Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE Review
- Price: $4,499
- Frame: Steel
- Tires: 29″ Aluminum
- Gear: 1 × 12
What we like about it: Professional-grade forks bring good shock absorption.
What we don’t like about it: The steel frame adds to the burden when going uphill.
Rating: (4.8/5)
If you want to challenge more demanding off-road terrains, I think the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE is a good choice.
It maintains the usual style of the SIR 9 series, and comes with the excellent SRAM GX EAGLE kit, which I will test in the field next.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications as well as other versions of this bike.
Additionally, at the end of the review, we will also compare several best bike models. If you want to know more about bike reviews, don’t hesitate to follow us.
Riding Experience
After I got this bike, I planned to go to a mountainous area a few dozen kilometers away from home to try it out.
I was looking forward to how the simplicity of the hardtail would react to the track, and after booking a hotel on Skyscanner, I couldn’t wait to get going.
Climbing
This bike proved to have an impressive uphill ride. While the HAND WELDED AIR HARDENED REYNOLDS 853 STEEL frame made for a very strong body, it also added weight, and I felt a little heavy on the climbs.
But the good thing is that the right length of the rear lower fork allowed me to keep a stable center of gravity all the time and the front wheel did not appear to leave the ground.
The SCHWALBE NOBBY NIC EVO SUPER TRAIL TLE ADDIX SPEEDGRIP 2.6-inch tires were perfectly suited to handle loose ground, with prominent grains that grip the ground firmly without slipping to provide good traction.
With the 12-speed SRAM GX EAGLE drivetrain, the shifting was sharp and accurate, allowing me to ride up steep hills with ease.
In addition, the bike’s hardtail design made it less prone to tramping than a full-suspension mountain bike, which I was aware of when going uphill, and I believe this is why many people prefer it.
Downhill
After a strenuous climbing route, I rode it to a section of long downhill terrain.
While hardtails aren’t usually known for their descending ability, the combination of solid, high-capacity tires and a top-of-the-line Fox Factory Float 34 fork made the bike feel more damp than its 120mm of travel would suggest.
Thanks to this bike, my hands didn’t get too tired from the bumps in the road.
When descending into the winding trails, I needed to use the brakes frequently to reduce my speed.
The SRAM G2 R Hydraulic Disc brakes had good braking performance and I was able to avoid or stop safely when faced with sudden rocks or roots.
In addition, I always like the soft feel of SRAM brakes because my fingers don’t feel too fatigued with frequent use.
Of course, the dropper also allowed me to change my riding position to cope with the different riding conditions on the road, and I was still in a relatively comfortable position after riding the whole section.
In the end, I think the it is a promising and trustworthy hardtail bike that I will definitely be traversing more rough terrain with.
Specification
The Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE uses FOX’s top-of-the-line FOX Factory fork with Fox’s premium cartridge FIT 4 damper, which provides three compression adjustments via a blue lever at the top for a more comfortable rebound feel.
At the same time, the gold Kashima coating offers better lubrication and less wear.
In addition, the SRAM G2 R brakes, designed for off-road use, ensures lightweight while providing excellent braking performance.
Meanwhile, the tried and tested SRAM GX EAGLE drivetrain has a good shifting experience, both sensitive and accurate.
Finally, the abundance of mounting points makes the this bycicle perfectly suited for long rides.
Video (related videos)
Other versions
The Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE is a powerful hardtail trail bike, but if you’re new to riding and want an entry hardtail mountain bike on a lower budget, we’ve made recommendations for other models as well.
Niner SIR 9 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE
The Niner SIR 9 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE also uses the rugged HAND WELDED REYNOLDS 853 STEEL frame, but the Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork may be not so good as the Fox Factory Float 34 in terms of rebound and damping.
STAR SRAM GX EAGLE is more suitable for steep terrain.
In addition, the Niner SIR 9 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE lacks a dropper, which prevents riders from adjusting their position in time for road conditions.
However, what should not be overlooked is that it is about $1500 cheaper than the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE, so it is still a very cost-effective trail bike for riders on a budget.
What do we like about it?
- It enjoys Pro-grade Fox Factory Float 34 forks.
- SRAM G2 R brakes have a soft feel and bring good braking effect.
- 12-speed SRAM GX EAGLE drivetrain can handle all kinds of terrain.
- Multiple equipment installation points are sufficient for daily use.
- Excellent grip performance.
What don’t we like about it?
- Steel frame may increase the weight of the bike.
FAQs
- How is the damping effect of this bike?
It features a Fox Factory Float 34 fork with FIT4 dampers for a more comfortable ride, while the gold Kashima coating also reduces friction and extends life.
- What about its kit?
It uses the SRAM GX Eagle, Truvativ Descendant combo kit for good performance.
- How do I choose the size of this bike?
The bike is rider-friendly for all heights, with 4 sizes to choose from. Here we provide you with a comparison of other versions. You do not necessarily have to follow this standard. The best way to find the most suitable model is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’2″ – 5’8″ | SM |
| 5’6″ – 5’11” | MD |
| 5’10” – 6’3″ | LG |
| 6’1″ – 6’7″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | HAND WELDED AIR HARDENED REYNOLDS 853 STEEL; EXTERNAL CABLE ROUTING; INTEGRATED BOTTLE, BAG, RACK AND FENDER MOUNTS; 12X148 THRU AXLE BB Standard: PF30, Press Fit Color: Black / Bronze |
| Fork | FOX 34 SC FLOAT FACTORY EVOL FIT4, 3 POSITION W/ ADJ, KASHIMA COAT, 120MM, 110X15MM, 44MM OFFSET |
| Rear Shock | N/A |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB PF30 |
| Headset | NINER INTERNAL ZS SHIS DESCRIPTION ZS44/28.6|ZS56/40 |
| Stem | RACE FACE AEFFECT R 40MM, 35MM CLAMP |
| Handlebar | RACE FACE AEFFECT R 780MM WIDE, 20MM RISE, 35MM CLAMP |
| Saddle | NINER CUSTOM WITH CR-MO RAILS, EMBOSSED NINER GRAPHIC |
| Seatpost | KS LEV SI (XS/S-100MM, M/L/XL-150MM) |
| Grips | NINER GRRRIPS L/O NYLON SOFT COMPOUND |
Wheels
| Rims | DT Swiss M 1900 SPLINE, aluminum clincher, 30mm internal |
| Spokes | DT Champion straight pull |
| Front Hub | DT Swiss 370 Centerlock, with Ratchet System 36 LN |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss 370 Centerlock, with Ratchet System 36 LN |
| Tires | SCHWALBE NOBBY NIC EVO SUPER TRAIL TLE ADDIX SPEEDGRIP 2.6 |
| Disk Rotors | 180/160 CENTERLINE ROTORS |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX EAGLE 12SP |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Crank | SRAM DESCENDANT 7K EAGLE DUB, 32T (S/M/L – 170MM, XL – 175MM) |
| Shifters | SRAM GX EAGLE 12SP |
| Cassette | SRAM EAGLE XG 1275, 10-52T |
| Chain | SRAM GX EAGLE 12SP |
| Brakes | SRAM G2 R |
| Brake Levers | SRAM G2 R |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Frame material | Kits | Driveline | Tires |
| Canyon Neuron CF 9 SL | Click View | Carbon | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, X1 | 1 × 12 Electronic | Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29×2.4″ bronze skin |
| Trek Top Fuel 9.7 | Click View | Carbon | Shimano XT, Deore | 1 × 12 | Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 27.5×2.40” |
| YT Industries Izzo CORE 4 29 | Click View | Carbon | SRAM X01 Eagle AXS. | 1 × 12 Electronic | MAXXIS DHR II, Tire Size 29” x 2.4 WT I 3C MaxxTerra I EXO I TR |
| Norco Revolver HT 1 120 | Click View | Carbon | Shimano XT, Praxis | 1 × 12 | Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo,29× 2.35″, Super Terrain, TLE |
Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE VS Canyon Neuron CF 9 SL
First of all, I think the green paint of the Canyon Neuron CF 9 SL is a bit livelier than the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE.
But it’s also easy to see from the exterior that the latter has more mounting points, which is a good choice for riders who need to carry a lot of stuff for long rides.
Secondly, although the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE’s downtube looks a bit slimmer, the HAND WELDED AIR HARDENED REYNOLDS 853 STEEL frame is obviously a lot heavier than the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM’s Canyon Neuron carbon fiber frame.
Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM also uses a higher-end carbon fiber wheelset.
Finally, if you do a lot of climbing, the lighter Canyon Neuron CF 9 SL is a more suitable choice.
But please don’t ignore that it is $1000 more expensive than the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE, so for riders on a budget, the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE is a more cost-effective option.
Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE VS Trek Top Fuel 9.7
The Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE and the Trek Top Fuel 9.7 are two different styles of trail bikes.
The former is a bit better in terms of hardware, while the latter, paired with a rear shock system, allows you to deal with some complex terrain more comfortably.
The Trek Top Fuel 9.7 uses FOX’s entry-level FOX Rhythm fork with a GRIP damper, but is less adjustable.
The Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE, on the other hand, uses the same brand’s top-of-the-line FOX Factory fork, the same one you see pro riders using.
The FIT4 dampers provide a more comfortable ride, while the gold Kashima coating also reduces friction and extends life.
In addition, the Shimano XT, Deore combo kit may be not so good as the SRAM GX Eagle, Truvativ Descendant combo kit.
However, it should not be overlooked that the Trek Top Fuel 9.7 enjoys a 120mm rear shock travel, which makes it more comfortable for riders who like big drop descents for their hips and backs.
In short, these two cars have their own characteristics, and you can choose according to your needs.
Learn More: Is Trek Top Fuel 9.7 Worth Buying? [Trek Top Fuel 9.7 Review]
Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE VS YT Industries Izzo CORE 4 29
For veteran trail enthusiasts, this YT Industries Izzo CORE 4 29 must have come into view.
The five sizes are friendly to riders of all sizes, the lightweight carbon frame eases the burden of climbing, and the 12-speed SRAM EAGLE AXS electronic drivetrain further enhances the responsiveness and accuracy of shifting.
But the YT Industries Izzo CORE 4 29 full shock may leave you feeling a little deflated on some uphill sections, which is why I’ve always gone for the hardtail.
I prefer the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE to its more aggressive geometry. The higher Stack of the Niner SIR 9 provides a more upright riding position, which is important for longer rides.
Speed or comfort? I choose comfort!
Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE VS Norco Revolver HT 1 120
I have to say that the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE and Norco Revolver HT 1 120 are two splendid hardtail trail bikes.
First of all, the Norco Revolver HT 1 120 uses 4 Piston Shimano XT BR-M8020 brakes, while the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE also uses SRAM’s G2 brakes for off-road bikes, so it’s hard to say who is the better one between the two.
For me, the Shimano brakes feel stiffer and I feel like I can lock the bike up already at the beginning, while the SRAM has better adjustability, which I’m also into.
Second, the Norco Revolver HT 1 120, paired with Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo 2.35-inch tires, has good speed performance.
But the wider SCHWALBE NOBBY NIC EVO SUPER TRAIL TLE ADDIX of the Norco Revolver HT 1 120 SPEEDGRIP 2.6-inch tires are obviously more stable.
Finally, you can choose the right vehicle according to your own riding habits.
Learn More: Is Norco Revolver HT 1 120 Splendid? – [Norco Revolver HT 1 120 Review]
Summary
Above is our test of the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE, which has a decent performance in both climbing and descending.
In our opinion, the Niner SIR 9 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE is a bike worth buying. All in all we gave it a high score of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in exploring other similar bikes, we have reviewed a variety of bikes at different price points that you might find interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews as well.
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