Niner RLT 9
89/100
BikeRide Score
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Summary of Reviews
We have read all expert and user reviews on the Niner RLT 9. In summary, this is what cyclists think.
14 reasons to buy
- The RLT’s geometry is tweaked for prolonged comfort over long distances.
- Riders were spoilt by a wide gear-range on models with a 2x compact crankset and 11-34 cassette.
- Carbon frames were smooth and forgiving. Steel offered superior dampening offroad.
- Hydraulic SRAM Red disc-brakes provided positive stopping power in consort with…
- ...15mm and 12mm thru-axles, keeping things stiff, especially under strong braking forces.
- Versatility was a major drawcard. The RLT performs as a gravel-bike, roadborne commuter and even on root-ridden singletrack.
- One expert described the RLT’s hydroformed aluminum frame as beautiful.
- Power transmission issues forth with delicious efficiency from this raucous rig.
- Appearances have not been overlooked, with owners impressed by the RLT’s unique bottle-cap top-cap and color choices, that include ‘Baja Blue’.
- Tire-clearance was generous, with room for a claimed 50c tire on certain models.
- Experts painted a picture of a light and fast rig with a whippet-swift demeanour.
- Multiple mounts on most iterations, make the RLT 9 RDO suitable for bikepacking.
- Steel models are flush with bottle-cages, having mounts for three.
- Schwalbe G-One tires came tubeless-ready and rolled fast on-roads and grippy off.
5 reasons not to buy
- An expert found the RLT’s fork to be too heavy for serious cycrocross racing.
- Some reviewers felt that gearing was angled more toward high top-speeds than steep climbs.
- One owner would have liked to see more mounts for racks on the Apex commuter model.
- One brevity-endowed rider needed to cut down the ‘superlong’ seatpole to achieve a neat fit.
- An expert felt that the beefy strength of the bike’s front-end contributed to an excessive stiffness.
Bottom line
With offerings in steel, carbon and aluminum, Niner’s RLT seeks to please on many levels. Whether one’s main concern is weight, price or the comfort of old-school steel dampening, the RLT provides. It also comes kit-out as a 1x, for offroad or commuting foci. Some owners were more than happy to use it as a road-ride. As regards the bike’s versatility, it also worked for some as a lighter-weight bikepacker. However, while the manufacturer says the RLT can handle 45lb up-front and 55lb in the back, one expert recommended 30-35lb at most. Gearing was sometimes seen as too tall and aimed toward events, while one expert yearned for a larger 50t chainring. Across a range of prices and specifications, the RLT was generally well-liked.Where to buy
$1,699.00
eBay
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$1,699.94
Jenson USA
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$1,999.00
Competitive Cyclist
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$1,999.00
Backcountry
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$2,548.99
Outdoor Gear Exchange
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$2,599.00
Moosejaw
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Facts
Release Year
Brand
Gearing Type
Weight
18.80, 22.92, 24.00, 21.72, 20.1 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material
Expert Reviews
83/100 based on 2 rated expert reviewsReview: Gravel Love with the Niner RLT 9
Review: Niner RLT 9 RDO [Dutch]
Niner RLT 9 RDO Carbon Gravel Bike – Long Term Review
Review: Niner RLT Steel Gravel Bike.
2020 Niner RLT 9 RDO Carbon & RLT 9 Alloy Unboxing & Features
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Carbon Gravel Bikes: Are They Any Good? Niner RLT
Niner RLT 9 RDO – A High-End Gravel Racer
Niner RLT 9 RDO Gravel Goes Carbon
Niner’s Carbon RLT 9 RDO Gravel Bike Is in It for the Long Haul
Gravel Bike Review: Niner RLT 9 RDO
Gravel Bike: Amanda Nauman’s DK200 Niner RLT 9 RDO “Cadillac”
Gravel Bike: Amanda Nauman’s Tried-and-True DK200 Niner RLT 9 RDO
Rankings
Compared to other bikes
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Bike Comparison
Niner RLT 9 in comparison to averages