Houston, the Niner RKT 9 RDO is Ready for Takeoff

Niner has long been renowned for their hardtail race bikes. And, there’s no question that their full-suspension 29ers are efficient, fun and equally-regarded. As suspension platforms and bike designs have evolved, so have the race courses and while the current Jet 9 RDO remains a capable XC race bike, it’s become more long-legged over time (particularly for 2016). That evolution has opened the door for the all-new RKT 9 RDO — Niner’s new flagship XC race bike.

Already ridden and raced extensively by Niner athletes — most notably Rebecca Rusch — the RKT 9 RDO is all business, but also features the latest technology to crush XC courses with the stiffest, fastest and most responsive bike available.

For starters, the RKT 9 utilizes Niner’s latest Carbon Compaction molding process for a cleaner and more precise layup that not only means consistent build quality, but reduces weight in the process. The frame also uses the latest Boost 148 rear and will only come with Boost 115 forks. Again, more new “standards”, but these extra widths facilitate shorter chainstays, increased tire clearance and stiffer wheelsets — not a bad trade-off for a few millimeters. But, your existing wheels may need a new home.

At the heart, the RKT 9 is built around Niner’s patented CVA suspension, but the rockers have been stiffened and the pivots enlarged to accomodate bigger bearings for a longer, smoother service life. This bike features 90mm of travel in the rear and is optimized for use with 100mm forks, putting it inline with other notable XC sleds.