Niner RIP 9 RDO First Ride!

[@ashevillescarborough]

Very nice! Definitely makes me miss the RIP 9 I used to have :) . Super supple and fun on trails that aren’t complete beatdowns and at slower speeds compared to the transition which really only comes alive until you are pinning it!

[@danmorgan7775]

To me shimano brakes have good enough heat management that I wouldn't run finned pads to get rid of the rattle noise. But then again I don't get to ride a lot of long descents where I am! Very cool looking trail.

[@sirvince7853]

Nothing like bedding in the brakes on a downhill on your first ride..........great review as always

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

After selling my full suspension Giant Anthem a couple years ago, I am starting to think about another full sus bike for 2024. The Niner bikes are definitely on my radar, I’ll probably go more XC/trail travel.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

They have some good deals at Jenson, never ordered from them before though.

[@ClintGibbs]

RKT9 with 120mm fork is a good option. JET9 for a bit more trail focus.

[@hammertime7740]

Just got a Ripley Af on sale. Sweet bike.

[@derenhoff4956]

Bought my RIP 9 last month from Jenson. Dozen rides in and I love it. Great buying experience. And my LBS still does my maintenance. Considered the Ripley AF, but went with Niner RIP9 RDO on sale thru Jenson.

[@garyharmon5386]

Great ride review

[@rogerphillips6381]

Since you rode the same trails as your Stumpjumper, how would you compare the two? Climbing and descending?

[@IIISentorIII]

I'm also curious about this :)

[@ClintGibbs]

I would say the RIP is a bit more agile on the descents whereas the Stumpy has a longer front-center to give a bit more stability. Hard to tell the difference on the climbs but I would give the nod to the RIP due to the suspension performance.

[@frankstrobel4350]

here is a quick test. do a time trial climbing the fire road. with rear open and then locked out. be curious to what the benefits 'really' are.

[@ClintGibbs]

I’ll do that. I would imagine it in the saddle you’re not going to see much of a difference

[@frankstrobel4350]

@@ClintGibbs it’s one of those things I have always been curious about (mainly the rear shock.. I never locked out the fork. Btw…today was first ride on a new xc bike. Wow…what’s blast. I have been missing out all these years. So much fun (and efficient) 👍

[@kpicha]

Great video! I demoed one a few years ago and really like it. They're not very common here in VA. Btw, you mentioned you liked the 2.6 size tires but, did I miss which tires they were?

[@hadoukennumber13]

You can see them in his 'First Look' video (posted about a week ago) but just quickly a Nobby Nic on the back and Hans up front.

[@kpicha]

Ah, thank you!@@hadoukennumber13

[@gilbertkim2176]

Great video and love the intro. What go GoPro are you filming with.

[@ClintGibbs]

Hero 11

[@gilbertkim2176]

Thanks Clint. @@ClintGibbs

[@robertkotroczo7908]

Hi, longtime subscriber here. I just bought a Rip. When I went on KZbin to look for reviews or comparisons all I could find was your content (on the newer model). I know they are still in business (somewhat). Why do you think there is no other KZbin content?

[@ClintGibbs]

Not really sure why more Niners aren’t reviewed on KZbin. I know they’ve had a few sponsored riders in the past (I’m not sponsored), but smaller companies don’t have the marketing budget like the big brands (specialized, trek, Scott…). They are made really well and have great ride qualities.

[@perrysmith4886]

Clint I also live in Florida and I debating between the Rip 9 and Jet 9. I travel to North Carolina twice a year but can only have 1 bike. Which would you recommend..BTW I'm 6" 230lbs. Thanks, love your videos!

[@br9760]

Rip 9 for sure.

[@BikeRodeo]

Do you always wrap your chain stay? I can’t believe in our day that a manufacturer wouldn’t include a protector. Seems archaic to not include one.

[@ClintGibbs]

There’s on one there but my homemade one goes closer to the BB and the back of the chainstay

[@marzocchidj3]

Hey! When are you going to drop the Low Setting review?

[@ClintGibbs]

Comes out this Sunday

[@marzocchidj3]

@@ClintGibbsgreat! Thanks for the reply 😊 I have the same frame built up with my old bike's parts its a Santa Fe Sand colorway but 2021 manufacture year. I rode in high mode for 7 months, since January when I bought it. Rode in Low mode all August. In corners it feels more stable and actually the shock ramp up is different too, so on big hits the bike feels a bit different. Like the slacker head angle but with 175 cranks I got a few pedal strikes. I'll race in an upcoming enduro race 2 weeks from now, and even though I switched to high a week ago I think when I prepare my pivots for the race Im gonna switch to low and just adjust my lines in the more rocky/rooty sections, because everywhere else I feel Low mode is an advantage.

[@jaydieckhaus5970]

What trail???? Strange you don't mention what trail you are riding.

[@sanfordcbutler]

I think he is riding Pinhoti in North Georgia.

[@ClintGibbs]

Bear Creek and Pinhoti

[@jaydieckhaus5970]

@@ClintGibbs Thanks. They look like a blast and that bike rips!

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

New logo and intro...cool. Not the quietest bike, or maybe the brake pads...like you mentioned.

[@ClintGibbs]

It’s the brake pads. Everything else is quiet. But still better than SRAM 😉

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

I've got XT dual pot on one bike and my other bike has SRAM Code RSC...the Codes are more powerful for sure. Either works for me.@@ClintGibbs

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

You can use pads without fins in Shimano disc brakes. And they are less expensive.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

Would this be better than the Spur if this was your only bike? Or would I be crazy to sell the Spur for this.

[@ClintGibbs]

If I only had one bike it would be the Spur since I live in an area of a flatter terrain. If I lived in mountainous terrain and could only have one bike, the Smuggler would be it.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

Thank you! I live in northern California so it's pretty choppy even on the flatter terrain. If the RIP 9 RDO feels plush I will go for it. Can't afford a Smuggler carbon though.

[@TomCollins-c4h]

But maybe I'm jumping ahead of myself, and I wonder If you could help me. I find the fork really inconsistent. I have to change the rebound every ride. It will feel good one day and then the next day feel harsh and spikey like it a full rigid bike going over little 2- inch by 6-inch potholes or even just normal chatter it will buck my hands off the bars. I just want a bike that feels smooth of the top since I'm not a hardcore rider who does big jumps and flies downhills.

[@ClintGibbs]

@@TomCollins-c4h what fork do you currently use? Also how tall are you?

[@TomCollins-c4h]

I'm on the SID select, and I am just under 5'7".

[@hangalen]

what trails are you riding?

[@ClintGibbs]

Around Ellijay Georgia

[@TheD3m1G0D]

What's with the weird-looking stem cap?

[@andyjmeyers]

Standard issue Niner YAWYD (You Are What You Drink) stem cap. Designed for the bottle cap from your favorite beverage to snap onto.

[@ClintGibbs]

Yep

[@tomassanesson902]

soo epik vidio and trail