NINER BIKES REVEALS NEW AIRFORMED RIP 9

This just in from Niner! They're rolling out an aluminum version of the R.I.P. 9 bike and frame. We tested the carbon R.I.P. 9 RDO bike during our Test Sessions in Utah and it was one of the most well-received bikes of the entire group.

The reputation of the R.I.P. 9 is unassailable – in the six years since its introduction it has helped define the new-school genre of trail ripper - both with riders and the cycling press. So how can it be improved? Keep the attitude, boost performance, shed unwanted weight and build on the legend. The changes to this new beast can’t really be called “evolutionary,” because the word implies a slow process of incremental gains and small strides. That just doesn’t describe the changes to the new R.I.P. 9 – there’s nothing incremental about a kick in the pants.

TRAIL BIKE 29
The Niner that is at home on just about any trail or any terrain – The R.I.P. 9 incorporates global rider feedback as well as Niner’s rigorous progression of alloy design, engineering and testing standards. The R.I.P. 9 has over 30 glowing media reviews for ride quality and handling - the new R.I.P. 9 takes these characteristics and ups the ante with air formed aluminum alloy tubes that redefine performance, a lower weight, ISCG compatibility and additional travel.

CVA™ SUSPENSION
The R.I.P. 9 features Niner’s patented CVA suspension (U.S. Patent No. 7,934,739) and delivers 125mm of fully active travel with superb compliance and damping via a tuned for CVA RockShox Monarch RT3 HV shock. For those seeking the technical advantages of 29” wheels combined with pedaling efficiency across all chainring combinations (not just the middle ring), CVA™ is the front-runner. The result? A faster, smoother ride up and down the trail.

VERSATILE GEOMETRY
To progress as a rider you need predictability, balance and nimble handling and Niner is the company that first made fun trail bike 29ers a reality. Climbing or descending, the geometry of the R.I.P. 9 is tuned to keep you in control and ready to conquer new terrain at every turn. The R.I.P. 9 is intended for 120 to 140mm forks, allowing riders to further fine tune the ride.

AIR FORMED TUBING
At just 6.85lbs for a medium frame with shock & hanger, the new R.I.P. 9 pulls within .65lbs (295g) of our carbon flagship R.I.P. 9 RDO frame. To achieve this reduction and actually increase strength over the last R.I.P. 9 frame we looked beyond traditional hydroforming. Shaping the frame tubes with compressed air in a heated mold gives us greater control over wall thickness and material uniformity, allowing the use of less metal. Tubes that are manipulated using this process can be up to 25% lighter than a similar hydroformed shape at the same strength.

TAPERED HEADTUBE
The increased surface area of a tapered headtube allows for a larger downtube, increasing strength and rigidity at this critical intersection. Tapered fork steerer tubes measurably reduce fork deflection, which means your Niner tracks straight and true. The full spectrum of riders from XC racers to All Mountain shredders benefit from these features which is why we incorporate the technology in all our frames.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL
From the head tube to the rear axle, we looked at every single detail and asked “can it be done better?” We’ve revised the shapes of the forged yokes and attachments, subjecting them to mechanical and real world testing to ensure they’re as light and strong as possible. New linkage shapes increase strength and stiffness and shed a few more grams, the lower link has a pronounced asymmetrical form to make room for ISCG tabs and increased chainstay clearance. Larger pivot hardware and a switch to 8mm alloy shock mounting bolts shave weight and increase the bling we love so much. Saving weight doesn’t mean skimping - pivots are still outfitted with Enduro Max full complement sealed cartridge bearings for smooth, friction-free suspension.

• Airformed alloy full suspension trailbike – setting the standard in any wheelsize
• 125mm of patented CVA™ suspension, efficient in every chainring configuration
• Compatible with 120-140mm forks
• Tuned for CVA™ - Rockshox Monarch RT3 HV
• ISCG Tabs and offset linkage design for chainguide compatibility
• Forged suspension linkage and unique Niner Alloy Hardware
• 142x12mm rear spacing
• Medium frame with shock, maxle hanger and seat collar - 7 LBS/3175 g, a half pound lighter over previous iterations.
• $1849 Frame MSRP (includes shock, maxle and seat collar)
• Complete 3-Star XT Bike $4199, Complete 1-Star X7 Bike $2999
• Ships in early May.

Niner Bikes was founded 2004 in Southern California and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. The company is dedicated to the ideals of passion, commitment and 29ers only.