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Niner
RKT 9 RDO Mountain Bike Frame - 2016

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Rocket.

Throwing a leg over Niner's all-new RKT 9 RDO Mountain Bike Frame is a bit like traveling back in time, revisiting the halcyon days of off-road cycling when geometry angles and rear travel weren't creeping continuously toward motocross measurements — and they didn't need to. Niner's paraphrased goal in developing the RKT 9 RDO was to build a 90mm (yes, 90mm) suspension chassis that handles terrain like a five-inch bike but climbs like an XC RKT — err, rocket, creating a 29in platform every bit as race-ready as any 27.5in trail machine. On moderate terrain, speed is definitely the RKT's friend. It's easy to choose a gear, choose a line, and — to quote the bike's top tube — "pedal, damn it," trusting that the suspension's surprisingly capable four inches will carry you across rock-strewn trails and through corners with a quickness that we've rarely — if ever — experienced on 29in wheels.


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.


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 that Niner claims is almost 1/2lb lighter than the current Jet 9 RDO — all without exhibiting any weakness or flex while being thrown around on the trail.


The geometry also presents a few notable departures from Niner's typical recipe, including a longer effective top tube and a lower head tube. These adjustments net a lower, more aggressive rider position that also incorporates some stabilizing elements of long, enduro geometries for an XC race machine that holds lines with no extra weight or sluggish bulk. While we haven't gotten it on a scale yet, the RKT 9 RDO complete builds we've been able to pedal in anger feel under 24lb, and we think there's room for even more weight loss based on component choices. This combination of low weight and line-sticking confidence has already earned high praise of Ms. Rusch, the Queen of Pain herself: "It seems my dreams have been answered," she says of the RKT 9, "Thank you, Niner!"


Of all the geometry, suspension, and material changes Niner built into the RKT, the single most influential change may be the introduction of a Boost rear axle. By bumping the axle length from the recently introduced 142 to an even newer 148mm, Niner effectively addresses two key issues that have plagued 29in wheels since their inception. First, the wider hub decreases the angle of the spokes, which reinforces the hell out of the hoops for a wheel/chassis platform that Niner claims is 30% stiffer and feels every bit as efficient as 26in bikes. The hub's wider bearings also experience less torsional force, bringing improved lifespan to what may admittedly be the most under-serviced element of a mountain bike.


Second, the Boost 148 rear hub allows for more rear clearance with a wider crankset and stays, letting Niner shove the wheel up and reduce the chainstays to 440mm — that's a full 15mm shorter than the Jet 9 RDO. The stubby stays add yet more stiffness to an already brutal rear triangle and make for more agility while navigating switchbacks and picking through terrain most 29in steeds would shy away from. The one negative for the RKT 9's increased clearance is any build requires a Boost-specific crank, which — given the system's newness — is even rarer than wheels with a 12 x 148mm axle. We think the inconvenience is worth it, though, not least of all because more and more options are appearing on the market every month as the new standard proves its off-road qualities.


Frame Material
CCS carbon fiber
Suspension
CVA
Wheel Size
29 in
Rear Shock
FOX Float DPSFactory
Rear Travel
90 mm
Fork Travel
[recommended] 100 mm
Head Tube Diameter
1.25 x 1.5 in
Headset Included
yes, Cane Creek
Bottom Bracket Type
PF30
Cable Routing
internal
Front Derailleur Mount
S3 low direct mount (e-type)
Brake Type
disc
Seatpost Diameter
30.9 mm
Seat Collar
34.9 mm
Rear Axle
12 x 148mm
Claimed Weight
2,041 g
Recommended Use
cross country
Manufacturer Warranty
5 years

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