Following the demise of my Mk1 RIP 9, or Bike of Doom as it became known as, here is it’s massively more convincing Mk2 replacement. More bike than I’ll ever need, and already bringing the reckless child out in me!

Yes, I know I need to rake the leaves.

Yes, I know I need to rake the leaves.

Is that your garden or do you work for the council ?

already bringing the reckless child out in me!

Well you’ve left the path – Parkie will be after you, you scamp!

Yeh, it’s my own garden, complete with my own alcoholics and turd trees.

Whats with the rh handle bar extension in pic 3?

Pretty sure that’s a tree, but you can just see one of my daytime drinkers lurking between the fork crown and brace.

MMM thought that was your mascot as thats where i fasten mine

sweeet bike

Enjoy – they are magnificent bikes. My one is raw as well and they age really well. After 2 years it still looks as good as new when I get around to cleaning it. I doubt you’ll go back to 26 now.
Once you get used to its handling you’ll break down all the myths regarding the poor handling of 29ers in the tight, tech and gnar.

It certainly doesn’t feel slow witted in the singletrack, although the weight shows on the climbs, and I’m not sure it’s the ideal bike for most of my local riding. A lot of fun though, and I can’t wait to take it to somewhere a bit more challenging.

The real 29er test for me will be the Scandal that I’m building up next week. If that handles as well as my Soda with all the other big wheel benefits, I have a feeling the Soda might be giving way for a Solaris next year. I don’t want to get ahead of myself mind…

You and George, united in bikes.

He can’t be all **** then.

😆

It certainly doesn’t feel slow witted in the singletrack, although the weight shows on the climbs, and I’m not sure it’s the ideal bike for most of my local riding. A lot of fun though, and I can’t wait to take it to somewhere a bit more challenging.

The issue I find is that they don’t feel quick but when you look at the times they are much quicker in the tech than your 26. Because the wheel doesn’t throw you around as much it feels slower than it is. I still ride my 26 on one SS regularly but when I compare my times around my local trail centre I am way quicker on the RIP even though it appears slower.

whats rear tyre clearance like? i have a turner sultan now, i was looking at the niner’s but the tyre clearance held me back

Hugor – I’m sure you’re right. On everything other than draggy climbs I was keeping up well with
my mates on hardtails and cross bikes on our local “xc lite” loop. I’m sure on anything more technical it would be loads faster. The thing I noticed about climbing is that keeping momentum is much more important than on a lighter 26″. Obvious point, I realise.

Handyman – I don’t think you’d have any problems with tyre clearance. I’ve read about people using 2.4″ and 2.5″ rated tyres with no issues. I think the racier Jet 9 has tighter clearances though.

Had a proper play on the bike this morning. It’s much more capable than I am. I need to get some proper autumn/winter tyres on it though, as the Nanoraptor that came on the back is sketchy as anything on wet leaves.