If my dealer cant get me the RIP it sounds like the Big Mama will be as good an all around choice at a lower price.

By the way did Salsa give you the thumbs up mounting a 120mm fork on the bike or was this your own experiment? Be tempted to do the same.
Cheers

I would favor the Big Mama, but I am a single speeder at heart, and standing climbs are part of my riding. Riders wanting the more plush feel of the RIP 9 and that don’t mind a sitting and spinning riding style will gravitate towards the Niner.

Great post on the Big Mama and nice to see a well executed simple design get props.

Not having a chance to demo any 29er up here in Vancouver (bought my El Mariachi site unseen) I am cruising for some last minute advice/ feedback on a few ride choices. I am building up a Marathon / multi day race bike for the BC Bike Race. It’s in my back yard so I am looking at trail bikes not just pure race bikes most of which wont last or be too practical around here post race.

I wanted your opinion on the Niner RIP 9 vs the Big mama for this purpose. From my research both are about the same weight so it comes down to ride capability and efficiency. I like both but have a hard time with the Salsa suspension design having been on Horst link bikes for the last 7-8 yrs. I suspect the Niner may give up a little on the climbs but should be better / more active everywhere else and not suffer from much brake jack. Not looking to win but reducing fatigue plays a factor in finishing times and overall enjoyment.

The only other bike I might consider is a SC Tallboy but I’d have to switch dealers and drop another grand in the process.
Rider info 6’1″ 185lbs, aggressive rider pushing 40.

Cheers!

So, I can not say for certain. What I can say is that the Salsa Big Mama is built to last. Strong where it needs to be. That said- anything can be broken. So, again, I can not speak for you, or your riding style, but it can be a bike that could do these things you mention under the right rider.