Niner has always been a small company willing to swim with the sharks instead of the guppies, and this
means they cannot and will not release “me too” products. That’s why after three years of Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) and testing, Niner has come to the table with a pure-bred carbon race frame—the Niner Jet 9
RDO (Race Day Optimized). This is Niner’s first venture into the carbon full-suspension world. After
testing their hardtail version, the Air Nine Carbon (November 2010), and realizing what a carbon 29-inch
race bike is capable of, we had high hopes for this bike
Shimano’s SLX drivetrain, Deore crankset and disc brakes pinch pennies whereas performing arts amazingly stream on the path. Having saved cash on those bits, ennead splurged elsewhere, as proven by the Fox CTD rear shock and yankee Classic parcel wheelset.
The efficient, carbon chassis is organized around Niner’s cerebrovascular accident mechanical system, a floating pivot-point style. Testers noted that, whereas the Jet nine Carbon didn’t boast the easy acceleration of the simplest bikes within the bunch, it did pedal with efficiency. Tester feedback unbroken returning to the bike’s terribly neutral—some known as it “middle of the road”—manner.
Sure, it’d create a competent race bike, however with a 120-millimeter fork and a few two.4-inch tires thrown within the mix—the frame is intended to accommodate each of those things—Niner Bike’s Jet nine Carbon may conjointly prove a capable dirt bike.
Finish quality on the frame is spectacular and some key element upgrades may simply bring this bike all the way down to the twenty three or 24-pound vary. Our solely gripe was the dearth of a 142×12 rear through-axle. The solid rear triangle is masses stiff and ennead saved cash by going with a conventional fast unleash system, but we’d spit up another couple hundred usd in exchange for a through-axle—it’s merely a far better thanks to secure a wheel.
BUYING ADVICE
The Jet 9 RDO is a perfect bike for many riders. If you’re looking for a long-travel trailbike, look
elsewhere. If you’re going for a sub-20-pound race rig, it’ll be tough to get there. Everywhere in between,
the bike is an excellent performer. It delivers excellent climbing and pedaling efficiency and can still
shred the descent on the backside.
Specs :
- FRAME: NINER JET 9 CARBON – MOONDUST GREY
- FORK: FOX FLOAT CTD FIT, KASHIMA, TAPERED, 100MM, 15MM TA, BLACK
- WHEELS: SUN RINGLÉ BLACK FLAG, NINER GRAPHICS, QR/15MM FRONT, QR 135/TA 142MM REAR
- TIRES: SCHWALBE RACING RALPH EVO 2.25 TIRES
- BRAKES: SHIMANO XT M785, 180/160MM RT76 ROTORS
- LEVERS: SHIMANO XT M785
- R/SHIFTER: SHIMANO XT M780 I-SPEC 10SP
- F/SHIFTER: SHIMANO XT M780 I-SPEC 2/3SP
- R/DER: SHIMANO XT M786 GS SHADOW PLUS 10SP
- F/DER: SHIMANO XT M785 10SP E2 DIRECT MOUNT, BOTTOM PULL
- CASSETTE: SHIMANO XT M771 11-36 10SP
- CHAIN: SHIMANO XT HG-94 10SP
- CRANKSET: SHIMANO XT M785 38/26
- BOTTOM BRACKET: SHIMANO XT BB-70
- SADDLE: WTB VOLT RACE, NINER GRAPHIC
- SEATPOST: NINER CARBON SEATPOST, RED GRAPHIC
- BAR: NINER FLAT TOP CARBON, RED GRAPHIC
- STEM: NINER ALLOY STEM, RED GRAPHIC
- GRIPS: WTB WEIRWOLF DNA COMPOUND
Image Credit © Ninerbikes
