Well, some good build pics of Niner’s new carbon fiber hard tail frame have been published to Niner’s FaceBook page. Here’s a look for you…..
The new SRAM XX group features heavily on this bike with American Classics newly updated 29″er wheels which we are hearing are tubeless ready.
Large cross section carbon fiber shapes lead us to think this will be one stiff frame.
The top tube flows seamlessly into the seat stays. Straighter carbon fiber strands are stronger, which Niner also takes advantage of in its new carbon fork.
We’ll post more as we get the information. Stay tuned………
Looking good. Hopefully the overseas production will help to keep the cost down. Would love a taste test of this vs. the Superfly.
Oderus – great idea. I would think (hope) that the Niner would beat down the Superfly.
I’d really like to ride this.
Any idea what the BB shell configuration is going to be?
The bike looks sweet. That said, can the carbon frame builders stop making their rides look like rolling billboards??
To me the wheel decals make that bike look like a billboard. Peel them off and it will look a lot cleaner.
Any information about the head angle / fork offset configuration?
I am even more convinced that the “Niner” on the top of the down tube is a bad idea. Look at the first picture. You can’t even tell what brand of bike it is. I agree with the comment of the bike makers making their bikes look like giant billboards; ;and in this case it looks like a giant billboard with no message.
Other than that, I think it looks great and carbon should ride like a dream.
Geometry? My bet is : exactly like 2004 On-One 😉
I’m sure the ride properties will be great from a mechanical point of view, the Niner guys know their stuff that way.
Test ride is in order for sure. I have been waiting for this bike to come out. I think the test vs the Superfly is a good idea. Primarily to compare and contrast vertical compliance in the Carbon Fiber 29 industry progression. Added stiffness and weight savings are reasons that don’t change carbon to carbon. For me if I can keep weight down, add stiffness and get more vertical compliance in a hardtail then by all means the price tag is worth it.
I am typically slow to jump into technology. I waited too long for a carbon fork on my road bike. I waited too long to ride full carbon as well. Now it is the only material I ride.
Can we assume that the geometry is the same as the alloy 9?
Now for my stupid general Carbon Fiber question; which is the same question that kept me too long from the road fork, then the road frame as mentioned above; What is the longevity of Carbon now off road? How will carbon fiber hold up long term now off road? One ding on the downtube from a rock. What if I do my typical fatigue driven brain fart at the top of a climb and forget to click up when I lose momentum and the rear stay dings a rock? This is not a knock on any of the above named co.’s. Just my stupid q
I watched Andy from Storck take a pedal wrench to his own downtube, that of a Storck Fascenario 0.8. 8-9 strikes later with the pedal wrench (none of which were remotely easy strikes) and the bike was none the worse for the wear.
Was this a perfect demonstration to show durability of a carbon mountain bike? Maybe not. But this dude beat the sh!t out of his downtube right next to the water bottle bosses and proceeded to ride the bike no problem.
The thing that blew my mind? He said he’s been doing that demonstration at about 30 other times this year.
Storck does some great carbon work, I love my Fenomenalist, and I feel that carbon done well will really last a long time barring any major catastrophes.
Thanks for that.
Anyone have enough intel and experience to compare the vertical compliance of the carbon 29 frames out there?
ahh…. yet another taiwanese frame to keep the asian children employed.
As for handling I am sure that it will be fast just like all the niners are. As far as the graphics go I actually like them. I think they are innovative and sharp looking. Flame on everyone!
smoke and mirrors: I understand your criticism for a Taiwan built frame. But a company such as Niner requires their manufacturers to meet a very high standard, just as high as if it were built in the USA. Personally I would trust a frame built oversees by a shop that has built over 10,000 carbon frames as opposed to a shop in the U.S. that has built maybe 2,000. And to think that “children” are building carbon fiber frames is just plain ignorance. These shops in Taiwan (or any other country) employ highly skilled and professionally trained individuals in which labor laws are strictly enforced often more so than even the U.S. Just my opinion based on what I know, you don’t have to feel the same…
“But a company such as Niner requires their manufacturers to meet a very high standard, just as high as if it were built in the USA.”
Seriously? Seriously???? C’mon Seriously????? Is this the same Niner company that had a factory build multiple frames that were missing cable stops? The company that still hasn’t delivered Air9’s that were ordered last winter? If it is then you can bet that someone’s going to be asleep at the switch on this too.
Don’t get me wrong, I ride an Air9 and a Niner Carbon fork and both are fine products, but anyone who is under the impression that the company that designs these products has it’s act together in the production and distribution side has been drinking the kool-aid.
I hope they can deliver this product within 9 months of their stated date, it will give me time to save up 😉
wow, you think the asian kids are paid to work??? Ha, just continuing the stereotype… I tried to buy American and got “designed in the USA” on my seat tube where it used to say “hand made in the USA”
Anyway, if you’re pitting the Air9 Carbon VS Superfly, why not throw in the Cannondale Flash29er and the Specialized. Wouldn’t throw down the Giant H/T 29er for 2 reasons, it’s half Aluminum and I only see renderings! It does look sweet tho!
Go Asian-slave-baby labor!!!
what is the projected retail
$2,000
What the Hell!!!!!, Taiwan, China or Vietnam!!!! I’m simply don’t care about where it’s made from. I want to ride this Bike as soon as possible. To hell with Racist MTF!!!!
Air 9 Carbon is one of the most beautifully design bike I’ve seen in my entire life. Kudos!!! Niner!!
Coolest looking hard tali on the market and I bet the fastest. The american classic wheels ties the whole bike together. Can’t wait for mine to arrive. I hope this bike is the last link I need to first place! Rock on Niner, thanks for your kick ass products! Peddle Damn it!