[Zero Signal]

I've been looking at building up a new bike next spring. I really don't do AM riding. Mostly what I do is XC, perhaps on the upper end of the technical side of XC. That and endurance rides. I had my eye on a Niner EMD and some other frames for awhile now but in comparing frame geometry, the N9 and Yelli really stuck out of the bunch (for the obvious reasons). I don't really want an ultra light race machine. I want something fun to play with, fast in climbs and the corners, reasonably light, durable and comfortable enough for 6 hour rides. I also want something good at technical climbs which the Canfields also seem to be good for. Weight wise, I'd be happy with anything under 25lbs setup 1x9 with a carbon fork.

Does the Yelli and/or N9 sound like it would be a decent bike for XC work? The N9 looks excellent but I'm trying to figure out if I should be concerned with the weight. From everything I've read, I've never heard anyone here complain about the weight, so I imagine both these bikes handle and 'feel' pretty light.

I just figured I would ask you guys and get some input from some owners.

 

[GearTech]

In your first paragraph it sounds like you've answered your own question. If you really aren't worried about a pound or two then the N9 sounds like a good choice for you. Unless you're looking to build an ultralight race machine I would imagine that the only penalty as far as the weight is concerned would be in your head. The thought that you could never get it as light as the racy rigs might eat you up inside never allowing you to fully enjoy the bike.

So, ultralight and mentally comfortable or slightly heavier with (most likely) better geometry and more fun? That seems to be the question.

 

[vaughnm]

Go with the Nimble. Rode Park City with Chris Canfield yesteday and his green Nimble had a Niner Carbon fork single speed setup. Sounds like thats your ticket.
My Nimble is a 2x10 but I am a fat guy so I like gears.
VM

 

[jdusto]

Lighter often means less funner ...

I am not sure what "pure" xc really means. When I hear such it says to me ... "I want to ride clipped in and 95+% on the saddle".

In my opinion, the YS and N9 are not XC geometry bikes. Both the HA and SA are slack with the HA at (70-68 degrees depending on the fork used) and the ST at 70.5-71 degrees. This puts the rider and their center of mass back in the bike closer to or behind the BB. As a result its very, very easy to get the front wheel up in the air, you need to move you weight around and allow the bike to crave around a turn (i.e. lean the bike), and this is a 29er you can easily do drops on (however the factory WS I put on it is limiting how far I push it).

In other words, I would describe the YS and N9 as all-mountain rides (yes, I am using another over used termed).

 

[vaughnm]

I was on a 2011 Salsa El Marichi and just moved all the parts to the Nimble. The Nimble rides better IMO than the El Marichi. Yes you can get the front wheel off the ground if you want. I have never had it come up on a climb. I have a 100mm stem and it feels good. The short rear ends lets it get up to speed faster than the Salsa and with a slacker head angle it does not feel like I am going to go over the bars on short steep drops. All in all the bike likes to go up just as much as down.
Seating is in the sweet spot. I felt the Salsa was so long that I was ridding my Road bike with larger tires.
But thats what I think about the Nimble.
VM

 

[LowOnO2]

Good to know. I am considering both of these frames for the same cross country/long ride usage, as well. I am in Texas so we do not have climbs like the rest of you have. I would like a more comfortable seat position for long rides compared to the aggressive position that most MTB frames offer.

 

[phsycle]

I was on a 2011 Salsa El Marichi and just moved all the parts to the Nimble. The Nimble rides better IMO than the El Marichi. Yes you can get the front wheel off the ground if you want. I have never had it come up on a climb. I have a 100mm stem and it feels good. The short rear ends lets it get up to speed faster than the Salsa and with a slacker head angle it does not feel like I am going to go over the bars on short steep drops. All in all the bike likes to go up just as much as down.
Seating is in the sweet spot. I felt the Salsa was so long that I was ridding my Road bike with larger tires.
But thats what I think about the Nimble.
VM

I went from a 2010 El Mariachi to a Nimble9 (also swapped all parts over). I went for a ride on Canfield's demo bikes (blue and green N9) and instantly fell in love. Chris let me take the blue N9 over the weekend and let me properly demo the bike (what a cool guy). Handling was spectacular and climbing was much better than my El Mariachi. On the steepest of climbs, I did feel the front end start to wander a bit, but not anything I couldn't control. And of course, the downhill part was an absolute blast.

I just put a 100mm Reba on it (had an 80mm before), and will try to test it out this week (if trails dry out). BTW, I do mostly XC type of riding and although this bike is a bit AM-ish, it does great for the trails I ride. Zero issues for me, thus far.

 

[Click Click Boom]

I set mine ( Nimble 9) up as a all day single speed XC bike with a reba G2 XX set at 100mm travel and the bike comes in at a little under 24 pounds even with 2.4 RaRa's. I'm 5'11 and on a med. frame. I went with a zero offset seat poast, 100 mm stem, flat handle bar and G2 offset Reba XX fork. This set up works great for a all around XC bike.

 

[Dirt_Guy]

I'm getting ready for a winter build of a Yelli Screamy for the mountains of the midwest (XC to most). I need a low standover and moderate ETT thanks to my long torso/shorter legs. This should work well thanks to the bent top tube.

 

[92gli]

I think the decision just comes down to a few factors - weight, whether or not you want sliders for SS, and stiffness. By all accounts the yelli is about a pound lighter and the bottom bracket area is stiffer than the nimble. Either way, they can be very versatile depending on your fork and parts.

I have mine set up with a 100mm fork and light, but reliable, parts. Got a 28" wide bar with a 90mm stem. I have absolutely no issues with the front end lifting on steep climbs and its the best handling hardtail I've ever had when you're hitting the downhill stuff. Its very stable yet I can make it react very quickly when i want to.

So far my longest ride on it is 25 miles of flowing singletrack at fair hill in md. I wouldn't hesitate to race it in the exact configuration you see below. And i probably will next year.

 

[Clink]

I think the decision just comes down to a few factors - weight, whether or not you want sliders for SS, and stiffness. By all accounts the yelli is about a pound lighter and the bottom bracket area is stiffer than the nimble. Either way, they can be very versatile depending on your fork and parts.

I have mine set up with a 100mm fork and light, but reliable, parts. Got a 28" wide bar with a 90mm stem. I have absolutely no issues with the front end lifting on steep climbs and its the best handling hardtail I've ever had when you're hitting the downhill stuff. Its very stable yet I can make it react very quickly when i want to.

So far my longest ride on it is 25 miles of flowing singletrack at fair hill in md. I wouldn't hesitate to race it in the exact configuration you see below. And i probably will next year.

That looks great!

 

[vikb]

That looks great!

+1 - very nice...:thumbsup:

 

[92gli]

Thanks guys, the "new bike stoke" just doesn't wear off with this one. It has no bad habits. Since that pic I've added a stinger so I have 100% chain security and I broke the carbon post and went back to a thomson.

 

[golden boy]

92gli, is that the ano silver or the polished silver? Looks great, either way!

 

[92gli]

Its the semi-polished.

 

[Jeepnut22]

Future project, but was bouncing back and forth between the YS and the N9. Since I would be considering the build up as an all day rider and potential racer, the YS seems more fitting. Harshness? Haven't anyone talk about that one yet. Is the YS harder on the rider vs. the N9?

 

[jeffw-13]

Thanks guys, the "new bike stoke" just doesn't wear off with this one.

So true! What a fun bike :thumbsup:

 

[ecibis]

Went through the same thing....

And N9 will be less harsh for an all day rider. geometry is the same between the two so handling should be similar. I went with the N9 even though it's a lb. heavier because of the compliance that comes with steel. Mine will be built up to a hair less than 24lbs. for a large with beefy wheels/tires. That is still good enough for the occasional endurance race.

 

[Jeepnut22]

^^ That is what I am thinking as well. The YS is soooo sexy looking though. As an older rider though, compliance may trump baller looks...

 

[1x1clyde]

I went with the Nimble, frame just arrived today!

Undecided on build...either SS or 1x10 but once I get home tonight the choice will be made...
love the new Purple:thumbsup: