How Bigger Became Better
“I am not against any wheel size. Most important to me is to have fun RIDING WITH friends.”
How Bigger Became Better The man behind Niner Bikes, Chris Sugai, shares the secrets behind the brand’s success.
Interview by Galo Recto /// Photography by Michael Darter /// Additional photos by Allan Bantucan
A
s a former BMX racer and avid mountainbiker, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Chris Sugai left his industrial window-tinting career to concentrate solely on his passion – bicycles. But not just any bicycle would do, as Sugai set off to design a new breed of 29-inch mountain bikes. After just 7 years, his brand, Niner Bikes, has become a household name among big-wheel afficionados around the world. It’s also getting its fair share of traction here in the Philippines. Niner has a strong local following, and that’s one of the reasons why Sugai was in town – aside from riding our trails of course. We caught up with Sugai in between rides and business meetings to talk about bikes and to get some industry insight.
J Mountain Bike Philippines:
What was your first 29er bike?
J Chris Sugai: I had a Gary
Fisher Paragon, which I bought used in 2004. But it was only when my other bike broke that I really started to use the Paragon. I then converted it into a singlespeed. I was surprised by its efficiency. Any changes made on a singlespeed bike are a lot more evident. I noticed that I have moved up in the pecking order of my group and was always with the lead pack on both climbs and descents. That was my first 29er bike and that’s how it all started. J Why did you decide to design a 29-inch specific bike?
J CS: I’m a bike geek! Since I liked
the 29er bike so much I was look34 jVOL u n03 e ISSUE 2 0 1 2 02 [MBP] [MBP] www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines
ing to buy another one, but at that time all they had was either the entry level 29ers or you had to have one custom built. Since I knew some things about geometry and I was looking for a new business, I decided to design my own 29er. And that’s how Niner was born. J Being of average height, what were some of the challenges you faced? Especially the myth that 29ers are for taller people? J CS: The proof is in the pudding! Being only 5’6”, I have found its advantages right away. Plus we don’t have a standard geometry for all the sizes of our models; we adjust the geometry of each size so that even on the small and extra small frames, these advantages are still maximized.
J Almost every bike manufacturer has at least one 29er in their lineup. That being the case, what would you say is the main advantage of Niner?
J CS: Focus.When we started in 2005 there were actually a lot of companies with 29er bikes, but the bigger manufacturers had to develop a full line-up of bikes (both 26er and 29er) over the years. We on the other hand, only had the 29er bikes, so all our employees’ efforts went into improving our 29er. Even the slightest change in the bottle cage position concerns us. Cable routings have different angles for each bike. In fact we even had a 4-hour discussion if the front derailleur should be top-pull or bottompull. That said, we like to take our time and just make gradual changes to the bikes as needed.
www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines
[MBP] VOL 03 ISSUE 02 34
PEOPLE WERE TAKING A FEW NEGATIVE ACCOUNTS TOO SERIOUSLY
> When asked about future plans, Sugai replies, “We will continue to grow the line-up of Niner over the years. When we started in 2005, we only had one model.” Looks like there are more big things to come.
J Speaking of 2005, that was the first time to join Sea Otter (one of the MTB industry’s tradeshows/ festivals/race events. How did that go and what did you learn from that experience?
J CS:That was a rough first year. Very few people were interested in 29ers back then. I knew people would have to ride the bike to see what was really going on. [It seemed] people were taking a few negative accounts too seriously. J Amoung the Niner lineup, which model would be your favorite?
J CS: I get asked that question a 34 VOL 03 ISSUE 02 [MBP]
lot, its like asking a parent who your favorite kid is! Luckily I get to use the whole line and it just all depends on where I’ll ride and which bike I’ll take. But all of them are my favorites!
going on a ride and I had no idea what to expect, I would bring a Jet9 Carbon, cause I know I can take it out to a certain extreme level and I’ll be fine.
J What’s the most popular Niner model, globally? Why do you think it’s sold as much?
J What are your thoughts about riding a rigid single-speed 29er?
J CS: The Air 9 is our most popular
model. I think it fits most riders needs in that it has great geometry, is lightweight and looks nice too. J What would be the
best all-around Niner? J CS: If someone said we were
www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines
J CS: Coming from a 26-inch single-speed background, you will immediately notice that you will go so much faster in a 29er. If you have never tried riding a rigid single-speed bike, you should. It’s so pure, you worry less about what gear you’re in and you use your body more.
J Have you got anything specific to say to the 29er-curious, or even the nay-sayers, out there? J CS: Please ride one of our bikes to make up your mind for yourself. Also talk to those that are already riding a 29er versus those that “say” they have tried it but did not like it. J This may sound like blasphemy, but will you ever ride a 26-inch wheeled bike again? J CS: Sure, I am not against any wheel size. Most important to me is to have fun riding with friends. P
How Bigger Became Better The man behind Niner Bikes, Chris Sugai, shares the secrets behind the brand’s success.
Interview by Galo Recto /// Photography by Michael Darter /// Additional photos by Allan Bantucan
A
s a former BMX racer and avid mountainbiker, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Chris Sugai left his industrial window-tinting career to concentrate solely on his passion – bicycles. But not just any bicycle would do, as Sugai set off to design a new breed of 29-inch mountain bikes. After just 7 years, his brand, Niner Bikes, has become a household name among big-wheel afficionados around the world. It’s also getting its fair share of traction here in the Philippines. Niner has a strong local following, and that’s one of the reasons why Sugai was in town – aside from riding our trails of course. We caught up with Sugai in between rides and business meetings to talk about bikes and to get some industry insight.
J Mountain Bike Philippines:
What was your first 29er bike?
J Chris Sugai: I had a Gary
Fisher Paragon, which I bought used in 2004. But it was only when my other bike broke that I really started to use the Paragon. I then converted it into a singlespeed. I was surprised by its efficiency. Any changes made on a singlespeed bike are a lot more evident. I noticed that I have moved up in the pecking order of my group and was always with the lead pack on both climbs and descents. That was my first 29er bike and that’s how it all started. J Why did you decide to design a 29-inch specific bike?
J CS: I’m a bike geek! Since I liked
the 29er bike so much I was look34 jVOL u n03 e ISSUE 2 0 1 2 02 [MBP] [MBP] www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines
ing to buy another one, but at that time all they had was either the entry level 29ers or you had to have one custom built. Since I knew some things about geometry and I was looking for a new business, I decided to design my own 29er. And that’s how Niner was born. J Being of average height, what were some of the challenges you faced? Especially the myth that 29ers are for taller people? J CS: The proof is in the pudding! Being only 5’6”, I have found its advantages right away. Plus we don’t have a standard geometry for all the sizes of our models; we adjust the geometry of each size so that even on the small and extra small frames, these advantages are still maximized.
J Almost every bike manufacturer has at least one 29er in their lineup. That being the case, what would you say is the main advantage of Niner?
J CS: Focus.When we started in 2005 there were actually a lot of companies with 29er bikes, but the bigger manufacturers had to develop a full line-up of bikes (both 26er and 29er) over the years. We on the other hand, only had the 29er bikes, so all our employees’ efforts went into improving our 29er. Even the slightest change in the bottle cage position concerns us. Cable routings have different angles for each bike. In fact we even had a 4-hour discussion if the front derailleur should be top-pull or bottompull. That said, we like to take our time and just make gradual changes to the bikes as needed.
www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines
[MBP] VOL 03 ISSUE 02 34
PEOPLE WERE TAKING A FEW NEGATIVE ACCOUNTS TOO SERIOUSLY
> When asked about future plans, Sugai replies, “We will continue to grow the line-up of Niner over the years. When we started in 2005, we only had one model.” Looks like there are more big things to come.
J Speaking of 2005, that was the first time to join Sea Otter (one of the MTB industry’s tradeshows/ festivals/race events. How did that go and what did you learn from that experience?
J CS:That was a rough first year. Very few people were interested in 29ers back then. I knew people would have to ride the bike to see what was really going on. [It seemed] people were taking a few negative accounts too seriously. J Amoung the Niner lineup, which model would be your favorite?
J CS: I get asked that question a 34 VOL 03 ISSUE 02 [MBP]
lot, its like asking a parent who your favorite kid is! Luckily I get to use the whole line and it just all depends on where I’ll ride and which bike I’ll take. But all of them are my favorites!
going on a ride and I had no idea what to expect, I would bring a Jet9 Carbon, cause I know I can take it out to a certain extreme level and I’ll be fine.
J What’s the most popular Niner model, globally? Why do you think it’s sold as much?
J What are your thoughts about riding a rigid single-speed 29er?
J CS: The Air 9 is our most popular
model. I think it fits most riders needs in that it has great geometry, is lightweight and looks nice too. J What would be the
best all-around Niner? J CS: If someone said we were
www.facebook.com/mountainbikephilippines
J CS: Coming from a 26-inch single-speed background, you will immediately notice that you will go so much faster in a 29er. If you have never tried riding a rigid single-speed bike, you should. It’s so pure, you worry less about what gear you’re in and you use your body more.
J Have you got anything specific to say to the 29er-curious, or even the nay-sayers, out there? J CS: Please ride one of our bikes to make up your mind for yourself. Also talk to those that are already riding a 29er versus those that “say” they have tried it but did not like it. J This may sound like blasphemy, but will you ever ride a 26-inch wheeled bike again? J CS: Sure, I am not against any wheel size. Most important to me is to have fun riding with friends. P
