It is that time of year again - all the hot new gear starts appearing in our warehouse, and then disappearing faster than we can say "boo!". Case in point - we just got our first shipment of 2012 SRAM Rock Shox forks.  

These 100mm models are a great fit with our hardtails and with the Jet 9 and Jet 9 RDO full suspension frames. 

For the first time, Rock Shox's World Cup quality SID platform is available in a 29er option. For those of you wondering what the excitement is all about, highlights include:

• SID and Reba now share an external chassis 
• New lighter weights
• 15mm Maxle Option
• New Motion Control DNA compression damper in SID models 

Want more tech? Bike Rumor has a great write up on the updates to Rock Shox's 2012 29er forks.   

For those of you waiting for the SID World Cup, we are expecting our first shipment in mid-September.  

Call your Niner dealer to order - forks have begun shipping and are first come first serve.  

(SRAM forks must be purchased with frame) 

>> NEW REVIEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD - JET 9 RDO, JET 9, R.I.P. 9, W.F.O. 9 

   "The R.I.P. 9 was already a favorite trailbike when compared
to any previously tested 26- or 29-inch-wheeled bike.
The addition of a 2x10 drivetrain and an adjustable-height
seatpost sweetened an already sweet deal. The R.I.P. 9 is an
intelligent choice for any terrain we have ever ridden. Where
we ride most often, on Southern California's weird mix of
loose sand and adobe hardpack trails, the R.I.P. 9 has an even
more distinct advantage."

-  Mountain Bike Action

In Spain, we have the first print review (it is very positive) of the Jet 9 RDO with some great riding pics:

Finally, from Germany, we have received a rating of "Sehr Gut" for each of our alloy suspension bikes from Bike, the most thorough and scientific bike reviewer in Europe (we can't wait to send a Jet 9 RDO in for test!). For those that understand German, check the video below for more details from Bike's 29er full suspension shoot-out.

Check out the complete reviews and ratings on our website. Niner keeps a library of complete, unedited reviews for each bike online for your perusal, just look under the reviews tab on any bike page at www.ninerbikes.com. 

One key Niner philosophy is "Fewer Parts, Fewer Problems". We believe that reducing the number of parts in a bicycle will lead to better functionality in the long run. A good example of this approach can be found on the Jet 9 RDO 's linkage interface, where the bearings sit against co-molded washers. In our alloy designs, this interface requires separate washers that can make installation and maintenance take a bit longer. On the carbon frame, we had the opportunity to simplify this interface, so we took advantage of it.  

While this may seem like a small thing, it is by applying the same philosophy over and over again that we are able to create bikes that are low maintenance and reliable.   

For those of you who know our racer, Dejay Birtch, it will come as no surprise that he decided to ride the Tour Divide this year. For those of you who don't know Dejay or the Tour, let's share some facts:

·  Dejay rode for 20 days,  17 hours along the length of North America's  Great Divide Mountain Bike Route .  

· Dejay rode the North to South version, starting in Banff, Alberta and finishing in Antelope Wells, New Mexico.  

· Dejay rode on a fully ridged SIR 9 steel singlespeed.  

· Racers are required to be self supported and only utilize services available to all racers in towns.   

· By the end of the route, Dejay had climbed almost 200,000 vertical feet.   The fun stuff should come directly from Dejay - he called in at regular intervals, here are two of his most interesting calls:

We are really proud of Dejay's accomplishment - as a member of the Niner / Stan's / Ergon team, he is out there doing exactly what we want - riding the hell out of his bike and loving it.  

Introducing Brad Cole - for those of you who didn't meet him at the Crusher in the Tusher last week (where he won the singlespeed category), Brad Cole is quickly becoming known as Niner's newest fast guy. Originally from Kansas, Brad moved to moved to Colorado for school and for the amazing bike racing that the mountain states have to offer. 5 years on, he is a fixture on the local road racing, mountain and cyclocross scenes.   

Our newest addition to Niner's Rider Service crew has a background as a teacher. Brad uses his experience to make his communication with Niner's riders as clear and helpful as possible. "I really like all the people I meet working in the bike industry, it is such a positive crew and it is fun to be in a mountain bike company." 

When he isn't riding, Brad is off in Colorado's backcountry on his tele skis. but no matter what the season is, his favorite place is the same - Colorado's high country. In the summer he rides the same area on his singlespeed - in particular "American Lakes to Thunder Pass up at Cameron".   

When asked about his favorite Niner - he said that he loves the Air 9 Carbon , but is secretly falling lin love with the Jet 9 - "I have had a lot of fun on that bike lately".  

And as for his best bike advice, he has two tidbits of wisdom:

"If you are tired, push harder on the pedals, you will get home faster. Works best on singlespeeds."   

"Wear sunscreen"