Eurobike is happening starting today and running through Sunday in Friedrichshafen, Germany. It is the world’s largest bicycle show and it is becoming increasingly important as a place where new product is debuted. Niner Bikes has chosen this show to break out its final version of the W.F.O.9, a 5.5 inch travel All Mountain/Freeride 29″er.

We got yer long travel 29

Note: The studio shots of the W.F.O. 9 shown here are of a proto-type with some CNC parts that will be forged on the final production bike. Some slight variances in appearance should be expected. Thanks to Niner for all of the photos here.

This bike has been a long time in development and testing going through many prototypes and minor changes since its inception. Niner now feels that all the pieces to the puzzle are in place now. Here are some details for you to chew on.

Marzocchi 44 29

Here’s a teaser shot of the show fork for you which makes the W.F.O.9 project complete. Marzocchi worked very closely with Niner in designing this fork to work with what Niner envisioned for the W.F.O.9. The fork, based on Marzocchi’s own “44″ model, is a 29″er fork with 100-140mm ATA adjustable travel, air sprung, 15mm through axle, compression adjustable, rebound adjustable, and features a lockout. Not only that, but the W.F.O.9 and this Marzocchi fork feature the 1 1/8th” to 1 1/2″ tapered steer tube/headset which will give Niner’s W.F.O.9 a rock solid front end. The larger base on that head tube allowed Niner to weld a bigger, stiffer down tube to it which should prove quite beneficial for this long travel 29″er. Also worth noting are the internal headset bearing which allowed Niner to increase the length of the head tube, strengthening the front triangle in the process. Another benefit from having the bearings set internally is the lower handle bar height, which is actually lower than earlier versions of this bike.

Head tube on the W.F.O.9

As for those bigger, shapely front triangle tubes, those are specially designed hydroformed tubes. Niner had these made to their own spec and they are exclusive to Niner. Niner felt that not only could they optimize the tubes for the job with this method, but that a consistency in wall thickness and shape could be better achieved. The hydroforming was employed for the top tube, down tube, and the bridge between the seat and chainstays on the W.F.O. 9. There are also 9 different forged parts on this rig, (Forging of frame components is becoming more common we’re finding out) to help increase durability and rigidity on this model. Only the drop outs, derailluer mount and ISCG tab will get the CNC mill treatment on the W.F.O.9 frame. Everything else is forged, hydroformed, or is traditional tubing.

Lower linkage and ISCG tab

In another 29″er first, Niner has designed the W.F.O. 9 to be compatible with SRAM’s Hammerschmidt internal geared crankset, eliminating the need for a front derailluer. (A traditional front derailluer can be fitted) Niner also had to modify the lower linkage to accomodate the Hammerschmidt’s cable and shifting mechanism. The linkage is now assymetrical to achieve this compatibility. Note also that you can mount a traditional ISCG compatible chainguide for single ring use.

Upper linkage on the W.F.O.9

The frame with 135mm rear spacing will be available with a FoxRP23 shock and will have the option of switching dropouts from traditional quick realese to drop outs compatible with a Maxle. Also available will be a frame with a rear traingle set for 150 OD and this will come with a Maxle and drop outs compatible with it. The 150 OD triangle will be fitted with a DHX Air 5.0 instead of the RP23 damper. All pivots are a special alloy that turn on “full compliment of sealed cartridge bearings”.

Niner’s Steve Domahidy says of this project, ” We’ve really tried to think of every need a rider of this bike might have, including cable routing for seat drop seatposts, the ISCG tab, and tons of mud clearance. Plus, we’ve cleaned up the bridge piece in the back to be a lot more mud friendly, making it easier to clean and less apt to just build up mud. The hydroformed bridge on the rear triangle was also one of the main reasons we were able to keep the chainstay length so short on this bike (17.9”). It allows for increased front derailleur clearance, and actually strengthens the connection between the chainstays and seatstays.”

You can learn more about this new model and some of the history behind it’s development here.

Look for more coverage on the W.F.O. 9 from Interbike in our exclusive reports here on Twenty Nine Inches.

Twenty Nine Inches would like to thank Niner Bike’s Steve Domahidy for helping out with this story