Niner on the Road?!?!

[five5]

I've been thinking lately about how much I really ride my Road Bike.. which is very little at this point. I also collect old 80's BMX/Freestyle bikes, and enjoy the simplicity of single speed.

I've been looking through all the threads here, and wondering if anyone has set up their Niner for the road. Either commuting, or simply for fitness?

I'm sort of envisioning a rigid carbon 1x, or SS, with slick tires.

In MN, especially last year, we had a decent amount of rain. The roads dry up fast, but the trails are closed, and they don't allow riding until things dry up.. so I bought a road bike, but just didn't enjoy, or use it.

So.. I'm thinking of a fun little, slow build project of a Niner Road set-up.

Anyone done it? Anyone done something similar?

Thanks for any feedback!

[tneker]

I have set up my Air 9 with Niner carbon fork and Stan No Tube Raven tires and use it to commute to work periodically. It's a pretty long haul (36 miles) with a combination of crushed gravel rails to trails and pavement. I would say this set up is about perfect for that given the gravel part. I do find that the tires wear pretty quickly on the pavement.

[muzzanic]

That's why I'm building up my wife a Air9 RDO, Over kill I know but if I leave here Jet9 RDO set up for the Trail & Air9 for urban trips she can just grab the bike she wants.

She does own a good carbon road bike but it would be a year since se rode it.

[Andrea138]

If you didn't like riding on the road using a road bike, what makes you think that you'll like it on a mountain bike that will roll slower and have less optimal gearing for road speeds?

If it was just a comfort issue, then find someone who can help you with bike fit. It could be as simple as matching your road bike to the exact fit of something that you're already comfortable riding.

[five5]

It's not about speed, not about comfort. I've been biking forever. I road raced for years. My bike is set up properly. I just don't like riding a road bike. I have kids to tow sometimes. I enjoy riding my MTB's around town.

It's not about performance, I think it would be fun to do, if I don't like it, I slap some RaRa's on, and take it to the trail.

Like I said, I've got BMX bikes from the 80's I still ride around.. It's clearly not about efficiency. I just enjoy riding bikes.

I'm just seeing if anyone has done it, or tried it.

[mjduct]

My wife stole my one9 (not a single speed, I have an Alfine 8 speed hub on it) she uses it for exercise on the road and asphalt trails around town. I stole the rockshox off it and gave her a niner carbon fork and it works great!

[BOSS100X]

I have to agree with Andrea here. I had the same issue with my road bike until I got properly fitted.

Stem was too long, a 10mm smaller stem did the trick..

Also, I hated the narrow Q factor compared to my mtbs. So i have gotten used to it but have some specialized bg pedal extenders which will make my Q a bit wider for me.

If you didn't like riding on the road using a road bike, what makes you think that you'll like it on a mountain bike that will roll slower and have less optimal gearing for road speeds?

If it was just a comfort issue, then find someone who can help you with bike fit. It could be as simple as matching your road bike to the exact fit of something that you're already comfortable riding.

[five5]

Again, that isn't the issue.

I'm very comfortable on a road bike, everything is set up correctly.

[muzzanic]

Again, that isn't the issue.

I'm very comfortable on a road bike, everything is set up correctly.

Well I get it.

It's about being able to buzz up kerbs & driveways, Having a play on some drops or just stuff if its there While doing your ride.

[Boxer]

I think the Op wants to just ride on the gravel, concrete, asphalt or whatever. Take the Niner up stairs, down curbs and just ride her on the streets and around town.
I get it! Do it and smile all the time.
Ride On.

[five5]

Yeah, sort of urban riding.. Get a workout up some hills.. Pull the kids.. Just something to have some fun when I can't hit the full blown trail. Also, so I don't have to put spandex on.. Haha!