my ears.

That issue has yet to be fixed. It's at the (Niner dealer) shop right now for the installation of a new EBB. Given that the new EBB will be another Biocentric - my understanding is that no other EBB can be used in the One 9 - I'm not holding out much hope of a real fix. Even with a "fix," I've been told that the crank, EBB and BB assembly must be disassembled and fully cleaned every 6 weeks to a "couple of months" to prevent slipping and creaking. I understand that EBB designs require more than "usual" maintenance, but still.

Other than that, the 2012 color options - flat black and black and orange - are limiting (unless you're a big fan of halloween, Oregon State, Princeston, the SF Giants, or the Cincinnati Bengals, you're kinda stuck with flat black.)

So, bottom line. I don't know. I want to love this frame. I really like this frame. Absent the EBB issue, it's a fantastic frame. But, the tensioning system on a SS is an integral, key part of any SS - maybe the most important part. And with the problems (so far) with the EBB - which are driving me crazy - I can't give the frame more than 3 overall stars at this time. I'd go 2.5 stars, but that's not an option. If the EBB continues to slip and creak, this bike may collect more garage dust than trail dirt.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   A happy trail

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $899.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   I've owned lots of SS frames - two Surly 1x1 frames, Gary Fisher Rig, On-one Inbred 29 and an Inbred 26, Soul Cycles Hooligan, and a Salsa El Mariachi.

Bike Setup:   2012 One 9 frame, RS Reba RLT Ti fork, X-9 hubs, Arch rims, Stylo 1.1 crankset & BB, Avid Elixir 5 brakes

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Bike&Brew a All Mountain Rider from Denver

Date Reviewed: March 4, 2012

Strengths:    Light, cornering, climbing, Downhill (down right plush for a hardtail)

Weaknesses:    Ummm... cannot ride it everyday.

Bottom Line:

Created this as a sort of FrankenBike (combined new parts with left overs from a crashed Yeti AS-R). Thus, the great price point.

I had been on a fully rigid 2010 Fisher Rig (White Bros Carbon Fork), which I loved. This is faster and lighter even with a the SID fork (Rig = 23+, Niner = 20 Even). What amazed me most was that this bike feels like it has as much travel as the AS-R. Really!

Buy this bike if you are: a 29er SS aficionado; need an awesome SS bike to train on; or run as a 1X10 as your every All Mtn Ride.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Lair-O-the-Bear

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $1900.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   Fisher Rig (EA90 XC Carbon Bars, Duster/Bontrager Wheels, Thomson Seatpost & Stem, Bontrager Cranks, White Bros Carbon Fork)

Bike Setup:   2012 One 9: Black on Black, Juicy7, Stan's Crest, Thomson Seatpost, SID RL, Selle Italia Filet, RaceFace Cranks, 9er 32-20, Time ATAC XS Pedals.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by pdriley a Cross Country Rider from Denver, CO

Date Reviewed: February 17, 2012

Strengths:    Fun, fun, fun. This bike is WAY more versatile than you would expect it to be. I thought buying a SS mtb was excessive, not sure I would use it much... like some other posts, I could not have been more wrong. It is a pure delight to ride. Tight, light, quick.

Weaknesses:    Bumpy going over technical rocks ... inherent to any rigid bike.

Bottom Line:

About the most fun you can have on a bike if you like riding up and downhill fast. Quick and responsive, great workout. Pure fun!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   many...

Duration Product Used:   2 Years

Price Paid:    $1500.00

Purchased At:   Golden Bike Shop

Similar Products Used:   A few other singlespeeds...e.g. Fisher, Surly.

Bike Setup:   Stan's hubs, Crest rims, 180 mm cranks, light seat.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by hardrunnerpete a Cross Country Rider from Winona, MN, USA

Date Reviewed: December 27, 2011

Strengths:    Light and agile.

Weaknesses:    Not having more time to ride!

Bottom Line:

It took me way to long to get on a SS 29er, absolutely love riding this setup. I can't even think about riding my full squishy 26in bike anymore. With the carbon RDO fork and SS the bike will weigh around 19lbs.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Porcupine Rim

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $4000.00

Purchased At:   Adventure Cycle & Sk

Similar Products Used:   2011 One 9

Bike Setup:   2012 Hydroformed Aluminum Frame, Fox 100mm Fork/waiting for new RDO Carbon Fork, Single Speed 34/19, 1x10 (34, 12-36) Crest ZTR w/Chris King Hubs, Thomson stem/seatpost, SLX crank, XT disc brakes

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Joe D a Cross Country Rider from Port Jervis, NY

Date Reviewed: December 7, 2011

Strengths:    Lightweight, fast and most of all simple.

Weaknesses:    Keeps me away from the house too much :)

Bottom Line:

This bike is awesome. At 46 years old, I thought I'd be riding my full suspension all mountain rig forever. After buying this one, I'd look at them both before a ride and always reach for the One 9. Although it was alot of money, my feeling of spending too much was replaced by "Why didn't I do this long ago?" Can't say enough about Dark Horse Cycles, Mongomery, NY. Great shop!

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $3200.00

Purchased At:   Dark Horse Cycles, M

Similar Products Used:   '93 Specialized M2 Stumpjumper converted to single speed. This bike made me realize that single speed was in my blood.

Bike Setup:   "New" Niner One 9 with hydroformed tubing. Niner carbon fork W/ carbon bars. American Classic wheelset.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by john seegers a Cross Country Rider from Virginia

Date Reviewed: May 3, 2011

Strengths:    Everything

Weaknesses:    None found

Bottom Line:

Started riding almost 20 years ago. Been through a Specialized, a Bianchi, a Trek, a Kona, a Cannondale, a Soul Cycles, a Karate Monkey, a Mamasita, and probably a few I have forgotten about.

NOTHING has ever felt like this bike does. For a 6' 150 lbs. guy with intermediate skills and good fitness for the trails of the Richmond, VA area this bike is just plain scary fast!

The geometry is like nothing else and it hooks up like nothing else.

If you are thinking lightweight SS and do not test ride this bike for at least 5 miles you are missing out!

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   United States

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Bike Setup:   Ignitor-Crossmark, Ritchey bars, Thomson post, Stans Arch, Amer Classic hubs, SLX hyd. brakes, White Bros carbon rigid fork, 32 X 18 SS.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Mostly308 a Cross Country Rider from Redmond, OR, yoUeSAye

Date Reviewed: January 16, 2011

Strengths: luv my One 9

Bottom Line:

I've been thinking about a dedicated( a frame not made with any thought of using suspension) full ridged 29er for awhile now. I don't know what the market is for such a bike(seems like GT did ok w/ the Peace 9r), but I am saving my nickles for something either custom built or high end production.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Phil's Trail system, Bend

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Purchased At:   Trinity Bikes

Similar Products Used:   Fisher: Paragon, Rig, Salsa Mamasita, Niner One 9

Bike Setup:   As much Chris King as I can get my hands on!!

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by ozzybmx a Cross Country Rider from Australia

Date Reviewed: November 4, 2010

Strengths:    Super light and great geometry , got it at a awesome price too.

Weaknesses:    none yet, hopefully the Bio BB doesnt start playing up.

Bottom Line:

I read up on the BB before buying and did the scotchbrite/PTFE tape/correct torque method and after 7-8 rides it has not slipped or squeaked once.
So im really pleased with this frame, bike weighs 8.5kg and pedals beautifully, geo is spot on.... just need to get a niner carbon fork now.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $599.00

Purchased At:   Online

Similar Products Used:   Many 29ers but first SS .

Bike Setup:   Crests, Middleburns with 33t rotor Q / 20 rear, salsa pro moto bars, Hope X2 pro's, pro carbon forks, KCNC stem/post.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by damagr a Cross Country Rider from Los Angeles, CA

Date Reviewed: October 23, 2010

Strengths:    Super light weight, spot-on geometry, beautiful RAW finish

Weaknesses:    EBB isn't great, but adequate

Bottom Line:

This bike keeps surprising me. It's fast and super fun to ride. I love the simplicity of the singlespeed. I know it might not be for everyone, but the geometry (medium) is perfect for me. I'm aGot the One 9 on the cheap when my Jet 9 was recalled and initially thought I'd use it as 'round town beater bike. Frame was so beautiful, I had to build it up and take it into the mountains... I sure haven't been disappointed.
I was sold on the 29 concept and demo'd several bikes. After demoing an Air 9, I decided I needed a full suspension bike (and later bought the Jet). I now have both the Jet and One build up and find myself reaching for the One 9. The build in RAW with a white fork and silver bars, stem, white saddle is easiest the most beautiful bike I've owned. And it rides incredibly well; great geometry, super handling, stiff, very light, very fast. I've always felt the Jet 9 was the best mountain bike I've ever ridden, but absolutely love my One 9.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Backbone trail

Duration Product Used:   1 Year

Purchased At:   Niner

Similar Products Used:   Several other 29ers

Bike Setup:   Stan's 355 wheels, 32-19 gearing, Manitou Abso Minute fork, Thompson post, Specialized Phenom saddle, Ritchie flat bar and stem

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by jjnero a Cross Country Rider from Dallas, TX, USA

Date Reviewed: April 7, 2010

Strengths:    Light, light, light. High quality welding, 29er specific geometry.

Weaknesses:    Just one - the eccentric bottom bracket. Difficult to get set up right so it won't slip and its very creaky.

Bottom Line:

This bike is my first singlespeed and my first bike to build myself. The frame is superlight and I love the geometry. I absolutely love this bike and doubt I'll ride much else - the only drawback is the stupid eccentric bottom bracket. It was difficult to setup (warning - the Niner instructions are wrong, the bolt goes on the non-driveside cup) and even when you get it setup and not slipping, it creaks like the dickens. If I could get the creaking to stop it would be perfect, so just close to perfect now.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   GSL - Palo Duro

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $700.00

Purchased At:   Richardson Bikemart

Bike Setup:   Reba SL, thompson stem, thompson seatpost, chris king headset, avid bb7s, speed dial ti triggers, white industries ENO cranks + 32t chainring + 19t cog, superstock wheelset, fizik alliante saddle, fibonacci spacer kit

Reviews 1 - 15 (39 Reviews Total)

| Next 15

Review Options: Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Niner Bikes One 9 29er Hardtail

Where To Buy

Product Description

User Reviews

Related One 9 Forum Posts

2012 Niner AIR 9:

Rocky Mountain: