With 2017 bikes launches in full swing, it is now Niner’s slot for its time in the limelight, bringing to the table a redesigned but no less drool-worthy JET and RIP. All details directly from Niner:

Niner JET 9 RDO

At the core of the JET is our [R]EVOLUTION GEOMETRY. The overall dimensions lean towards a longer reach on the frames so we can shorten the stem lengths for quicker steering input. Likewise, the chainstays have been shortened from its predecessor down to 434 mm for fast acceleration and some playful pop.

Niner Introduces Redesigned JET and RIP Image 1
The JET is the latest bike to offer the option between 29″ or 27.5+ platforms.

To keep the overall feel of the bike well-rounded and to ensure efficient climbing and pedalling, we’ve steepened the seat tube angle. This keeps you centered on the bike and able to stay on top of your gear when you’re putting down the power.

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Shortened chainstays have made the bike even more playful.
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Build quality and aesthetics have not been compromised on.

The trail taming JET reaps huge benefits from Boost spacing on the rear. By taking advantage of the wider dimensions, our engineers have been able to grow tire clearance for typical trail sized 29er tires, while also providing adequate room for the similar diameters of 27.5+ tires. Boost spacing also changes the game with regard to suspension kinematics, paving the way for longer travel while achieving shorter, stiffer chainstays. The JET lands right in the sweet spot for the all-in-one trail bike. The 120mm of roll-and-go rear suspension is nicely balanced with 29-inch wheels and an accompanying 130mm fork. The resulting 67.5 degree head angle is ideal for all day riding and tackling any tough spots along the way. To keep the geometry in line, the fork gets bumped up to 140mm when matched to 27.5+ wheels, giving the JET predictable steering response no matter which wheels you ride.There are so many drivetrains available today, but with the JET you can feel free to choose almost any of them. Take your pick whether you’re a dual-ring hold out, subscribe to the new 1X fashion, or even like mounting an ISCG 05 guide for added peace of mind. And if you’ve got some extra cash burning a hole in your bank account, then go for the ultimate, Di2 single-ring version.

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The 73mm bottom bracket stands out against the latest trends though. Instead of housing plastic press fit cups, it is threaded for good old-fashioned serviceability and lets you swap out the BB easily when the need arises. Our Carbon Compaction System construction is a key factor in building this lightweight singletrack slayer. This method squeezes out excess resin during the molding process, reducing voids and allowing us to maintain close tolerances on tube wall thickness. What comes out of the mold is a carbon frame that tips the scale far less than one would expect and yet it delivers the calculated ride quality, strength and durability that our engineers intended. The JET is not just a product of expert engineering though, as our talented team of designers has also made sure that this mountain biking marvel looks as great as it performs. The colorful paint on carbon graphics they’ve drawn give the bike a brilliant pop that accentuates the frame’s bold, clean lines. Put all pieces together and what you get is the JET—a mach speed trail machine that looks as fast as it rides.

Niner Introduces Redesigned JET and RIP Image 5 Niner Introduces Redesigned JET and RIP Image 6

Key Features of the Niner JET 9 RDO

• All new, completely redesigned frame uses RDO Carbon Compaction to produce the ultimate lightweight, trail worthy machine
• Niner’s patented CVA suspension design delivers 120mm of plush, efficient rear travel
• Revised geometry is optimized for modern trail riding, providing confident descending, efficient climbing and a bike that is just all around fun
• Boost 148 x 12 mm rear spacing for optimum power transfer, geometry, and wheel stiffness
• Compatible with 29×2.4 tires or 27.5 plus tires up to 3.0
• Internal and external dropper post routing • 30.9mm seat post, 400mm length recommended, 34.9mm clamp
• BSA threaded 73mm bottom bracket with ISCG 05 mounts
• Zero stack headset included • Electronic drivetrain wiring friendly including integrated battery storage in frame

Tech Specification of the Niner JET 9 RDO

• 73mm BSA threaded bb with ISCG 05 tabs
• 30.9 seat post, 400mm recommended • Internal and external dropper post compatible
• 34.9 Seat collar
• 1.125” X 1.5” tapered zero stack headset included, 44mm upper, 56mm lower, Cane Creek description: ZS44/28.6 ZS56/40
• Boost 148 x 12mm rear spacing • All sizes have 1 bottle mount inside front triangle • Titanium frame guards • Can fit up to a 29×2.4” Or 27.5×3.0” tire (tire sizes vary by brand, some tires may not fit)
• SRAM recommended 2x Boost chain rings: 26/39t or lower
• SRAM 1x Boost max chain ring clearance: 36t, 168mm Q factor
• Shimano XT M8000 Boost recommended 2x chain rings: 28/38t or lower
• Shimano XTR M9020 Boost recommended 1x chain ring: 36 or lower

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Geometry of the Niner JET 9 RDO

29″ Wheels (130 mm travel)

Size XS S M L XL
Tob Tube Length 560 mm 577 mm 597 mm 619 mm 642 mm
Seat Tube Length 356 mm 381 mm 432 mm 483 mm 533 mm
Horizontal Chainstay 434 mm 434 mm 434 mm 434 mm 434 mm
Front Center 683 mm 701 mm 723 mm 746 mm 771 mm
Wheelbase 1116 mm/td>

1135 mm 1156 mm 1179 mm 1204 mm
BB Drop 32 mm 32 mm 32 mm 32 mm 32 mm
Headtube Length 95 mm 105 mm 120 mm 130 mm 145 mm
Head Tube Angle 67.5° 67.5° 67.5° 67.5° 67.5°
Seat Tube Angle 74.5° 74.5° 74.5° 74.5° 74.5°
Standover Height 671 mm 687 mm 729 mm 757 mm 791 mm
Reach 395 mm 410 mm 426 mm 445 mm 464 mm
Stack 592 mm 602 mm 615 mm 624 mm 638 mm

27.5+” Wheels (140 mm travel)

Size XS S M L XL
Tob Tube Length 562 mm 580 mm 599 mm 621 mm 644 mm
Seat Tube Length 356 mm 381 mm 432 mm 483 mm 533 mm
Horizontal Chainstay 434 mm 434 mm 434 mm 434 mm 434 mm
Front Center 687 mm 705 mm 727 mm 750 mm 775 mm
Wheelbase 1120 mm/td>

1139 mm 1160 mm 1184 mm 1208 mm
BB Drop 28 mm 28 mm 28 mm 28 mm 28 mm
Headtube Length 95 mm 105 mm 120 mm 130 mm 145 mm
Head Tube Angle 67° 67° 67° 67° 67°
Seat Tube Angle 74° 74° 74° 74° 74°
Standover Height 674 mm 691 mm 732 mm 762 mm 795 mm
Reach 390 mm 405 mm 421 mm 441 mm 460 mm
Stack 595 mm 605 mm 619 mm 628 mm 642 mm

Niner RIP 9 RDO

The RIP benefits greatly from the wider boost spacing in the rear keeping the RIP’S chainstays short, yielding a responsive ride in spite of the healthy amount of suspension travel. It also opens the door to building in tire clearance with loads of room for the average 29-inch trail tire and can accomodate 27.5+ tires.

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The RIP can also be run as 29″ or 27.5+.

Starting with the frame construction itself, the RIP is built using our Carbon Compaction system. To ensure proper wall thickness and minimize strength sapping voids, the carbon plies are cured under intense pressure. This forces out superfluous resin producing a remarkably resilient structure that not only matches our engineering specifications for strength, durability and weight, but also looks super clean and stealthy. But in talking about the frame, an equally critical feature is the [R]Evolution geometry that we have tested
exhaustingly, evaluated and ultimately chosen. The roomy cockpit has a comfortable reach for short stem lengths, giving you quick handling and plenty of room to maneuver when you go mobbing through big rock gardens and barreling around tight turns. The steep seat angle gets you centered in the bike and pairs nicely with the short 439mm horizontal chainstay length for better pedaling efficiency than anyone deserves from a long legged trail bike. And of course the compact rear allows you to square off turns and play your way down the trail instead of feeling like you’re a sled passenger.

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New amnufacturing processes have helped the bike to become lighter, stiffer and more durable.
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At the heart of the Constantly Varying Arc (CVA)
suspension system is 150 mm of travel.

But what about the suspension? With the heart of a real ripper, it serves up 150mm of just-send-it
suspension that will give you a new lease on any trail. Gone are the same old obstacles. What you’ll see instead is a whole new series of fantastically fun features to hit, jump and gap for glory until you’re smiling ear to ear. More than just the amount of squish though, dialed suspension is a must for any trail bike, and the RIP is built around our patented Constantly Varying Arc (CVA) suspension. At its core, CVA is designed to remain fully active, all the time. The system harnesses chain tension to counteract squat and bob, but unlike other short-link setups, the pair of linkages rotate in opposite directions allowing them to react to both pedaling and terrain inputs independently of each other. What you get is a bike that both pedals great and has plush, stoke worthy suspension for amazing big bike versatility. But let’s face, in spite of a load of great functions and features, sometimes it all comes down to good looks. The two available paint and carbon finish options highlight the frame’s bold lines, while the internal dropper and shifter routing keeps distracting housing out of sight. The result—the RIP is a bike you’ll be psyched to ride on the trails, show off to all your friends, and most of all, you’ll be stoked to call it your very own.

Key Features of the Niner RIP 9 RDO

• All new, completely redesigned frame uses RDO Carbon Compaction to produce the ultimate lightweight, trail worthy machine
• Niner’s patented CVA suspension design delivers 150mm of plush, efficient rear travel
• Revised geometry is optimized for modern trail riding, providing confident descending, efficient climbing and a bike that is just all around fun
• Boost 148 x 12 mm rear spacing for optimum power transfer, geometry, and wheel stiffness
• Compatible with 29×2.5 tires or 27.5 plus tires up to 3.0
• Internal and external dropper post routing
• 30.9mm seat post, 400mm length recommended, 34.9mm clamp
• BSA threaded 73mm bottom bracket with ISCG 05 mounts
• Zero stack headset included
• Electronic drivetrain wiring friendly including integrated battery storage in frame

Technical Specification of the Niner RIP 9 RDO

• 73mm BSA threaded bb with ISCG 05 tabs
• 30.9 seat post, 400mm recommended
• Internal and external dropper post compatible
• 34.9 Seat collar
• 1.125” X 1.5” tapered zero stack headset included, 44mm upper, 56mm lower, Cane Creek description: ZS44/28.6 ZS56/40
• Boost 148 x 12mm rear spacing
• All sizes have 1 bottle mount inside front triangle
• Titanium frame guards
• Can fit up to a 29×2.5” or 27.5×3.0” tire (tire sizes vary by brand, some tires may not fit)
• SRAM/Shimano 1x Boost max chain ring clearance: 36t, 168mm Q factor

Niner Introduces Redesigned JET and RIP Image 10 Niner Introduces Redesigned JET and RIP Image 11

Geometry of the Niner RIP 9 RDO

29″ Wheels (160 mm travel)

Size S M L XL
Tob Tube Length 577 mm 592 mm 616 mm 642 mm
Seat Tube Length 406 mm 432 mm 483 mm 533 mm
Horizontal Chainstay 439 mm 439 mm 439 mm 439 mm
Front Center 724 mm 740 mm 765 mm 794 mm
Wheelbase 1163 mm/td>

1178 mm 1204 mm 1232 mm
BB Drop 29 mm 29 mm 29 mm 29 mm
Headtube Length 95 mm 100 mm 110 mm 125 mm
Head Tube Angle 67° 67° 67° 67°
Seat Tube Angle 75.5° 75.5° 75.5° 75.5°
Standover Height 708 mm 732 mm 761 mm 795 mm
Reach 415 mm 429 mm 451 mm 473 mm
Stack 624 mm 629 mm 638 mm 652 mm

27.5+ Wheels (170 mm travel)

Size S M L XL
Tob Tube Length 579 mm 594 mm 618 mm 644 mm
Seat Tube Length 406 mm 432 mm 483 mm 533 mm
Horizontal Chainstay 439 mm 439 mm 439 mm 439 mm
Front Center 728 mm 743.5 mm 769 mm 797.5 mm
Wheelbase 1167 mm/td>

1182.5 mm 1208 mm 1236 mm
BB Drop 25.5 mm 25.5 mm 25.5 mm 25.5 mm/td>
Headtube Length 95 mm 100 mm 110 mm 125 mm
Head Tube Angle 66.5° 66.5° 66.5° 66.5°
Seat Tube Angle 75° 75° 75° 75°
Standover Height 712 mm 736 mm 765 mm 799.5 mm
Reach 410 mm 424.5 mm 446 mm 468.5 mm
Stack 627 mm 632 mm 641.5 mm 655 mm

Bikes will begin shipping in August, head to the Niner Website for more information.


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Words & Photos: Niner Bikes