Niner

RIP 9 RDO 4-Star X01 Complete Mountain Bike - 2015

Ideally suited for the riders who love nothing more than ferociously pedaling up and blasting down the steepest, most intimidating terrain they can find, the Niner RIP 9 RDO 4-Star XO1 2015 Complete Mountain Bike crushes everything in sight. Blurring the lines between trail and all-mountain categories with its bump-smoothing 29-inch wheels, ultra-light and incredibly stiff RDO carbon frame, and 125mm of supple CVA suspension, the RIP 9 RDO is more than eager to tackle the rowdiest trails you can step to.

This seriously capable machine features a monocoque carbon chassis known as RDO, or Race Day Optimized by Niner. Employing the latest computer modeling techniques to design this beast, the result is a bike with a massive bottom bracket, 142mm rear spacing, titanium frame guards, and oversized Angular Contact Bearings for enhanced power transfer. Add to that a well sorted mid-travel geometry with upgraded carbon linkages, redesigned rear triangle, and snappy 17.7-inch chainstays for an incredible all-terrain ride that eats up anything in its path. And because it retains a climb-friendly 70-degree head tube and 73-degree seat tube angle, the RIP 9 RDO is ready to set PRs and KOMs without breaking a sweat.

The bike's 4-Star build complements its sleek, eye-catching demeanor with a well spec'd kit that's both ultra-reliable and optimized for performance. The SRAM X01 11-speed drivetrain provides both crisp shifting and protection against dropped chains with its clutch-equipped SRAM X01 rear derailleur. The 10-42t XD cassette is used for a massive range of usable gears with a single chainring up front. Shimano's XT M785s provide excellent stopping power, especially considering the heat-dispersing Shimano Ice Tech rotors. The Fox FLOAT CTD rear shock employs a silky-smooth Kashima coating along its 125mm of travel, while the beefy Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork lends 140mm of travel up front. Other high-ticket items include a Stan's NoTubes Flow EX wheelset, RockShox Reverb seatpost, and Niner's RDO carbon handlebar and alloy stem.