Canfield Brothers Nimble 9
Taking what we have learned building 29er frames, the evolution continues with the new Nimble 9. We loved with our aluminum version and used it to help develop a new 4130 Chromo version. We had a few goals in mind with this new bike. We wanted to offer a 29er hardtail that not only looked sexy but had our formula for “ideal” geo. The slackest head angle, shortest chainstays and the widest tire clearance, all while being front derailleur compatible. You have the option of running fully gearing or SS right out of the box. The New N9 features adjustable chainstays to go down to a even shorter 16.25”. Combine that with 44mm headtube and aggressive angles, you have a bike that begs to be ridden faster! The evolution of FUN continues with the Nimble 9.
- 4130 chromoly steel
- 68º head angle with a 120mm fork
- Adjustable 16.25“ – 16.9” chainstays
- Lower toptube for increased stand over height
- Custom sliding 135mm x 10mm rear dropouts for geared or single speed options
- NEW hydroformed toptube
- ED Black treated for superior anti-corrosion resistance
- Removable direct mount front derailleur block
- Improved chainstay heel clearance
- Two water bottle bosses
| Metric | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tube Length (Effective) | A | 580.9mm | 596.9mm | 609mm | 635mm |
| Top Tube Length (Actual) | B | 545mm | 558mm | 577mm | 598mm |
| Reach | C | 391mm | 405mm | 420mm | 438mm |
| Standover Height | D | 762mm | 772mm | 777mm | 779mm |
| Seat Tube Length | E | 405mm | 456mm | 507mm | 533mm |
| Wheel Base | F | 1064mm-1097mm | 1081mm-1114mm | 1100mm-1133mm | 1121mm-1154mm |
| Head Tube Angle 100mm Fork | G | 69° | 69° | 69° | 69° |
| Head Tube Angle 120mm Fork | H | 68° | 68° | 68° | 68° |
| Seat Tube Angle (Effective) | I | 75° | 75° | 75° | 75° |
| Seat Tube Angle (Actual) | J | 70.88° | 70.88° | 70.88° | 70.88° |
| Chainstay Length | K | 412.75mm-429.3mm | 412.75mm-429.3mm | 412.75mm-429.3mm | 412.75mm-429.3mm |
| Bottom Bracket Drop | L | 62mm | 62mm | 62mm | 62mm |
| Head Tube length | M | 100mm | 110mmm | 120mm | 125mm |
| *Geo based on 500.8mm axle to crown fork (Fox F29 100mm) unless otherwise noted |
| Standard | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tube Length (Effective) | A | 22.87 | 23.5 | 24 | 25 |
| Top Tube Length (Actual) | B | 21.46 | 21.98 | 22.73 | 23.55 |
| Reach | C | 15.41 | 15.93 | 16.53 | 17.26 |
| Standover Height | D | 30 | 30.4 | 30.6 | 30.67 |
| Seat Tube Length | E | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 |
| Wheel Base | F | 41.93-43.22 | 42.59-43.87 | 43.33-44.62 | 44.13-45.42 |
| Head Tube Angle 100mm Fork | G | 69° | 69° | 69° | 69° |
| Head Tube Angle 120mm Fork | H | 68° | 68° | 68° | 68° |
| Seat Tube Angle (Effective) | I | 75° | 75° | 75° | 75° |
| Seat Tube Angle (Actual) | J | 70.88° | 70.88° | 70.88° | 70.88° |
| Chainstay Length | K | 16.25-16.9 | 16.25-16.9 | 16.25-16.9 | 16.25-16.9 |
| Bottom Bracket Drop | L | 2.44 | 2.44 | 2.44 | 2.44 |
| Head Tube length | M | 3.94 | 4.33 | 4.72 | 4.92 |
| *Geo based on 500.8mm axle to crown fork (Fox F29 100mm) unless otherwise noted |
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- Canfield Brothers Nimble 9 - Small
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- Canfield Brothers Nimble 9 - Medium
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- Canfield Brothers Nimble 9 - Large
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- Canfield Brothers Nimble 9 - XLarge
- Recommend fork lengths – 100mm – 120mm
- Headset – 44mm upper and lower cups
- Front derailleur – Shimano direct mount – top pull/single bolt, or Sram HO series
- Bottom bracket – 73mm
- Seatpost – 30.9mm
- Seatpost clamp – 35mm
- Rear dropout spacing – 135mm
- Post brake mount
Headset Guide
You will need to know if you are running a straight or tapered steerer fork. If you are running a straight, you will need the 30mm crown race. If you are running a tapered, you will need the 40mm crown race.
The easiest thing do to is to order the upper and lower cups separately. (Cane Creek calls this their headset solutions.) Below are examples of Cane Creek 110 headsets from BTI-USA.com:
Upper:
DC-1602 ZS44/28.6 upper 8mm black 53g
DC-1603 ZS44/28.6 upper 15mm black 60g (The second option has a taller stack height)
External Stack Lower:
DC-1616 EC44/30 lower 12mm black 61g (Straight steerer)
DC-1617 EC44/40 lower 12mm black 59g (Tapered steerer)
***Nimble 9 Sram and Shimano 2x drivetrain set up tips coming soon!
2013 Nimble 9 Owner’s ManualVideos coming soon!
“I have had more than a few rides on the NEW Nimble 9. I thought I would fill people in on my riding impressions!
First off! HOLY fun! Being very used to the Yelli geo, I was quite surprised to find this bike rails corners even better than before! The new tubes really help give it the laterally stiffness in corners we were looking for, while still having that classic 4130 steel ride!
The frame does ride stiffer than the G1, but this is a good thing if its ridden aggressively. It is by no means harsh, but it isn’t a steel noodle either. Its right in between aggressive and efficient! It provides more consistent steering out of hard bermed corners due to the stiffer front end! Being very accustomed to the Yelli frame weight, I was also quite surprised to notice the added frame weight did not slow down the bike on the climbs. Its weight is very balanced across the whole build. No clearance issues even with the 2.4 Maxxis tires. Plenty of heel clearance (I know that is a concern for some).
Everyone comments how “crazy” the tube shapes are for steel, its certainly a cool frame with its own unique look. This bike is very playful on the trail due to the geo. It can change direction and weave around trail features or just plow straight through like a dual suspension! Bermed corners and jump lines are too much fun on this frame! I always say to people, if you are not a strong cornerer, you need to ride a bike with geo like this, you find the sweet spot of the corners almost instantly! I have been riding at 120mm, with this new geo, I would love to try 140mm. I think I have found my new favorite 29er!”
Sean Gollub – Canfield Sales and Tech Guru
