Review: Niner Jet 9

The Jet 9 from Niner is a trail-ready 100mm full suspension 29er. Weighing in at one pound more than the carbon-framed Jet 9 RDO, the the aluminum-framed Jet 9 still tips the scales at a respectable ~26lbs with pedals. The four-star build kit (tested) includes a full X0 2×10 drivetrain, X0 brakes, Rock Shox SID …

The Jet 9 from Niner is a trail-ready 100mm full suspension 29er. Weighing in at one pound more than the carbon-framed Jet 9 RDO, the the aluminum-framed Jet 9 still tips the scales at a respectable ~26lbs with pedals.

The four-star build kit (tested) includes a full X0 2×10 drivetrain, X0 brakes, Rock Shox SID XX fork, American Classic Race29 wheels, and plenty of other goodies.

When I took it out on the trail, I expected it to be fast and to pedal like a demon… and that it was. The Jet 9 flew up the hills, cranks spinning like a fan blade thanks to the light, efficient setup.

 

However, what I wasn’t prepared for was how well the Jet 9 railed the descents. At only 100mm of travel, this definitely isn’t the longest-travel bike on the market (and is even classified as cross-country these days), but the suspension on the Jet 9 felt smooth, supple, and near-bottomless even on rocky chunder and small drops. I chalk a little bit of the extra absorption up to the wagon wheels, but even then, it still absorbed rough sections effortlessly.

Getting airborne on the Jet was a dream as well: the bike felt very flickable and balanced, even though it’s billed as an XC bike.

Bottom line: the Jet 9 is fast enough to race, and plush enough to play!

MSRP: $4,899