Niner

RIP 9 RDO 29 2-Star SX Eagle Mountain Bike

Since its introduction over a decade ago, Niner's RIP 9 completely changed the landscape of all-mountain riding and eliminated any preconceived notions of how big travel bikes with big wheels were supposed to ride. Fast forward to today and this 3rd generation RIP 9 is Niner's best model yet, and ready to rock the trails thanks to useful features like Rib Cage construction for added frame stiffness, extra standover height and room for longer dropper posts, a high/low flip-chip adjustable geometry, and 140mm of re-tuned CVA suspension. Add some FOX Performance suspension and a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and you've got a value-packed bike that's ready to rip the trails season after season.

Visually, one feature that's immediately apparent in the most recent RIP 9 frame design is its wide and stiff Rib Cage struts on the main triangle. This, in conjunction with the flattened top and down tubes, a wider main rocker link pivot, and an oversized rear triangle boosts the frame's responsiveness for precise handling. Things that might not be so noticeable are the durable and long-lasting Enduro MAX Black Oxide bearings at the pivots and Niner's wonderful end-to-end, full sleeve internal cable guides making any maintenance down the road a breeze. Other frame niceties include a sag indicator on the rocker link pivot, factory-installed scuff guards and frame protection at vulnerable locations, water bottle compatibility inside the frame, and a creak-free threaded bottom bracket with ISCG 05 chain guide mounts.

On the trail, you'll notice the struts reduce bottom bracket deflection down below for efficient pedaling while allowing the upper portion of the front triangle to remain compliant and better able to track across rough rock gardens, while the wide, flat surfaces found on the top and downtube help to absorb frontal impacts and vibrations from repeated waterbar pounding while resisting deflection under a torsional load. And since the rear triangle receives beefier tubing, it allows Niner to remove the seatstay bridge at the rocker link opening up extra room for wider rim and tire combinations.

As we mentioned above, the RIP receives an updated CVA platform that's designed to increase pedaling efficiency by riding more in the mid-stroke of the travel. We experienced gobs of traction when scaling technical climbs while remaining sensitive and fully active, even under braking, while descending. It basically takes Niner's proven patented CVA linkage layout and axle path and refines the leverage ratio curve for supple travel early in the stroke, more support in the mid-stroke, and progressively ramping up at end stroke.

The new, higher leverage ratio off the top makes it easier to set the shock in motion and overcome static friction. At the mid-stroke, the leverage ratio decreases toward the sag point so less rear wheel force is transmitted to the shock. This allows the shock the ability to hold the rider up in the travel, giving solid mid-stroke support. And at the end stroke, the leverage ratio increases just slightly to overcome the natural progressivity of an air spring for a bottomless, smooth response under the biggest hits.