[Kennetht638]

After only a year of riding and racing, I (like so many other Flyte owners) found a crack in the downtube of my Flyte Celsius 9. Conveniently, Flyte recently went out of business so I'm out of luck for a new frame. So now I'm looking for a new rig and I'm looking for something racy.

At this point, I'm torn between the Salsa Mamasita and the Niner AIR9. I'm guessing that this'll be one of those "you can't go wrong with either" situations, but I just want to do as much research as possible before spending almost $800 on a new frame.

I'm going to be riding in the SF Bay Area this summer and then riding and racing in the Midwest when I'm back at school in the fall and winter. I would also like for this frame to last a bit longer than my Flyte did. It's going to be built up with a Lefty for racing and maybe a Fetish carbon fork that I have lying around in the wintertime. I weigh about 145 and am not generally too hard on equipment.

I'm sure there aren't many who have ridden both, but any opinions on the two would be much appreciated. For example, is the extra weight of the Mamasita made up for in ride quality? Which is stiffer?

Thanks.

 

[jasondean]

Tough choice...

I lusted for both the Air 9 and the Mamasita. I've never ridden the Air9, but have lusted for both of them for some time. Having said that, my lust for the Mamasita was stronger.

My team is fortunate enough to have Salsa as a sponsor. Having said that we're under no obligation to race a Salsa frame, but they make it hard to pass up with offerings like the Dos Niner and the Mamsita. And as a company they've always been SUPER cool with me and have shown some great customer service to me too. I dig 'em.

I think the Air 9 is sweet!, but the Mamasita is just that much sweeter to me. I waited a LONG time for my Mamasita frame and just got the built version last week. Many times when it looked like I may not get the Salsa, I had the Air 9 in mind as my back up.

Still getting components dialed in, but the frame kicks ASS! It's truly one of the lightest frames I've ever had (including a ti HT). I have a large and holding the frame in my hand felt like a feather! I can't comment on the comfort too much yet. Not enough miles on it. Plus I'm used to the Dos Niner with 1" to take the edge off.

I've been racing the Dos Niner (solos and marathons) for over a year now and plan to continue to use the Dos Niner for racing since I'm usually in the saddle for anywhere from 6 to 24 hours. I plan to use the Mamasita for my back up and training bike. The handling is quick and super responsive and that's even with my Reba set at 100mm (I'm always willing to slow my steering down for the comfort of 100mm),

Sorry to ramble, and I'm not sure I helped you at all. You can check my blog for more first hand impressions of the Mamasita and picts.

Good luck, you said it when you said there is no "wrong" decision on this one.

Jason.

PS, Here's a pict...

 

[BillyMTB]

Bike Lusting

I have just ordered an AIR 9.
My choices were:

-Mamasita (lovely! but geometry is not as good for shorter riders)
-ORBEA (price is so high!!)
-AIR 9 (Just right )

I went for the AIR 9 in the end becuase the geometry seemed better suited for me especially standover. All great frames of course but I would have to say IMHO the all Scandium Niner frame would be the most durable and sits in between the Mamasita & Orbea in weight, 3.1lbs for a medium which is amazing. I'm 5'7" so pretty short and the small will fit me perfectly for racing XC and Endurance events.

I really do take great care when deciding on a new frame and so far have never gotten it wrong. My Soma Juice is simply a perfect fit, it is the most dialled bike I have ever owned and I had never ridden one (29er or Single Speed) before hand, just went with the geometry specs a tape measure against my existing bike and read all the reviews, some reviews taken seriously and some not so.

I can't comment on either for ride but if you read the mtbr reviews (which you probably already have) you should be able to get a pretty good feel for both frames.

Yes, it's a tough choice but either of the two will make you smile!
b.

 

[endure26]

I went with an Air9 for my geared race bike. I already owned a Sir9 and was very happy with it. The Niner customer service has been real good and I really prefered the full Scandium frame - not a big fan of carbon on MTBs. I considered a Mamasita as I already own a Salsa Chili Con Crosso and an El GoGo. Very happy with both of those rides too. The Chili rocks. I got lucky and picked up a Air9 from a guy who had purchased the wrong size. Built up, but never really ridden. Price was right so Air9 it was. I only have about 10-hours on it, but gotta say it's a great frame.

 

[bigwheelboy_490]

I plan to use the Mamasita for my back up and training bike. ...

ohhh.. that must be tough having around as a "training" bike...

 

[jasondean]

Ha! The only reason it would be a "training" bike, is that since I race longer races I'll opt for my Dos Niner which is PERFECT for me in endurance events. Saving my Mamasita for shorter races and a 100 milers or two.

Truth be told the main reason is the Mamasita is sooo sweet I don't want to soil her with something as undignified as racing, HA!

 

[Kennetht638]

It was a tough choice, but I just ordered up a Medium framed Mamasita. I decided that the slight weight disadvantage would not be a huge hindrance for me at my level of racing, and that the comfort edge would be nice because this bike will not just be a race bike.

So...thanks for all the help, and I'll be sure to post up pictures when I get it all built up.

 

[BillyMTB]

Weight

It was a tough choice, but I just ordered up a Medium framed Mamasita. I decided that the slight weight disadvantage would not be a huge hindrance for me at my level of racing, and that the comfort edge would be nice because this bike will not just be a race bike.

So...thanks for all the help, and I'll be sure to post up pictures when I get it all built up.

There's hardly any difference in the frame weights really.
Enjoy the Mamasita!
b.