New Build: Stan's NoTubes Crest 29 to DT Swiss 240s Mountain Wheels

When an email came in for a new Niner Air9 Carbon, I knew special wheels were needed.  This bike is going to a great home that already has a beautiful Independent Fabrication SSR that we built a while back.  That SSR is sporting some DT Swiss wheels we built (not pictured), and since the rider was so happy with them the natural choice was 240s hubs for this new build.

Actually, lets check out this IF SSR.  Custom paint all over, tons of little custom touches, Super Record:

Now you see where we were starting and why these wheels needed to be something nice.  The choice of a rear 240s hub is simple.  DT Swiss engagement and quality are well known, there's no debate there.  The front 240s hub is also a perfect match for the SID XX fork since it has a 15mm Maxle thru axle.

The wheels were built with DT Swiss Competition spokes laced 3x all the way around.  Competition spokes offer light weight and excellent durability and stiffness.  DT Swiss ProLoc black brass nipples were used to match the black theme and to provide a solid base to work from.

Rotors are Shimano IceTech XT, which in my opinion are setting a new standard.  I've never used a brake set that was so powerful and so functionally flawless.  They are a little heavier than some of their counterparts, but will more than make up for their weight with their unbelievable performance.

Cassette is also Shimano XT, an 11-36.  Wide range cassettes have opened the door to 2x10 drivetrains and Shimano has provided on that front.  With excellent shifting and a light action, XT shifting provides great feedback without too much effort placed on your thumbs.

The bare wheelset came in at 1,580g, about 30g lighter than I expected.  Always a welcome surprise!

Re-build: PowerTap SL+ Disc to Stan's NoTubes Crest 29

This is my personal rear wheel.  The original only lasted a couple of weeks, all due to my impatience.  I made it less than 10 minutes into a trail ride when I hit a piece of glass and cut a roughly 9mm slice in the tire.  When it didn't seal I decided to ride it back to the car flat.  That's when I clipped a rock and dented my rim.

It's held up well with a tube, actually.  But I strongly prefer tubeless, especially with a Stan's rim.  So I ordered a new Crest rim, and re-laced it.  About an hour later I was ready to roll with power on my mountain bike.

The PowerTap SL+ is laced 3x/3x to a NoTubes Crest 29 rim with black DT Swiss Revolution spokes and black DT Swiss ProLoc brass nipples.  The wheel is set up tubeless with Stan's Yellow Tape and ZTR valve.  Tire is a Maxxis Aspen 29x2.1.

Follow up: 2012 Giro Privateer Mountain Shoes

Another ride in, and another happy rider.  The Privateer continues to impress.

Looks like we may stock these in the near future, though most likely in black instead of white....you know, for the masses.  Not everyone is fancy enough for white mountain shoes, it takes a certain kind of lad.

IF and Alchemy at NAHBS

The North American Handmade Bike Show is one of my favorite times of year.  I wish I could have gone this year, but instead I spent about 72 hours straight on social media following photos being posted of the show.

Now that it's long-since wrapped up, we have a little info to share.  First off, Independent Fabrication came to the show with a killer new SSR Max (which we have scheduled to arrive on Monday), an outrageous single speed townie, an over-the-top Ti Factory Lightweight CX bike with disc brakes, and a pair of sweet mountain bikes.  More info can be found here.

Alchemy came away with a highly-coveted "Best Carbon Bike" award for their custom Carbon Aero Road frame.  Having had one in the shop in the fall, I can attest to the quality of the frame.  The design is beautiful, the quality is stunning.

*Alchemy photo credit to Cog Blog

Niner Jet9 RDO Carbon IN STOCK!

Yes, we have one.  And only one.  It's a large, licorice, Jet9 RDO Carbon.  Don't want to wait months for your own?  Give us a shout.  Orders for other colors or sizes placed now aren't expected to arrive until well into spring.

Best of luck finding another one!

Contact us for pricing....

Niner Carbon Air9 RDO - FIRST!

You may have seen this first on Bikerumor.com, but our order was in first.  Yes, that's right, there's only one shop that can claim getting the first Air9 RDO, and that's us.  A large, licorice version of the complete bike with XTR, American Classic 29 Race wheels, SID World Cup XX fork, and a Niner cockpit.

If you want it, speak up.  Only 50 are being made in the first run and they're all sold.  Demand is expected to be like the Jet9 RDO, which means the wait will be looooong......

Rear brake mount has been moved inside the stays.  This is said to allow Niner to use less material to reinforce the stays, reducing weight.

The CYA bottom bracket system was left behind on this model and instead uses SRAMs PF30 system.  30mm spindles are lighter and stiffer.  The system also allows for a full carbon bottom bracket shell, saving more weight.

Niner has done away with the previous Air9 Carbon cable routing and instead uses a full housing run.  You may not care about this, but I am thrilled.  After having built a dozen or so Air9 Carbon frames, this is HUGE.

This is the color of our forthcoming Air9 RDO, LICORICE!  While the green is something sexy, green just doesn't work for me.  I'd love to see this thing in Tang eventually.