Neko Mulally Takes His 2nd Pro GRT Win Of The Season

Fresh off his strongest start to a World Cup season, where Neko is currently ranked 16th in the Overall, the Trek World Racing rider went to Windham, New York, to race a round of the Pro GRT Downhill Series. After winning in a round of the Pro GRT in Plattekill in late May, Neko was aiming to use this race more as training during his World Cup summer break, but was happy to take a nice win of more than 7 secs over US rider Logan Bingelli.

After the race, Neko had this to say: "There wasn't a huge field here for the event, but it was a fun and a great training race for me. A lot of my friends were there and my brother raced as well. The organizers used another track, not the World Cup track, but it was really fun and seemed to be more technical and a slower average speed. I won the Super D on Saturday night beating a bunch of the XC guys! I was actually last after the first climb then passed them all on the downhill haha! In the Downhill I had a relaxed and great run, and was proud to take the win, and I was stoked to have my brother on the podium with me in 3rd."

Neko used the event for training and is looking forward to coming over to Andorra at the end of this month for Round 3 of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, which will be held on a brand new track in Vallnord.

Niner ROS 9 Announced

• ROWDY STEEL RADNESS FROM THE 29ER-ONLY MOUNTAIN BIKE COMPANY

• ZERO MM OF SUSPENSION IS EFFICIENT IN EVERY CHAINRING

• 44MM OS HEADTUBE IS COMPATIBLE WITH 120–140MM FORKS

• GEOMETRY IS SLACK AND LOW WITH EXTRA-SHORT CHAINSTAYS

• BIOCENTRIC II ENABLES PERFECT SINGLESPEED SETUP AND ALLOWS GEOMETRY FINE-TUNING

• FORGED FRAME DETAILS AND INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL DROPPER POST ROUTING

• 142MM X 12MM REAR SPACING

The hardtail for riders that don’t like hardtails. No twitchy high-posting around features you would hit on your “real” bike. No need to back off because your XC racing head angle prevents solid roosting. The ROS 9 won’t judge your lines - it lets you write checks your skills might not be able to cash, and what is more exhilarating than that? Short chainstays, slack head angle, and oversized headtube nourish these Roots of Steel - all with the ability to tweak the geometry via the BioCentric II. Run this rig singlespeed, 1x or fully geared with a front derailleur if you roll that way. Remove the cable guides and front derailleur mount if you don’t. Stealth routing for the dropper post keeps the ROS 9 fresh and clean. Sorry, the ROS 9 is not compatible with heart rate monitors or training plans but it will certainly earn you some PRs when you do your part keeping the rubber side down. Ride Over S*!t – The new ROS 9 injects hardtails with a huge-ass dose of fun.

WHAT MAKES THE ROS 9 TICK?

The 4130 Cro-Mo tube set of the ROS 9 is the trusted standard for durability and ride quality. Following the lines and design language of the SIR 9, these tubes have been beefed up to handle the abuse the ROS 9 is designed to shrug off. The super-short chainstays provide a lofty front end feel while the slack headtube angle keeps the front end composed at Mach Loony speeds. A neutral BB height can be made low or high to slay YOUR trails by positioning the BioCentric II where it will do the most good.

Construction details abound – We borrowed the unique dropout design we developed for the SIR 9 to allow 142x12mm Maxle use and house the stout alloy derailleur hanger. The dropout designs allow the chain stays and seat stays to be welded at any angle and provide far more surface area for a full weld around the tube’s end. The front derailleur hanger is removable with an alloy cover. Internal dropper post routing is optional, another alloy cover closes the port if you choose not to use it. Externally routed dropper posts utilize mounts under the top tube. Tabs under the bottom bracket shell accept an proprietary MRP XCG bash guard for optional extra protection. Full-housing cable routing for front and rear derailleurs using Niner’s bolt-on double housing clamps along top and down tubes complete the versatility. If you don’t need the guides, take them off and enjoy the clean look of the frame in singlespeed mode.

OVERSIZED HEADTUBE

The oversized headtube of the ROS 9 allows the use of tapered fork steerer tubes that measurably reduce fork deflection, which means your Niner tracks straight and true. The full spectrum of riders from xc racers to all mountain shredders benefit from these features which is why we incorporate the technology in all our new frames. The ROS 9 Lets you take full advantage of increased steering precision as you get yourself into trouble.

BIO-CENTRIC II BOTTOM BRACKET SYSTEM

The Niner BioCentric II makes adjustments easy across a wide range of gears and eliminates the need for adjustable dropouts, giving the cleanest possible solution for singlespeed use. No bolt on hubs, no chain tensioners cluttering your ride, no brake adjustments with gear changes. Additionally, BB positioning allows fine-tuning of geometry. Want shorter chainstays? A lower BB? Steeper or slacker seat angle? It’s all achievable with the BioCentric II.

Greater Range - The BioCentric II offsets the bottom bracket spindle 8.5mm from center, offering greater range of adjustment compared to a traditional EBB setup. More offset is a boon when changing gears without having to change chain length and it allows riders to make more noticeable changes to frame geometry.

Reliable Function - Traditional EBB units are held in place with set screws that can become difficult to finely adjust over time, or expansion wedges that can deform the bottom bracket shell of the frame. Split bottom bracket shells that clamp an EBB can stretch or ovalize. The Bio-Centric II avoids these troubles by using two bolts to apply a clamping force on the outside edges of the BB shell, eliminating the possibility of ovalizing or indexing the shell.

ROS 9 SPECIFICATIONS & COMPATIBILITY

• 73mm BB width (with BioCentric II installed)

• BioCentric II is compatible with external bearing cranksets only

• Direct mount front derailleur, high mount, top pull, removable front derailleur mount

• Tabs under BB shell for custom MRP XCG Bash Guard - available separately at www.ninerbikes.com

• 31.6mm seat post size, compatible with internal and external dropper post routing

• 34.9mm seat collar size

• 44mm headtube. Tapered headset with internal (ZS) top cup and 1.5” external bottom cup (included with frame). Cane Creek standard description: ZS44/28.6|EC44/40

• All sizes have one bottle mount in the front triangle

• Replaceable derailleur hanger or SS insert

• 142 x 12mm Maxle rear spacing

• Can fit up to a 2.35” tire (tire size varies by brand, some tires may not fit)

• Compatible with most standard 1x, 2x and 3x chainring systems.

• Max 1x chainring size 32T with BioCentric II in rear position - Max 38T with BioCentric II in forward position.

Niner Jet 9 Announced

• AIRFORMED ALLOY FULL SUSPENSION FROM THE 29ER-ONLY MOUNTAIN BIKE COMPANY

• 100MM OF PATENTED CVA SUSPENSION IS EFFICIENT IN EVERY CHAINRING

• COMPATIBLE WITH 100–120MM FORKS

• TUNED FOR CVA – ROCK SHOX MONARCH RT3 HV

• ENDURO SEALED CARTRIDGE PIVOT BEARINGS ED

• FORGED SUSPENSION LINKAGE AND UNIQUE NINER ALLOY HARDWARE

• 142MM X 12MM REAR SPACING

Life is complicated enough from nine to five, what you do in your off hours should be simple – it’s time to hit the trail on the new Jet 9. Enter your first mountain bike race, visit that MTB mecca or just crush souls on the after-work ride. It’s the simple action of “doing” that’s important and that is why we created the new Jet 9.

Serious good looks, lighter weight, more CVA travel, the Jet 9 has all the technical refinements that define an XC dominator. Carbon wonderbikes are great, but you’ll appreciate the new technologies that we utilize in our alloy frames, too. They are dream bikes within reach – Airformed alloy with as many custom details as our RDO line, something you can log big miles on, day in and out. Sound like a bike that you might want in the garage? Yeah, us too.

XC FULL SUSPENSION

The Niner that loves putting the pedal to the metal – The JET 9 is for riders who like to get there sooner or ride just a bit further. With over 30 glowing media reviews for ride quality and handling - the new JET 9 takes these characteristics and ups the ante with increased travel, a 142x12mm rear end and airformed aluminum alloy tubes that redefine performance and reduce frame weight.

CVA™ SUSPENSION

The JET 9 features Niner’s patented CVA suspension (U.S. Patent No. 7,934,739) and delivers 100mm of fully active travel with superb compliance and damping via a tuned for CVA RockShox Monarch RT3 HV shock. For those seeking the technical advantages of 29” wheels combined with pedaling efficiency across all chainring combinations (not just the middle ring), CVA™ is the front-runner. The result? A faster, smoother ride up and down the trail.

VERSATILE GEOMETRY

To achieve maximum efficiency you need predictability, balance and nimble handling. Niner is the company that helped make fun and fast 29ers a reality. Climbing or descending, the geometry of the JET 9 is tuned to keep you in control and ready to conquer new terrain at every turn. The JET 9 is intended for 100 to 120mm forks, allowing riders to further fine tune the ride.

AIRFORMED TUBING

The new JET 9 frame sheds approximately 1/4 pound from the last model. To achieve this reduction and actually increase strength we looked beyond traditional hydroforming. Shaping the frame tubes with compressed air in a heated mold gives us greater control over wall thickness and material uniformity, allowing the use of less metal. Tubes that are manipulated using this process can be up to 25% lighter than a similar hydroformed shape at the same strength.

TAPERED HEADTUBE

The increased surface area of a tapered headtube allows for a larger downtube, increasing strength and rigidity at this critical intersection. Tapered fork steerer tubes measurably reduce fork deflection, which means your Niner tracks straight and true. The full spectrum of riders from XC racers to All Mountain shredders benefit from these features which is why we incorporate the technology in all our frames.

2013 Val Di Sole WC 2 Final Results

Junior Men Results

1	LUCAS Dean	AUS19950502	AUSTRALIA	3:24.630
2	ATWILL Phil	GBR19950111	MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM	+0.160
3	SHAW Luca	USA19961225	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+0.188
4	VERGIER Loris	FRA19960507	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+2.498
5	VERNASSA Gianluca	ITA19950904	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+3.788
6	ALGARRA NAVARRO Daniel	ESP19950314	SPAIN	+5.770
7	WALLACE Mark	CAN19950601	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+6.004
8	McCORMACK Stephen	IRL19951028	IRELAND	+6.265
9	ELLISON Luke	AUS19951030	AUSTRALIA	+6.611
10	FAYOLLE Alexandre	FRA19950720	FRANCE	+7.317
11	GRAHAM Innes	GBR19960703	MS MONDRAKER TEAM	+8.730
12	ZABJEK Jure	SLO19951011	UNIOR TOOLS TEAM	+8.897
13	LEBL Martin	CZE19960816	CZECH REPUBLIC	+8.973
14	MEDICI Simone	ITA19950705	ITALY	+9.059
15	THUNELL Jakob	SWE19951109	SWEDEN	+9.136

Women Final Results

1	ATHERTON Rachel	GBR19871206	GT FACTORY RACING	3:43.810
2	RAGOT Emmeline	FRA19860527	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+5.235
3	PUGIN Floriane	FRA19890417	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+12.053
4	CHARRE Morgane	FRA19900609	MS MONDRAKER TEAM	+14.233
5	NICOLE Myriam	FRA19900208	COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION	+15.495
6	BROWN Casey	CAN19901027	DIRT NORCO RACE TEAM	+16.060
7	CARPENTER Manon	GBR19930311	MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM	+18.355
8	SIEGENTHALER Emilie	SUI19860919	GSTAAD-SCOTT	+20.180
9	CERNILOGAR Zarja	SLO19891218	BLACKTHORN GT	+21.090
10	GATTO Micayla	CAN19880821		+24.639
11	HANNAH Tracey	AUS19880613	HUTCHINSON UR	+26.948
12	KINTNER Jill	USA19811024	TEAM NORCO INTERNATIONAL	+28.856
13	GRIFFITHS Fionn	GBR19820827		+30.777
14	BARTOVA Jana	CZE19900217		+35.591
15	MARCELLINI Alia	ITA19910711	TORPADO SURFING SHOP	+41.857

Men Final Results

1	ATHERTON Gee	GBR19850226	GT FACTORY RACING	3:12.185
2	SMITH Steve	CAN19891125	DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING	+1.001
3	MINNAAR Greg	RSA19811113	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+1.250
4	BRUNI Loic	FRA19940513	LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC	+2.471
5	BROSNAN Troy	AUS19930713	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+4.121
6	GWIN Aaron	USA19871224	SPECIALIZED RACING DH	+4.123
7	BRYCELAND Josh	GBR19900323	SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE	+5.280
8	PAYET Florent	FRA19861121	EVIL CK RACING EVIAN	+6.341
9	HANNAH Michael	AUS19831121	HUTCHINSON UR	+6.442
10	PEKOLL Markus	AUT19871013	MS MONDRAKER TEAM	+6.501
11	FERREIRO PAJUELO Antonio	ESP19900103	EVIL VENGEANCE TOUR	+8.760
12	KERR Bernard	GBR19910216	PIVOT FACTORY TEAM	+8.767
13	THIRION Rémi	FRA19900423	COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION	+8.780
14	SIMMONDS Matthew	GBR19870520	CHAIN REACTION CYCLES.COM / NUKEPROOF	+9.119
15	MULALLY Neko	USA19930219	TREK WORLD RACING	+9.826

Brook MacDonald 'Robbed' Of World Cup Podium, Neko On Target

The hot dusty conditions on the super steep track in Val Di Sole saw Brook MacDonald on target for a 4th place result until a crash in the last sector of his run saw those hopes slip away. Meanwhile Neko Mulally who doesn't see this track as one of his strengths, was very pleased to take his 2nd best career result and be on target for the second half of the season.

Earlier in the day Greg Williamson, fresh off his break out ride in Fort William, was sending it down the hill in absolute style, getting green lights all the way from split to split, only to have the front wheel wash out in the corner made infamous by Sam Hill in 2008.

"I was really enjoying myself in the run, especially the last sector and I don't know, my hand slipped alittle and the next thing i know I was surfing the ground. I'm happy with my speed but just disappointed not to convert it into big points today".

George Brannigan was 6 tenths up on the first split, but was suffering all week to get the right suspension set up for this track and ultimately crashed, but will be racing between now and the next World Cup to get his set up where he needs it.

Neko was the third rider from the team to tackle the course and despite the temptation to push much harder, rode a smart race to arrive incident free at the line in 4th place, which was ultimately good enough for 15th, and has moved from 24th to 16th overall.

Brook was aiming for his first top 5 on this track in 5 years, and was well and truly on target the cross the line in 2nd but a loss of the front wheel and damage to his bike resulted in a 24th spot, and a 3rd place overall in the World Cup.

"About half way through my run I was havign trouble seeign and concentrating. My reaction time was suffering. This schedule here was pretty stupid, almost dangerous. It was 7 hours between my last parctice run and the race run and the day was just too long. The UCI need to get this sorted, you can't be off the track for so long betwen practice and a flat out race run. Having said that, I'm sitting top 3 before the summer break and I'll be keen to chase the podium again in Andorra next month".