Niner SIR 9 - Steel Is Real Hardtail Review: Never Judge a Book by its Cover
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024
- Niner SIR 9 steel is real hardtail for review. Here it is folks, my onboard review of the SIR 9, Niner's bikepacking, singlespeedable trail bike. SIR stands for "steel is real", and it sure is on this bike. Despite having a pretty vanilla geo chart, there's nothing vanilla about this bike at all. Learn more about the bike, price, and builds here: bit.ly/2T1wlIM
Do you need help choosing your next bike? Become a patron today for one-on-one bike consultation: patreon.com/hardtailparty.
Show your love for hardtails by sporting some Hardtail Party Swag (hats, shirts, hoodies, etc.): shop.spreadshi...
Other gear I use:
My shop tools: www.amazon.com...
My glasses: bit.ly/3aXBeKp
My tire sealant: bit.ly/2ULJirZ
My pedals: amzn.to/2V9DzuK
My ZIPP 3ZERO MOTO wheels: bit.ly/33G0Wjm
What's in my water bottles (Tailwind): bit.ly/2Xbxy3q
Hardtail Party Shirts, Swag, etc: shop.spreadshi...
My hooded sun shirt: bit.ly/38NdU1x
Support the channel and save some money by shopping using these links. Feel free to share these with your friends, but please do not post these discounts anywhere else, or we will all lose these discount codes.
bit.ly/3dj2nZP - 5% off all RSD bikes using code "party"
bit.ly/3kdfDm5 - The Hardtail Party collection at Club Ride
bit.ly/2UwrmQq - Ryan Leech Connection: $19 off - coupon code "hardtailparty"
bit.ly/2U8OyFE - Velocirax racks - 5% off using coupon code: "hardtailparty"
bit.ly/3iSZrG2 - CushCore - 15% off. Coupon code already applied in link.
amazon.com/sho... any time you shop on amazon using this link, it helps me.
Note: some of my links are affiliate links. That means I get a small commission on purchases made using these links. You don't pay anything extra, but it helps support the channel. If you've learned something from my videos, consider using the affiliate links above.
Stoked on this channel! I ride a Surly karate monkey from a while back when it came as a rigid single speed. It's equiped with 1x11 gears, dropper post and a 100 mm suspension fork and I love it. I feel like the modern karate monkey shoud defenitely be on the list of bikes to review. I'd be super interested to see how it compares to other steel hardtails.
I built one of these a few months ago after lusting over it for years. There are very few reviews of the latest generation of this bike but I knew it well enough to know it was the bike for me. I've been riding it for 4 months and I just grinned ear to ear watching you review it. Everything you said about this bike is exactly how I feel about it, I've found it nearly impossible to describe to other people without riding it. This bike is absolutely special and I just wanted to say thanks for reviewing it.
Yeah, it's expensive too, you were right about everything.
My Bike is made out of mostly scrap metal, I dream about having equipment like this!!
Awesome video. This is Bike window shopping for me.
I'm building up a tough version of the AIR 9, different frame but same geo. Love the enthusiasm you show in this review! Exactly the handling I wish for on my local trails.
I have this bike build as a bikepacking rig. Total ridged with Niner carbon fork and a Jones bar. Shimano XT 12 speed two by drive train. It’s incredible!
I got to watch my buddy here edit this video in person. He's so fast--like an editing BEAST! I was so impressed! I learned so much even though I don't use Adobe Premier (yet)
Just ordered the newest version from my LBS, went with the GX build the black / gold color is sweet 😎
As a mature cyclist, "old fart", I'm amazed at your bike handling skills. Great review of the bike. Only downside I saw was the Eccentric BB. A threaded BB, with sliding PMW dropouts would be more trustworthy out in the boonies.
I totally agree on the desire for a longer reach. I actually threw a 70mm(!) stem on mine to make it fit right, but I guess that's how old-school geometry works. The large is a full 5 to 6 cm taller, which is quite a jump, but given that the frame design is 4 years old, perhaps that's to be expected. The bike still handles great somehow, but I may finally have buyer's remorse when they redesign it to modern standards. The bike is hard not to love, however. When I first rode it with a friend who was on a brand new top-of-the-line Pivot 429 Trail, he spent the day voicing his bike envy, dubbing the Sir 9 my "forever bike."
Well said!
The shorter reach bikes also start feeling awesome after riding huge bikes for a while. Those snappy turns and natural riding positions are a lost art in 2020.
I actually feel like longer bikes turn better, but that's just me. I'd prefer this bike to be 10-20mm longer in the reach dept.
IMO, your natural riding position is directly related to your body measurements, so just saying "long reach" or "short reach" is what's natural isn't gonna be the same for everyone.
I probably have a long torso because my 460mm reach at 177cm height is what feels natural to me. No body pain, no awkward handling, and I could precisely control my weight where I want it to. Some of my peers who are the same height feel better on a 485mm reach, and some like 440 better.
These sizes are all still available in the market, just not in the size we used to choose 10 years ago.
It’s a stunning bike, no doubt about that! A little spendy as ridden but at least it performs. I’d prefer threaded BB.
I don’t know much about BBs, other than I see almost everyone prefers threaded. If I buy a press fit, what are some downsides other than they are hard to work on? Is a press fit “creakier “ ? I’m asking because I’m considering that yeti arc. Thanks for any info
@@tommorris2050 It’s a preference, I wouldn’t avoid a good bike I wanted just because it had a PF BB. They are historically more prone to creaking, but I think they have improved over the years. Threaded is easier if you work on your own bikes.
Picked up a used few year old Niner AIR 9 to ride while I am building a bike, I was pleasantly surprised. Not sure if it has same geo as this one, but had similar geo to bike I am building. It is light and fun to ride, it even had some xc race wins i was told. Came with some Stans on it. A great test mule for bars, pedals and such. Not always what it seems.
Love these in depth reviews, you provide a lot of insight especially in the days of online ordering. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for watching!
@@hardtailparty if you ever get a chance I'd love to see a review of the Ribble HT 725, just ordered one but won't be here til December.
Getting my custom handbuilt mtb, it is a 140-160mm steel enduro hardtail, one of less than 50 made a year.
Jenson does a $2000 build of this bike every year with race face aeffect wheels, go drivetrain, and Shimano deplore brakes.
Also glad you like it Steve , I was sure you’d hate the geo. It’s short and steep compared to the modern stuff, but I feel while it makes it less aggressive, it gives the bike that spirited feel you talked about
Gx drivetrain
To be clear, Jenson does a $4,000 build every year that they discount heavily in the off-season. I don't see that happening this year with the current supply shortage.
@@phrides Agree, I don't think you'd ever see this with a GX drivetrain for $2000 unless it was a 2 year old bike that Jenson was discounting by 40% and all they had left was size small.
@@thomaskuhn6541 I got a Medium from them for $2,200 in March. It's a GX build with a 34 Rhythm and Race Face Aeffect parts, rather than carbon everything.
@@phrides I did the same. Great bike for me!
So cool to see your input on this bike. It's one of those bikes I find my self irrationally eyeballing when I already have the air 9 alloy which is fairly close in geo. Glad you had fun with it!
You are, by far, my fovorite reviewer! If Ihave to watch one more hipster standing around talking about riding a bike instead of actually riding it and explaning as you are feeling it. Plus, you will break down all of the terms and buzzwords. One suggestion, could you please get a wind muffler for the wind noise? It will up your production value. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately a wins muffler is delicate and covers the screen and battery door. That means removing it several times and reinstalling it every review. It also means I can't see the screen to know if I'm recording or not. I wish I had a better solution. Fortunately, gopros get better and better over time. Maybe they'll figure out how to do the wind noise reduction soon
I really hope you can get your hands on a Marin El Roy, not really because I love it or anything in fact it’s not particularly my kind of hardtail but just because of how progressive and aggressive it is.
I have always been tempted for one of these! Great review again. Amazing how a balanced/dialed bike makes you realize how important the totally package and design works can trump what you think geo should be like. First time I got a bike that was this, changed my approach on bikes. My krampus makes me fell this way.
Have you checked out the Jamis Dragon 29? It looks like a really good under-$2000 hardcore steel build. I'm not finding much as far as reviews for the current model
They're out of stock right now. I should be able to get one for review in a few months. Thanks for the recommendation.
@@hardtailparty Jamis is awesome. I love my dragonslayer after I made a few upgrades.
Dude now you have to review the Air 9( Aluminum frame version) for everyone. Its literally the poor mans version of the Sir 9. Exact same geo just much more affordable specs and a aluminum frame but its a fraction of the cost. I got a chance to ride one and its surprisingly forgiving or dare i say supple for an aluminum bike. Not sure why they even call it an air 9 because it has more in common with the sir 9 minus the extra bosses, than it does an air 9 RDO. Keep up the awesome work. I love this channel .
maybe AIR = aluminum is real ?
@@hardtailparty Very good point . Maybe indeed .
I second the need for that review!
Thanks to your enthusiastic review of this bike, I’m taking delivery of my new SIR 9 this afternoon. Been riding for years but on road, and finally decided to mix it up a bit and do more off road riding. Seems like this will be a great bike to go just about anywhere. Besides, after riding aluminum frames for all these years, I really wanted to try steel for a change. So glad I found your channel and all these great reviews. A really refreshing and honest look at mountain biking and the gear that goes with it. Thank you!!!
Welcome to the sport, it's an exciting one. I recommend trailforks and Mtb project apps to find trails in your area. And if you have the options of taking some clinics or private coaching, i highly recommend it. Even though road cycling is a cousin sport, mountain biking is completely different.
Thank you so much for the informative video! I currently own a Niner RLT 9 RDO and I have been looking for a hardtail for bikepacking and singletrack. I really like the people at Niner and when I saw this bike I fell in love with it. After searching for reviews I came up on your video. Your video and review pushed me over to go ahead and purchase this bike. I have one on the way and it will be here Friday! It's the 2021 4 Star build. I really appreciate your knowledge on the geometry and your comparisons to the other bikes you have ridden. At the end when you compared it to an AMG 4 door and described the person buying the bike I really connected to that. Cheers!
Congrats on a fun bike!
I love this trail, man. Extreme to the right.
What trail is this?
I bought this bike because of the trust I have in your channel and wonderful reviews. Thank you so much! I now have to start ordering starters in restaurants 😀
Hey, you've graduated to restaraunt and not having to eat out the garbage like me :)
My custom Retrotec uses studs in the seat tube to overcome the dropper issue.
I bought this bike because of your review. Thanks for doing the video. It was very informative.
What a great review!! I didn’t see that coming. Your right, don’t judge by the geo chart.
Honestly, I didn't either!
I'm right with you Steve on this. Actually, I don't use the top water bottle mount at all. There is a 32 ounce bottle at dicks sporting goods which fits into the standard mount and is stable on drops and running through rock gardens.
Would love to see a review of the Oracle from Prophecy, small shop in California.
Great review Steve. That seat tube gusset would be a deal breaker for me as well on a frame that expensive. Us short guys need all the dropper post we can get.
I bought the same bike. I was able to loosen the top water bottle bolt and get the seat post lower
I have a niner ros 9, which is the older sister of this one and like this one, is much more than it promises on paper, very fun bike, if only they made a new lighter version ..... it would be perfect!
p.s. great review! grazie!
Sold my ROS9 and instantly regretted it :( such a fantastic bike.
Have one too and I'm very happy with it, but I'd like to know how it compares with this
Interesting. I just picked one up to replae my niner RTL Steel Gravel. Steel is absolutely real. Its such a surprising bike
4:23 yep.....and I like how you stated at the beginning "853 main tubes". A nice old Ritchey would have custom butting for EVERY tube :)
Too bad ritchey doesn't have more modern geo,.
I’m between this one and the Ritchey ultra
I run 2.6 DHR2/Rekon on my bigwig. I love it.
What a great review, very detailed and you could tell you were really enjoying the ride!!! If you can you got to get Niner to send you a eccentric BB so we can see that bad boy in the wild as a single speed!!! It would be great to see you on 50+. I’ve epic ride!!! Can’t wait to see what’s next up your sleeve!!
Wish I could, but I've already sent it back. More fun reviews coming soon...
would love to see the aluminum version reviewed, Niner AIR 9 please steve!!!
You should design and produce your own line of hardtails. I buy one.
Hey thanks I'm actually working on some ideas with that. I need to find the right vendor/builder.
@@hardtailparty I know a company that does custom titanium frames for about 800ish (waltly)
Im thinking we have the same ideas
Titanium paradox V3 with adjustable stay
What's the deal with the boost to non boost ability of this bike?
WIth the water bottle bolts on the seat tube all that would be needed in manufacturing is a little extra piece of steel welded on, like the gusset at the headtube, that the water bottle bolts thread into. Or there are a ton of water bottle relocating brackets and cages that would allow niner to put those bolts way lower than they are. You are right though its really annoying to hit those bolts, every bike in every size should be able to slam that saddle to the clamp. Honestly in most frames you could fit two small bottles along the down-tube but no one ever does that.
The thing that would keep me from buying one is have known of several getting broken locally. Also the price (for that price there are ti frames I'd rather have or not that far from something like a Myth Slaypnir).
Great Review, I was so drawn in by your enthusiasm for this bike. It is definitely on my short list. However, one criticism: I never heard you state which size frame you were riding. When you have a complaint about component fit, especially one where the main triangle measurements are critical, you should definitely state which size frame you are riding!
All in all great channel. Can't wait to see a review on the Santa Cruz Highball Carbon (the other bike on my short list)!
I believe it's a medium i usually mention it in both my first look video and my onboard rode review video. I must have forgotten to mention it here. My apologies.
I’ve had 2 Sir9’s and still 1 is in the family and my daughter uses as a commuter bike. They where both frame only purchase, pre press fit BB and 142x12 drop out. I built them up as SS with rigid forks. With that said, as much as I liked them and love the feel of steel, I would not get this latest Sir9. Like you said, for the price I would look up and seek out a frame only purchase from a smaller brand or custom frame builder.
Which custom builders make Reynolds 853 frames for $1,200? Or a custom frame with any tube set for that price?
@@andrewg8988 Cotic bikes with 853 steel for it cost less but not custom. Reeb and Chumba don’t say what brand of steel they use and frames start at $1600 but they allow you to upgrade to custom and it would probably cost closer to $2K.
Can you review the 2021 AIR9 ? I’ve got one on order.
Steve, just ordered a large SIR 9 frame from Jensonusa. Taking parts off a RKT9 medium that little small for me, I'm 5'11. Thanks for the review. I put your review as resone i bought the frame. Would love to see your review of Ride Fast Racing carbon wheels they sell on Jensonusa. Thanks!!!
Awesome video!
I have had the same dropper post problem with mi size S Vitus Sentier. Most 150mm seatpost I tried, bottomed out in the frame beacause it doesn't have constant diameter all along the seat tube. I solved my problem with an ONEUP V2 150mm that have a shorter body if compared to some other 150 dropper post in the market. I hope it can help you.
Greetings from Italy and I hope I can return back to your beautiful Sedona once again. I really miss!
Steve, This bike has been on my shortlist. Thanks for the review. I have a question on the spec, do you know the fork offset you are running, and do you think it could make a difference in the steering?
Maybe riding your single speed is making you a lot stronger and that’s why climbing is so much easier on this bike 😉👍Good review!
I recently purchased a used 2020 sir and was able to make a 150 mm dropper work for me by losening the top water bottle bolt. It allowed the dropper to get lower in the frame. There was nothing in my frame blocking the post.
Glad to hear it! Which dropper are you using?
@@hardtailparty race face aeffect dropper.
Was in Sedona 10/22 - 10/25 with my Trek Stache. Rode Mezcal, Cyn of Fools, Scorpion, Pyramid, Ridge, Bell Rock/Lama Loop . The plus size was perfect, but wished I had a better tread pattern on the rear tire tho. Rode a FS for HiLine. Would of been cool to run into you.
Too bad you didn't reach out via Instagram, I had a few group rides I would have invited you to. Sounds like you picked some solid trails.
I know it's not your typical bike to review but I'd really like to hear your review of a Niner AIR9 RDO ...
AMEN to that point about droppers and available drop.
I got a custom made Tonic Fabrications Barnstormer with single color wet paint for under $2k. Zero call for a frame that won’t accept a
150mm dropper in 2020.
Great review. Very detailed and well presented. This frame is on my short list for a long distance bike packing race rig / fun trail bike. Too many broken bones to charge anymore so it's for distance and easy trail stuff. SIr 9 or DV9 long long distance comfort?
Sir9 is more comfortable than a dv9. Dv9 is faster to accelerate and sprint.
Thoughts on the aluminum version of the Niner 9? Or would you stick with the steel version?
No experience with the aluminum one, sadly.
2:55 Please review the Chromag Rootdown.
Reminds me of my steel Balance from the mid 90’s
Nice. I ride a 2013 El Mariachi. This one would be interesting to me.
I ride a 13 ss El mariachi too. I feel the same way. I also ride a 13 Jamis dragon, which rides great. However it feels cramped after riding the salsa.
A pnw dropper with adjustable travel would suit you well on this situation. They aren't expensive and work flawlessly.
Yeah, but unfortunately that would limit me to less than 150mm travel. I've used their dropper before, they're great for the price. The pnw is a rebranded brand x dropper so you can go even cheaper by just buying the trans-x.
@@hardtailparty yeah unfortunately would be less than 150 mm.
I know you don’t do XC bikes normally, but the BMC twostroke could be great if you build up a frame and over fork it to 120 to give it a little extra push, but if it rides like the geo charts suggest it could be waaay more capable than other XC bikes
I'd actually love to get more XC bikes in. The BMC twostroke is at the top of that list, along with a ghost lector. I've reached out to BMC, but I never heard back. Have you seen the review I did of my wife's DV9 with a -2* angleset? I think it might be close to what you're looking for.
I did see the dv9 videos and thought about finding something similar, but the ibis is out of my price range. I decided on the specialized fuse, it’s a good mix of slack enough for gnarlier stuff but I’m not overbiked for my local trails. The bmc dealers around me all said they haven’t heard any dates about the twostroke, so I think it could be a while before we get very many in the US
I just.built a Santa Cruz chameleon and I love it wonder how you would like the build.
Thanks so much for your fantastic reviews and your passion for keeping the hardtail alive! I recently purchased the aluminum Air 9 frame, which has the same geo as the Sir 9. Planning on this being my XC / light trail / bikepacking ride. Have you had a chance to review this one?
Not yet
Numerous comparisons to the DV9, but unfortunately, the DV9 is not available from Ibis anymore. Nice video.
Yes, but definitely still worth comparing, as they ride fairly similar.
2:49 SWEAR THAT WAS A HUGE SNAKE!
Would be cool if you could review a Chromag stylus, just picked one up and curious to hear your thoughts on it.
Unfortunately chromag doesn't send bikes out for review (unless you're pinkbike). I'll see if I can find one locally to borrow. Every chromag I've ridden felt overbuilt and overly stiff. They're beautiful bikes though.
Quiet and flows beautifully .
Love your channel! I riding a salsa el mariachi 2015 and love it! I sold my 2016 cannon sale Jekyll 2 and did so much upgrades and much prefer my el mar. This an awesome review of the niner and I’m considering it with the ritchey ultra. Can you do a review of the ritchey hard tails?
I'm working on it, richey is sold out right now.
What is the weight of this bike?
This dude is right it’s expensive
Bikes can be looked at under a microscope and he knows his stuff but the price is up in the sky
Soma can make a frame for half the price
I like the SIR but I’m not buying
Hollywood
Looks like a great revue on a real nice bike. What could you do to make it a 10 on cornering?
It seems to do real good on everything else. Great video. Thanks. Stay safe and party hard in
the mountains.
The price and bottom bracket are the reasons I don't own one. Still trying to find my El mar replacement for a single speed xc bike
Would love if you reviewed a Stanton Slackline. Seems comparable to the SIR 9 with a bit slacker HTA. It would be fun to compare against the SIR 9 and the switch 9er that you recently reviewed.
The sir9 and switch9er are completely different riding bikes. The switch9er is way more aggressive and modern. I think the sherpa would be slightly closer to the sir9, but still eat more aggressive and capable.
I'd like to see you hop on a Pipedream Moxie or Sirius one of these days. I can get you in touch with those dudes if you'd like. They make some awesome bikes.
I'm in touch with pipedream. Fingers crossed I can get one to review.
@@hardtailparty If it falls through you can borrow mine when I get back to the states, haha.
"If this were an animal it would be a fox." I like it! I think you should come up with animal for every bike review from here on out.
Which bike would be the sloth?
@@sickmak90 sadly, any bike I'm riding. :(
Great review Steve!
Really wish you would review a Norco Torrent. Ive been eyeing that bike a lot lately. In steel of course =D
I've been trying to get one for over a year. They're totally out of stock right now, even for reviewers. I hope to get one soon, but I'm not holding my breath.
PNW makes a dropper that you can easily reduce travel in 5mm increments. Maybe you'd end up at 140 or 135mm travel but still better than 125mm.
Agreed. In an ideal world, the frame would accept the longest dropper possible and you don't have to work around it.
I dream about a SIR 9... Nice review as always. I would love to see a review of the Esker Hayduke if you can get one
I've ridden one. It was pretty vanilla. I actually filmed a review for it, but never edited it because it was just kind of meh all around.
@@hardtailparty Well that's interesting, you may have just swayed me over to a SolarisMax.... I'll hit you up on Patreon and we can talk more about this
@@hardtailparty good to here. What about their new Japhy? Keep up the good work!
Great review. Looks like a great bike
Thinking hard about this bike. A peep is getting out of his one-month-old. He's going for the dual sus. He's creeping down on his dollar expectation.
-Said all that so I could say I like your delivery style, and your experience shows. I'm a guitar player and fear for my digits, but, have gotten back into the saddle. I could speak to the subtle nuances of guitar setups as you speak of head angles and slackness, did I say that right. LOL! I will hit your PATREON! This was worth a tip!
I've done well with purchasing behind the bleeding edge. Someone else can take some new off (if they haven't shunted. The way you describe this bike, it would be worth my wait. This will be my first MTB purchase. I figure I cant go wrong learning how to get to "the party in hills on this steed.
Thanks
This is a bit of a handful as a first bike, but we can chat more about that over on patreon.
@@hardtailparty see you there
What do you think about the Nukeproof Scout
I went back and re-watched your videos on the SIR9 as this bike seems to fit my riding style and trails that I frequent. Also I'm feeling a touch of nostalgia after riding an AIR9' in 2010 and liking it so much - but it was out of my budget at the time. I'm a very light person and bike weight really has an exaggerated effect for me, so I'm really curious how the SIR9 compares to the AIR9. It would be great to see a review of the aluminum version, especially in SS mode and checking the fit of 27.5+ tires. On paper it looks like a great alternative to the SIR9 - lighter, cheaper--but also based on them only selling it as a base model it's clear they're targeting the budget crowd. Is this marketing or are there other things about the AIR9 frame that don't really compare to the SIR9?
The geo chart looks to be the same for the aluminium model. Would your review carry over to alu if geo is the same?
The handling yes, but the ride feel will be very different. The air9 is a STIFF frame
Great point, thanks :)
Loving your channel
As a hardtail rider, I love your Videos! Would you be able to review the Norco Fluid HT?
Thanks for the kind words. I've been in touch with norco. Sadly they're out of stock, but I'm hoping we can get one in sooner rather than later. I'd like to compare the aluminum one to a steel one.
@@hardtailparty that would be Awesome, and yea I am also curious to see how the fluid compares to the steel torrent.
@@hardtailparty I agree with Will Tanner, both on your great videos and suggestion to review Fluid HT if you get the opportunity. There is not one single review anywhere of the current 2020/2021 Fluid HT Frame anywhere on the internet!?! whatsoever! Plenty of the Fluid FS dually though. It's geo looks good, price is ok given the cheapish parts. Looks ripe for a 10mm longer fork and fun days :)
@@willtanner5895 There is a Torrent A1 HT and a Torrent S1 HT for sale, both are 150mm fork. The Fluid HT has 120mm fork - Lots lot less travel than either the steel or aluminium torrent. I think the Fluid HT is more of a competitor for the 2021 Giant Fathom 130mm, or the 130mm Fuse.
@@davidh7414 Thanks David, I guess my main reason for inquiring originally is because I currently have a fluid, and am curious about upgradeable and whether or not the fluid is a platform that is worth upgrading on. Really at a crossroads right now tbh lol
Wow! Now we know what bike you really like!
My dream bike.
How about a review on a Orange P7 or Crush
This or the Specialized Fuse for getting back in to MTB?
Cross country and light trails. No crazy jumps.
That's the type of thing i cover in my bike consultation service
LOL, and then there people like me who get ticked off when manufacturers don't include a bottle mount on the seat tube because they want to fit a dropper. I ride a hard tail specifically so I can carry more on the bike and get the weight off my back - no more water bladders for me.
That makes sense. I'd love both dropper clearance and water bottle mounts.
At 6' what size would you recommend? Large? 🤷♂️ Great video! Thanks
Nice video would love to try a steel hardtail
Would u be able to review some budget wheel set option for people like myself who struggle to find good wheels for a tight budget
Great video thanks
What price range are you thinking about? See my wheel review from earlier in the week.
@@hardtailparty I was thinking under 200 dollars but no worries if not just interested what u think since u always give good advice
I just installed 200mm dropper on a buddies fatboy... I had to cut out the bottle bosses for it to fit properly.
Would you review the AIR 9 singlespeed? And could you compare the steel vs aluminum frame?
I'm working on it. Niner is currently sold out of the AIR 9, but I really want to try one singlespeed. I suspect I'll be able to get one in for review soon.
@@hardtailparty Sill wondering whether I should have upgraded AIR to SIR even though i've ridden AL hardtails all my life. Might need to get them both later on;)
Enjoyed your input
i have a niner ros9 and love it, sometimes i think this new version will be worth to upgrade, have u tried the ros9? how different are they besides what numbers show?
I have ros9 too and would like to see comparation as well, i also have sworks epic which cost 5x more than ros9 and i can say ride quality on ros9 is better for trails i am rocking. ;)
One inch of dropper insertion? Seems like most droppers tend to have stiction issues when slammed that far anyways, unless the seatpost clamp is barely tight. Maybe that's just my luck.
Technically it's more like 6 inches of dropper insertion.
I don't mind running 125mm droppers.
I wish I could afford a 150mm dropper for my Ragley BigWig. Alas I am too poor and have to live with the handmedown external routed 125 reverb.
One day... At least you have a sweet frame.
You referenced price a lot during your review, which I've never heard you do before to that extent. SIR 9 frame only is $1200, so more than a Cotic Solaris but quite a bit less than either a US hand built steel frame or Taiwan titanium, both of which are $2000+. You can get the SIR with a 3-star GX build with DT Swiss 1900 wheels for $3750 - possibly where a lot of people would end up, not the $6000 build with carbon wheels. Do you still think the price is too high when looking at frame only or GX build?
it's a lot of money for a taiwanese-built steel frame. It rides great, which matters most, but people are going to complain about the price. You can get a GX carbon dv9 for $3k, which makes this bike seem overpriced. In a similar manner, people will complain that the mercedes AMG cars are overpriced too, but for some people it's definitely worth the money.
@@hardtailparty Was just checking for the DV9, been thinking about it for a while but its now been discontinued. Wonder if they have a replacement coming.
I just saw on their website that it will be back for 2022.
@@hardtailparty They just put that up 2 days ago. Hope its with updated geometry, longer reach and slacker HT, but still in the same general price range.
I was looking at the GEO chart comparing this bike to the aluminum AIR 9 and they are almost identical. Do you know if an AIR 9 would ride similar to this? I a looking at a moderate GEO hardtail and I have it narrowed down to an AIR 9, Chameleon, or a Timberjack.
I haven't ridden an air 9 more than a few feet, but I would expect it to have a stiffer ride than the rest of the bikes on that list.
@@hardtailparty Thanks. That helps a lot. Your reviews about the comfort of the Chameleon and Timberjack are what got me into those bikes in the first place. Your videos are awesome.