I had an earlier SIR9 with set screws. I LOVED the sweet way it rode, but HATED the noisy creaky EBB. Sold it and bought an El Mar and HATED to way it rode. Way too stiff in the rear as compared to the SIR9. I was running them both SS.
So, I want another SIR9. How does the ride quality of the new re-designed frame compare to the sweet smooth as silk ride quality of the older SIR9 frames?
I don't want to plunk down a grand on a new steel frame and be disappointed that its not as smooth as earlier ones.
And, no, I don't have a local dealer to go ride one. I would have to drive minimum 4 hours to do so.
Thanks.
"...quit hitting me with your hammer" www.msmtb.org
Niner EMD 1x9 ~ Niner SIR9 SS
I have had them both and ridden them both with in the last year. The new design is superior by far, from the over sized down tube, 44mm head tube, new rear brake location and the 12mm rear axle. I havent touched my A9C since I built my SIR up. I really liked the old model but the new one rides less like a comfy steel frame and more like a comfy race frame. Granted I am 6'4" 185 LB and ride SS, I really notice the added rigidity.
I rarely post but since u have a question I have an answer for I am now. I had a 2010, 2011 and now a 2013 sir 9. I replaced the 2010 with the 2011 because of ebb creak, then had to replace 2011 this year because of a crack at the rear dropout. The new bike is a little different than the 2010/11 (same frame both years) but mostly for better. I add that I never had set screw bike, so I can't comment on the model you had. The 2013 has some good things like the maxle and larger head tube. This makes for better downhill. As to climbing, I think it is on par, maybe doesn't climb quite as well but that may have to do as much with me not riding as much this year and also that I prob need to cut my stem down just a little but more. Bike rides just as smooth as before. Specs say it is slightly heavier, but that translates to thoughts in your head and not reality--or in other words dont worry about weight. The new bike doesn't creak (but had to use oateys pipe joint compound to take care of such). I ride ss with their steel fork, it's my only bike and I love it. Ride hilly tech terrain. It is a little less springy/twitchy which is good. I think you will find it a better balanced ride, tracks a little better.
Anyone know what the new color choice will be on the SIR9s?
Also - any further design changes? (I wouldn't expect any following the design overhaul a year ago...)
Curious also if they are going to add more colors than white and red. Wish they could get the weight down a bit more as well...
Yeah - the white and red is a bit limiting. I'd love to see a silver/grey colour again - the Moondust grey was cool.
I haven't ridden one yet, but the way other frames are going the manufacturers are tending to make them stronger (beefier) in order to reduce breakages / warranty replacements (and potential injuries I guess) so I suspect it's not as comfortable or compliant as the older version, and I also suspect the weight won't be coming down - going up more like!
I can give an example of this with the 2013 Lynskey Ridgeline 29SL I ride - it's so stiff and tough / beefy that it has very little of the traditional Ti compliance and springiness the same frame had 3 or 4 years ago. Yes it's probably all-mountain tough, but it makes for an uncomfortable ride...
Anyone know what the new color choice will be on the SIR9s?
Also - any further design changes? (I wouldn't expect any following the design overhaul a year ago...)
do you know when the new Sirs will be out? Specifically different color choice?
Thank you.
Thanks for all the comments. I've actually been contemplating all summer long and finally found a root beer frame of the older model without set screws. Its used but it great shape. Its being shipped now. Can't wait to get it!
Thanks again for all the input. I'll post some pics and ride report after I get it.
"...quit hitting me with your hammer" www.msmtb.org
Niner EMD 1x9 ~ Niner SIR9 SS
anyone know, has niner bikes ever considered making the
sir9 or mcr in an extra-small size frame, like they've done
with the newer emd?
maybe niner bikes could respond .....
Brown Santa delivered some goodness today. Still waiting on fork and a few other items to arrive. Very excited about this build. Haven't been on an SS in quite a while. Glad to be getting back to basics!
It has arrived!
Reminds me of how they package some of my kid's toys!
Gonna be stiff!
White wheels, white fork, white saddle... Too much white?
Had an extremely tough time mounting my rear caliper. It seems that the rear post holes didn't quite line up with my Elixer X.0 caliper holes. When I would try to tighten one of the Torx bolts, the threads would catch the inside of the caliper hole and cause the entire caliper body to move, making it difficult to align. I've had this happen before with other frames/brakes but this setup was really tough! I think what I'll do is take a file to the caliper body holes and add some space so the caliper body can move more freely around the Torx bolts. Anyone else experience this? Any other suggestions?
For anyone interested, a thin file did the trick! I also switched from torx to hex, which made it easier to install. I got my torque wrench on the front bolt but the wrench was too bulky to get to the back one. Just waiting for my fork to arrive and I'm going riding!!!
The rain let up enough for me to get out and do a quick ride today.
Disclaimer: It has been at least 4 years since I've ridden a single speed so the legs/lungs weren't quite there today.Having said that, the bike was a blast to ride. Obviously a different build than my old SIR9 from 2007 so not really an apples to apples comparison. Plus, it's been several years since I rode my original SIR9, and I'm an old guy (just turned 50) so my memory is a little foggy.
Still, I think Niner nailed it with version 2.0! I know the frame isn't all 853 tubing but the ride was everything you'd expect from a steel frame. Someone described it as "snappy" feeling. That is the perfect word, I think. Not nervous or twitchy but very snappy and responsive. Granted my last bike was a Tallboy LT, so this is quite a different ride. I never felt like I was going to have an "Oh Sh!t" moment while riding.
142x12 is SWEET! Yes, I could feel a difference. Both in ride stiffness and drive-train efficiency. The ONLY way to go if running SS (IMHO).
BTW - I swapped out the Reba RL for a White Bros Loop TCR. Man what an awesome fork! Plush beyond belief, right out of the box. Love the Aura damper! Did this super steep climb and I could feel the damper open up just a little when I needed it but otherwise the fork was solid even as I stood and mashed up that climb. Small bump compliance was incredible too. Worth the extra $$$ for that fork.
So, overall I'm very happy with this new version of the SIR9. I know you guys want more color choices but hey, I love mine in white!
Thanks for all the comparisons. I found a root beer SIR9 frame used to match my root beer EMD. Just finished building the SIR9. Waiting on the trails to dry.
"...quit hitting me with your hammer" www.msmtb.org
Niner EMD 1x9 ~ Niner SIR9 SS
It's been said that not all of the latest model SIR9 frame is manufactured from Reynolds 853 tubing. (Whereas the older models were).
Does anyone know exactly which tubes are not Reynolds 853, and what Niner have used instead?
I would have thought not using 853 would make the frame heavier, and less compliant, so the only reason would therefore be cost savings... for Niner! (frame price went up, not down!)
If this is the case I would bet the main triangle is 853 and the stays are another material. Its not just a cost saving measure though - it could also been an attempt to stiffen the rear for better acceleration.
NEW TUBESET WITH AWARD WINNING NINER GEOMETRY
All steel is not created equal. The S.I.R. tubing is a custom-selected set that utilizes the best tube options for each application within the frame.
For the front triangle, we employ the new Reynolds 853 DZB (Double Zone Butting) tubing. Developed for mountain bikes, and specifically 29ers, Reynolds 853 DZB offers two significant advantages:
- Downtube fork clearance in 29ers is tricky because of the relatively high HT-to-BB height. A straight downtube needs to be welded high on the back of the headtube to achieve fork clearance, often requiring either a gusset between the headtube and the downtube or a thicker heavier downtube to achieve desired strength. The Reynolds 853 DZB tube overcomes these limitations by incorporating two different butting profiles on the same downtube – extra strength at the headtube combines with a butting profile in the rest of the tube that maintains ride quality and avoids weight penalties – strong where we need it, compliant where we want it.
- Another advantage and a significant first for this 853 DBZ tube is the proprietary bend. We worked with Reynolds to shape this tube for the S.I.R. 9 so the tube can attach lower on the headtube, reducing front end torsional flex, increasing steering precision and adding strength.
For the stays, we incorporate steel custom bent in 3 dimensions – with investment cast bridges and dropouts – for ride quality and tire clearance. This shaping is proprietary to Niner and is not found on other steel mountain bikes. When combined with the new dropout system, provides superior power transfer while preserving the compliant ride quality you want in a steel frame
Thanks AlexCuse - so it looks like it's only the stays (seat and chain) that are not Reynolds 853. I guess the bulk of the weight is in the front triangle in any case...
Still, it probably makes the new frame slightly heavier than the old model. Anyone have accurate weight stats?
The rain let up enough for me to get out and do a quick ride today.
Disclaimer: It has been at least 4 years since I've ridden a single speed so the legs/lungs weren't quite there today.Having said that, the bike was a blast to ride. Obviously a different build than my old SIR9 from 2007 so not really an apples to apples comparison. Plus, it's been several years since I rode my original SIR9, and I'm an old guy (just turned 50) so my memory is a little foggy.
Still, I think Niner nailed it with version 2.0! I know the frame isn't all 853 tubing but the ride was everything you'd expect from a steel frame. Someone described it as "snappy" feeling. That is the perfect word, I think. Not nervous or twitchy but very snappy and responsive. Granted my last bike was a Tallboy LT, so this is quite a different ride. I never felt like I was going to have an "Oh Sh!t" moment while riding.
142x12 is SWEET! Yes, I could feel a difference. Both in ride stiffness and drive-train efficiency. The ONLY way to go if running SS (IMHO).
BTW - I swapped out the Reba RL for a White Bros Loop TCR. Man what an awesome fork! Plush beyond belief, right out of the box. Love the Aura damper! Did this super steep climb and I could feel the damper open up just a little when I needed it but otherwise the fork was solid even as I stood and mashed up that climb. Small bump compliance was incredible too. Worth the extra $$$ for that fork.
So, overall I'm very happy with this new version of the SIR9. I know you guys want more color choices but hey, I love mine in white!
Here's a shot of the bike with the WB fork:
I completely understand that it has been too long for a good comparison of the old and new frames. I had one of the old frames and remember the front end having a pretty healthy amount for flex. I'm sure the new one has a stiffer headtube and that is fine by me. However I want my steel frame to have a springy BB feel when I'm pedaling. You said snappy, that is kind of a stiff frame description to me. Does springy fit too?
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Originally Posted by BigwheelsRbest
