Submitted by
BigBoyRcr
a Cross Country Rider
from Jackson, MI, USA Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ft. Custer
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Custer Cyclery
Strengths:
This frame has a super clean build. Its nice being able to slap parts on a bike and know that you dont have to do any tweaking (i.e. derail hanger, face bb, etc). Bike rides like a dream. Frame feels stiff even under my 210+ lbs self. Good cable routing and Best Head Badge EVER!!
Weaknesses:
The only thing i can find is the paint comes off a lil easy. Maybe thats why they INCLUDE a small bottle of paint. And heck it is a Mt. bike, chips happen Can't protect it against every lil rock and occasional rider mishap.
Similar Products Used:
None. Coming off a Giant Anthem
Bike Setup:
2 Mths single speed, but now 1x9 rigid. Sram X9, Stans Wheels (LITE) Thomson stem and seatpost ritchey carbon bar, Carbon Rigid fork (similar to White Bros, but $150 not $450) Avid Juicy 7 brakes Race Face Crank
Bottom Line:
A rider cant go wrong switching to a 29er setup. Sure the wheels might be a lil heavier, but with the ease at which they climb, this becomes irrelevant. Good wheel/ tire setup fixes that. Switching to a Niner took a lil getting used to, but once you get the fit right, it rides like a dream. Even as a rigid, I still feel confident enough to tackle almost any trail. I would recommend this bike to any rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DoctorSprocket
a Racer
from Pittsburgh PA USA Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Roaring Run- Apollo PA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Dirty Harry's
Strengths:
Great geometry: the medium frame handles well. Build was simple and easy due to the factory machining. Three hydraulic cable mounts on top tube is an excellent addition. Light weight frame.
Weaknesses:
As other reviewers have noted, the black paint is easily scratched: I am not even sure how some of them got there.
Similar Products Used:
Zion 737
Bike Setup:
Reba SL fork at 80mm of travel. DT 340 Hubs laced to WTB Speeddisc Rims. WTB Rocket Saddle. Specialized Resolution 2.3 tires. XT cranks. Egg Beater pedals. XTR derailleurs.
Bottom Line:
Despite the paint issues, this is a responsive, comfortable frame that I would purchase again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtbnachos
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon, CA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Adams Avenue Bikes
Strengths:
Light, responsive, geometry, uphill behemoth
Weaknesses:
Comfort compared to steel, little pricey for AL hardtail
Similar Products Used:
Juice, Jabberwocky
Bike Setup:
Spinergy Xyclone 29er, Reba SL, X4 stem, Truvativ Team post
Bottom Line:
This bike is fast. Really, really fast. This frame was built up as my race rig and I got my best lap time cut down by 15 minutes. I've owned an NRS and the EMD is just as quick in singletrack. This is an amazing bike, wish I can compare with an Air 9. I got the Root beer color and it looks sweet. Incredibly responsive escpecially in tight corners and fairly compliant on bumps. Climbing is the best attribute of the EMD, I flat out flew past riders on the same gear (Eat My Dust pals!). Can't wait for my 2nd enduro with this frame.
4 chilis because $100 overpriced for aluminum and made overseas.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
epxhammerhead
a Cross Country Rider
from watkinsville,, ga usa Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
ft yargo, winder ga
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
bicylce haus, arizon
Strengths:
frame is nice, geometry is good, 29" smooths out the trail better than my carbon fiber hardtail, faster than it too.
Weaknesses:
race face deus cranks bent after 3 rides. after 2 mos., race face still had not replaced them for me. horrible company.....never buy race face
the hayes rear brake howls horribly
broke a spoke on the american classic rear wheelset during the 6th ride, maybe 100 miles or so total.
i asked bicyle haus to upgrade the cranks to xt and I'd pay the difference, but the jokers wouldn't do it.
i told them that i'd read bad reviews of the race face deus here, but they gave me a line of bull that they had not know any negatives about them. so why did they bend after 3 moderate rides?
bad bike shop and bad product!
Bike Setup:
niner emd9, xt cranks (now. still waiting on race face to warranty their crappy deus cranks that bent), xt shifters, RS Reba, american classic wheelset, ...
Bottom Line:
bike is light and fast, but some hayes brakes and especially the race face cranks suck.
not sure about the am classic wheelset either, since a spoke broke after just 6 rides.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
david
a Cross Country Rider
from athens, ga , usa Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
ft. yargo, winder, ga
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Ebay/Bicycle Haus, Arizona
Strengths:
very smooth, handling is great, 29' wheels make this hardtail feel much more plush than a 26" hardtail, rolls over obstacles better than my 26" bike, faster times than my 26" full carbon hartail
Weaknesses:
none so far, but I've only ridden twice for a total of 30 miles on singletrack and 10 miles on a gravel road (very fast).
Similar Products Used:
first 29er ridden/bought it on a lark
Bike Setup:
Large EMD9, Reba race, ritchey carbon bar, hayes brakes, race face cranks, XT shifters/deraillers/gears, american classic wheels, specialized tires, wtb saddle,
Bottom Line:
over a 12 mile trail, same effort, same conditions, my time was 3 mins faster than my full carbon/xtr hardtail. My fastest time ever on this course and with a harder effort could have really lowered my time. The larger wheels roll over obstacles better than my 26" and the bumps are soaked up by the larger wheels. Not sure why I'd need a full suspension now. I'm 6'0 and the large frame fits well. The $1900 is the most that I've ever spent on a bike, but I'm happy with the ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bjorn
a Cross Country Rider
from sweden Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
beyond
Strengths:
Fantastic geometri, smoth
Weaknesses:
XL frame is very flexy
Similar Products Used:
Various 26 HTs
Bike Setup:
3x9 reba nevegal rampage
Bottom Line:
I am 6,3. The geometri feels super. Very smoth on trail.
However I do like stiff frames and this frame is not. Especially flexy in steerhead. I could have traded some weight for stiffness.
Bottomline I am amazed by the feeling on the trail. I will not ever go back to 26 again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gil
a Weekend Warrior
from perth amboy,nj Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
urban riding
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$499.99
Purchased At:
speedgoat
Strengths:
Comfortable, light, strong, sleek and clean. This is a big frame that feels right.
Weaknesses:
the simplicity of the frame.
Similar Products Used:
1994 Giant yukon and Barracuda XX.
Bike Setup:
Salsa rigid fork, Thomson stem and seat pole, WTB (Saddle, Dual Duty Fr wheelset and nano tires) and xtr drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
I'm running this frame as clean and as simple as it can. I got caught up with the suspension thing too long and i wanted to go back to speed and gracefulness. I took a gamble on this 29er thing and it feels different in many good ways. This niner frame makes the experience worth it. For those who are looking for good 29er solid frame, this might be the way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayward, WI USA Date Reviewed: August 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
New Moon Bike & Ski
Strengths:
Geometry & fit, price, looks, light weight!
Weaknesses:
Nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Gunnar Rockhound 29er
Bike Setup:
Large EMD 9 frame Stans Arch rims with Kenda Karmas Reba 80
Bottom Line:
I absolutely love the feel of this frame! It simply fits me perfectly! Even though its an alloy frame it still has a smooth, comfortable ride. The upside to the alum construction is that it makes for a responsive and light set-up. My complete geared bike weighs 23.5 lbs! I love it, and couldn't be happier.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Price,light weight,looks,durability,perfect geometry,Niner customer service is 2nd-to-none.
Weaknesses:
Gloss black paint shows scratches.
Similar Products Used:
My 1st 29er.
Bike Setup:
Reba fork set at 100mm,2x9 drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
I have been 100% pleased with this frameset and Niner's awesome customer service - so much that I just ordered a RIP9 FS frame. Niner definately has the geometry dialed in, and I was so impressed with this bike that I sold my 26" 5-inch FS and hardtail bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Texican
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX, USA Date Reviewed: February 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Comfort
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Ninerbikes.com
Strengths:
Excellent build quality, beautiful finish, great geometry and superior handling
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Lots of 26ers
Bike Setup:
Stans ZTR 355 disc rims laced to King Hubs with DT swiss double butted spokes Maxxis Ignitors, with stans no tubes sealant XO shifters and rear derailleur XTR crank and front derailleur Juicy seven brakes Race Face Deus seat post and flat bar Tompson X2 stem Oury grips
Bottom Line:
Niner has really got 29er geometry dialed in. The bike handles like no other. I have always felt a little squirly on a 26er, however, the Niner has eliminated that feeling. While I am sure that part of the ride is the result of it being a 29er, I am absolutely blown away with how great it rides. I am 6'2" and the XL frame is perfect. The bike is not sluggish at all, and I consistently clean difficult areas that used to hang me up on my full suspension bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI, USA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Levis/Trow Mounds
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
www.ninerbikes.com
Strengths:
The ride quality on this machine is awesome. It's a comfortable bike to ride single track on all day long. With the suggested American Classic wheels on this bad boy you don't feel sluggish out of the corners. I had a Fisher Rig before with the stock wheels and it was a tank to get moving if you scrubbed your speed around a corner. This bike is quick out of the start and easy to keep moving with the big wheels. I had some issues with mud clearance and wheel clearance on the Rig. Goodbye are those days with the EMD 9! I have not had any issues with tire rub on the chain stays. I did the 2006 October Beachwood Blaster this year on it on rainy cold weather with lots of mud and there were no issues. (I’m running Bontrager Jones XR 29's that are 2.25in wide.) We are talking LOTS of mud at the Beachwood Blaster!!!
I shopped around for 29er frames and nothing came close to the price vs. quality comparison of this frame. After I unpacked it when it came shipped from Niner, I immediately noticed the quality craftsmanship on the frame. The welds are beautiful and I was satisfied to with all attention to detail on the frame. The stainless head tube batch is very well done. Everywhere that you attach something to the frame had the paint removed at the contact points. I didn't need to shave off excess paint anywhere when I built up the bike. Feathery light at 3.5lbs. (I believe it's a hair less than the comparable Orbea 29er.)
Fit of the bike was a little different experience than with 26" bikes. I normally have to run a setback post on medium frame b/c I'm usually on the high end of a medium frame. (5-10 and 180.) This bike was no different and I'm running the Thompson 31.6mm x 410mm w/ Setback and it feels good. The stem and bar combo was where the fit was different. I originally had a 100mm Ritchey Pro stem on here w/ 6º of rise, a Easton Monkey Lite XC riser bar, and about 1.5" of spacers under the stem. Wow, did I feel like I was on a hybrid! I moved to a 120mm Ritchey Pro stem w/ 6º rise and ran it upside down. I also swapped out my Mokey Lite w/ a Bontrager Race XXX Lite OS Carbon Flat bar and removed about 1" of spacers from the steerer tube. After these fitting changes the bike feels much better and fits me great. I can't wait for the trails to reopen this Spring in Wisconsin and give this ride some more saddle time! I love this bike!
Weaknesses:
My 26" friends say I look big going through the woods.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Rig
Bike Setup:
Frame size: Medium Stem: 120mm Ritchey Pro Bar: 610mm Bontrager XXX Lite Grips: Lizard Skin Lockons Fork: 2005 Rock Shox Reba Race 29er Brakes: Avid BB7 Mechnical Disks w/ 160 mm roters (F/R) Brake levers: Avid FR-5 Crank: Race Face Dues 175mm Bottom Bracket: Race Face Dues Chain rings: Just one - 32t and a TruVativ's 3mm CNC'd alloy guard Chain: SRAM PC69 Front derailuer: NGEAR Jump Stop Rear Derailuer: SRAM XO Medium Cage Cassette: Shimano XT 11-32t Wheelset: American Classic mtb29 Seatpost: Thompson 31.6mm x 410mm w/ Setback Seat: Bontrager Race X Lite Tires: Bontrager Jones XR 29 Tubes: Stans 26" Rim Strips headset: Cane Creek S1
Bottom Line:
It's fast. It's comfortable. It's light. The price is great. I love it!
Buy it: Buy it if you like 29er bikes and you're looking for a bike that you can race all day on or fly through your favorite single track.
Don't buy it: Don't buy it if you think 29er is a fad and you won't change over from a 26".
Value: 5 Chilis b/c other 29er frames of this weight and quality will cost you more.
Overall: 5 Chilis b/c Niner are swaweet and I wish I was riding my EMD 9 right now!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Milf hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Niner.
Strengths:
Great price, lightweight, stiff,
Weaknesses:
Paint scratches easily. Only available in black. Required seatpost is a 31.6 x 400mm. This limits your options.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
Frankenbike.
Bottom Line:
A good value for the money and a good option for a light 29er hardtail. The headtube and BB shell come faced easing assembly at home if you are building it yourself. I was a little concerned the steep headtube angle would make for a squirrely bike but this has not been the case, even during high speed downhill runs. Overall a very good frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Big Levels
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
bike29.com
Strengths:
Price, Quality, Weight, Color, ...
Weaknesses:
Paint BUT they send extra.
Similar Products Used:
On One, Paragon, BM Flyer, KM
Bike Setup:
Reba Race 100mm, AmClassic hoops, some gears, ...
Bottom Line:
For the price it is a dream 29er. Then again the 29er thing is just a fad so I'll end up selling it on e-Bay in a few weeks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flea
a Racer
from USA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Niner Bikes
Strengths:
Fit and finish, vertical compliance, lateral stiffness, value to price ratio.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
On One 29er Inbred
Bottom Line:
Great inexpensive yet high quality 29er frame. About 2 pounds lighter than my sold On One, yet every bit as comfortable. Builds up easily since Niner preps the head tube and BB for you. With an 80mm Reba the handling is perfect for east coast riding. I can't say anything bad about it at all. Highly recommended if you're looking for a 29er!
$
Overall Rating:
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