{"id":15818,"date":"2018-08-03T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-03T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2018\/08\/03\/review-niner-rkt-9-rdo-r7468\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T05:48:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T05:48:32","slug":"review-niner-rkt-9-rdo-r7468","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/review-niner-rkt-9-rdo-r7468\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Niner RKT 9 RDO"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Niner RKT 9 RDO is an unashamed cross-country race bike with 90 millimetres of rear travel and the option of 100-120 millimetres up front. The RKT platform is based on that of its bigger, older brother, the JET 9<\/a>, which originally found its feet as the brand\u2019s definitive cross-country and marathon bike, and has since grown into something more trail focussed.<\/p>\n

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If you are a Niner fan you may have heard the rumblings in the market that the brand was in trouble financially, and it was toward the end of 2017 when they filed for bankruptcy in the US. To the rejoice of Niner enthusiasts everywhere, in March 2018 the company was acquired by Hong Kong-based UWHK who has committed to invest more into R&D while retaining and bolstering the existing team. Following similar moves made by other boutique brands moving under the wing of \u201cbig bike\u201d corporations in recent years, it\u2019ll be interesting to follow Niner\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

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The frame<\/h2>\n

First released in late 2015, the RKT 9 uses Niner\u2019s CVA (Constant Varying Arc) linkage design, touted for its pedalling efficiency while allowing the suspension to remain active. The front and rear triangles are both full carbon and are constructed using Niner\u2019s RDO (Race Day Optimised) techniques. In short, Niner spent a lot of time ensuring that the carbon layup and moulding process produces a frame suitably stiff, strong and light to match the demands of mountain bike racing (or riding).<\/p>\n

The front triangle and one-piece asymmetric carbon rear triangle are connected by the lightweight aluminium linkage. Cables are internally routed through the front triangle and externally on the rear. The frame features one bottle cage mount within the front triangle and another below the down tube. On the rear, it has 148×12 boost spacing which comfortably allows for a 29×2.4 tyre. And, should you want one, there is the option to mount a front derailleur.<\/p>\n

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The build<\/h2>\n

Since our test bike was a custom build, we\u2019ve kept the focus on the RKT platform (frame, shock and fork) rather than the specific componentry. This build was decked out with some seriously top end bits, but we expect would be a good proxy for the weight and feel of the five star Niner build.<\/p>\n

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Specifications (custom build as tested)<\/h2>\n

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