I think I may have found a flavor of Kool Aid I enjoy. I have been riding the niner more than any other bike since I built it up. My tracer is eagerly awaiting a trip to some place worthy of it such EF or Gambril etc… In the meantime I have been riding the Niner at Patapsco, Fairland, Schaefer, HMC & Black Hills.
After logging some decent miles including a 30 mile day on the niner I am still incredibly happy with the ride. I know the big wheels are at least a pretty good part of the reason for my enjoyment but probaly not all of it. I think going back to a nice aluminim frame is also a big part of it. I know steel has been a big deal as of late, everyone claiming what a great ride it is etc. The more time I spend on my Aluminum niner the more I think Steel may have become somewhat over rated. At least it may not be to everyone’s liking.
I must admit I am still rather confounded and irritated that the inexpensive niner I built up rides better and is all around more enjoyable to ride than my full custom steel if. Yes I know that if my IF were a 29″ bike it may feel different but I still don’t think the big wheels the only difference. THe niner just feels so much more lively on the trail and much stiffer to boot. The acceleration on the EMD is awesome. I think it even handles better overall.
I think what I like most about the niner is that it is fast handling, nimble but at the same time it seems to just flow along really smoothly. I wasn’t expecting this ride quality at all from this bike. At best I had hoped I would have a fun winter bike to tool around on. Instead the Niner is quickly becoming one of my overall favorite rides.
Now I have also had the Tracer out a few times as well and I have to say that bike is also amazing. It’s everything I liked about my 5.5 and then some. I can definately tell the suspension has been further refined. For example I don’t get the feedback I used to ocassionally when climbing in the granny gear. The bike seems way stiffer and just tighter than my 5.5 as well. The new revelation with the maxle up front seems to be a good fit for what I’m trying to do with this bike. I’ll be taking the bike down to Catherine Furnace in a couple weeks and think it’s really going to excel there. I can’t wait!
So between the Niner and my Tracer I think I finally may have nearly the perfect two bikes for me. The Niner has been a blast to rail the smoother trails such as schaefer, HMC, Black Hills and Fairland. The Tracer is going to be a blast when I have the urge for more rocky or technical goodness. I would love to get both these bikes out west next year on some of my favorite Fruita/Moab trails.