Niner Bikes has presented the updated version of the J.E.T. 9 for 2010. The J.E.T.9 was introduced in 2008 but was plagued with problems causing a recall and a subsequent re-design which now has been released for production. First, let’s take a look at the new frame:

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The image of the new J.E.T.9 as it appears on Niner’s February e-newsletter.

Niner did a lot of work behind the scenes while the the re-design was being accomplished. Frames were analyzed, destructive testing was done, and everything was on the table for re-evaluation concerning the new version of the J.E.T.9. Niner also was developing new ideas alongside the J.E.T.9 with the update of the R.I.P.9 and the new W.F.O.9. Some of the new ideas incorporated into the longer travel bikes was brought over to the J.E.T.9 for this new update.

Jet_headtube
Niner beefed up the head tube area with a tapered head tube and hydro-formed top and down tubes on the new J.E.T.9.

The most prominent feature of the new J.E.T.9 is the head tube area. A combination of a tapered head tube and hydro-formed top and down tubes now promise a much stiffer and robust front triangle. The tapered steer tube compatibility means that you can run a standard 1 1/8th steer tube fork with an adapter or a tapered steer tube fork. Niner will be offering Reba XX forks in black and white colors along with this frame in tapered and straight steerers. The tapered headtube also allowed Niner to produce a massive hydo-formed downtube which will minimize torsional flex which should translate into a more precise handling feel. Niner states in their February e-newsletter that: “This new tube puts up stiffness numbers much higher than that of the original with little to no penalty.”

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Niner also re-evaluated the small frame parts in the process of re-designing the J.E.T.9.

Niner didn’t just use hydro-forming technology on the J.E.T.9, but they also brought over a couple other things learned in the update of the R.I.P.9. Here’s a quote from the February e-newsletter:

We explored every small detail of the new Jet 9, including re-evaluating the smaller frame pieces. For our final design, we created new forgings for the chainstay and seatstay yokes to provide increased stiffness and strength. These are based on FEA and real world testing we did while re-designing the RIP 9. Forged pieces include: left upper linkage, right upper linkage, left lower linkage, right lower linkage, BB/lower pivot area, seat tube pivot, drop outs (l & r), seatstay yoke and chainstay yoke.

Niner Bikes expects frames to start showing up at dealers in early April. The new J.E.T. 9 is available to pre-order now from authorized Niner Bikes dealears. For more details see www.ninerbikes.com