Thoughts on Niner bike

[cmbicycles]

I am looking at an XL Niner Rip 9, 2009 vintage. QR rear wheel, thru axle front, CK hubs and dropper post. Price seems good, it's a few years newer than my 04 Scalpel. Will the QR rear be noticeably flexible, or will the 29" wheel and more travel trump the potential downsides compared to newer bikes? Anyone ride a similar model year?

[SlowPokePete]

I wouldn't worry at all about the QR's...

SPP

[josephr]

QR's may not be on their way out, but there's no question in my mind they're plenty strong and substantial in the ways of mountain biking. They shouldn't be a deal-killer. The RIP 9 is a sweet bike no matter what year model it is.

[Jaybee]

That's a perfectly good bike, and the QR wouldn't put me off it. Check the seatpost area for cracks especially on bigger bikes - a lot of alloy mid travel bikes of that era developed stress risers around the toptube/seattube junction.

[45K10]

^This definitely check for cracks in the areas Jaybee mentioned. It is a pretty sweet bike if the price is right.

[cmbicycles]

Asking $650, which seems like a good price. In talks with the seller about the other stuff. Can't check it out in person, but additional photos and a closer visual on the sellers end have been requested.

[p nut]

QR is no problem. I'd be more concerned about suspension rebuild and bushings/pivots.

[Burning Pines]

650 is pocket change for a nice mountain bike, seems worth it!

[COYO1]

I have a 2011 RIP9 with a CK rear QR hub that has been bulletproof. Mine is a 10s. If the bike you are looking at has the original components, a 2009 would likely be a 9s. The 9s components (especially SRAM x9 and up) were also pretty bulletproof. Sounds like a good deal to me.