Niner WFO 9 Part 2

Posted by FatBob on November 22, 2009

Niner WFO 9 Part 2

If you have been following the slow moving progress of my personal test of the WFO 9 you will have got all the climbing info you can possibly want.

Now we move onto the WFO 9's real strengths. This post will cover Rock Gardens.

5.5 inches of travel and 29 inch wheels destroys some rock gardens!

I knew it would handle our test rock garden well, I just did not know how well. I feel like the suspension came alive and felt completely at home.

The style of riding rock gardens is a little different than other bikes. Other bikes you look for a clean line, or go around large obstacles (or walk) . With the WFO9 just shove the bike into the rock and hold on. On all but the largest rocks I found this to be true. Not having to worry as much about getting a wheel stuck in a rut or between rocks is confidence inspiring. I have nothing to report as a weakness.

The head angle feels right for a bike that is designed with descending in mind. I still have not read the geometry. Feel wise, it feels slack without the front end flopping around. I am personally not having any issues or wishes with the angle of the front end. The bike always feels easy to control.

Something else worth noting is that I never feel that I am fighting suspension to get the bike to do what I want. Long travel bikes typically have a level of travel to get through to be able to lift the front end up or bunny hop. That is the best I can describe it. I don't get this sensation with the WFO 9. It is really easy to wheelie as long as you can get a crank stroke in. Trying to lift up and manual the bike is a bit of a chore. I believe this is due to it's over all length not fighting the suspension.

The bike is very stable. The fastest speed I have been able to get it to has not even begun to phase the bike.

If I had to spec this bike over again I would opt for a coil shock. The RP23 rear shock offers a pleasant thud when you're riding over small features but does not erase them. I believe the coil shock on the WFO 9 should be more sensitive. I would also prefer the ability to control bottom out resistance. If you know you will be jumping stuff, a little more progression at the end of the WFO 9's travel would be nice. The RP23 is more of a XC trail shock, so if you are buying the WFO 9 I recommend going with a coil shock or at least the DHX air. It just makes more sense on this bike.

So in a nut shell as of this point If you like big rocks and are the type of rider that would rather plow through or muscle through an obstacle than go around it, the WFO 9 is pretty much ideal for you.

We continue to test the WFO 9 and I still have a couple of guys that need more time on it, so more will come later.