29-inch wheeled bikes have been around for almost 20 years now. A handful of companies tried to market big wheels for mountain bikes throughout the 1990’s but reaction from consumers was a resounding…why. Today 29er’s are no longer a novelty. With industry support and marketing muscle getting behind big wheels, 29er’s are quickly becoming the next revolution in mountain biking.
The Niner Air Nine Carbon in Vanawhite
Niner has quickly become a leader in the 29er market. For years they have produced high-end 29-inch bikes utilizing aggressive frame geometry and lightweight tubing. For 2010, they make the jump to the ultimate in weight-saving material - carbon.
Niner’s first frame building foray into the world of carbon fiber is the 2010 Air 9 Carbon. Like their beautiful ridged carbon fork, the Air 9 is an artfully done, full carbon frame. The high modulus carbon is designed to be incredibly light, laterally stiff, and vertically compliant. The Air 9 Carbon frame weighs just 2.8lbs.
Like all Niner bikes the Air 9 Carbon includes several unique features setting it apart from other bikes. The head tube is sleeved and tapered for increased stiffness in the front end while the bottom bracket shell features Bio-Centric EBB technology and the CYA bottom bracket system. Basically a fancy way of saying you can use any type of BB you want. Geared, single speed, BB30, and the now ‘old school’ outboard bearing setup (XTR). The Air 9 accommodates them all.
Niner's uniquely accommodative bottom bracket
Rather than adding extra layers of carbon to meet their standards for strength, stiffness, and rider comfort, Niner focused on shaping the frame. The “swooping” lines of the Air 9 not only look great but also help to “disperse energy, avoid stress risers, and increase the natural damping characteristics of the carbon”. (www.ninerbikes.com)
The prototypes displayed at the Las Vegas Interbike show sported internal derailleur cable routing. The cables enter the frame right through the Niner badge on the head tube. Very cool and we hope to see it on the final production model.
While the Air Nine is not yet available for testing, its extensive development, attention to detail, and Niner’s reputation for bikes that outperform have us putting our old bikes for sale on eBay.
The Air Nine Carbon in real-life at Interbike
Integrated brake mounts may add grams to the frame weight but save you many more by eliminating the need for an aluminum bolt-on brake mount when the bike is built
