Woohooo...Another RIP9 on the trails

[Vecsus]

Too lazy to write out anything new....so here is what I posted on the MTBR Niner forum.

A special thanks to Scud for the frame. Good to keep bikes and parts in the MORE family.

Last weekend I took delivery of a new-to-me RIP9 frame. A buddy of mine will be riding a JET9 this year and his old (2007) RIP needed a new home. I was more than happy to adopt it. I hadn't really planned on building up a new frame just yet and didn't have the parts lined up for a complete build. It broke my heart to do it, but I am temporarily using parts stolen from my Waltworks. I'm shipping out for a year in Izmir, Turkey in a couple months and will only be bringing one mountain bike with me. I decided the RIP9 would be the better choice.

Today I got a semi-decent ride on the RIP. When the trails are dry I will do a more robust shake-down ride and update my findings. My short ride today left me with a huge smile. I was a little concerned that I would not like the transition from my 23-pound full-rigid Waltworks to a 31-pound FS bike. I was worried about climbing and hammering on the flats. While I do notice a difference, the RIP does a much better job in climbing than my old Hollowpoint (DW-link suspension). On my rigid bike I'm always swerving around to find the smooth lines. With the RIP I was aiming for the worst lines just to see how it felt. The RIP definitely lives up to its reputation.

Edit: I will be paying close attention to any signs of flex. Before moving to Turkey I may spring for the improved linkage plates that come on the 2008 models. Although I doubt I am skilled enough to even detect flex.

Anyway....enough yapping. Here are some pics. Ignore the funky-colored bashguard....that's the color of my Waltworks. It will soon be replaced with a shiny polished aluminum guard. Most of the parts were swipped from the Walt...only the fork and bar are new. I'll post some thoughts on the F29 at a later time.

http://anderjam.typepad.com/photos/bike_pics/bike1.jpg

[eloach]

I had noticed the Jet9 is FINALLY available. 5.8 pounds listed frame weight.

Dirt Rag's test Rip9 was about 28 pounds with full XTR. The Jet9 is a pound less weight on the frame, so with XTR, does that make it about 27 ish pounds?

I thought an XTR outfitted Rip9 would have been closer to 26.5 and the Jet9 with XTR would be about 25 pounds. What am I missing in terms of the weight?

What is the lowest weight anyone has a dully 29er at? I'd like one around 25 pounds if I were going to buy it. The Mavic wheelset doesn't weigh much more than the 26" version, the tires, maybe 1/2 pound, so ???? Where are the bikes picking up the extra 2-3 pounds?

30 pounds is on the edge of heavy to me.

[Vecsus]

As far as the weight goes...I could shave probably shave off about two pounds without much expense. I have a heavy bar on there but it's very strong. Wheels, tubes, and tires are not exactly light either. Nothing on the bike is designed for lightweight. Hell, I could shave about 100 grams with a smaller front rotor. I wanted a bike that could take some abuse. For the next year I will not be in a place where replacement parts are easy to come by.

As far as getting a FS 29er down to 25 pounds...it can be done but it's costly and sometimes counter-productive. And never ever trust claimed weights. They are usually done on small or medium bikes with expensive parts. When I read a review I mentally add 2-3 pounds to most bikes assuming an owner is going to be a bit more reasonable and use some of their favorite parts rather than the ideal bits the companies use when they send out bikes for test and review.

30 pounds is past the edge of heavy if you are aiming for a 25-pound FS bike. But a lot of trail bikes (all mountain, trail, XC...or whatever the newest label is) are in the 35-38 pound range. It's all about what you expect from a bike. Light, stong, cheap....pick two.

[rciracing]

29er Tires and tubes are places to save weight. Most tires are over 750 grams. You can get some under 600 grams so thats a half a pound there for the set. Plus depending on the tube you buy, you can save half the weight again which would add up to another half a pound. Grips are another easy place to save weight.

[jvanbrecht]

When I got my RIP9 it was already built, but it comes in at about 27 pounds, large frame, mostly X0 components, carbon cranks (would not have been my first choice but I have struck them on rocks a number of times and so far no major chips or damage), carbon handlebars.. juicy ultimates. That pretty much sums it up, but like I said, it came that way, so I have no real idea where the weight savings are coming from (with the exception of the carbon components).

[DaveG]

I have no real idea where the weight savings are coming from (with the exception of the carbon components).

Perhaps the scale you used ;)

[mjbrox]

When I got my RIP9 it was already built, but it comes in at about 27 pounds, large frame, mostly X0 components, carbon cranks (would not have been my first choice but I have struck them on rocks a number of times and so far no major chips or damage), carbon handlebars.. juicy ultimates. That pretty much sums it up, but like I said, it came that way, so I have no real idea where the weight savings are coming from (with the exception of the carbon components).

The devil is definitely in the details. All those carbon shifty bits will eventually add up.

What fork and wheels do you have?

My 08 XL RIP cam in at 30.5 with really heavy pedals.

My build is as follows

XT Cranks
X-9 Shifter and Rear Derailleur
Thompson Stem and Seatpost
Rock Shock Reba SL fork
Avid Jucy-5’s
XT Hubs
Stans Arch Rims
Specialized Captain

Since my frame is an 08, it is a little heavier, then the size is a bit heavier as well.

Honestly, I was shocked to see my bike be 30.5, I would like to get it on a better scale.

[jvanbrecht]

I weighed mine on my bike stand scale, that I zero'd before weighing it... :P (but I will weight it again, just for you Dave :) ... but I am cleaning it first.. those grams of mud all count)

As for wheels, I have a King hub rear laced to delgado race race rims in the rear, and a maverick hub up front, same rims. I also suspect a pounds worth of weight savings from the duc32, which is much lighter then it looks.

(edit)
The build...
Large Glow in the Dark blue Rip9 (the glowiness adds to the light weight :D )
Maverick DUC32 fork
King/Maverick hubs (rear/front) laced to Delgado race rims with Maxxis Ignitors
FSA Carbon Cranks
Monkylite Carbon bar
Juicy Ultimates
X9 rear derailer (I got a replacement X0.. but its still in the box on display on my mantle heh..)
rest is all a mix of x0/xtr
King headset
std shimano cheap spd's


Thats what I can remember off the top of my head... been so busy lately.. its been 2 months since I looked at my bike :(

[mjbrox]

As for wheels, I have a King hub rear laced to delgado race race rims in the rear, and a maverick hub up front, same rims. I also suspect a pounds worth of weight savings from the duc32, which is much lighter then it looks.

That is definitly where you weight savings are. My hubs and fork are both very heavy

[Vecsus]

I should add that my weight was computed using the infamous bathroom scale method. If i weigh it again tomorrow it might gain or lose a pound. I need to drag it down to a shop for a proper scale.

I'm contemplating a swap in my stem/bar combo. I was trying to avoid a big pile of spacers under the stem but that is just an appearance concern. Dropping back to the 180mm rotor would also bring the weight back down a little.

Of course I could scale back on my beer consumption instead of worrying about the bike weight.......nahh!

[jvanbrecht]

I'm contemplating a swap in my stem/bar combo. I was trying to avoid a big pile of spacers under the stem but that is just an appearance concern. Dropping back to the 180mm rotor would also bring the weight back down a little.

I am sure your family jewels will beg to differ when they clip that monolith as you go over your handlebars :)

[Vecsus]

I am sure your family jewels will beg to differ when they clip that monolith as you go over your handlebars :)

I'll cut the steer tube down once I figure out my final stem/bar combo. I'll just ride carefully until that column of spacers is cut back to a safe height. But I find your concern for my family jewels a bit ....ummm.....reassuringly uncomfortable

[jvanbrecht]

I'll cut the steer tube down once I figure out my final stem/bar combo. I'll just ride carefully until that column of spacers is cut back to a safe height. But I find your concern for my family jewels a bit ....ummm.....reassuringly uncomfortable

Its not really yours specifically, but rather family jewels in general, having been the victim of on an untimely connection of my own jewels and the stem of my bike. It was a rather uncomfortable experience to say the least.

[DaveG]

Too lazy to write out anything new....so here is what I posted on the MTBR Niner forum.

A special thanks to Scud for the frame. Good to keep bikes and parts in the MORE family.

Last weekend I took delivery of a new-to-me RIP9 frame. A buddy of mine will be riding a JET9 this year and his old (2007) RIP needed a new home. I was more than happy to adopt it. I hadn't really planned on building up a new frame just yet and didn't have the parts lined up for a complete build. It broke my heart to do it, but I am temporarily using parts stolen from my Waltworks. I'm shipping out for a year in Izmir, Turkey in a couple months and will only be bringing one mountain bike with me. I decided the RIP9 would be the better choice.

Today I got a semi-decent ride on the RIP. When the trails are dry I will do a more robust shake-down ride and update my findings. My short ride today left me with a huge smile. I was a little concerned that I would not like the transition from my 23-pound full-rigid Waltworks to a 31-pound FS bike. I was worried about climbing and hammering on the flats. While I do notice a difference, the RIP does a much better job in climbing than my old Hollowpoint (DW-link suspension). On my rigid bike I'm always swerving around to find the smooth lines. With the RIP I was aiming for the worst lines just to see how it felt. The RIP definitely lives up to its reputation.

Edit: I will be paying close attention to any signs of flex. Before moving to Turkey I may spring for the improved linkage plates that come on the 2008 models. Although I doubt I am skilled enough to even detect flex.

Anyway....enough yapping. Here are some pics. Ignore the funky-colored bashguard....that's the color of my Waltworks. It will soon be replaced with a shiny polished aluminum guard. Most of the parts were swipped from the Walt...only the fork and bar are new. I'll post some thoughts on the F29 at a later time.

http://anderjam.typepad.com/photos/bike_pics/bike1.jpg


That would be a shame. Nice looking bike BTW; I'll bet it rips.

[Vecsus]

No...I still have the Waltworks but it's nekkid right now....I had originally planned to build up the RIP over a period of a month or so. But my assignment changed my timeline and I needed to build up the RIP so I can be sure everything works before I go. Besides, my wife would beat me senselesss if I had tried to build the RIP up from scratch considering I'm not taking the Walt to Turkey with me.

I envision about a 50/50 split on riding the Walt versus the RIP. A FS 29er is overkill on a lot of the local trails. On the other hand, some trails (Gambrill, Shed, Liz Furnace) are murder on full rigid. Yeah, I know several MORE members do it but I'm honest enough to admit I'm a wimp sometimes. The Walt will remain my lightweight XC machine and the RIP will be my basher. best of both worlds.

[DaveG]

No...I still have the Waltworks but it's nekkid right now....I had originally planned to build up the RIP over a period of a month or so. But my assignment changed my timeline and I needed to build up the RIP so I can be sure everything works before I go. Besides, my wife would beat me senselesss if I had tried to build the RIP up from scratch considering I'm not taking the Walt to Turkey with me.

I envision about a 50/50 split on riding the Walt versus the RIP. A FS 29er is overkill on a lot of the local trails. On the other hand, some trails (Gambrill, Shed, Liz Furnace) are murder on full rigid. Yeah, I know several MORE members do it but I'm honest enough to admit I'm a wimp sometimes. The Walt will remain my lightweight XC machine and the RIP will be my basher. best of both worlds.

I rode my KM rigid in the 'shed quite a bit right after I got it. I had to go to the doctor because of numbness issues in my hands and feet. I ride the FS 29er there almost exclusively now and my extremities are much happier for it.

I'm glad you kept the Walt; it was a sweet looking bike.