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Niner updates RLT 9 gravel bikes for 2020

  • Ron 

Niner Bikes is happy to announce the updated range of RLT 9 gravel bikes for model year 2020. The new bikes feature added clearance for 50c tires, multiple fitments for frame bags, bottles, racks, and fenders, plus compatibility and cable routing to suit any combination of drivetrain components and dropper posts.

“Niner was among the first to embrace the gravel bike scene,” said Chris Sugai, founder and president of Niner Bikes. “From ‘Day 1,’ our mission has been to make riding on dirt better, period. These new gravel bikes incorporate a level of versatility and comfort that will improve anyone’s experience on the Road Less Traveled.”

Niner’s new gravel range includes the carbon fiber RLT 9 RDO, the RLT 9 Steel welded from Reynolds 853, and the RLT 9 aluminum. All the bikes are available in build kits ranging from high end Shimano GRX 800 and SRAM Force AXS to more affordable options like Shimano GRX 400 and SRAM Rival.

Every bike in the RLT 9 family is compatible with 700x50c and 650b x 2.0 tires. Every bike also features a total of 26 fixed mounting points to accommodate custom, strap-free gear bags, bottle cages, fenders, cargo racks, and more. The PF30 bottom bracket shells and cable routing can fit mechanical, electronic, geared, or singlespeed drivetrains. Cable routing is also included for dropper posts.

Niner’s new RDO carbon fiber fork is paired with every RLT 9 frame. The new fork includes accessory mounting points, internal routing for brake hose and hub dynamo wire, and 12x100mm thru-axle wheel fitment.

The new RLT 9 bikes are available in September. Pricing varies by frame and build specification.

RLT 9 RDO: A carbon recipe with soul and style

Carbon fiber gets all the credit these days. It’s light, it’s stiff, and it’s infinitely variable in terms of size, shape, material properties, and strength. Yet, we also add a healthy dose of soul to our in-house RDO carbon fiber recipe.

Rather than designing a no-fun, no-frills, uber-light and too-stiff carbon chassis for our newest RLT 9 RDO, we built you a bike that you’ll want to ride all the time, to any place. Pedal it and be happy – anywhere and everywhere, not just on your Strava segments.

To be clear, Niner’s RDO carbon fiber is light enough and stiff enough to satisfy the most selective gravel racers. We’re not afraid to brag that Niner riders have won a fair share of Dirty Kanzas. But these days, “light, fast, strong, and stiff” is easy.

What takes more thought and care is maintaining bump-absorbing compliance. RLT 9 RDO riders roll in comfort. Plus, we added extra tire clearance for today’s robust rubber. And we maintained a fully featured frame design, with fitments for our custom bags, racks, bottles, and even a hub dynamo-powered lighting system, should your adventures call for full off-grid capability.

RLT 9 RDO details

  • Niner’s high-grade Race Day Optimized (RDO) carbon fiber frame and fork
  • Clearance for 700x50c or 650bx2.0 tires.
  • 26 integrated, fixed mounting points for custom bags, bottles, lights, fenders and racks.
  • Full Sleeve internal routing for all cables and brake lines.
  • 1x, 2x, electronic, wireless, and dropper post compatible.
  • Revised geometry with longer wheelbase for better stability.
  • PF30 BB to run geared or singlespeed drivetrains.
  • Replaceable derailleur hanger.
  • Flat mount disc compatible.
  • 12×142 rear thru axle, 12×100 front.

RLT 9 Steel: That unmistakeable Reynolds feel

Our love affair with air-hardened Reynolds 853 steel started early.  Why does Niner steel still feel so real?

In practical terms, Reynolds 853 is a nearly perfect material for creating bike frames. Rather than being weakened by heat, the frame tube junctions actually strengthen after TIG welding. This allows the use of thinner, lighter frame tubes without any sacrifice in durability or strength.

Additionally, steel framed bicycles have a well-earned reputation for rugged, dependable reliability. Steel has a way of brushing off the inevitable scratches, dings, and rough treatment that accompanies the best adventures. No matter if you have a cross-continent excursion or a county line commute, the RLT 9 steel loves to be loaded up and rolled out.

More than anything, we love the intangible ride quality of our RLT 9 steel. This magic metal has a way of subtly soaking up the bumps and buffeting of rough roads. By attenuating impact vibrations across the absorbent steel tubing, this RLT has a sublimely comfortable ride that’s impossible to imitate.

With easy-to-access external cable routing, more frame mounting points than you’ll know what to do with, and a range of drivetrain options to suit every application, the RLT 9 steel is a sturdy steed made for those who wander.

RLT 9 Steel details

  • Reynolds 853 steel frame with RDO carbon fork
  • 26 integrated, fixed mounting points for bottles, bags, lights, fenders and racks.
  • Stamped and welded seatstay yoke for added tire and chainring clearance.
  • Frame and fork clearance for 700x50c and 650bx2.0 tires.
  • 1x, 2x, electronic, wireless, and dropper post compatible.
  • Easy to access external cable routing.
  • Replaceable derailleur hanger.
  • PF30 BB to run geared or singlespeed drivetrains.
  • Flat mount disc compatible.
  • 12×142 rear thru axle, 12×100 front.

RLT 9 Alloy: Affordable, durable, do-everything

Riding a gravel bike offers the most accessibility of any discipline within the sport of cycling. The unmatched versatility of a gravel bike gives its rider pure, unfettered freedom and access virtually everywhere.

This sense of freedom and accessibility is fully expressed in our RLT 9 aluminum bike. With affordable, high performing materials, elegant engineering, and a fully featured frameset, there’s nothing stopping you from achieving your gravel goals.

Niner’s 6061 aluminum RLT 9 is welded with hydroformed aluminum tubing and features a new, forged chainstay yoke to improve tire clearance and stiffness. Up front, the fork is our famous RDO carbon fiber, which keeps it light and stiff while improving compliance over rough surfaces.

Internal cable routing through the frame and fork makes set up a breeze. And if a dropper post fits your riding style, there’s internal routing for that, too. Stay out longer with over 20 integrated mounting points for bottles, custom frame bags, racks, and fenders.

RLT 9 alloy details

  • 6061 aluminum frame with RDO carbon fork
  • 26 integrated, fixed mounting points for bottles, bags, lights, fenders and racks.
  • 1x, 2x, electronic, wireless, and dropper post compatible.
  • Forged seatstay yoke for tire and chainring clearance.
  • Frame and fork clearance for 700x50c and 650bx2.0 tires.
  • Internal cable routing.
  • Flat mount disc brake compatible.
  • Replaceable derailleur hanger.
  • PF30 BB to run geared or singlespeed drivetrains.
  • 12×142 rear thru axle, 12×100 front.
Tags: adventure, aluminum, bicycle, Bicycle frame, bicycles, Bottle cage, Bottom bracket, carbon, carbon fiber, Chris Sugai, commute, cycling, Derailleur gears, Fork end, Niner, Shimano, Single-speed bicycle, SRAM, Strava
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