[KRob]

A couple of nicely built, brand new Rip9s are going for $2500 in the classifieds from a guy that sounds like he's a shop.

Seems like a pretty good deal if you need a medium. I assume they are '07 or '08 leftovers, but still.

Anyone had any dealings with him?

 

[PCinSC]

The shop's got good reviews on MTBR, never used them myself, though.

Just curious, are you concerned about the reported flexiness of the RIP, particularly compared to the lateral stiffness of your Knolly? I've got both the RIP (and WFO) and Delirium on my "next bike radar", I'm curious to here you compare and contrast them once you've got your hands on a RIP.

 

[disjointed]

I googled the domain name of his e-mail and found a website for Big Kahuna Bicycles Shop in Littleton, Colorado. On the front page is a sale for the same Niners in the classifieds.

Link to Website

I don't claim this to be legit or not, but just adding some information of what I found.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

The shop's got good reviews on MTBR, never used them myself, though.

Just curious, are you concerned about the reported flexiness of the RIP, particularly compared to the lateral stiffness of your Knolly? I've got both the RIP (and WFO) and Delirium on my "next bike radar", I'm curious to here you compare and contrast them once you've got your hands on a RIP.

KRob's about my weight.....just sayin'......

 

[PCinSC]

KRob's about my weight.....just sayin'......

I know, these forums are full of lightweights. I need to take up sumo wrestling, I'm sure I would have no problem getting input on which is the right mawashi for me on the sumo forums.

I remember Krob commenting on the relative stiffness of frames he tried out at Interbike, so despite his diminutive stature he was able to discern differences in the frames. Plus, he rides what is arguably the beefiest 160mm bike available, so his reference point for stiffness is high.

Don't worry, I take everything I read on here with a grain (or gallon) of salt.

 

[cruso414]

yeah, I think he's legit

A couple of nicely built, brand new Rip9s are going for $2500 in the classifieds from a guy that sounds like he's a shop.

Seems like a pretty good deal if you need a medium. I assume they are '07 or '08 leftovers, but still.

Anyone had any dealings with him?

he had a bunch of demo frames on ebay about a month ago that he sold for around $900. I think his user ID was something like kahunatiki. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him, he had good feedback on ebay.

 

[Larsey]

I bought a 2008 RIP 9 frame (small) from him with no worries. Shipped fast and was boxed fine. Also felt like I got a great deal.

 

[KRob]

Just curious, are you concerned about the reported flexiness of the RIP, particularly compared to the lateral stiffness of your Knolly? I've got both the RIP (and WFO) and Delirium on my "next bike radar", I'm curious to here you compare and contrast them once you've got your hands on a RIP.

I'm not too concerned about the reported flexiness on the 1st generation Rip9. We rode it last year at I-bike and, for whatever reason, I think I liked the '08 better than the '09 we rode this year. It just felt lighter more playful and a bit more XC. I didn't notice the '08 being overly flexy but it didn't feel as stiff as the Sultan ....... and it's nowhere near as stiff as the D-T, nor would I expect it to be (Duh).

Though the bike it would be replacing is the HH100x which is arguably the stiffest 4" travel XC/trail FS 26er bike around for the weight (just under 6#). So I'd be a bit disappointed if the Rip9 felt a lot flexier than the HH, I guess. Didn't seem like it when I rode it, though.

If I could get a leftover '08 Sultan built up for that price (if there are any left) I'd have to seriously consider going that way. Love the Sultan. (couple of nice used frames in the classifieds right now for around a grand... and some of the parts from the HH would transfer over.... so that's also a consideration.)

Any comments on the Manitou Absolute 29er 120 fork with 20mm TA Hex axle on that spec? Is that an '09 model?

 

[KRob]

KRob's about my weight.....just sayin'......

Maybe you've already spoken out on this, but I'd be interested to hear your take on the difference in stiffness between the '08 and the '09 Rip.

 

[KRob]

Thanks for the legwork on the shop guys. Looks like a legit shop and good guy to deal with.

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

Maybe you've already spoken out on this, but I'd be interested to hear your take on the difference in stiffnes between the '08 and the '09 Rip.

I've only ridden the '09 RIP. It's plenty stiff but I can't compare it to the '08.

Patrick, I rode Ventanas for several years. They're every bit as stiff as Knollys.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

I'm not too concerned about the reported flexiness on the 1st generation Rip9. We rode it last year at I-bike and, for whatever reason, I think I liked the '08 better than the '09 we rode this year. It just felt lighter more playful and a bit more XC. I didn't notice the '08 being overly flexy but it didn't feel as stiff as the Sultan ....... and it's nowhere near as stiff as the D-T, nor would I expect it to be (Duh).

Though the bike it would be replacing is the HH100x which is arguably the stiffest 4" travel XC/trail FS 26er bike around for the weight (just under 6#). So I'd be a bit disappointed if the Rip9 felt a lot flexier than the HH, I guess. Didn't seem like it when I rode it, though.

If I could get a leftover '08 Sultan built up for that price (if there are any left) I'd have to seriously consider going that way. Love the Sultan. (couple of nice used frames in the classifieds right now for around a grand... and some of the parts from the HH would transfer over.... so that's also a consideration.)

Any comments on the Manitou Absolute 29er 120 fork with 20mm TA Hex axle on that spec? Is that an '09 model?

I'll sell you my medium Sultan for a good price. PM if interested.

 

[JMH]

Any comments on the Manitou Absolute 29er 120 fork with 20mm TA Hex axle on that spec? Is that an '09 model?

Krob - I have found that fork to be quite good this summer with two drawbacks: 1. Clicking noise caused by platform valve, 2. Quite overdamped for my 170lbs

I believe the replacement parts kit includes a new needle that reduces the compression damping a bit, but maybe it just reduces the platform, not sure since I haven't seen mine yet. I was waiting for the parts kit to arrive before pulling the damper to see if I could detune the damping.

But overall, it seems good.

JMH

 

[LyNx]

Krob, as JMH said, only prob with the manitou is the damn annoying click, which they have a fix for, other than that a great, stiff fork that suits the RIP9 very well :thumbsup: Mines off sitting waiting for the fix kit as I really find the noise annoying, but as soon as I get it all back up it'll be back on the RIP9 in a heart beat.

 

[FoShizzle]

KRob's about my weight.....just sayin'......

This is true, I have seen KRob...he is also a totally out of shape fatazz

 

[FoShizzle]

I'll sell you my medium Sultan for a good price. PM if interested.

please dont post SPAM on mtbr without paying your 2 dollars. thanks in advance

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

please dont post SPAM on mtbr without paying your 2 dollars. thanks in advance

Your wife took my "spam" for 52 cents

 

[KRob]

This is true, I have seen KRob...he is also a totally out of shape fatazz

So true....... For a guy who weighs in at 160 lbs soaking wet I have an abnormally large, ehem, pelvic girdle. And I am extremely out of shape. Even that tub-o-lard El Chingon on a 43lb Highline crushed me on the climb up Zen the other day. I should just give up and start doing like you Fo. The actual riding of the bikes is so pointless. I can have just as much fun (and less pain) building up bike after bike and then selling them without ever riding them then pontificating on their virtures on the intra-web.

KRob---------> Wants to be like Fo when he grows up.:thumbsup:

In case you've missed pics of my large rear..... Warning: View with caution!! Not for the faint of heart.

 

[Dry Cownty Brewer]

I bought a 2008 RIP 9 frame (small) from him with no worries. Shipped fast and was boxed fine. Also felt like I got a great deal.

I just bought one of these '08 RIP 9's from Big Kahuna 2 weeks ago, and I got a brand new Manitou Minute 120mm fork as well. I got the whole package for less than $1300, and they shipped it lickety-split. They are completely legit. NOTE: If you search the niner threads you will come across a topic where NINER offered a discounted deal at Interbike to all reps for '08 closeouts, Big Kahuna must have purchased a number of these.

 

[LyNx]

You mean you got a frame & fork for $1300 ? :eekster: I'll assume frame & fork and say that's a super smoking deal.

I just bought one of these '08 RIP 9's from Big Kahuna 2 weeks ago, and I got a brand new Manitou Minute 120mm fork as well. I got the whole package for less than $1300, and they shipped it lickety-split. They are completely legit. NOTE: If you search the niner threads you will come across a topic where NINER offered a discounted deal at Interbike to all reps for '08 closeouts, Big Kahuna must have purchased a number of these.