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The essentials of bicycles haven't changed much in generations. Human cranked pedals turning a wheel to drive both rider and bike forward. But every now and then the introduction of new technologies can change the game, at least to a degree.
The successful launch of Shimano's Di2 electronic shifting system for road bikes a handful of years ago was just such an event. It brought crisp, reliable shifting at the touch of a button, or rather a series of buttons in the brake shift levers and elsewhere if the rider chose. It's no surprise they were quickly crowned the new must-have for cycling connoisseurs.
It's not always the case that technologies like electronic shifting remain forever cast in the genre where they were first introduced. Much like disc brakes have started the migration from mountain bikes to the road bikes, electronic shifting is making a similar move from road onto the dirt.
The new RKT 9 RDO welcomes the arrival of Di2 with a series of ports to internally route the wires for Shimano's newest electronic XTR group set. The battery is conveniently housed in the seatpost to keep it safe and out of sight, maintaining the clean aesthetic of the newly re-designed RKT frame.
In a time that has seen increasing clutter on mountain bikes from the proliferation of handlebar mounted controls, the RKT 9 RDO opens the door to renewed simplicity, at least in appearance. Julian DaSilva of The Racer's Edge in Boca Raton, Florida (a Niner dealer) illustrates Di2 can eliminate the tangle often seen on the front end of bikes today. This custom build reveals the elegant artistry of the bike's intended form.
While this particular project has perhaps taken some liberties with regard to routing*, the end result is the same-a really good looking bike.
*Note: Altering or manipulating any bicycle frame or component may cause damage or failure, and void your warranty. Please consult the manufacturer for details. |
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| Mountain bikers can be a pretty opinionated bunch when it comes to discussing what gear works best under certain conditions. But when the conversation revolves around covering ground fast and efficiently, few would disagree that a twenty-niner is the best tool for the job.
It should be no wonder then that Niner of New Zealand will be a Presenting Partner of the 2016 24 Hour Solo World Championships to be held February 20-21. The race will take place on some of the North Island's finest mountain bike trails in the Whakarewarewa forest, an IMBA Gold Ride Center on the outskirts of Rotorua.
James and Sarah of Niner New Zealand are proud to partner in such an iconic undertaking, especially since James has competed at three world championships himself and fully appreciates the challenges faced by both racers and organizers alike. While tackling a race around the clock solo is nothing to take lightly, you don't need to be the hardest of the core to race. There's racing on tap to suit anyone, and riders of all walks are invited to choose from a variety of solo and team events.
Racing not for you? No worries. The racing is the culmination of the weeklong Rotorua Bike Festival, so you can take in all the area has to offer and heckle your masochistic racing friends as you drink beer, eat good food, and enjoy a New Zealand mid-summer party.
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Last month, Niner joined the International Mountain Bicycling Association in auctioning off ten special edition RLT 9 Steel, complete bikes with SRAM Force build kits, Stan's Grail wheels, and full compliments of Blackburn frame, handlebar and seatpost bags.
We'd like to celebrate the success of the auction which helped raise over $28,000 to support the work IMBA does in forwarding the cause of bicyclists everywhere, and congratulate one of the lucky winners. Josh Winer can look forward to miles of adventure aboard his new, limited RLT 9 Steel, and what makes it even more special is that he's local and lives just down the road from Niner headquarters!
Josh will enjoy the unique privilege of visiting our new offices in Fort Collins this month to tour our facilities, get to know the team, and then take home his brand new RLT 9 Steel! Given that he lives pretty close, maybe his first ride should be finding a road less traveled on the way home?
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Alex's Pro Bicycle Shop in Coral Springs Florida started as an experiment. Alex Lai had just finished his degree in computer science, but wasn't really keen on a life of programming, so he decided to give bike shops a try. That was eight years ago. Starting small, Alex originally just looked for what the other local shops weren't doing; now he's got two locations. At Alex's, every repair gets a follow up phone call, just to make sure everything's going well. The shop doesn't carry big name bikes, choosing instead to focus on "boutique" brands like Niner. They were also one of the first Retul fit dealers in the county, a trend the competition quickly jumped on.
The shop contributes to the trail fund, and is the series sponsor for local events. Bike patrol members get a discount, and the shop-sponsored team has a mandatory trail maintenance commitment. The trails in Florida are rolling with lots of manmade berms and obstacles. Most routes are around 10-15 miles in length, but Alex guarantees that a couple laps get most people fried. It's not like the mountain towns where you ride up the hill for a nice leisurely descent. In Florida "you don't stop pedaling!", says Alex.
The beauty of bikes is that it doesn't take much to rally a community around them. A masochistic group ride and some genuine attention to good service are all it takes to set Alex's shop apart from others. "We're just a group of cyclists doing our best to serve our community", says Alex, and it shows.
Perhaps the single greatest thing that Alex's Pro Shop can claim responsibility for is the Fakawi Bike Fest, a group ride that's taken on epic proportions in recent years. The first iteration, in 2010, saw 80 riders, but the 2015 event attracted over 1,000. The route is secret, covering paved roads, doubletrack, singletrack and pretty much anywhere else the ride leader decides to go, including places with no trails at all. "It's like a big game of follow the leader," says owner Alex Lai, "people get lost all the time!"
In fact, the ride gets its name from its tendency to shake participants. Don't get it? Just try saying "Where the f***k are we?" in a Jersey accent. The promo video takes place during a huge rainstorm, with hundreds of jolly riders rolling down the pavement, into the woods, and at one point, through something that looks like a drainage ditch. "Mountain biking is a social sport!", says a happy participant, and Alex agrees. Sometimes giving back to the community is as simple as gathering everyone together.
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You don't always need to be brash to be bold. Sometimes performance speaks louder than a lot of noise and flashy colors, and that's why we're offering our 540 gram RDO Carbon Fork in new, elegantly understated Graphite and Stealth finishes.
Long renowned for delivering unparalleled steering precision, this iconic fork is now also built for through axles and even crisper control. But don't mistake that for chatter, because Niner engineers have created this carbon masterpiece with an intricate layup that helps subtly smooth out the terrain and enhance your on-trail traction. Backed by our C5 Carbon Warranty, this re-mastered classic is guaranteed to keep you riding for years to come. Shop color options here.
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| Niner employees are passionate riders who believe that time spent on the trails with friends is as important as time spent in the office. Scraped knees, riding tales, and camp fire smell in our jackets remind us of our primary goal - building beautiful, dependable bikes that you will enjoy as much as we do. Thank you, from the Niner Bikes Crew!
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The successful launch of Shimano's Di2 electronic shifting system for road bikes a handful of years ago was just such an event. It brought crisp, reliable shifting at the touch of a button, or rather a series of buttons in the brake shift levers and elsewhere if the rider chose. It's no surprise they were quickly crowned the new must-have for cycling connoisseurs.
It's not always the case that technologies like electronic shifting remain forever cast in the genre where they were first introduced. Much like disc brakes have started the migration from mountain bikes to the road bikes, electronic shifting is making a similar move from road onto the dirt.The new RKT 9 RDO welcomes the arrival of Di2 with a series of ports to internally route the wires for Shimano's newest electronic XTR group set. The battery is conveniently housed in the seatpost to keep it safe and out of sight, maintaining the clean aesthetic of the newly re-designed RKT frame.
In a time that has seen increasing clutter on mountain bikes from the proliferation of handlebar mounted controls, the RKT 9 RDO opens the door to renewed simplicity, at least in appearance. Julian DaSilva of The Racer's Edge in Boca Raton, Florida (a Niner dealer) illustrates Di2 can eliminate the tangle often seen on the front end of bikes today. This custom build reveals the elegant artistry of the bike's intended form.
While this particular project has perhaps taken some liberties with regard to routing*, the end result is the same-a really good looking bike.*Note: Altering or manipulating any bicycle frame or component may cause damage or failure, and void your warranty. Please consult the manufacturer for details.
We'd like to celebrate the success of the auction which helped raise over $28,000 to support the work IMBA does in forwarding the cause of bicyclists everywhere, and congratulate one of the lucky winners. Josh Winer can look forward to miles of adventure aboard his new, limited RLT 9 Steel, and what makes it even more special is that he's local and lives just down the road from Niner headquarters!Josh will enjoy the unique privilege of visiting our new offices in Fort Collins this month to tour our facilities, get to know the team, and then take home his brand new RLT 9 Steel! Given that he lives pretty close, maybe his first ride should be finding a road less traveled on the way home?
The shop contributes to the trail fund, and is the series sponsor for local events. Bike patrol members get a discount, and the shop-sponsored team has a mandatory trail maintenance commitment. The trails in Florida are rolling with lots of manmade berms and obstacles. Most routes are around 10-15 miles in length, but Alex guarantees that a couple laps get most people fried. It's not like the mountain towns where you ride up the hill for a nice leisurely descent. In Florida "you don't stop pedaling!", says Alex.The beauty of bikes is that it doesn't take much to rally a community around them. A masochistic group ride and some genuine attention to good service are all it takes to set Alex's shop apart from others. "We're just a group of cyclists doing our best to serve our community", says Alex, and it shows.
Perhaps the single greatest thing that Alex's Pro Shop can claim responsibility for is the Fakawi Bike Fest, a group ride that's taken on epic proportions in recent years. The first iteration, in 2010, saw 80 riders, but the 2015 event attracted over 1,000. The route is secret, covering paved roads, doubletrack, singletrack and pretty much anywhere else the ride leader decides to go, including places with no trails at all. "It's like a big game of follow the leader," says owner Alex Lai, "people get lost all the time!"
Long renowned for delivering unparalleled steering precision, this iconic fork is now also built for through axles and even crisper control. But don't mistake that for chatter, because Niner engineers have created this carbon masterpiece with an intricate layup that helps subtly smooth out the terrain and enhance your on-trail traction. Backed by our C5 Carbon Warranty, this re-mastered classic is guaranteed to keep you riding for years to come. Shop color options here.
