The Cyclo-CLUB Niner RIP 9 Review
by Graeme Street
Everyday Cyclists, LET'S R.I.P IT UP!
"The Niner R.I.P 9 is an amazing 4.5 inch travel, climbing demon, trail bike that has the "chops" to allow a roadie like me to actually ride like an experienced mountain biker."
As many of you know, I am a roadie by nature--but as of the past two years I have fallen in love with the adventure and thrill of mountain biking. Since I'm a roadie, my skills on a MTB are sub-par (for now) and I want a bike that allows for error and still has room for great performance.
Thus, I found the 29-inch bikes and let me tell you--they're awesome!
I now have two 29-inch bikes and they are both from Niner Bikes, a small company with a passion for 29-inch wheels and that, in my mind, started a revolution! Their singlespeed bike, the One9 is my all-time favorite bike and a great year round training tool for strength and simplicity.
I also have Niner's EMD9, which is a very fast, light aluminum racing machine. I like it, but it gets a little harsh past 2 hours because of the stiffness.
As you know I have the Vermont 50 Mountain Bike Race to complete my season. It's my first big MTB event and I'm stoked to do it. And fit! I've been going really, really hard on this bike and putting it through the tests with Cyclo-CLUB workouts, 7-day climbing camps, etc.
I knew I wanted a bike that would provide...
Climbing power & Efficiency. (Problem usually for full-suspension)
Excellent handling in tight/slow conditions (a weakness for 29ers)
A plush, yes stiff reacting ride. There are lots of hills in the VT50.
A ride that would not beat me up, but instead offer a platform to do it all!
So, I called Chris (the owner) over at Niner Bikes and told him who I was and asked for a bike to help me achieve these goals. He didn't hesitate and said the Niner RIP 9 was the bike I wanted and he gladly gave me one to train on for the past several months and for the VT50 itself. (Man, I love my job;) )
Here's a quick preliminary review and how I used the bike in my lead-up.
More thorough review of the R.I.P 9...(please, don't kill the cricket;):
BOTTOM LINE: This bike delivers the goods! It's comfortable and quick-handling without being twitchy. It climbs great for its weight class. It descends like no other bike I've been on before. It rolls over obstacles that my other Niners can simply not do. I would buy this bike!! In fact, I don't want it to leave. May be doing some begging from Niner.
Cyclo-CLUB COUPON COMING!
OK... Cyclo-CLUB Members hold on for our discount. I have secured a company for a great discount on the bike. I will announce who when I get done the VT 50 and send you to them with the coupon code in hand. Still waiting on them for final logistics. Thanks for your patience and wish me luck!
Yes, this is my first of many Saddles n' Suds Reviews for Cyclo-CLUB and fellow Everyday Cyclists that have a passion for beer like I do. Hey, I may be a cycling fitness expert, but that doesn't mean I don't love beer.
Here's Dogfish Head's website for more info.
Here's what TheBrewClub.com thought about it.
Cheers!
--Graeme Street
Fellow Everyday Cyclist and Beer Lover.
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Most Helpful Customer Comment or Reviews
Listening to you makes me want to get on my bike and ride to the nearest pub. Good review. Never seen the Dogfish beer, but I'll be looking for it.
As for as the RIP Niner. A little to complex a bike for my liking, but it would be intiguing to ride. Take that from a guy who loves his Gary Fisher Rig.
Barry
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