There she is. A work of art. This is a Niner MCR (Magic Carpet Ride) that I decided to acquire after much research, debate, headaches, and more research into the merits of 29" wheels. I wanted to get back to my roots and ride rigid again and so it was between going 29 or 650B. I chose 29 because of the choice in wheels and tires...and oh yeah, this bike popped up on ebay and there was no way I was gonna let her get away. I mean come on, Reynolds 853 tubing, Niner carbon fork, IN ROOTBEER? Yup. I pulled the trigger and went for it.
After getting her built up I took her out to my local forested puddle to see what she could do. I can't believe what I could climb on this thing. Especially considering the lack of tread on the rear (Stan's Raven 2.0). The increased tire patch from both the 29" wheel and the low pressure (running it tubeless at 27 psi) made for a phenomenal climber that surprised me greatly. I think my 26" wheel with more knobs would have spun out. I thought for sure the tires on the Niner were going to suck (they're really for hardpack, or summer riding around here) but she just stuck and I tore up the steeps, out of the saddle, amazed at how she climbed.
Cornering is awesome on this bike. Leave the brakes alone, lean and carve. Once again, the increased tire patch makes for some fun carves and confident ripping. She's quiet, fast, nimble, supple, springy, and surprisingly easy to wheelie and lift up over obstacles. The combination of compliant Reynolds 853 steel tubing and carbon fork make for a "soft," dampened rigid ride. After two hours of riding I didn't feel beat up. Nothing but a smile!
I'm running her 1x9 to keep it simple yet allow me to go to the places I want to go...like up mountains.
Specs:
Frame: Niner MCR (color: rootbeer) size Medium, Reynolds 853 steel tubes
Fork: Niner Carbon fork (oh yeah baby)
Cranks: Middleburn 32 t with bashguard
Brakes: 2010 Magura Louise
Handlebar: Easton Monkey Lite XC carbon
Stem: FSA OS 190
Shifter: Sram X9
Rear Der.: Sram XO (BTW: I love this Sram stuff!)
Seat post: Easton EC90 carbon
Seat: Selle Italia Flow Carbonio SLR carbon (not sure about this seat yet, superlight, expensive, but might need a little more cush. The carbon rails and saddle make for a "springy" ride, I just wish there was a little more padding there)
Pedals: Wellgo MG-1
Bottom Bracket: Origin8
Wheels: Stan's 355 ZTR rims, DT Swiss 240s hubs
Tires: Stan's Raven 2.0 rear (tubeless), Stan's Raven 2.2 front (might run tubless, not sure yet)
Skewers: Salsa
Headset: Crank Bros. Iodine
Grips: some kind of bolt-on
Weight: 21.2 lbs
Final thoughts: For going rigid I'm sold on the idea that 29ers are the way to go. Yes this bike is probably THE most compliant bike to go rigid with, so maybe my perspective is biased. The jury is out on the seat. Questions remain if it will be "plush" enough for a rigid bike. Lastly, to go tubeless or not? The rear 2.0 was surprisingly soft running it tubeless and at 27 psi. I'm curious what the front 2.2 would feel like tubeless and at a similar pressure. Currently it's being run with a tube and at about 31-32 psi. I'm just not sure I want to deal with the set up and the sealant (the rear came already set up so I just shook the wheel and pumped it up and it worked!).
Can't wait for the next ride on this thing!
