Niner Jet 9 Review Update

Bike Reviews, Reviews | 198 | March 19, 2009 at 8:00 am

After multiple rounds on the Niner Jet 9, what does 198 think about this rocket? It is fast…blazing fast actually. The Niner Jet 9’s 80mm travel platform makes for a great all day ride platform that is incredibly efficient. This bike has been put through some abuse in everything from groomed local hot spots to all mountain, technical epics and so far…it delivers exactly as promised. As I ride the Niner Jet 9, I have to remember that it is a purpose built machine. If you are a rider looking for the perfect 24 hr race bike or a pure cross country zealot, then the Jet 9 is built to make you faster and more consistent.

The 80mm rear travel CVA linkage is plush enough to take the edge off providing greater traction to the large 29er wheel, but with integrated suspension curve ramping…it also will not have harsh bottom outs. This gives the illusion of a bottomless feeling, but what I have found is that the bike does a great job of sitting in its travel. There is no uncontrolled mid stroke wallow or unpredictable damping action. The spec’ed Fox RP23 does help, but even during long, extended climbs, I found the bike worked much better if you just left the Propedal off. The larger wheel diameter and short suspension travel kept the rear tire on the ground without losing much efficiency…at least not enough to worry about.

I was a little worried about the geometry numbers with my riding style. The Jet 9’s geometry keeps to the hardtail line for Niner to provide a quick turning full suspension rig. I typically like super tech, fast downhills and I think I made Chris Sugai a little nervous when I told him what I was going to do to this bike. After multiple runs on my favorite North Georgia hot spots, I can see that this bike can handle a beating. Does that mean I didn’t over ride the frame and it feels like it has 6″ of travel but rides like a hardtail? Absolutely not…any 80mm frame is going to show its limits with rock gardens and air time, but the good news…the bike was still ticking after the abuse.

I still have a couple of rides I want to get in on this frame before I do a full out review detailing everything I have mentioned here, but so far…this bike has been a blast to ride. Stay tuned for more postives/negatives on the Niner Jet 9. A full review on the frame and the ride is coming soon.

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4 Comments

Tweety says:

March 19, 2009 at 3:19 pm

I wish Niner would’ve given you a heavier bike to demo. It would make keeping up with you much more enjoyable, instead of the puking suffer-fest that happens when your ride this steed!

Reply
Dan says:

April 13, 2009 at 4:26 am

I rode on a test bike and after one long ride, I decided that it’s not for my type of riding: single tracks with fast downhill.
This bike is excellent for cross country and not for more, the sales person told me that I’ll feel like a six inch bike, sorry i didn’t feel that. I found that climbing with extra wheels weight is something that I felt.
I categorize this bike as a fashion bike and if someone like fashion than it suit him well.
Dan

Reply
- 198 says:
  
  April 13, 2009 at 7:52 am
  
  @ Dan
  
  That was a terrible salesman! The WFO (5.5″ travel Niner that hasn’t been released yet) is the one that is supposed to feel like a 6″ bike. The 80mm travel Jet 9 is designed to be a race bike…not a full out trail bike.
  
  I will have to disagree with you on the fashion bike statement. The Jet 9 performs very well for its designed use. I just used it this weekend for a XC race and placed second behind the guy that broke the course record by 30 seconds. The Jet 9 is amazingly fast and stable on pure XC courses. I have taken it through trail sections that I normally prefer a 6″ bike and it got through…but not without a lot of body english and line picking…that’s ok though because it is not designed for that kind of riding. All day trail riders would be better suited with the RIP or WFO if they are looking for that kind of ride from a 29er.
  
  The Jet 9 is not going to be for everyone because it is more of a purpose built race bike…as it should be with only 80mm of rear travel.
  
  Reply
Dan says:

April 13, 2009 at 9:16 am

Hi 198,
I agree with you an it looks that i didn’t specify that my comment was to the 80mm version

Reply