Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Niner recently released its completely redesigned RLT 9 series of gravel bikes. Changes include a new fork with more mounts, added clearance for 700c x 50mm or 650b x 2.0″ tires, and a forthcoming custom, bolt-on frame pack…
The Niner RLT 9 Steel was one of the first drop-bar bikes that blended bikepacking and gravel. I was quite impressed with it when I reviewed it back in 2016. Since then, Niner has broadened the RLT 9 gravel bike platform with alloy and carbon models. For 2020, Niner completely revamped the entire RLT 9 line with loads of mounts (26 all told), increased tire clearance (700c × 50mm or 650b x 2.0″), and a yet-to-be-released custom/bolt-on frame pack.
Each of the 2020 RLT 9 Steel, alloy, and RDO carbon models get the same axle standards (12 x 100/142 F/R), flat mount brakes, bag/rack/fender mounts, tire clearance, 1x or 2x drivetrain compatibility, and PressFit BB30 bottom brackets built for Niner’s Biocentric eccentric bottom bracket, which allows it to be set up with a singlespeed drivetrain. The alloy and carbon models get internal cable routing (mechanical or electronic + 27.2 stealth dropper post routing), while the steel model retains external, fully-housed cables.
All models get the redesigned RDO Carbon fork with internal/sleeved brake hose routing, rack and fender mounts, internal dynamo wire routing, flat mount brakes, and last but not least, three-pack cargo cage mounts on each leg.
2020 Niner RLT 9 Steel
The redesigned 2020 Niner RLT 9 Steel maintains a Reynolds 853 steel frame but gets a few tweaks. Niner added a bit more tire clearance, as mentioned, via a new welded yoke. It also gets loads of mounts, including fender and rack mounts, three cage mounts in the triangle, a pair on the top tube, and three additional mounting points in the triangle for Niner’s forthcoming matched frame pack.
The 2020 Niner RLT 9 Steel is available in builds ranging from the $2700 GRX 400 2-star, to the $5000 GRX 800 5-star build. It’s also available as a frame/fork for $1500. Learn more over at NinerBikes.com.
2020 Niner RLT 9 RDO
The high-end carbon RDO frame was revamped with a longer wheelbase, and a lighter and stiffer frame. According to Niner, it’s also more compliant. In addition, the RDO gets full-sleeve internal cable routing for all shifter, brake, and dropper post cables.
The 2020 Niner RLT 9 RDO is available in builds ranging from the $3000 GRX-equipped 2-star, to the $6600 Force AXS 5-star build. It’s also available as a frame/fork for $2300. Learn more over at NinerBikes.com.
2020 Niner RLT 9 Alloy
The 2020 Niner RLT 9 Alloy, or simply the RLT 9 as Niner refers to it, features a 6061 aluminum frame with the same RDO carbon fork as specced the steel and carbon models. The alloy version has a forged yoke to accomplish the same tire clearance and gets internal cable routing for the brakes.
The 2020 Niner RLT 9 is available in builds ranging from the $2200 GRX 400 2-star, to the $4500 GRX 800 5-star build. It’s also available as a frame/fork for $1050. Learn more over at NinerBikes.com.
As referenced, Niner also created a custom bolt-on bag for each frame size of the RLT 9. These haven’t been released yet, but we should know more soon…
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