This is Steve with another Bikes We Ride from Maklin Bike Shop. I’ve been riding the Niner RIP 29er for a couple of years now, and this is actually the second RIP I’ve spent meaningful time on. My first was the 27.5 version, and while that bike was fun, I’m 100% a fan of the 29er. It fits the way I ride and gives me more confidence on rowdier terrain.
Video review
History & setups we’ve tested
Races ridden on this bike:
- None
Wheelsets used:
- Stock DT Swiss 1200 XMC
Tires we’ve ridden:
- Schwalbe Hans Dampf (front)
- Schwalbe Nobby Nic (rear)
Drivetrain configurations:
- Originally: XO AXS electronic drivetrain with carbon crank
- Currently: GX AXS derailleur + standard GX 12-speed cassette
- Current crank: Truvativ Descendant aluminum
- Often install either power-meter pedals or a power-meter crank
Photo gallery (optional):
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Drivetrain
The bike originally came as a “Five-Star Limited” build: XO AXS shifting, carbon crank, XO cassette, and top-end components. Those parts eventually found their way onto one of our XC bikes, and this RIP has become more of the “fun bike.” It’s currently running a GX AXS derailleur, GX cassette, and a basic Descendant crank. Simple, reliable, and gets the job done.
I often ride it with a power meter—either pedals or a crank-based unit. I like having power on my bikes, even on a trail bike. Not necessary, but helpful.
Wheels and tires
I’ve kept the stock Schwalbe Hans Dampf and Nobby Nic tires on it. They’ve been super dependable and have held up well everywhere I’ve taken them: New Mexico, Arizona, Moab—you name it. The front tire is more aggressive than I strictly need, but it adds confidence, and I like how the combo handles different terrain.
Cockpit and fit
The bike came with a 40mm stem, which I swapped to a 50mm for better fit and handling. During a winter shock service, I also ended up with orange Fox caps and swapped on an orange RaceFace stem to match. The bars are carbon, and the bike now has a Fox dropper instead of the original KS post. The Fox matches the Kashima suspension and has been trouble-free.
Fit-wise, this setup works really well for how I ride. Upright enough for comfort on long days, but aggressive enough to push hard on descents and technical sections.
Braking performance
The bike runs SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes. They’ve been great—reliable feel and consistent performance. Stock was 180/180 rotors, but I bumped the front to a 200mm for more power on heavier, steeper terrain.
Additional notes
This RIP 29er has been the bike that expanded what I was comfortable riding. Bigger drops, rougher terrain, higher speeds—it all came together on this bike. That confidence carried over into my XC riding too, whether it was on a Spearfish, Air 9 RDO, Rocket, or now the ZFS bikes.
The suspension is a huge part of that. With full control of high- and low-speed rebound and compression, it can be tuned for punchy climbs, rough features, and steep descents. When it’s set up properly, this bike handles almost anything I have any business riding at 45 years old with a business to run and a family waiting for me.
Niner RIP frames don’t have a UDH and can’t run Transmission, but honestly, for a “party bike” like this, mechanical or AXS is plenty. GX AXS upgrade kits were cheap, so that’s why it’s running one now. Transmission wouldn’t add much to what I use this bike for.
This is the bike I grab when I don’t know exactly what kind of terrain I’m getting into or when I want something forgiving that keeps me out of trouble. It’s not a dedicated race bike, but it climbs well, handles rowdy terrain, and is simply fun to ride.
Final thoughts
The Niner RIP 29er is a fantastic all-around trail bike. It’s more capable than I typically need, but that’s the point—it keeps me out of trouble and makes riding technical terrain fun instead of stressful. If you want a “one bike that does almost everything” trail machine, this is a strong option.