Bunyan: So after kicking around my LBS I have deciding no go on the Jet 9. I found one for a smoking deal but it just isnt the right frame for my riding style or where I live. I really do need something with more travel. Something like the rip 9 would be far better suited for my needs. Saying all of that, I have decided that I am not going to get a new mtn bike at all. I am going to upgrade the wheels on my current bike which is a really nice bike, I just needed to be reminded that haha. I think I said before I am riding a Fisher hifi pro. I have begun disliking the way the bike handles. I think this is mostly attributed to the wheelset. They are the original bontrager rythm elite tubeless wheels. They feel flimsy and extremely not sure footed. It was fun to build up the niner in my mind however. It was one sexy looking bike how i was going to build it up. Anyways, I think what I will do rather than building a custom wheelset is go with the Mavic Crossmax 29er wheel with a 15 mm quick release to beef it up a little more. I know the CK hubs are so sick and have such good bling factor but the mavics would be much cheaper and be extremely satisfying. I have looked at Industry Nine wheels. They are sick!! However they are a little overkill. They are expensive and if they break or have any issues the turn around time to get them fixed will be long because LBS cant work on them. They have to go back to I9. So I am going to continue enjoying my current bike and have some fun spending money on it!!!

JCL: My LBS only had the Atoms. I ordered my tires from artscyclery.com. I buy a lot of stuff from them. They are located in California. Pretty good prices. I was joking about the Di2 gear. I think it is the coolest gear but it is pricey. The wheels i upgraded from where Bontrager race lites. The base level bontragers. I think they are great wheels but no comparison to something like the DA's. I am running Mavic ssc dual pivot brakes. I am not sure what the pads are but I love these brakes. I had swapped out the DA brakes for these. Much better bite and they instill a lot of confidence. My buddy who runs the LBS sent me out today on a real special limited edition single speed hardtail. I forgot who's bike it is we were talking about so many bikes. The bike has Fulcrum Red Metal 29 XLR UST Tubeless wheels. I think fulcrum makes a real good wheel. Riding a single speed in the mtns is something else. It is super fun because it is so light and not having to think about shifting. However, half way through steep climbs you really start to appreciate having gears haha. Maybe tomorrow night I will get out on the road bike and get some more miles on the new wheels. But i would definitely recommend going for it on your new build. It is a lot smoother. When i drop down to an aero position going fast, I dont feel like the bike has any jitters as it sometimes did with the old wheelset. You just cant beat how smooth the ride is. I was able to get a great deal on these wheels. I got them for $875!!!! Wholesale is $850. All the trolling around on Craigslist payed off. They were take offs from an s-works and the shop had no need for them and just wanted to get rid of them and get out of them for what they had in them. This is a lot of fun chatting with you guys!