Niner JET 9 XTR (2012)

Pros

Loves single track with excellent suspension and geometry

Cons

A bit on the pricey side and heavier than its competitors

Review

Niner as the name suggests is a dedicated 29er bike manufacturer who whole heartedly believes in the 29er wheel size. A small manufacturer based in California Niner was one of the first to come onto the scene with a cross-country dual suspension 29er named the Jet9. Together with the longer travel brother the Rip9, Niner has become a much sort after product in the mountain bike world. After a slight hiccup in 2009 Niner recalled the Jet9 with some structural issues. After some soul searching the new model has been released with a new improved frame design They have beefed up the XC frame taking some of the already proven features from their Rip9 frame.

The JET9 is Niner's swift, light, race ready full suspension bike. Designed around the same award winning CVA suspension system found on the R.I.P. 9, the Jet9 features 80mm of plush, fully active travel at nearly a 500g lighter frame weight from its bigger brother.
Speed was the main concept for the JET9, and the geometry is focused on a balance between stability and manoeuvrability.

All linkage pivots are outfitted with full compliment sealed cartridge bearings for a smooth, friction free suspension and a custom valved FOX RP23 shock offers superb bump compliance and damping. As on the R.I.P. 9, the JET 9 features a low leverage ratio. Keeping pressures down in the air chamber improves tune ability and responsiveness in the rear shock while increasing the life span of the seals.

The test bike came fitted out with Sram’s complete XX ensemble. Stan’s No Tubes Crest Rims and matched up to DT Swiss 240 hubs laced with DT aerolite spokes. Continental Race king 2.2 tyres rounds out the package.

I quickly worked out that this bike isn’t a throw around bike. It likes nice smooth flowing riding especially when the course starts to tighten up. The big wheels and well designed geometry ate up the singletrack I was testing on. Small bumps were ignored with help of Niner’s (CVA) ‘Constant Variable Arc’ suspension design.

I found myself using all of the available 80mm of rear travel but never looking for more. I love the Fox Pro Pedal function as this was always my major gripe with older model dual suspension frames of the power loss with frame bob, I hated feeling like I was riding a pogo stick. On the Niner it was a match made in bicycle heaven whenever I put the power down the bike responded well. The more I rode the more I wanted to keep riding.

The Niner allowed me to make a few mistakes without paying too much of a penalty with plenty of give it was a pleasure to ride. Allowing for the weightiness over other brands and the price tag depending on your fit-out this is a quality bike that not only looks good but performs admirably especially on the tight singletrack or with your next 12-24 hour event coming up the Jet9 would be amongst the top ten bikes to look at. Even though the name suggests it is a fast bike I would suggest it is more at home as a free flowing, smooth XC bike that you can spend a day in the saddle comfortably.