Clink said:
I think both are cool bikes.
Thoughts/differences: (am assuming the geometry on the Nimble 9 will be the same as the Yelli Screamy with the exception of shorter stays.)
The Jones is non-suspension corrected and you will need to ride it rigid only. It will work best with the Jones fork since it has the correct offset although I guess some production 26" forks would also fit it, they have at least 10-17mm less offset and that will change things significantly in the steering dept. Anyway, you will need to purchase a Jones frame and fork which is $750 for the diamond with two blade fork, and $1100 for the diamond and truss fork. In addition, the Jones fork
only uses 135mm spacing on the front hub, so you will also be paying for a new front wheel. The fork can either take a 29", or fat front set up.
If you compare both bikes ridden rigid, I believe the longer head tube and shorter fork A-C used on the Jones means it will be less flexy (all things equal) than the shorter HT, longer fork legs on the Nimble 9. I bounced on a Jones with truss fork in a parking lot and it was pretty impressive in the stiffness department.
Jones only comes in one size, 23" ETT. He also uses a slacker STA. This means that for a given ETT, Reach will be less. When sitting the bike will feel equivalent to a small Nimble 9, but when standing, the Nimble 9 will be roomier.
Nimble 9: you can pick your geometry based on fork length and they will take pretty much any 29" corrected rigid fork or suspension fork.
Jones chainstays are nearly an inch longer.
Jones wheelbase will be about the same as a medium Nimble 9, but the Nimble 9 will have your weight a little further biased to the rear when standing, and a little more biased toward the front when seated.
If you want to get into a frame cheap and use your other parts for the build with no compatibility issues, go with the Nimble 9.
If you think you will ever want a suspension fork, go Nimble 9.
If you want a fine dedicated rigid bike, and don't care about paying at least twice as much to get into it (frame + fork + wheel), go Jones.
If you have the cash, get both and report back.
PS: as an addendum, my By:Stickel has near identical geometry to the Nimble 9 and it rides great.