Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board - I9s, worth it?

07/03/25 at 2:57am

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I9s, worth it? (Read 3409 times)

Robert C. Big Ring Offline Leaves are the ultimate trail maintenance tool Posts: 1806 Location: Available upon request Joined: 11/22/04	I9s, worth it? 05/19/17 at 3:41am	Print Post
	Bling factor aside, from a performance standpoint, are I9s worth the jack?

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Doc00t IB Room In The Loop Project Board Offline When in DOUBT, PEDAL it OUT Posts: 1785 Location: University Joined: 05/09/12	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #1 - 05/19/17 at 4:33am	Print Post
	Definitely a performance upgrade from pretty much everything else. Worth it? I don't know, is a Corvette worth it or M series BMW? I have I9s and a set of Hope pro 4 on my SS. I miss the I9s when I ride anything else and notice the difference. If I had not put so many mile on them I would not know what I was missing and it probably would not bother me.

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Screaming Knees Big Ring Offline Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers Posts: 1647 Location: Fort Collins, CO Joined: 06/02/10	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #2 - 05/19/17 at 6:08pm	Print Post
	depends on what you are used to. I have ridden I9's for 7 years (give or take, wasn't counting) and i've ridden other hubs in that same time frame. I was happy with some DT 240's with the upgraded star ratchet. I would say it's a dramatic improvement over cheaper hubs with less than 40 POE, but after that, it's all pretty good for the average mtn biker.

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Banjopickin Big Ring Offline Spinnin' knees & Hittin' trees since '85 Posts: 1805 Location: Pisgah National Forest, USA Joined: 08/01/11	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #3 - 05/19/17 at 7:22pm	Print Post
	Objective advantages... -straight pull spokes make for a stiff ass wheel -Alloy spokes so lightweight -120? points of engagement so instant engagement when you need it -Assembled right here in NC Subjective -Bling Bling and colors -They're loud so everyone at the trail head knows you're legit -"cool factor" There are other hubs that have more engagement (Onyx, etc.) and tougher rims (Flows, etc.) but I9s are really nice. Are they worth the $$? Only you can decide that...

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rob1035 Big Ring Offline 1 speed: SLOW! Posts: 1083 Location: B'More, MD Joined: 06/20/07	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #4 - 05/19/17 at 9:02pm	Print Post
	Worth it, totally. Especially good condition second hand sets!

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msedly Small Cog Offline Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers Posts: 414 Location: Dallas, NC Joined: 09/19/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #5 - 05/19/17 at 9:44pm	Print Post
	I've had a set for about 6 months now and love them. My other bike still has some Hope Pro 2's which are bomb-proof, but I do miss the instant engagement of the I9's at least a few times during a ride. They're starting to release some "budget" wheelsets that are pretty attractive too. I saw some 28 hole straight pull hubs being used with steel spokes now (they used to only use aluminum spokes with straight pull hubs). The enduro S wheelset is priced nicely for what you're getting and they're really lightweight too. With the 20% discount Backcountry is running right now, you can pick up a set for a very nice price.

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Mr.B Coaster Bike Offline Posts: 69 Location: Brevard Joined: 01/01/91	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #6 - 05/20/17 at 9:31am	Print Post
	One word...yes

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rokka23md Coaster Bike Offline Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers Posts: 246 Location: Concord, NC Joined: 06/15/12	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #7 - 05/20/17 at 5:52pm	Print Post
	I think so. I've had a couple of different brands. Last bike had Hope pro 2's. I think the I9's are a significant improvement even over those. The quick engagement helps with navigating technical terrain and when extrapolated over higher mileage rides helps with efficiency and for me that leads to less fatigue. And I need every advantage I can get!

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The Cycle Path IB Room In The Loop Project Board Offline Treasurer '11 to '18. Trail Chair '12-'18, '20-'21 Posts: 11858 Location: Lake Norman Joined: 08/04/03	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #8 - 05/20/17 at 10:28pm	Print Post
	Yes they are worth it but have a weak point. Albeit it's a small one but significant to me. Their sealed bearings leave a bit to be desired. But then again I am comparing them to Chris King bearings which I am currently riding laced up to carbon rims. Chris King makes their own stainless steel bearings, they last many years when properly serviced and are second to none.

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catsruletn IB Room In The Loop Project Board Offline My bike demands rights!! Posts: 2262 Location: Charlotte NC Joined: 07/20/06	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #9 - 05/21/17 at 1:19pm	Print Post
	I9s are awesome no doubt. I have them on my old 26 and I really miss them on my new 29 which I'm currently riding with stock wheels - not even sure what the hubs are but they suck whatever they are. Having said that when I decided to get a SS I wanted something different just because I like trying different things. Not because of any issues with I9, I just wanted different so I started asking around and got a lot of chatter about Chris King so I figured I try them. Wow do I love them. Just as much if not more than I loved the I9s. So I9...Very cool. Every bling option you could possibly imagine. Local company that puts a lot back into the community sponsoring local riders and races etc. Chris King...awesome hubs, almost no maintenance (and I abuse my equipment). Rock solid. Are either worth the money? Like someone else said only you can answer that. Now anyone want to talk about Chris King bottom brackets?

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Impaler 58 Big Ring Offline Posts: 2111 Location: Statesville Joined: 01/21/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #10 - 05/22/17 at 12:17pm	Print Post
	What is the cost? Should the average cyclist look into them? Where would one look for information on what these hubs do that is different from other hubs. Do they last longer than standard hubs? It seems like an interesting sobject to look into

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Mr.B Coaster Bike Offline Posts: 69 Location: Brevard Joined: 01/01/91	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #11 - 05/22/17 at 2:38pm	Print Post
	Impaler 58 wrote on 05/22/17 at 12:17pm: What is the cost? All depends if you go AL straight pull or traditional J-bend. J-bend is cheaper for sure but you don't get the bling options. Full AL straight pull is over a grand for sure unless you have connections

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Impaler 58 Big Ring Offline Posts: 2111 Location: Statesville Joined: 01/21/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #12 - 05/22/17 at 3:33pm	Print Post
	reminds me of the lady that got pulled over by the cops. The cop told her ,her licence said she must wear glasses when driving. And the lady replied "Oh officer ,I have contacts." The officer replied, "I don't care who your connections are. It says here you have to wear glasses"
	« Last Edit: 05/22/17 at 3:34pm by Impaler 58 »
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Impaler 58 Big Ring Offline Posts: 2111 Location: Statesville Joined: 01/21/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #13 - 05/22/17 at 3:38pm	Print Post
	so what's this all about, "so instant engagement when you need it "

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johnski Small Cog Offline Posts: 379 Location: Concord, NC Joined: 07/10/11	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #14 - 05/22/17 at 5:43pm	Print Post
	Imagine hitting the gas while driving, then waiting a second for the power to work its' way to the wheels. Same idea. When you put power down on the pedals, there's less of a gap (or dead space) before the hub engages and puts your power to the wheel. Makes you much more efficient and powerful on the trail. When I upgraded my wheelset with hope pro4 hubs, coming off stock X9 hubs, I found myself lifting the front wheel as I pedaled out of corners because there was power where there wasn't before.

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Doc00t IB Room In The Loop Project Board Offline When in DOUBT, PEDAL it OUT Posts: 1785 Location: University Joined: 05/09/12	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #15 - 05/22/17 at 6:33pm	Print Post
	The engagement is 1 of the advantages. Also if you go with the fancy aluminum straight pull spokes you get a very light, very stiff wheel. Rotating mass weight saving. Also the hubs are very adaptable and can be completely rebuilt which means once you own them you can keep them forever if you like. Chris Kings are great too. Better bearings and the hubs seal better which keeps stuff out which is nice in poor conditions. They don't do straight pull spokes though. Other good wheel companies to but I9 and Chris King are at the top in most people's opinion. Is it worth it? Do you ride a lot. How important is the performance of your equipment to you. If you plan on riding many miles over the next many years then probably. If not then No

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Impaler 58 Big Ring Offline Posts: 2111 Location: Statesville Joined: 01/21/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #16 - 05/23/17 at 12:27am	Print Post
	Everybody I know up north is filing chapter 7. North Carolina has strange rules about it. So I have to keep on paying before I can buy. May be a few years

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azcanc Small Cog Offline Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers Posts: 490 Location: charlotte nc Joined: 09/16/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #17 - 05/23/17 at 3:34am	Print Post
	Well worth it - but don't spend what you don't have. Just ride a bike 🤘🏼

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FredRubble Little Ring Offline Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers Posts: 509 Location: Mineral Springs Joined: 05/28/14	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #18 - 05/23/17 at 5:30pm	Print Post
	Honest.. Enoch built me up some Flow Ex's built on Novatec hubs (which I supplied)...I sold that bike.... Now I'm rolling I 9's....Its my 4th set of industry nines.... Can tell no difference between the industry nines and the novatecs(which are high engagement and very affordable)... The I 9's are killer...... So are wheels built to you and how you ride....

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KB Little Ring Offline listen to seger Posts: 830 Location: Plaza Midweed Joined: 09/18/09	Re: I9s, worth it? Reply #19 - 05/24/17 at 4:30pm	Print Post
	Ive built countless sets of wheels.. ranging from budget high engagement to light hi performance. Novatec-Wtb rims using Double Butted spokes to Enve-Chris King setups using CX ray spokes. There is really no way to undercut or outdo I9 in terms of stiffness/weight/cost ratios. I could literally build any wheelset and I still ended up on i9's.. they are super awesome and stiff, tough as nails and cool looking!

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