AIR 9 - FRAME

Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee - Cross-country quickness with a tough guy trail bike attitude, available in this accessible aluminium hardtail.

In stock

 

To AIR 9 is human

Durable, affordable, aluminum

If a cross-country race bike met a rugged trail bike in the woods, their love child might look a lot like our AIR 9 aluminum hardtail. This bike blends the agility and efficiency of a pedal-friendly XC bike with the versatility, toughness and capability of a rowdy trail rig.

Versatility x durability = maximum fun factor

Let's face it. The AIR 9, Niner's lightweight aluminum hardtail, has always been capable. So how do you make capable even better? For one thing, we keep the excellent qualities of Niner's tried and true, hydroformed aluminum. Lightweight and snappy, poppy and peppy, the AIR 9 has plenty of stiffness to get you up to speed when you stomp on the pedals.

Next, apply our [R]evolution geometry which puts the rider in the sweet, balanced spot on the bike and the ride experience goes up, way up. Then, add Boost 148 spacing because tire and wheel options are a good thing. Top it off with internal routing for a dropper post and you've made one capable bike even more capable.

Run it geared. Run it singlespeed. Comfortable enough for all day riding and quick enough to pin it at the races, the new AIR 9 handles what you throw at it. Genetically engineered? Maybe not. But it sure is fun to ride.

Not just any old aluminum

This modern metal alloy is tried and true. We’ve been working with aluminum and other alloys for more than a decade, and we’re proud of our know-how. The resulting hydroformed AIR 9 frame makes the most of the material properties to blend stiffness and comfort in a durable package.

Fitted with a 120mm fork and with room for oversized, 29x2.4” (or 27.5x3.0”) tires, this bike is fit for any trail. It’s optimized for modern trail riding, long days in the saddle, and all around good times.

“Trail country” geometry

Blurring the lines between modern trail bike geometry and traditional cross-country geometry, the AIR 9 occupies a niche we lovingly call “trail country.” If you’re doing a combination of long pedaling rides, stiff climbs, extended descents, and spicy technical sections, you’ll love what we’ve done here. “Trail country” geometry translates to modern trail manners when you need them most, with no sacrifice of efficiency or agility.

The roomy cockpit has a comfortable reach for short stem lengths, giving you quick handling and plenty of maneuverability to blast through rock gardens and cut hard corners. The steep 74-degree seat angle gets you centered over the BB for climbing and pairs nicely with the short 430mm chainstay length for supreme pedaling efficiency.. And of course, the slack, 68-degree head tube angle and long wheelbase contribute stability and self-confidence when you’re dropping into the steepest lines.

Tire clearance

Need room to roam? We got it. The AIR 9 has clearance to run your choice of 29er or 27.5+ wheels and tires.

Lifetime warranty

Ride, race, rally. We have you covered with warranty service, small parts, and a support team that actually answers the phone. Read More

Biocentric 30

Do you yearn for simplicity? Our patented BioCentric bottom bracket system gives you the freedom to easily go single-speed or geared. Read More

Protection where you need it

We use the smoothest, most durable pivot bearings in the industry. Made by Enduro, they’re built for life.

Hydroformed aluminum frame

Welded, hydroformed aluminum yields a strong, lightweight frame with tube shapes for optimized ride quality.

More Information
Available Frame SizesXS, SM, MD, LG, XL
Available ColorsSilver/Baja Blue
FrameNiner Hydroformed and Welded 6061-T6 Aluminum
Tech Specs
Rear suspension traveln/aMaximum front suspension120mm
Shock sizen/aShock mounting hardwaren/a
Suggested shock sagn/aSeatpost size
30.9mm
Seat collar size34.9mmCable routingexternal
Front derailleur type34.9 side swing, front pullHeadset size1.125" X 1.5" Tapered Integrated (Campy Style) Head Tube, Headset Included, Cane Creek Description: IS42/28.6 | IS52/40
Pivot bearing specsn/aChainring compatibilityCompatible With Standard 1X, 2X And 3X Systems
Maximum chainring size1x max chain ring size: 34T - Boost Chainring RecommendedQ-Factor168mm
ISCG compatibilitynoBottom bracket type73mm PF30 BB Shell (Adapters Required For BSA Type BBs); compatible with Biocentric 30 BB
Brake mount typePost mountMaximum rear rotor size180mm
Rear wheel spacingBoost 148mmRear wheel through-axle spec
Front wheel axle spacingBoost 110mmFront wheel through-axle spec
Max tire size29x2.4 or 27.5x3.0 Tire (Tire Sizes Vary By Brand, Some Tires May Not Fit)
Geometry
Geometry Chart
(A) TT Length (B) Seat Tube Length (C) Chainstay Length Actual (D) Horizontal Chainstay (E) Front Center (F) Wheelbase (G) BB Drop (H) Headtube Length (I) Headtube Angle (J) Seattube Angle (K) Standover Height (L) Reach (M) Stack
Metric
Fork Travel (MM) 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120
XS 570 356 430 427 678 1102 52.0 100 68.0 74.0 698 395 610
SM 585 394 430 427 693 1117 52.0 100 68.0 74.0 729 410 610
MD 603 419 430 427 711 1136 52.0 110 68.0 74.0 748 425 620
LG 627 483 430 427 737 1162 52.0 125 68.0 74.0 800 445 634
XL 652 533 430 427 764 1189 52.0 145 68.0 74.0 841 465 652
Imperial
Fork Travel (MM) 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120
XS 22.4 14.0 169 16.8 26.7 43.4 2.05 3.9 68.0 74.0 27.5 15.5 24.0
SM 23.0 15.5 169 16.8 27.3 44.0 2.05 3.9 68.0 74.0 28.7 16.1 24.0
MD 23.7 16.5 169 16.8 28.0 44.7 2.05 4.3 68.0 74.0 29.5 16.7 24.4
LG 24.7 19.0 169 16.8 29.0 45.8 2.05 4.9 68.0 74.0 31.5 17.5 24.9
XL 25.7 21.0 169 16.8 30.1 46.8 2.05 5.7 68.0 74.0 33.1 18.3 25.7
Sizing

Frame Size Recommendations by Height

X-SM

5'0"–5'5"
1.53–1.65M

SM

5'3"–5'9"
1.6–1.75M

MED

5'8"–6'0"
1.73–1.83M

LG

5'11"–6'3"
1.8–1.91M

X-LG

6'3"–6'7"
1.91–2.01M

Inseam Sizing

Bike inseam sizing example chart

For riders who fall between sizes, we recommend sizing down for a more maneuverable ride or sizing up for more stability.