This bike is meant to get you places where you are looking down on other places. That’s our Crested Butte South home somewhere down there.
Lowdown: Niner RKT 9 RDO
Mountain biking is a niche sport. And I don’t mean in the fringe sense. In this day of extreme specialization, you’re not just a mountain biker anymore. Instead we’re segmented into ever thinner categories. Maybe you’re a trail rider or all-mountain shredder. Perhaps marathon is your thing. Or you’re a racer — enduro, downhill, XC, pick a flavor.
For all those categories there is “the right” bike, one whose attributes fully encapsulates the unique requirements of your chosen discipline. The question then is do you want a bike with such a precise, narrow focus? Or are you looking for something more diversified? How you answer those questions will go a long way towards whether or not you’re a fan of the Niner RKT 9 RDO, those final three letters short for “race day optimized.” Read our full review to learn more.
| Frame: Full carbon front and rear | Chain: Shimano XT 11-speed |
| Fork: Fox 32 Float Factory Fit4 100mm w/Kashima | Bars: Niner flat top carbon, 710mm |
| Shock: Fox Float DPS Factory 90mm | Stem: Niner alloy, 100mm |
| Shock sag: 25 percent | Grips: Niner Grrrips |
| Wheels: Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Arch EX | Seatpost: 30.9mm Niner carbon |
| Hub spacing: 110x15mm front, 148x12mm rear | Saddle: Niner custom with cr-mo rails |
| Tires: Maxxis Ikon 29×2.35” front, 29×2.2” rear | Headtube angle: 71 degrees |
| Brakes: Shimano XT M8000 Ice Tech Pads | Chainstay length: 439mm |
| Rotors: 180mm front/160mm rear RT86 Ice Tech | Seat tube angle: 74.5 degrees |
| Shifters: Shimano XT M8000 | BB drop: 35mm |
| Front derailleur: N/A | Wheelbase: 1146mm |
| Rear derailleur: Shimano XT 11-speed | Sizes: XS to XL |
| Cable routing: Internal | Colors: Green/greener; carbon/Niner red |
| Crankset: Shimano XT M8000 32t 1x | Weight: 25 pounds size XL |
| Bottom bracket: Shimano XT MT80 | MSRP: $5500 ($3000 frame/shock) |
| Cassette: Shimano XT M8000 11-42t | Rating:  3.5 out of 5 |
Pluses |
Minuses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review: Niner RKT 9 RDO
In the 3+ months since this Niner RKT 9 RDO took up residence in my garage in Crested Butte, Colorado, I’ve logged about a dozen test rides. Of those outings, three have been races: the 32-mile Half Growler, the 40-mile Fat Tire 40, and an 8-mile Wednesday Worlds session known as the Pinnacle Race Series. In each case, the Niner was for the most part that right bike, its aggressive geometry, light weight, and supreme climbing acumen allowing me to squeeze max efficiency out of my personal genetic abilities. But was it fun? Maybe…
Net weight for our size XL tester with an XT build and Stan’s alloy wheels was 25 pounds on the nose. Price as spec’d is $5500.
Herein lies my personal dilemma with this bike. With its minimalist suspension (90mm rear, 100mm front), steep 71-degree head angle and shorter head tube, stock 100mm stem, and lack of a dropper post, it’s not a bike I’m continually reaching for outside of the XC racing arena. Call me soft if you want, but these days I actually find it a little scary to ride steep terrain without a dropper post. And that’s okay, because that’s not what this bike is all about. Indeed, if you’re reading this review, it likely means you’re in the market for a racy rocket, and the Niner RKT (as in rocket) 9 RDO is just that.
“Herein lies my personal dilemma with this bike. With its minimalist suspension” – the fix can’t be any simpler. 120mm fork and downhill stem. My 2013(?) alu frame Jet didn’t mind the treatment (and I could care less for warranty either) – great climber and fast on the way down.
Fair point, JayP. But at a certain point doesnt it make sense to seek out a bike that has the kind of spec you are looking for in the first place, rather than swapping parts or building from scratch?
I agree with you Jason, it would be obvious to go for the JET 9 RDO instead of trying to change the DNA of the RKT.
Not necessarily. I find I can ride rough, rough terrain on an XC bike. The back end doesn’t balk (your knees can handle the rest), but you could use for travel up front to help with control and steering. I like the slightly wilder, sketchier ride of an XC bike.
For endurance riding, what is the best weapon out there if looking for a FS bike? Needs to be highly durable, comfortable, light weight and efficient for climbing and confidence inspiring when faced with fatigue and technical, rocky, rooty terrain.
At least Niner won’t have to make many of these. The six guys who need one are already sponsored anyway. Maybe some day they’ll become a bike company.
This bike is meant to be a pure xc “whip” so I think it’s design is appropriate. Kind of reminds me of my year of endurance racing on an Epic. Fastest, least fun bike I’ve ever raced. These days, for 100s I prefer 120 at both ends, if at all possible (Fuel EX) or at the front for sure.
WRT “finding” the middle shock position. There is a little hole near the lever that allows you to add a bit of preload to the spring tensioner locating ball bearing. Try giving it a half turn with a 2 mm (IIRC) hex key.