Niner Bikes has released some fresh specs and details on their new 2010 Air 9 Carbon hardtail, but most of all they’ve pushed out a ton of hot photos. Above, it’s shown as a fully rigid (and fully carbon!) single speed.
Frame costs have been finalized at $1,899 US, and they’re taking orders now with a $500 deposit for delivery early next year (their actual wording is “late Winter 2010” but we presume they mean late this Winter, not a full year from now). Get in touch with your local Niner dealer to place an order, or contact them through their website if there’s no shop near you.
Lots more photos after the break…
…and here’s the geared version with front suspension. The bike’s geometry is dialed for an 80mm fork, but it’s compatible with up to 100mm travel forks.
The brake mounts are gorgeous. They’re compatible with a max rotor diameter of 160mm.
See that little shiny hole just in front of the dropout? that’s the exit for the internal shifter cable routing. Nice, eh? The frames have a removable / replaceable derailleur hanger. No sliding dropouts for those that want to run it single speed, Niner has a much more elegant solution:
They built versatility into the Air 9 Carbon by offering the world’s first-ever multi-sized bottom bracket shell. Using various inserts, you can run standard, BB30 or Niner’s Bio-Centric EBB bottom brackets, letting you run just about any crankset you want. The other benefit to this system is that you can probably mess with the geometry a bit to minimize the impact of running a 100mm fork. Let’s face it, 100mm travel is where it’s at for XC 29ers.
The bike will be offered initially in Tang and Vana White. Either one is pretty.
The Niner Air 9 Carbon takes a 31.6mm seatpost clamp diameter, and they recommend a 410mm length post.
The downtube’s wide hexagonal shape keeps the steering stiff and the power transfer efficient. The rest is up to you, but Niner helps with the motivation on every top tube:
Wanna see these things on a scale? Get the weights and a video run down from Niner co-founder Chris Sugai in our Interbike coverage.
Specs, in convenient list form, per Niner:
- The ultimate, lightweight race frame with Niner’s proven, solid geometry for the best handling 29er available.
- The world’s only 29er carbon frame that can be run as a single speed or geared.
- Computer designed tube shapes were run through extensive FEA programming to optimize carbon fiber’s inherent strengths.
- True monocoque construction with carbon dropouts built into the rear triangle mold.
- Tapered head tube to increase strength and aid in steering precision, without gaining weight.
- Cool and functional magnesium head badge routes shifter cables internally and eliminates cable rub on the side of the headtube.
- Internal routing keeps cables clean, neat and shifting perfect and helps singlespeed setups to look great.
- Built in carbon cable guides for the hydraulic disc brake line are clean, light and slick.
- CYA Bottom Bracket System allows singlespeed or geared drivetrains from multiple manufacturers using CYA adaptors.
- 73mm BB (compatible with Niner BioCentric and CYA adaptors for X-Type, BB90, SRAM BB30, or FSA BB30).
- Post mount rear disc brake is lighter and stronger than a conventional IS mount, eliminates the need for adaptors and insures proper brake alignment.
- Ti protector plates around BB.
- 31.6mm seatpost diameter, 400mm length recommended, 34.9 clamp
- Massive clearance on the rear for the largest XC tires.
