Earlier this year, Niner's Mike Gann introduced to us at PressCamp their RLT 9 RDO, the top-end carbon gravel bike. Now, they've refreshed the more affordable aluminum RLT 9, added the new AIR 9 aluminum hardtail mountain bike, tweaked those designs to improve the ride, and sprayed some dashing new colors on other models.
Niner RLT 9
After being absent from Niner's lineup for a time, the RLT 9 is back with frame geometry that more closely resembles the carbon RLT RDO.
Highlights
- Hydroformed aluminum frame
- Revised geometry to improve stand over
- Accepts up to a 1.75" tire
- Flat mount disc brake compatible
- Singlespeed compatible with Biocentric 30 (sold separately)
- Frame and fork mounts
- Pricing starts at $2000 USD
- See builds and specs →
Niner AIR 9
The Niner AIR 9 also went missing from their lineup for a while, but it's back now, too. Niner says it's "the perfect blend of cross country quickness mixed with a rowdier trail attitude." The 73 mm PF30 BB shell allows for geared or single-speed compatability and it makes room for riders to choose from 29 x 2.4 inch or 27.5 x 3.0 inch tires with 148 x 12 Boost rear spacing.
Highlights
- Hydroformed aluminum frame
- 120mm front fork
- Niner [R]evolution geometry
- Boost 148 spacing allows for 27.5 plus or 29 inch wheel compatibility
- Singlespeed compatible with Biocentric 30 (sold separately)
- Pricing starts at $1700 USD
- See builds and specs →
New Niner color options
Niner adds new colors to some of its current bikes. The RIP 9 RDO entices in Mint with a hint of red. The “Be Seen” JET 9 RDO turns heads with some neon Green and blue highlights. The AIR 9 RDO blazes the trail in “Aren’t you glad you raced it” bright Orange.
New components spec'ed on Niner Star Builds
Star builds for every mountain bike feature SRAM’s reliable 1x systems – NX1, GX Eagle, and X01 Eagle. Suspension duties for each mountain bike are handled by either Fox Shox or RockShox, with the SIR 9, AIR 9, and RKT 9 now running 120 mm forks.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Ridden and Reviewed: Marin Hawk Hill
Marin's budget Hawk Hill is a welcome contrast to bikes costing more and more. We put it through its paces and see how this low-cost trail bike delivers against its modest price... READ MORE
RELATED ARTICLE:
It's okay to buy a hardtail (and you probably should)
Hardtails have come a long way in recent years, and with the price of more complex mountain bikes rising, we think you should buy one. It's O.K., we promise... READ MORE
