Niner Jet 9 RDO 27.5+ 3 Star XT Complete Mountain Bike 2017

The latest addition to Niner's trail bike team is wait for it 27. 5 compatible. Given that Niner is literally named after wagon wheels, the Jet 9 RDO 27. 5 3 Star XT Complete Mountain Bike's brave departure may initially be unsettling to the brand faithful however, we're confident that the added capabilities of 27. 5 will more than win over any 29er heroes. The new wheel size isn't the only big change, though. The 2017 Jet 9 represents a radical departure from the previous Jet geometry. It's now longer across the top, slacker up front, steeper out back, and has 20 more millimeters of Continuously Varying Arc CVA travel. When combined with the plush traction of the 27. 5 platform, these changes equate to better climbing and more importantly a more aggressive approach to trail furniture typically reserved for all mountain bikes. As with most bikes in the current trail generation, the key element underwriting the new Jet 9's versatile geometry is its Boost rear axle. Bumping the spacing up to 148mm lets Niner chop 21mm off of chainstays by slamming the rear wheel up into the seat tube. The extra clearance also allows for 3in tires on 27. 5 rims, which equates to more traction across rain slicked roots and a bit more cushion when the terrain gets chunky. The steeper seat tube keeps you centered over the pedals for more efficient climbing while the included dropper post allows you to clear out some cockpit space so you can throw the bike around on descents. The 27. 5 Jet 9 also includes a deeper fork, running 140mm instead of the 29er model's 130. This keeps the geometry relatively in line across wheel sizes, though the 27. 5 version does shed an extra half degree in the head tube. This positions the 27. 5 Jet 9 that much closer to enduro nastiness. It also pairs nicely with the new iteration's longer reach and shorter stem, making for a bike that can ride roughshod across all manner of trail furniture without sacrificing responsive steering. Slack head tu.