Forum menu
All day pedalability / downcountry leanings??
With the great price of the aether 9 frames I’m seriously considering one but have questions.
currently have a hardtail that’s basically knackered but what I ride 90% of the time and a 27.5 rocket that I love but rarely ride anything gnar enough to justify it so it sits in the shed.
thinking about a single bike that’s 29 and “fun” to ride on the mellow local stuff and not as heavy as the rocket to ride up exmoor hills and less of a slog for all day trips round afan etc.
Probably what I “want” is a cotic flare being a cotic fanboy but no chance of that kind of spend in the near future. My friend just bought an ibis Ripley which he’s loving on our trails although I probably enjoy descending a bit quicker than him
I have a pike and some hunt 29er wheels so can go frame only and steal the rest of the bits from the rocket. not many options second hand for a 5’6 person either.
so is the aether 9 still too much bike?
Thoughts / learned opinions please….,
Privateer 141/161 are on offer at the moment.. Not 'light' as such, but cracking things in a similar context to the Bird.
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/aether-9c-vs-9a/
There are a few comments on here might help, see the comments on the suspension especially.
As an along down and up bike I really enjoy my 9c, in part I think that's because it actually fits me mind.
I'm terms of the Ripley vs the aether I don't think there will be much to pick between them to be honest though I've not ridden both so purely going on what I read when deciding on the aether. (size made the decision for me in the end).
Love mine. Pedals up and jumps better than my hardtail (sentier). I put a 150mm lyrik on it, but haven't quite got the suspension tuned right, and it was using all the rear travel and not much of the front, and upping the shock pressure has lost some of the suppleness. Done a couple of big (for me) days in the Peak and felt great at the end, the ML suits my short legs and long body.
…better be good, I’ve got one being delivered this morning 👊
Adding a Megneg made a real difference to the plushness of my Aether 7 scruffythefirst, definitely worth a try.
Have a 9C, absolutely love it.
Way faster than the Aeris 27.5 it replaced in all but the *most* chundery and rough of sections.
Did the 'Ardrock on mine; ~25 miles and 5000 feet of climbing and it gobbled the lot without issue.
small Cotics on sale https://www.cotic.co.uk/news/2023/small-sale-price-drop
All day pedalability / downcountry leanings??
Pedals fine all day. With a Pike and Deluxe Ultimate though I can't find a setup that is both comfy and has good mid-stroke support, so I add/remove 5psi from each depending on the ride.
It's a trail bike. More of a short-travel enduro bike, not a beefed up cross country bike.
single bike that’s 29 and “fun” to ride on the mellow local stuff
It's good for this, way more fun than an AM9.
5’6 person
Your dropper length might be limited by the rear wheel hitting the saddle at full compression.
Privateer 141/161 are on offer at the moment
Those are AM9 level bikes though.
Thanks all. I’ve taken a risk and ordered one. I think I’ll probably like it a lot.
@bikesandboots I had the same issues with my Deluxe Select+ until I added a MegNeg. I love it now - supple and supportive.
The wheel doesn’t hit the seat at full compression if I have about 5mm of post showing and the seat 6-7mm forward from centre (which I do for the climbing position). You can definitely make most of that 395mm seat tube 🙂 I’m just under 5’8 on a medium for reference.
@ceepers I find my 9c nice to ride on mellow trails. Mostly I like popping off stuff and doing wheelies like a 50yo tw*t. I just didn’t comment earlier because I’ve not ridden enough modern MTBs to know how it compares. But I’m sure you’ll love it, and it’s a total bargain at the moment