After issuing a full recall of their Jet 9 full suspension 29er mountain bike earlier this year, Niner is getting close (real close) to production on the new model. No official pics yet, just the prototype image above, but here’s the latest from Niner founders Chris and Steve, as posted on MTBR:
A lot of you are eager to know what’s going on with the new 2010 Jet 9. We wanted to have definitive news before giving you an update.
We have made many prototypes over the last few months and have found one that meets our internal goals for weight, stiffness and overall strength. We have finalized the design and completed the final stages of testing a few weeks ago and are currently assembling a few more test frames from production raw materials. Once we re-confirm the results are the same as our prototypes and the manufacturing processes are in place, we will ramp up production and get frames to those of you who are eagerly waiting replacements.
On a side note all current frame productions are spot checked for welds. We pull random samples from each batch and have them sent to an independent lab for x-ray testing. Only after these pass are the frames sent on for painting and finishing.
We will have pictures of the final production frame very soon (in about two weeks). Right now, we are still on target to get these frames out in February. The first batches are of course replacement frames, but we also have complete frames being produced for sale at the same time, and so there will be a simultaneous launch of the 2010 Jet 9 and replacement frames being sent out to eagerly waiting customers.
