Niner RIP9 RDO Full Review

[@RONSDONKEYS]

You have a lovely manner Clint, and your MTB reviews are the best on KZbin.

[@mr.kscoronalessons92]

I own a RIP 9 from 2017 in orange with 160mm in the front and 150mm in the rear. I built it up the frame 2 years ago. I love the ride. It´s perfect for all around trail riding and light enough for steep uphills. And for me it´s stiff enough even without the rib cage, which I think doesn´t look very pleasant for the eye. It´s just a shame that Niner is almost unknown here in Germany. I´m an exotic which I kinda like. So thanks for this review of a bike brand, which still is under the radar over here in ole Europe. Greets Michael

[@loamtrailer805]

I own one in 27.5 version, I test rode both wheel sizes and the 27.5 I was really impressed with, perfect bike for Southern California riding! This bike really is awesome. My other bike is a Ghost FRMR6 with 170/160mm and this bike can hold its own. Really happy with my Niner!

[@inyermouthbaybeh]

how's it do at sky park or Greer?

[@loamtrailer805]

@@inyermouthbaybeh I have not ridden Skypark yet, just Summit and Mt. Pinos, and my local trails near Rocky Peak.

[@inyermouthbaybeh]

@@loamtrailer805 did you need to hit the flip chip into the low settings for the parks?

[@loamtrailer805]

@@inyermouthbaybeh no i have yet to flip it. Rides slack even in the high setting. My freeride bike has a 67 degree head tube and this in the high is 66 so thats why i haven't needed to go slacker.

[@inyermouthbaybeh]

@@loamtrailer805 awesome brotha thanks!

[@acmanwwjd1]

How does it compare to the Biktrix E Bikes ?

[@HR3Pilot]

Thanks for your review. I agonized over a new purchase and finally went with the RIP9 RDO.

[@kevinbobal5209]

Hi Clint, curious to know if you have put the carbon wheels on the Niner yet? If yes, initial impressions? Cheers!

[@ClintGibbs]

Yep. Video coming out next week

[@kevinbobal5209]

@@ClintGibbs So far, so good??;)

[@ClintGibbs]

@@kevinbobal5209 yep

[@kevinbobal5209]

@@ClintGibbs Awesomesauce!

[@peacedets]

May you add some graphics to better explain these offsets and other suspension settings, please?

[@jeanmarchendrickx5698]

Hello thanks for this vidéo. Just for fun you prefer tallboy of norco Optic of this niner ?

[@finkelmann]

Just finished testing this bike out pretty thoroughly - very much agree with pretty much all you've said! Good description of the bike. (i personally think it could use more powerful brakes, and the flanged grips are pretty dumb, but other than that - such a fun bike to ride. Niner's best yet)

[@robtodd4726]

Great review Clint!

[@JS-xn3dq]

Hi Clint - thanks, am really enjoying your channel and reviews! I am in the market for a new mtb and was thinking of the rip9 rdo 29er (although I am debating 27.5er too). I live in NJ so there are lots of rocks and roots. One reservation I have now is that you mentioned that this may not be the best all around trail bike, maybe a little more enduro-like. I am in my fifties and not a real technical rider but do like to pick up speed on downhill and like more rolling casual rides through the woods. Are there any other good all around trail bikes you might recommend me taking a look at?

[@ClintGibbs]

Don't get me wrong, the rip 9 29 is still a decent all-around bike. It's just going to feel a little bit sluggish going uphill. The jet 9 is a little bit better for going uphill. That would be one worth looking at. Also the transition smuggler.

[@JS-xn3dq]

Clint Gibbs thanks so much, will take a look at those and am not ruling out the rip9.

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Great review, especially you thoughts on the suspension linkage. I'd like to get your opinions on an Ibis Ripmo with their DW Link platform. Keep up the great work, I find your reviews to be the most practical and informative.

[@albinlarsson1571]

Isnt your front sprocket kompletely worn out?

[@michaelsteven1090]

Hey Clint..I just picked up a '21 RIP9..Did u end up cutting your bars down?..They do feel a bit wide to me.

[@ClintGibbs]

I kept them at 800

[@jancksLC]

I’m looking at a used 21 rip. How do you like the bike?

[@LiftedAdventures]

Great review over it. How would you think the pedal strikes would be in a size large and xl?

[@ClintGibbs]

I don''t see the larger sizes changing that issue. BB drop is the same

[@MichaelRei99]

I really enjoy your reviews. I wish you had more time to review more bikes so I could nail down my future purchase!

[@ClintGibbs]

I do too!

[@jeremywussow5481]

Thanks for the review Clint. Looks like a fun bike. In your opinion is 2.5 the widest tire you could run?

[@toddcoble1485]

You can run 2.6 on this bike. I have one, fyi

[@sevanpeters]

Thanks again. I really enjoy your reviews. Just out of interest how do you compare this bike with the Specialized stumpjumber you reviewed earlier? I just bought the short travel 2019 stumpy and and also just bought the rear shock bracket for the longer travel version so I can swap out the shock and fork and have both options. I was surprised at how inexpensive the part was from Specialized.

[@ClintGibbs]

The Stumpjumper was a little bit better for cross-country trails. The Niner is better on Enduro type descents.

[@nopets]

Love the intro.

[@field.palmer]

Hi Clint, You touch on it a bit in this video, but I would like to hear a little more about how stiffness affects a bike's characteristics. I understand its importance in power transfer; however, I am a bit lost with what it equates to in other aspects. Thank you very much for your videos, I used to ride San Felasco when I lived in the area, and I love getting to catch glimpses of it again in some of your videos. Best, Field

[@ClintGibbs]

I may do a video on it, but in short, it means you have more control over the bike. The bike doesn't have a mind of its own in regards to steering. In other words steering and handling or not dictated by The features on the trail. The more stiff a bike the more precise it is when you steer it.

[@Shareeftraish]

When are you doing the Niner Jet 9 29er? Would you pick the Jet 9 or Trance 29er if you had to pick.

[@ClintGibbs]

Those two bikes are so similar I think it's going to depend on the relationship you have with your local bike shop or the deal you can get on one.

[@Shareeftraish]

Clint Gibbs better deal on niner for sure. Laaaast question... RIP or Jet as my only bike?

[@ClintGibbs]

Shareeftraish I would go with the Jet9

[@Shareeftraish]

I ended up getting a Trek Fuel EX8 after demoing it (wasn’t a trek fan)... what are your thoughts 💭

[@kellyriffle4750]

Did you do all of Black Trail or Kitsuma in Black Mtn? Either way,how did it do on the climb?

[@ClintGibbs]

We didn't do the top hike a bike section of Black Mountain. I had clipless shoes with carbon soles.

[@kellyriffle4750]

Good call!

[@johnglynn7795]

Hello Clint, enjoyed your review on the Rip 9. Can I assume the CG is favorable, great for downhill stability and a bike with good climbing ability for the desert mountains, rocks, etc? Look forward to your thoughts. Jg

[@artoutlawphoto]

its strange it came with avid g2 disc rotors. I don't think that its a problem, i saw that others companies make old avid rotors on they're bikes, maybe they have to much in stock. Its just for the price you pay for this bike, you would expect it will came with something newer, like centerline rotors.

[@ashevillescarborough]

Nice review.. looks like a perfect all around bike for the trails here in wnc

[@keithgarn9038]

Time to get the new Reign. Id like to see how they compare

[@michaelblack4993]

Great Review!

[@philmtb121]

Clint- will you keep this or the Trance 29er? or do you have another bike in line?

[@ClintGibbs]

Working on some options right now. Not sure yet.

[@glennoc8585]

The frame shape is very nice.

[@darrinwhite8331]

I was patiently waiting on this review. How does it compare to the 2017/18 RIP that has 150/160 travel? Climb, Trail and Descend. Is it better in all three categories?

[@ClintGibbs]

I never got a chance to ride that one. I have a lot of time on it RKT9 and the older rip9. I would imagine frame stiffness is quite a bit improved on this new one which in my opinion would make up for a little less travel

[@antonioespindola2000]

Thanks for the review Can you do a 160 fork?

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

Needs front and rear bolt on thru axles. I'm surprised it has a Fox Factory fork but no Kabolt.

[@ClintGibbs]

They're both through axles, just quick release. in other words you don't need an Allen wrench to undo the through axle, which is actually much better after having used both.

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

@@ClintGibbs Bolt on is stiffer. I would never go back to quick release. For the money they are charging they should at least include a Kabolt with the front fork.

[@RATBURL]

Nice review 👍🏻 The only thing I like about that bike is the color 😏

[@pepeanza6187]

You should try to test and give a review of the new Santa Cruz tallboy

[@ClintGibbs]

I've been watching some videos on that. Looks like a really sweet bike. Similar to the giant trance 29.

[@JimsonMTB]

2018 Niner RIP 9 will be inexpensive now since this came out...

[@konfinoyair]

Is it carbon chassis ?

[@ClintGibbs]

Yes. Any of Niner's bikes that have RDO in the title will be full carbon frames.

[@th_js]

Are getting your hands on the new Reign 29?

[@ClintGibbs]

I hope!

[@roryveronda9933]

My Stans Neo hub blew out in a couple hundred miles

[@Cyrus5561]

Do you know how much the bike weighs? Thx.

[@ClintGibbs]

I actually don't remember off the top of my head but I'm pretty sure I put it in the first look video which I linked in the description. I want to say it was around 31 pounds.

[@YanDoroshenko]

Cool review, pretty nice bike. I was thinking about it some time ago, but decided to go a bit farther and much cheaper with YT Capra.

[@Mclovinthedank]

Please do a ride and review on a walmart bike... like $400 bike vs $4,000 bike

[@fortisequitem8144]

4:31 "A little bit too burly, a little bit too beefy..." - do you mean heavy, not poppie, sluggish on climbs compared to a Ripley, Ripmo, etc.???????????????????

[@th_js]

Your reviews are indeed the best on KZbin, but I just don't like the new intro

[@th_js]

@@AM-pp5rl Yeah

[@samh.7879]

Hi Clint, I love your reviews! I was hoping you could comment in the trance 29 advanced pro vs. The Jet 9 rdo 29er. I appreciate your thoughts and time!

[@christianjimenez6004]

I had the same question at the end I got the Niner Jet 9 Rdo. Such a great bike , Climbs well and descend good too.

[@ClintGibbs]

Although I haven't ridden one of the newer Jet 9's, my opinion is that these bikes will be very similar. Geo is very close, both use floating pivot design and travel is about the same. I like the carbon wheel offerings on the higher end Giants, I like the suspension spec a bit better on Niner. Can't go wrong with either. It will come down to accessibility of the bikes for you.

[@charlestilson6815]

I love mine

[@durcell123]

maybe ad 10m to the front fork leave it in high ..no strikes.. more travel ..HA @ 65.5

[@ohraider]

I saw a 10 year old with his own niner rip 9 rdo that costs $8,700

[@TheNationalTrails]

Just kind of going back through some videos for research. Interested in buying a size large RIP 9 RDO since it has a slightly longer toptube than the 2020 Giant Reign medium that I'm currently riding and really enjoying! Then again, it's tough to say without giving a bike a good first look. Thanks for the overview. Truly! I'm riding a 2020 Giant Reign Advanced Pro 1 with some unique changes that are worthy of mentioning as they particularly pertain to trail riding. Switched the fork over to a 140mm and the rear shock to a 57.5mm stroke RockShox DeLuxe RT3. ( According to "Mountain Bike Rider" kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmXMnmR6pLWWj9E the Reign has an actual 142mm of rear-wheel travel. ) The 57.5mm stroke rear shock should reduce the travel by about another 5mm - 7mm creating about 135mm of rear-wheel travel. Air up that shock with about a 20 - 25% sag and the Reign just comes to life as a trail bike! If you break down the geo numbers such as the wheelbase, HTA, STA numbers with this short-travel suspension setup it's essentially a very modern trail bike. To confirm, it's certainly not full-blown enduro; it's light under foot and the bars sort of always need your attention. What makes it surprising to me is that with these changes, I'd say it pedals up hill every bit as well as it does down; a true trail-bike with very modern 2020 trail capabilities. Another unique thing to point out is that the frame weight of the Reign is nearly identical to the Trance 29 Advanced Pro. ... I'll bring up the bottom bracket height just to kind of clear up any lingering questions / thoughts about changing the fork from a 160 for a 140. The Trance and the Reign have the same BB height when the Reign has a 140mm fork as when the Trance 29er has a 130mm fork. Yes, 170mm cranks play wonderful in that sense, but I've had no issues with 175mm myself. This is certainly a unique look at a "trail bike." But, there's a reason why I am where I am. I've owned 3 2019 Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29ers, all with different specs in an attempt to make the bike work for my local trails near South Mountain in Phoenix, AZ. For me, the Trance only ever came to life on flat ground and downhills. Never really needed more travel than the Trance, but could never get the Trance to come to life on our climbs here in Arizona. The Reign has a 78-degree seattube angle / 66-degree headtube angle with the 140/135mm travel setup. It has a longer upper carbon rocker-link than the Trance. I'm thinking it's aiding in the pedal performance under load. Again, the 20 - 25% sag is where the bike simply came to life as a trail bike. It's worth noting that it's at 20 - 25% sag with less air pressure than I ever ran on the Trance, by a significant margin; might be a super-large negative air chamber with extreme reserve. But yeah, just chiming in and thinking that the RIP9 RDO size large is just the ticket in terms of sizing. Also chiming in as you sure have put a lot of time into your reviews about Giant bikes through the past few years!!! For me, the 2017 Anthem Advanced Pro 0 / Advanced Pro 1 still stand at the top of my list of favorite bikes; the 2014 Anthem Advanced 0 is easily right there too. "Wings at Speed" and "Legs when Climbing." Respectfully, today as a rider, needs have changed over and the Reign 29er has an easy pedestal to stand on; built on the knowledge of other great bikes and other great reviews! Enjoy!

[@ClintGibbs]

Nice post. Thanks for the info!

[@YanDoroshenko]

You lost a tiny little screw holding a tiny little flip chip in place? Pathetic! Yesterday I managed to lose the top shock bolt and not notice it until the frame fell apart when I was back home.

[@YanDoroshenko]

What's up with the "pedal |||||||||||| it"? Is "damn" a swear word?

[@ClintGibbs]

It is a mild swear word in English. I started doing that when my kids were young (I've been riding niners for a long time) and just kept doing it.

[@richardcarey6604]

Very cool bike, but that's the ugliest two tone paint job I've ever seen.