Description:The R9 is Sinister's first suspension bike, but is Frank's 9th revision of his FTW Linkage, which dates back to the legendary Motorhead. The nine inch travel frame set was built to meet the demands of downhill racing; made from 6061 series aluminum and 100% made in the USA. The R9 utilizes a 9.5 x 3.0 inch stroke rear shock and we are currently working with both Romic and Avalanche for rear shocks options.
Standout features include:
An oversized 1.125 headtube (which is compatible with deep press headsets)
Sealed bearings at all pivot points and 12mm thru axle to keep the rear end flex free and maintenance free
Welded one piece rocker which offers 3 travel positions
Integrated rubber fork stops
Proprietary one piece ISCG (International Standard Chain Guide) bottom shell
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from PA Date Reviewed: October 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Strengths:
The build quality of the frame is second to none. Just sitting on the bike gives you a sense of stability. Then riding it makes you a believer.
Sinister Customer Service is top notch. Give them a call and you will be taken care of.
Weaknesses:
Slightly on the heavy side.
Similar Products Used:
Iron Horse Sunday
Bike Setup:
R9, 888, Saint, 729/Hope, DHX Coil
Bottom Line:
This is the first DH bike that I have owned, but not the first that I have ridden. I have always been drawn to the R9 due to its looks and glowing customer reviews.
After a few trips to the resorts this summer I know that I had made the right choice for my DH bike. My frame was bought second hand, but it performs like a NEW machine and Sinister intends to keep it that way.
The most noticable trait of this bike is its stability at speed. Its capability far exceeds mime, but that is a good thing considering it will allow me to catch up at some point in time. IMO this is a point and shoot bike. You see your line, you point, and pull the trigger. No matter what is in the way the R9 does a nice job keeping its line. I think the longer wheelbase on this thing really helps in that regard.
In the tighter switchbacks I do find the R9 to be a little slower than other bikes that I have used. Again I find the longer wheelbase to be the cause. I really dont mind since this thing was made to go fast and 99% of the time that is what it will be doing.
Good design FTW!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Downhiller
from Mansfield, CT, USA Date Reviewed: June 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
Online forum
Strengths:
The simplicity of this frame makes it almost maintence free, which is a wonderous thing on a dh bike its wheel path is extremely progresive so you can run 40percent sag and it still never bottom out, the company backing this bike is one of the best if not the best. I needed pedals and started talking to the owner (FTW) and he let me borrow his pedals for the day and trusted me enough to leave his van open so i could switch the pedals back.
Weaknesses:
It might be a little heavy, but it will never break and if it does you'll be taken care of.
Similar Products Used:
Canfield F1, stinky primo, other stuff
Bike Setup:
white r9 boxxer team e13 xtr hope laced to GI etc
Bottom Line:
If you can't corner on this bike then you suck or don't have iot set up correctly, whoever said its not effiecient needs help, this is one of the most efficient 9inch travel bikes ive ever ridden, if you like hitting drops and jumps put a 888 on this sucker if you like racing and going fast put a boxxer on it, basically this is the only DH bike i would want to own, sinister is awsome
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: June 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
you'll know if you find it
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
evolution bike shop
Strengths:
attn to detail, welds are amazing, everything you would expect for a hand built frame.
Weaknesses:
every one wants to ride it...then they want to keep riding it
Similar Products Used:
santa cruz v-10/ specialized demo 8&9/ bighit/ bullit...
Bike Setup:
avy rear shock, fox 40, industry 9 wheelset, profile cranks w/ti spindle, tioga pedals, michelin tires, thomson stem and seat post, sram x9 shifter/x0 rear der. formula oro puro brakes
Bottom Line:
BIKE KILLS IT!. If you can't corner on this bike, you can't corner. Jumps, rails, pedals, all of it better than I could do on my last bike! The shocker is ,it is only 42 lbs. If you havent ridden a Sinister you should. The bike is a single pivot and pedals like mad through rock gardens and uphills! Spring for the avy. I will update later.
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Submitted by
Jake Forrester
a Downhiller
from Issaquah, WA USA Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Beav Flow Track
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
DH Zon
Strengths:
Strong frame, beefy welds
Weaknesses:
Heavy, does not corner well, poor pedal bob, rear DHX shock is trash
Similar Products Used:
Demo 9, Iron Horse Yakuza Kumicho
Bike Setup:
Fox 40, Avid Juicy 9, Mag 30'
Bottom Line:
The frame is well put together, but poor performance for a bike of this caliber. The Fox DHX shock is complete trash, I would get a 5th element- its heavier but better
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andras Salamon
a Downhiller
from Budapest, Hungary Date Reviewed: March 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Janos Hill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
FTW
Strengths:
Strong, great stand-over high,veryable
Weaknesses:
no local dealers...
Similar Products Used:
Stinky supreme,SC V10, intense,
Bike Setup:
R9 frame, Travis Triple Tpc+, Fox Dhx5.0,Lx cranksets,mavic 729EX,
Bottom Line:
This is the best dh frame! I love this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hardcore- newbie
a Downhiller
from stockbridge Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
love anything
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
plush, strong, beautiful, very peadlable for a bike in its class
Weaknesses:
no local dealers, price,
Similar Products Used:
stab supreme
Bike Setup:
888,avy shock, i dunn othe rest
Bottom Line:
very nice bike,if it had front derelleur comaptability itd be a perfect freeride bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dusten Richcreek
a Downhiller
from Boise, Idaho, USA Date Reviewed: April 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Streblo park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3700.00
Purchased At:
Drop N Zone
Strengths:
Sticks to the ground at high speeds, very plush suspension yet still easy to pedal for a downhill bike, the welds are amazing frank is a god among bike builders
zoke 888, protapers, raceface northshore, evil guide, sun ringle hubs attached to eight track rims, romic, hayes mags
Bottom Line:
If you have the means I highly suggest picking one up it is so choice, also if you want one of the best built, fun to ride, and great to race bikes built by the best welder in the buisness.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Sketchy
a Downhiller
from dundee Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Fort Bill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Free flo
Strengths:
The sheer stability and strength of the frame. The component choice, the amazing ride you get of it, handles great in the air (i luv wippin it!) It always turns peoples heads cause it is so damn sexy.
Weaknesses:
It gives you too much confidence which ends up being sore.
Similar Products Used:
intense, giant, kona, orange
Bike Setup:
888r forks, 5th element,x9sram all round, ringle hubs, hayes mag hd brakes, pro taper bars all the usual
Bottom Line:
If you want a confidence inspiring bike this is the one. Its ride is second to none. Built by the legend FTW (frank the welder) this bike has spent years in the making. Super long so it takes fast corners in its stride, super duper stable on steep, rocky sections. Oh ye did i forget to mention one of the sexiest bikes ever made!! i thank god every night for this blessing!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clark McNutt
a Downhiller
from Portland, Oregun Date Reviewed: March 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
A Line
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
FTW
Strengths:
Been riding FTW's builds for 9 years and this is by far his crowning glory
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Project X'sssss
Bike Setup:
All the best
Bottom Line:
FTW has outdone himself on this build. Nothing out there even comes close. Point and shoot or nimble on a dime, it odes it all. Won the Oregon 35+ DH on the R9 with only 2 pratice runs and had my best time ever by 20 seconds. Dont waste your time and money an anything else becuae there isnt anything even close. Have 3 more on order. If you can, buy one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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