Just got back from my daily off road ride.

I recently had a problem with my left thigh getting very sore when I rode the SS, but after taking it relatively easy for a week or so, I was right back into it today with a vengeance.. :)

I cleaned every single climb I attempted, never dabbed once, never crashed, rolled over everything in my path and had an absolutely great ride.

When I got back home, I was tired, hot, sweaty, and very happy.. :)

I thought about the ride as I was wiping the One Niner down, and checking her over.

This is a damn fine bike, it handles really sweetly, stops, goes and turns so well. It's very light, yet doesn't get tossed around easily because of the big wheels, which just keep right on rolling over everything... :)

I get into 'situations' when climbing techy type rocky singletrack on it sometimes, where i'm on the very edge of my ability and control, but as long as I can still apply a little power through to the back wheel, it gets me over, around and through the tangle of roots, rocks and logs and makes me look a better rider than I am.. :)

Today I ran a 32/22 gear ratio which really helped on the steep techy stuff, and also when I wanted to get the front end up quickly using pedal torque to step up ledges and rocks.

I'm very happy with the bike, I just hope that I don't break it...:)


R.

Did 25 miles on some sweet single track on sat. I've noticed one thing, I can't wipe that painful grin off my face.

Bike is smooth, I'm cleaning everything I've ever cleaned on a ss plus some, I'm less fatigued at the end of the ride. My cut off for log size has increased due to the lack of endo sensation on the back side of the log/rock and I flat out clear logs I would never try to hop before (that one I just can't explain why, could be the Mary's).

I watched my riding companion in front of me brake, pedal, brake, pedal all the while I coasted not far off his wheel, relaxing.

It's been a long time since I've had a bike that was just flat out fun.

..."Flat out FUN"...yep, you nailed it, Chief... :)


R

Fun indeed describes the bad boy for sure.....i still remember the smile on my face on my first ride a couple weeks ago.

Yes, the fun. I haven't touched my full-sussy since I built up the Niner...it's such an awesome bike. It turns ALL singletrack into a smooth, flowy, ribbon of fun. Handles well in the air as well....I've done a couple of good jumps on it. The big wheels have me a little sketched out on landing some of the bigger stuff, but you can just FLICK that thing.

One question for all you guys. How do you like doing decents on all the different handlebar variations? I love going downhill, and even with those little ergo-nub-barend things, I didn't like how my hands were on the bars going down. I just don't see how you can really rip it downhill with the mary bars and whatnot...just seems a little less stable to me.

I have 1" risers that are about 29"-uber-wide, with not much sweep to them. Kind of a more traditional setup....but like I asked, how do you all like what you have? Any issues with decending?

personally, I do not want mary bars or the such. call me old fashioned, but i just want what i am used to for when i go downhill and have accustomed myself nicely to using riser bars for climbing so i wont change....same reason i wont change my pedals from SPD......just to set in my ways i suppose.

i use high rise bars with a wide, but not uber wide length....just perfect I have found for me (27")

I love Mary. I can get super-control down hills with her, and getting off the back of the seat is really easy because of the way the bars sweep back at the grips.

I tried my monkey carbon riser superlite bar for a few days on the Niner just to see how it felt after Mary, and it was a no contest...Mary went back on the bike, and I felt happy again..:)

I'm going to have to try out a JJ H bar on the Niner though, just to see the difference. I'm pretty sure I could sell a few here too, as no one ever sees anything like Mary or JJ H bars in AU.

R.

I never expected to like the Mary's, but I just ordered another set yesterday. EVERYONE that has ridden my bike on the trail has loved them. One fellow 29'er ordered two sets right off the bat. He is a great descender and I feel I can hold my own with some pretty good riders and on fast flowy descents they rock. I was worried that on rougher stuff I might not like them, but last week I rode a VERY technical trail that I've ridden at least a hundred times and the combination of the bike and the bars just made it a sweet new experience. I rode a drop off cleanly that I haven't attempted in years (got kids now), but the big wheels made that happen.

I attribute my ability to clear obstacles at higher speeds mostly to Mary and the new bike. Logs I used to slow way down and one wheel at a time ride over, now I whip off a TRUE bunnyhop, something I've never been very good at. I could hop, but it was mostly both wheels at a time. Now I can lift the front and then bring up the rear which allows me to clear much bigger stuff at speed. Go out and try to pick up your bike up level only using your grips, it's tough. With the Mary's I can do this easily, it's that leverage that I use to throw the bike around.

Not that I feel like everyone should run out and buy a set, but I've also had issues with lower back pain and Mary gives me a rubdown every time I ride, something about that angle. I personally think they're a little fugly. I like the looks of the rise bar better and I'm not getting rid of them, yet.

i will have to try them myself it sounds.....

but if you're thinking of mary's shouldn't you consider H bars as well? I know I'm confused. has there been a thread on mary vs H yet? I couldn't find anything good by searching.

Mary = $60.00 H bar = $200.00.


R.

I think Rainman just set a record for the number of smilie-faces in one post.

I think Rainman just set a record for the number of smilie-faces in one post.
sorry, record now broken :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) :)

but if you're thinking of mary's shouldn't you consider H bars as well? I know I'm confused. has there been a thread on mary vs H yet? I couldn't find anything good by searching.

The way Mary's are bent you generally don't have to increase your stem length. With H's they set your hands back a bit so most I've seen go with a longer stem. Not saying that's bad but I like that Mary's just turn your hands and don't make a big change in fore and aft. I don't have the article anymore, but I used to have a copy of one that talked about the "natural" angle for a person's wrists and therefor grip. It said that almost all bars are under bent. Risers in most cases are way better than straights. I can't quote #'s though.

sorry, record now broken :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) :)

Cool, the ones in the middle are wearing ear muffs.

I think Rainman just set a record for the number of smilie-faces in one post.

The smileys indicate the look on my face after I ride the SS Niner. :)


R.

This is an interesting thread, I am contemplating a Niner as a new build, as I have forgotten how nice riding a hardtail really is. I recently built a nice KM and have just sold off my full susser. I have thought about a Levi or GF, but I really think I am going to stick with a hardtail. The Niner has caught my eye.

My question is, (and I will do a search hopefully compounded with your feedback) How does the scandium frame ride compared to a steel or aluminum bike? Is it forgiving or is it harsh? Does it rattle your teeth, or is it supple and nice?

Part two of my comment is about Mary. I have about 12 Hours on her now and cannot believe what I was missing out on. This handle bar is amazing. My interpretaion of how these bars work is simple. In the past with traditional risers or flat bars, I used to lock out my elbows more. No longer with Mary. The sweep of this bar keeps (trains) my elbows to be more by my side and centered, where as before they were out. I can negotiate technical terrain much better than before, and climbing has improved two fold because of the way you can pull towards the back of the bike with these bars. I will also agree that overcoming obstacles up or down, such as rollers and large logs, has become much easier to deal with.

Thats all, sorry for the long post.

raegeno

The smileys indicate the look on my face after I ride the SS Niner. :)


R.
this is how i feel after a ride on my One 9

this is how i feel after a ride on my One 9

Lucky guy! I've only got one belly button!

This is an interesting thread, I am contemplating a Niner as a new build, as I have forgotten how nice riding a hardtail really is. I recently built a nice KM and have just sold off my full susser. I have thought about a Levi or GF, but I really think I am going to stick with a hardtail. The Niner has caught my eye.

My question is, (and I will do a search hopefully compounded with your feedback) How does the scandium frame ride compared to a steel or aluminum bike? Is it forgiving or is it harsh? Does it rattle your teeth, or is it supple and nice?

Part two of my comment is about Mary. I have about 12 Hours on her now and cannot believe what I was missing out on. This handle bar is amazing. My interpretaion of how these bars work is simple. In the past with traditional risers or flat bars, I used to lock out my elbows more. No longer with Mary. The sweep of this bar keeps (trains) my elbows to be more by my side and centered, where as before they were out. I can negotiate technical terrain much better than before, and climbing has improved two fold because of the way you can pull towards the back of the bike with these bars. I will also agree that overcoming obstacles up or down, such as rollers and large logs, has become much easier to deal with.

Thats all, sorry for the long post.

raegeno
cant comment on the Mary bar...

in terms of the ride, it is absolutely superb....blew me away how sweet it was.

to summarize my initial thoughts, here is what I posted after my first ride "My 26er is steel. While my 26er is steel and I absolutely love it, I am blown away with how comfortable this 29er is. It is in no way harsh. The frame is a large and weight 3.5 pounds and that is with an EBB so even if it was a bit more harsh, which I am not even sure it is, it was worth the tradeoff on this build and could not be happier"

and here is the corresponding thread for what it is worth
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=124366 (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=124366)

OMG !! Where did you find my pic, Fo? Hope my wife doesn't see it.. lol..


R.

This is an interesting thread, I am contemplating a Niner as a new build, as I have forgotten how nice riding a hardtail really is. I recently built a nice KM and have just sold off my full susser. I have thought about a Levi or GF, but I really think I am going to stick with a hardtail. The Niner has caught my eye.

My question is, (and I will do a search hopefully compounded with your feedback) How does the scandium frame ride compared to a steel or aluminum bike? Is it forgiving or is it harsh? Does it rattle your teeth, or is it supple and nice?


raegeno

The Scandium frame is sweet and forgiving....*if* you are used to riding hardtails.

Whereas, if you are coming from a full suspension bike you may find it a bit "bumpy".

Compared to plain alloy, it is definitely 'softer' in feel to me.

My old steel clunker is waaaay heavier, so it's harder to judge between the two, as the One Niner is so light and 'flicky'.

I don't sit much on my singlespeed anyway, and when I do, the Brooks leather saddle helps to soak up some shock as well. It's like a leather hammock..:)

Imo, the frame "feels" pretty sweet, and i've got 'old' bones.. :)


R.