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Niner
RKT 9 RDO 3-Star XT 1x11 Complete Mountain Bike - 2016

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Off-road bridge.

Niner is aggressively marketing its all-new RKT 9 RDO 3-Star XT 1x11 Complete Mountain Bike as a revolutionary machine, destined to forcibly overturn the XC/trail applecart and coerce the industry into "rethinking what's possible" for a 29er with a 71-degree head tube and 90mm of travel. Instead of being an aggressor, though, our time on the RKT 9 makes us see it as a diplomat of sorts, bridging the traditional divides of XC/trail and racing/recreation. By challenging these binary distinctions, the RKT 9 RDO 3-Star build positions itself as — dare we say it — a quiver-killer, able to climb like a hardtail but handle gnarly terrain more like a 5in travel bike — and all with a price that puts it within reach of the ambitious, self-sponsored category racer.


The RKT 9's all-inclusive ride begins with a few geometry tweaks aimed at bridging the divide between low-weight XC race machines and high-confidence, line-holding trail sleds. Given that Ms. Rusch, the Queen of Pain herself, summarizes the RKT 9 RDO as the answer to her dreams of a bike that can do just that, we'd say Niner hit the mark. Compared to Niner's previous XC racers, the RKT 9's longer top tube and shorter head tube make for better line-holding capabilities across terrain skewing into the five-inch trail bike category. These adjustments are paired with Boost 110 and 148mm axles in the front and rear, respectively, for increased wheel stiffness and more rear-end clearance, allowing Niner to slam the back wheel up and reduce the chainstays to just 440mm. Stubby stays make for more agility entering corners and stretches of trail furniture and more power-transferring stiffness while accelerating out of the other side.


The frame is built according to the specifics of Niner's RDO Carbon Compaction System (CCS). CCS uses internal molds during the curing process to ensure precise control over wall thickness and material distribution, eliminating excess grams and structural imperfections like resin pooling. For the RKT 9 RDO frame, the CCS process has been refined even further, resulting in a frame with a claimed weight as low as 4.5lb. Niner assures us that this process will soon show up in the rest of the RDO line; but until that happens, the RKT is almost 1/2lb lighter than the current Jet 9 RDO. This is even more impressive when you beat the hell out of it on the trail and realize that the RKT 9's low weight doesn't come at the cost of structural weakness or flex.


Given that it's an XC race bike, Niner tweaked the RKT 9 RDO's CVA travel to hit the sweet spots of low-travel speed. In its initial stroke, the RKT's CVA focuses on maintaining a firm, responsive pedaling platform — a theory that translates well to the trail. Even while riding the shock open, CVA encourages speed on rocky, root-latticed climbs to the point that the RKT fires out of berms on the uphills with almost the same alacrity as it does on the downhills. Alacrity also describes the RKT's enthusiasm as roll overs and light rock gardens usher the travel into the mid stroke, which opens up a bit more to embrace trail furniture without sacrificing momentum or straying from its line. As it hits the end of its 90mm, the travel ramps up to avoid harsh bottom-outs, extending the margin of error just a bit further for when enduro ambitions start to get the better of XC restraint.


When these qualities are matched with a complete XT groupset and a dose of Niner's own race-ready carbon cockpit kit, the RKT 9 RDO 3-Star bike becomes the ideal machine for the weekend recreationalist-cum-racer who transitions from Lycra to baggies as easily as the RKT 9 transitions from trail terrain to XC climbing. The build is finished off with Stan's NoTubes wheels, which may not have the flash of the more expensive RKT 9 builds' carbon hoops, but will leave enough funds in the bank account for travel expenses and race fees.


Frame Material
CCS carbon fiber
Suspension
CVA
Rear Shock
FOX Float DPS Factory
Rear Travel
90 mm
Fork
FOX 32 Float Factory FIT4
Front Travel
100 mm
Headset
Cane Creek
Shifters
Shimano XT M8000 (right only)
Front Derailleur
n/a
Rear Derailleur
Shimano XT M8000 GS Shadow+
Crankset
32 t Shimano XT M8000
Bottom Bracket
Shimano XT MT80
Cassette
11 - 42 t Shimano XT M8000
Chain
Shimano XT HG-600
Brakeset
Shimano XT M8000
Brake Type
hydraulic disc
Rotors
180 / 160 mm Shimano RT86 Ice Tech
Handlebar
Niner Flat Top Carbon
Handlebar Width
710 mm
Grips
Niner Grrrips
Stem
Niner Alloy
Saddle
Niner Custom with Cr-Mo Rails
Seatpost
Niner Carbon
Seat Collar
34.9 mm
Wheelset
Stan's NoTubes Neo/ZTR Arch EX
Front Axle
15 x 110mm
Rear Axle
12 x 148mm
Tires
Maxxis Ikon
Tire Size
[front] 29 x 2.35 in, [rear] 29 x 2.2 in
Pedals
not included
Extras
titanium chain guards
Recommended Use
cross country
Manufacturer Warranty
5 years on frame

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