Niner builds special-edition Air 9 to benefit IMBA

What a nice Frame. I would proudly ride this bike showing the IMBA name and colours.


IMBA if you are reading this and want to give one of the bikes to a rider, I will take one please ;-)

Niner and paint specialist Spectrum have teamed up for a limited-edition run of custom finished carbon fiber Air 9 29er hardtail framesets to benefit mountain bike trail advocacy group IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association).

The detailed paintwork features a topographic map theme reminiscent of other IMBA benefit bikes along with the organization's "Speak, Build, Respect, Ride, Join" motto emblazoned along the top tube.

Though Niner have yet to release a complete image of the bike – preferring to trickle pictures to the public via its Facebook page – a few teaser images and a list of collaborators suggest it'll be quite the sought-after machine.

Niner and Spectrum will produce – appropriately – just nine of these custom framesets in total but one will get extra-special treatment. Niner has also joined forces with some of its closest component partners to produce a single complete bike that will include Stan's NoTubes tubeless aluminum wheels, SRAM running gear and brakes, a Thomson stem and seatpost, and Niner's own carbon bar. Topping the seatpost is a fi'zi:k saddle, the wheels will be wrapped with Continental rubber, and Ergon will finish off the ends of the bars with its own ergonomic grips.

Niner PR spokesperson Carla Hukee says interested parties will have two opportunities to get their hands on one of the limited-edition framesets but just one shot at the complete bike. Sea Otter Classic attendees who sign up or renew their IMBA membership at the event will be entered into drawing for the bike while the other eight chassis will be auctioned off afterward with all proceeds going to IMBA.