Niner

RIP 9 Carbon Mountain Bike Frame - 2016

We'd like to issue you an official invitation to join the ranks of 29ers on Niners, but, since you're already here, chances are good that you've either already been invited or are a returning member of the big-hoop crew. Our own personal understanding of 29ers is that they're a fast/class sandwich, and the RIP 9 Carbon Mountain Bike Frame's race-oriented geometry, strategic blend of materials, and CVA suspension make it the classiest, fastest model on the market that won't cost you a second mortgage.

The main triangle of the RIP Carbon is carbon. Which shouldn't come as a surprise. Compared to the all-alloy RIP, the Carbon model reduces weight without compromising efficiency. It also looks sharp after a hosing-off, with weld-free joints that transition cleanly between tubes and junctures. The links are also carbon, but the rest of the Carbon 9's back end sticks with the proven aluminum.

With all the articulation involved in a full suspension back end, stiffness can become an issue, and a flexible setup can lead to inefficient travel and a shorter life for the suspension system. Niner's choice to stick with alloy here has one primary benefit: it maintains all the stiff, lightweight properties of the frame's main triangle but at a much lower cost than carbon. Carbon is capable of handling the stresses of a complicated rear suspension, but the design and materials that go into it add an unfortunate price bump. For those looking for a full carbon machine, the RDO model provides that option. The Carbon model, on the other hand, is for those who want the ride quality and don't mind missing out on bling.

We feel it's important to stress that this frame's on-trail feel is virtually identical to the RDO's. It's got the same proven geometry, removable ISCG05 chain-guide mount, direct-mount front derailleur interface, 142mm rear spacing, and titanium frame guards, so you're not missing out on any of the big ticket items or little tricks that make the RIP series such a beloved, effective trail ripper.

The head tube and seat tube angles are a relatively steep 69.5 and 72.5 degrees, respectively. Combined with a tapered head tube, these angles mean the spry RIP Carbon 9 can climb and navigate technical terrain better than a slacker 29er while still reducing fork deflection for tracking that sticks to the lines you know, and gives you confidence to explore lines you never knew existed. The reasonable chainstays — five inches closer to stubby than previous models — take advantage of that confidence to help you pick apart tricky sections with tight maneuverability. Of course, it is still a 29er with five glorious inches of Constantly Varying Arc travel (CVA), so you can always just ride roughshod over that terrain, instead.

Niner's CVA suspension system started with a clean sheet in order to tweak the links and pivots for 29 answers to whatever questions an unruly, all-mountain trail can pose. The lower link sits below the bottom bracket, which places the system’s instant center in a virtual position located ahead of the drivetrain, causing chain tension at the rear axle to pull the two linkages in opposite directions to effectively isolate the drivetrain from the rear triangle. When you press on the pedals, nothing’s lost to compressing the suspension, and you won’t suffer kickback from chainstay growth while enjoying the 29er's ability to pedal through rock gardens.

Another key feature of CVA is its low ratio of shock stroke to suspension movement. This decreases the amount of preload needed, which translates into smooth, effective damping and less drag on the seals of the specially tuned RockShox Monarch RT HV Fast Black shock. The CVA's stiff, enlarged pivot hardware is further complemented by a set of sealed Enduro Max bearings for minimal maintenance and incredibly high tolerances.