Niner

RLT 9 RDO 3-Star Gravel Bike - 2019

Exploring beyond the beaten path is your prerogative, and you can't do it on your standard road steed with narrow 25mm tires(or at least, you can't do it well). Instead you want a little more, and Niner had the answer for you with its RLT 9 RDO 3-Star Complete Bike. The RLT 9 is built for those of us who crave the adventure that falls well beyond the last cell tower, and away from the crowded singletrack, where we can push over mountain passes and explore abandoned facades of old ranches, and crush gravel climbs that leave your quads on fire. This gravel-ready steed serves up mounts for heaps of gear, plus the coveted Shimano 105 groupset for crisp and clean shifting that stays reliable when things get dusty on poorly graded gravel and dirt roads.

As expected from an RLT (short for Road Less Traveled), this bike is a bit slacker, longer, and lower than its 'cross-specific cousin, Niner's BSB 9, but also sees a few tweaks compared to its aluminum and steel RLT siblings that imbue it with slightly snappier handling without sacrificing comfort. Shorter stays tighten up the rear triangle and work in tandem with a lower bottom bracket for a confidently responsive ride experience. This combination lends the RLT more stability and comfort over rough roads while still maintaining the agility to rocket out of turns and carve loose, sketchy descents. Integrated rack and fender mounts on the frame and fork provide a versatile array of setup options, and the replaceable hanger means that even if you take a less than graceful, drive-side, derailleur compromising dive, your RLT will live to roll another day.

Niner uses its Race Day Optimized Carbon Compaction System to mold this RLT's frame, fine tuning the placement of carbon and eliminating any material that doesn't contribute to the frame's structural soundness and ride quality. To further enhance the smooth ride, the RLT has a 27.2mm diameter seatpost, which adds an element of give to absorb bumps and chatter so you won’t be getting beat up as much as you’d expect, especially on washboard roads. While Niner's builds spec the RLT 9 RDO with 38mm tires, it has clearance to run tires up to 40mm so you can choose a balance between rolling speed and plush comfort to best meet your riding style and requirements.