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Third option to look at.

1K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  gcfowler 
#1 ·
I am looking at getting a new FS29 and there is a new bike option to look at. The three are Niner RIP9 , Rumblefish and Specialized SJ FSR 29er. I have an idea on the Rumblefish and SJ, but might be able to get a RIP9 and wondering everyones thoughts on the RIP9. I am rookie to the sport, and a Clyde. So it is hard to demo them, so I need peoples input on them. I am not to worried about weight, worried more about durability. I would need an XXL but Niner says the XL will fit me....... What are your thoughts on the Niner or the either 2.
 
#2 ·
I can only speak for the Rip. I'll echo the broken record of praises that this frame gets.

Stiff frame (after 2008) - use a tapered fork with a thru axle and you'll laugh your way through rock gardens. Put a 140mm on it and it gets even better.

Great pedaling - very little pogo, active. Pro-pedal isn't really needed - I leave mine off.

In general, a great trail bike that can be built up light for xc/trail duties or heavier for trail/light freeride use.
 
#3 ·
I can only speak for the Rip. I'll echo the broken record of praises that this frame gets.

Stiff frame (after 2008) - use a tapered fork with a thru axle and you'll laugh your way through rock gardens. Put a 140mm on it and it gets even better.

Great pedaling - very little pogo, active. Pro-pedal isn't really needed - I leave mine off.

In general, a great trail bike that can be built up light for xc/trail duties or heavier for trail/light freeride use.
Did you built it or buy it? This will be my second bike, so I dont know if I could build it. I would go to my LBS to buy it. Is there any way I could see a pic and specs? I have wanted to get a Niner for long time, but funds have stopped me. Now the funds might be inline and I can get it. This may be a silly question but does it feel like you are sitting in it or on it. I am trying to find a bike the you sit more in than on. The SJ I rode was a med, but it still felt good, sat on a Rumblefish and it felt like i was on top of it. I cant try a Niner because it would a special order.
 
#8 ·
The only thing you can do is to test ride as many bikes as you can (doesn't matter if they're FS or HT) in various sizes and see what feels comfortable to you. Seems like maybe they could be right since you say you rode a medium and it felt fine and I'm 6'2" and can't imagine riding anything even close to a medium, no matter the brand. Remember, fit is very personal and dependent on the type of trails and terrain you intend to ride, also on you preference in terms of do you like DHs and suffer the climbs, or like climbs and the DHs are OK etc.

Personally if it was me and I was your height I'd def be looking for a bike with an ETT of over 25" and more likely closer to 26" and be running a nice shortish stem (60-80mm) for general trail riding. Also remember that bar width plays an important role in fit and that while the XL may not fit you using a narrower 625mm bar, if you swap to a say a 720mm> bar it could feel just right.

My advice is to find the stoutest, stiffest frame you can at your size and I may be a bit biased, but if I was you and not in a hurry I'd be taking a serious look at the soon to be available Banshee Prime. FYI, I am one of the testers, have a pre-production frame, but honestly feel I'm not being overly biased to say it's one super stiff SOB with some good suspension - I say not being overly as I haven't riden other bikes like it like the Bandit29, Satori etc. Attached photo of my Pre-production and one of the production version for you to peak at. If you look carefully you can see there have been a few minor tweaks and some nice changes as well for production.

FYI, if you click on the photos they will take you to my initial thoughts on the Prime and the Banshee web site page for the Prime.



 
#10 ·
I am 6'7, a clyde (just 217) and ridden the bikes you are demoing.

First things first, if you are a clyde be careful who you take advice from, most little people mean well and may be exceptionally knowledgeable for normal riders; however there are subtleties for clyde buying that most people don't realize.
Don't get me wrong a lot of little peeps really know what they are talking about, but they are in the minority. Clydes is a specialist subject.

I used to average a component failure a ride taking advice from experienced cyclists and the best bike shop in the city. I found the clyde forum here and no longer have problems.

The RIP is an amazing bike, and a good one to look at. I rode one of the old non-hydroformed and liked the geo (but it was too flexy, which is fixed in the new one). I ride a WFO. They are VERY similar bikes, and only 1lb difference in weight. The WFO is stiffer and has more selection of rear shocks. I kept having problems with my RP23 so now have a Manitou ISX6 (can't praise that shock enough). It is my everything bike. I use it for everything including road racing (put road wheels on).

It is fast, nimble and rides like it is light. It is also stable and hard to crash.

I want to demo the rumble, but closest I have got is the superfly 100 carbon. Very nice bike, silly quick and easy to control in the air. it is also stiff. Thinking the RF may fit that ideal bike category.
The fork the fly came with was crap for a big guy though. The frame was stiff, but the fork was all over the place.

I tried the tallboy and was not impressed, quite the reverse is true. With all the hype that bike has I was expecting something amazing. It just felt like the Niner, but not as good.

I tried the stumpjumper FSR (can only get the 26" in the UK). It was the only bike I have ridden that is as fun to ride as the WFO. Following that demo I went to buy some carbon wheels for my WFO to make it as nimble as the FSR.

Key thing is stiffness. I am faster on road on my WFO than my old road bike (I gave it away). The road bike would flex when I put the power in wasting energy, the WFO is stiff and gets that in to the road.

Regarding fit the XL Niner is a BIG bike. I have my seat full forwards on the rails and a 5cm stem.

A dropper seat post is very important on the Niner, so factor that in to the cost.


EDIT: Just saw Lynx's post above, he is one of those guys who knows a lot.
 
#12 ·
I tried the tallboy and was not impressed, quite the reverse is true. With all the hype that bike has I was expecting something amazing. It just felt like the Niner, but not as good.

I tried the stumpjumper FSR (can only get the 26" in the UK). It was the only bike I have ridden that is as fun to ride as the WFO. Following that demo I went to buy some carbon wheels for my WFO to make it as nimble as the FSR.
And this is why most people say no matter what you read on here, you have to test ride it yourself.

I demoed a Tallboy LT for me it is far better ride than the Stumpjumper FSR I have now.
 
#14 ·
I just sold my RIP after I demoed a Rumblefish, felt better to me from the first pedal stroke. Just fit me better and was more fun to ride. Don't get me wrong I loved my RIP and it helped me become a better descender but the Rumblefish seemed to use more of the suspension than my RIP and I liked the way it climbed better. I picked up a used 2012 Rumbelfish elite that has been upgraded to 2x10 all XT so I will give it a go. I rode a large RIP all XT and picked up a XL RF which was the the size I demoed. The RIP and RF are similar but they ride differently IMO.
 
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