The curvaceous Niner Carbon Air Nine has made quite a splash in 2009 and now the news has come that Niner Bikes is taking deposits for the first run of frames. We have also received a few more images to share along with a recap of all the features of this carbon fiber wagon wheeler.
Niner Bikes Carbon Air 9 in Tang (top) and Vana White (bottom)
The new Carbon Air Nine will be $1899.00 and a deposit can be lodged now with any Niner dealer (http://www.ninerbikes.com/fly.aspx?layout=dealerlocator) Deposits to secure a frame are $500.00. Niner informed us that the frames are expected to deliver late this winter 2010.
The rear disc brake mounts are post style.
Niner has several features that are unique for a 29″er and for any carbon hard tail. The post mount standard is incorporated for the rear disc brake caliper which Niner claims is a more precise way to mount a brake that also lends more strength and is lighter in weight than using an IS adapter to mount the caliper. Niner also developed the Carbon Air 9 using computer designed tube shapes and with extensive FEA analysis that they feel has optimized carbon fibers strengths. Each shape was arrived at because it worked the best for strength and rider comfort, according to Niner Bikes’ Steve Domahidy.
Niner’s unique “CYA” bottom bracket.
Niner also incorporate a unique bottom bracket shell that will accept their own “BioCentric” eccentric bottom bracket for single speed set ups. Niner will also have adapters to accommodate X Type, BB-90, SRAM BB-30, and FSA BB-30 bottom brackets with a possibility of other bottom bracket adapters in the future.
Niner used an organic, curvy design arrived at by extensive FEA analysis and testing.
Other frame details include a magnesium head tube badge that doubles as an entry point for internally routed cables. Cable guides made of carbon fiber are built in to accommodate a rear disc brake line. The seat post size is 31.6mm and Niner Bikes recommends a 400mm post for correct sizing. Finally, Niner provides titanium plates around the bottom bracket shell to protect the frame and boasts of “massive rear tire clearance”.
Of course, all this can be topped off with Niner’s matching carbon fiber fork with available tapered steer tube or you can go with a tapered steer tube suspension fork as well. Look for these to start hitting the trails in early spring.
I love that it has post mount tabs in the back. All manufacturers should be doing this.
I just love that we live in an age when bikes like this are available. Designwise it blows the mind, and in terms of production, you just couldn’t efficiently do this stuff until recently.
Really exciting, considering that only a few short years ago , the only options were, say, mt. Tams, karate monkeys (still love it), two tire choices, and one type of suspension fork.
Except now, looking around at a race, I no longer feel like the oddball freak who knows something that no one else had been clued in on. Oh well…
I love this bike too. I want one but it is far off the financial radar for now
now excuse a stupid question because I am sure it has been stated on here before
how exactly is the EBB tightened on this frame?
bigchris:
http://www.ninerbikes.com/fly.aspx?layout=bikes&taxid=208&parts=true
It looks the same as a normal EBB but rather than having grub screws in the frame, the two end plates are tightened together (pushing in on the frame sideways) with one big hex screw to create friction.
I had also wondered about the BB.
VERY sweet bike. Out of my price range, but that doesn’t mean I can’t drool over it.
That SS is about the sexiest bike I know of right now! I think I saw a picture (Speedgoat blog of Interbike, maybe?) of the headtube-fork “interface” and thinking how perfectly sculpted that area was.
I really hope for Niner that they have their EBB dialed on this bike vs. the biocentric one currently sold. Mine is sitting on the workbench as of now yet to be installed. My set screw version is only occasionally creaky and hasn’t slipped in a while and all the reports I have read is that the new one slips even more than the old.
It is also apparently a hovercraft. Strange picture.
1 hex screw through the ebb? yikes with all that torsional force on the bb no wonder they are taking their sweet time to get it right
thanks for the link I saw that but couldnt make out what was up
@Joel: Niner has a penchant for suspending their bikes in their studio shots.
If the frame is to frames what their new carbon fork is to rigid forks this bike will be worth every one of those many dollars!
More colours please niner (or perhaps when the day arrives that am both allowed and can afford one they might have a hot tamale jobby)
Amazing!!!
I would order now right now, but…EBB is not for me. Heck, if they made it with sliders I would order two…
Hot hot hot. Whats not to love about these bikes and the thompson seat clamp and post details only add to the beautiful nature of the frame.
Nice work to the folks at Niner, you guys really out did yourselves on these bikes.
Kudos to Niner on future classic, but I’m biased toward the Specialized S-Works 29er SS because of its standard BB and horizontal rear dropouts. Can’t beat the Niner paint job though–super cool!