$749 (frame only)

25.8 pounds

Zero rear wheel travel (it's a hardtail, brothers)

Maxi test: March 2008 Click here to purchase the issue

Highlights: The Niner M.C.R. 9 is made from a custom drawn Reynolds 853 steel main triangle. The tubing is size specific, meaning the smaller frames should not offer a more harsh ride than the large frames, and the large frames will have the rigidity of the small frames. The top tube/head tube junction is strengthened with an open-ended gusset. The advantage of this design is that peak stress is directed away from the vertical axis of the tubes and towards the more lightly loaded sidewall areas. Chainstays and seatstays are also custom drawn with an S-bend that affords increased heel, mud and tire clearance.

Best quote: "All things being equal, a rider is going to put in a faster time on the M.C.R. 9 than he would riding a short-travel cross-country race bike on a typical downhill trail section. The big wheels roll over stuff that makes 26ers stutter, and it takes a bowling-ball-sized rock to shake it off course. Would the same rider beat his five-inch-travel trailbike time? It would be close."

Bottom line: Do we agree that total 29er domination is eminent? Not yet. Applying 29er wheels to long-travel trailbikes still has a number of hurdles to clear before the wrecking crew and the majority of trail riders will not be willing to give up on 26-inch wheels. Were the wrecking crew's nonbelievers converted by the Niner M.C.R. 9? Absolutely. When it comes to hardtails, the M.C.R. 9 takes the trail-riding experience to a whole new level.