Niner AIR 9 RDO 3-Star SS Bike: Completely Redesigned AIR 9 RDO. Niner’s history is rooted in the evolution of mountain biking. From the introduction of our first hardtail, we’ve worked tirelessly to push the limits of what people think is possible when it comes to the construction, geometry and handling of premium bicycles. The R[E]volution that began with the RKT 9 RDO continues with the new AIR 9 RDO, Bigger is Still Better, your Big Wheel Crush is now faster and more refined.
Exquisite engineeringNiner's history is rooted in the evolution of mountain biking. From the introduction of our first hardtail more than a decade ago, we've worked tirelessly to push the limits of what people think is possible when it comes to the construction, geometry and handling of premium bicycles. The [R]Evolution that began with the RKT 9 RDO continues with the new AIR 9 RDO. Your big wheel obsession is now faster and more refined.
Designed for the rideThe new AIR 9 RDO is our expression of the classic twenty-niner carbon hardtail. We've learned so much since the early days and applied that knowledge of geometry and materials to meet the ever-changing demands and riding styles of the modern mountain biker. The result? Our best race and high performance hardtail to date. The AIR 9 RDO embodies all the versatility, durability and performance you've come to expect from Niner.
This frame's identity is refreshed with a bold design aesthetic. Continuing the lineage that began with RKT 9 RDO, the strong, overbuilt shapes that define the front triangle are made for stiffness and pedaling efficiency. But to keep the ride smooth, sleek tubes along the length of the cockpit and seatstays are slender and subtly curved. Topping it off, a 27.2mm seatpost offers rearward flex to take the edge of bumps in the trail. Have it your wayIf ultralight simplicity, clean appearance (and a hard workout) are your jam, set up your AIR 9 RDO as a singlespeed. This frame is compatible with our BioCentric 30 bottom bracket system. You can set up your bike with a single cog and chainring, then tension the chain easily with our patented eccentric BB insert. We’ve been purist mountain bikers from the early days of 29-inch wheels and this frame has been one of our most popular for just this reason.
The PF30 bottom bracket shell gives us plenty of options with regard to drivetrain, no matter your preference. And if you run a geared drivetrain, internal cable routing is super sano and easy to maintain. Even better, this frame is ready for the future with ports to use Di2 electronic shifters.
RDO carbon fiberCarbon fiber is common, but care, quality and attention to detail are not. Niner RDO carbon fiber is a cut above. We start with the best grades of raw carbon layered precisely according to the stress points on the frame structure. In construction, our process employs rigid internal molds and results in tighter, more consistent compaction of the carbon fabric. The result? Increased precision in wall thickness and reduced resin pooling in the final product. We can build more elaborate structures with better ride tuning, increased strength, outstanding durability, and less weight.
Design
The new AIR 9 RDO is a product of the R[E]volution of our classic twenty-niner hardtail. We’ve learned so much since the early days and applied that knowledge of geometry and materials to meet the ever-changing demands and riding styles of the modern mountain biker. What we’ve created is undoubtedly the best race and high performance hardtail we’ve made to date, one that will give you all the versatility, durability and performance you’ve come to expect from Niner.
The new frame’s identity has been refreshed with a bold design aesthetic. Continuing the lineage that began with RKT 9 RDO the strong, overbuilt shapes that define the meat of the frame let you know it’s got plenty of horsepower under the hood. But to keep the ride smooth, the sleek tubes that comprise the length of the cockpit and seatstays are designed to dissipate racetrack roughness, helping keep your wheels glued to the ground for great off-the-line acceleration. All you have to do is pedal damn it!
Features
The R[E]volution geometry of the AIR 9 RDO caters to the racer and rider who places a premium on a snappy, race day whip. Following the lead of the redesigned RKT 9 RDO, the new AIR drops the handlebar height to put the rider in the attack position and ready to charge. Lengthening the cockpit and slackening the head angle further lends to that race-ready feel and adds to the razor sharp handling when slashing singletrack at speed. If you’re a rider looking to increase the fun factor, yet still want the lightest, fastest hardtail we offer, the all new Air 9 RDO is now compatible with 120mm travel forks. The 120mm fork will transform the Air 9 RDO from a racetrack taming weapon into a comfortable, all day trail ripping machine by bringing the bars up and shortening the reach to a more neutral position. And out back, the chainstays were shortened up, but not too short making the bike twitchy. Instead they shed 4mm to a targeted 435mm, so you still get lightning fast acceleration without giving up the balanced handling and on-the-fly stability you need in a race day rig.
For a carbon structure to be as light, strong and durable as possible, the layers of carbon cloth need to be properly aligned with as few voids and extra resin as possible. This is why the AIR 9 RDO frame is built using our Carbon Compaction System. By wrapping carbon around an EPS foam internal mandrel and then compacting the entire system inside a mold, we are able to control wall thickness throughout the frame and force out any excessive resin while the frame cures. What we achieve is a 10% reduction in frame weight with a fully-engineered carbon layup that delivers everything you want in a hardtail race bike.
Originally lauded to improve the geometry and kinematics of full suspension frames, Boost 148 has similar benefits for the humble hardtail as well. Widening the spacing of the rear dropouts creates a structure more able to resist twisting, but just as importantly, it enables stronger wheels because of improved spoke bracing angles. This crucial geometry revision also allows the engineers to tuck the rear wheel closer in to the bottom bracket while maintaining ample tire clearance and the ability to run up to a 38-tooth chainring.
Versatility is one of the attributes that has become a Niner signature feature over the years and it finally gets the full carbon, RDO treatment. The oversized bottom bracket area of course provides a robust platform for pedaling and overall handling, but now it also gives you the choice to run almost any crank and bottom bracket combination imaginable. The PF30 can be run standard for the lightest race day power plant option available, but if single speeding is your gig, then no worries. Easily install the patented Niner BioCentric 30 bottom bracket cups to give you chain tension and geometry adjustability for your single speed setup, or do it even if it’s just because you prefer running 24mm spindle cranks. Never before has a full carbon race bike given you so many options.
In this age of internal routing and ever-changing drivetrain options, the AIR 9 RDO features a window under the bottom bracket for easy service. Pull the plate off the window and get instant access to any wires and cables routed through the downtube, all without the need to remove the cranks and pull the bottom bracket. Replacing cables and routing Di2 wires has never been easier.
It’s no mystery that a seatpost can add greatly to the ride feel and comfort of any bike. In an effort to provide you a compliant perch atop the AIR 9 RDO we turn to a smaller seatpost diameter. The 27.2mm post allows a strategic measure of sway, especially when it’s our RDO carbon fiber post, tuned to add a targeted amount of flex.
The only metal in the AIR 9 RDO is found in the brake caliper mount on the chainstay. Threading the calipers on here provides them an amount of protection from the occasional tumble, but more importantly it puts them on the stronger of the two stays. The chainstay is already pretty stout and doesn’t require a lot of added material to securely deal with the added braking forces. That leaves us free to keep the seatstay slender, save precious grams and maintain the intended ride quality.
The all new AIR 9 RDO will be shipping soon and is due to arrive at your local Niner dealer in June. Now’s your chance to get the jump on all your riding and racing buddies and make sure you get one of the first ones. Pre-order your new bike now and leave them all choking on your dust this summer. Pedal Damn It!
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