Ride Review: Niner WFO 9

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<a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsmzj63GzMg&list=UU4Gj4QebOSH4LWNFi3EC5Gg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsmzj63 ... WNFi3EC5Gg</a>

 

Went to a Niner demo a few weeks ago and test rode one. Two wheeled monster truck!

 

Charlie - I seriously hope those guns are registered! Thanks for the review.

My 6'2", 235 lb friend rides one and just logged about 48 miles and just under 10,000' of climbing in one day, while riding LCWP's and A-W's more notorious trails. I guess the bike works.

Here he is on the tougher section of the Fully Loop. Note the new Hurley riding shorts!

 

Herzy...
Is that REALLY on the Fully Loop???

Whether it is or it isn't that's a really nice pic...

 

I'm to short for a Niner, but I have always loved their look, and they have got to be good!

 

Shhhh, that's a little-known section of the Loop :silent:

OK, no it's not. That's about an 8' near-vertical roll down somewhere in the Laguna Coast - on a PERFECTLY LEGAL trail, I am certain. :angel:

 

After demoing this bike twice, I had to have one. Picked one up a couple months ago at BP. Absolutely loving it. The bike does it all from Snow Summit to the Loop. Climbs and descends like crazy. My other bikes just collect dust now.


Some modifications I've made:
replaced 90mm stem with a 50mm blue ano Race Face Atlas
replaced 180mm front rotor with a 203mm ( gotta stop this rig ya know)
added a KS dropper with blue ano collar, lever and button
replaced 9r grips with Red Monkey
replaced Sram chainring/spider with Wolftooth direct mount
changed seat to a titanium railed Volt

29lbs as pictured.

Oh, and it glows in the dark!

 

Thanks for the review, zg.

That's a lot of bike, surprisingly lightweight. That thing would terrorize rock gardens. It begs for some wide CF hoops, though.

I would be into a bike like that if I were bigger. I think, being under 6' tall, I'm better off with smaller wheels because I want 150 mm of travel. For most riding in socal, anyway.

 

I read about someone who wasn't happy with their WFO purchase (not sure if height was the reason), but he threw on some 27.5 wheels and claimed it fixed the issues.

 

I think it really depends where you come from as far as type of bikes. I am already a 29er rider so the transition was quite pleasant and found this to be WAY more numble than my 120mm travel 29er. If you are coming from a 26er background, then the 27.7 version will most likely suit you better. I didn't even know they made a 27.5 version...

 

Nice bike, super geometry. In fact I was going to get one myself but I had a 4 inch travel 29er already and wanted to have another 29er that was in another world rather than 5 and 6 inches of travel, so I built this Lenz PBJ in Feb. 2012. It has 7" up front and 7 rear. Its kinda heavy though, but 4-5 lbs lighter than an average 26" DH bike.
Enjoy the Niner they are great bikes!

 

They don't sell a 27.5 version, but that didn't stop the dude from putting a 27.5" wheelset on it.

 

I've got to disagree with you on this comment. Yes, in the past your comment was probably correct. I'm 5'9" and was a diehard 26" & every time I tried an old school 29er, I just hated it. I'm currently on a 2014 Niner Rip9RDO & this bike I'm faster everywhere! Climbs, flats single track & down hills. The modern 29er geometry makes a huge difference, so in my opinion shorter riders can have a great time on these wagon wheeled bikes!


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I think there are plenty of women 29er riders who would also disagree.

 

I changed my post so that it will be impossible for you guys to debate wheel size with me.

Now I'm gonna drink another beer. Cheers!

 

Why are you taking all the fun out of Internet debating?


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