The JET 9
While I was enjoying epic mid-April powder in the woods at Stowe VT, others were enjoying the sights and sounds at Sea Otter in Monterey California. This is the event where manufacturers unveil the shapes of things to come.
Niner Bikes debuted the RIP 9 here last year, and sticking with tradition, this year they are showing the JET 9. I've had a picture of this bike for a long time, but was sworn to absolute secrecy on the matter.
Photo courtesy of Twentynineinches.com
This is essentially a short travel RIP. It gets 3" of travel, and instead of using bearings, it uses bushings. This helps the frame loose almost a pound over it's big brother. I've always said that bushings are better than sealed cartridge bearings, they are lighter, and can take more side loads than a bearing. Bearings are great for things that spin, like hubs and cranks, but for a system that moves 15° or so, a bushing is a much smarter choice. The only caveat, is that they need some loving from time to time.
I'm guessing that the bike in my head is going to be about 23.5 lbs, a great race weight for a bike with the manners we have come to expect from Niner. With any luck, this bike will not be plagued with the same production gremlins that the RIP9 had, and I'll be riding one in June.
So far, the scheduled colors are anodized black, and the ever present Tang.
I would imagine that this will be a hot bike.
Niner Bikes debuted the RIP 9 here last year, and sticking with tradition, this year they are showing the JET 9. I've had a picture of this bike for a long time, but was sworn to absolute secrecy on the matter.
Photo courtesy of Twentynineinches.comThis is essentially a short travel RIP. It gets 3" of travel, and instead of using bearings, it uses bushings. This helps the frame loose almost a pound over it's big brother. I've always said that bushings are better than sealed cartridge bearings, they are lighter, and can take more side loads than a bearing. Bearings are great for things that spin, like hubs and cranks, but for a system that moves 15° or so, a bushing is a much smarter choice. The only caveat, is that they need some loving from time to time.
I'm guessing that the bike in my head is going to be about 23.5 lbs, a great race weight for a bike with the manners we have come to expect from Niner. With any luck, this bike will not be plagued with the same production gremlins that the RIP9 had, and I'll be riding one in June.
So far, the scheduled colors are anodized black, and the ever present Tang.
I would imagine that this will be a hot bike.
posted by mandy at 10:40 AM
2 Comments:
G: Hey, thanks for the pic cred!
Yeah, that JET 9 is the bomb. Anodized colors too!
The Niner guys said about 26-27lbs with standard build kits, which is pretty remarkable when you think about all the stuff going on in that design.
Maybe we'll be seeing one at The Ballyhoo in June? That'd be great!
My RIP weighs 29.19 with pedals built to be beat.
I'm picturing a 24lb race bike for yours truly as soon as I can get my mits on one.
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