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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.
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 headangle 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.
Through design changes and this process of manufacturing, we are able to deliver a frame that is 10% lighter than the previous version, dropping around 125 grams. In a segment where every gram counts, we pushed ourselves to deliver the best balance of performance, durability and best in class weight.
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.
Now SS Compatible!
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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| It's fair to say that most people who take up an activity like bike riding will probably never show up on any given weekend and enter a race. This shouldn't seem so strange really given that team sports seem to capture a lot more attention than cycling events, and kids around the world are largely introduced to sports as a means to propel a ball up and down some kind of field or court. But it's not that way for everyone.
Meet Brady Kappius, elite mountain bike racer and a member of the Team CLIF Bar professional cycling squad. Brady has been riding and racing bikes since he can remember, and entered his first race at the age of three. OK, this is pretty unusual, even for a professional athlete, but the reasons he chooses to continue racing are very similar to those that a lot of people might have for engaging in just about any activity.
For Brady, it comes down to a sense of achievement and the satisfaction he gains from a job well done. Some of this has been fueled by pivotal, breakthrough moments in his career. He recounted his first time racing the US Elite National Championship XC in Sol Vista, Colorado. "I think it was 2011 or 2012 and it was my first time as an Elite. I found myself close to the front with guys I'd never raced before. I think I got something like 13th place, top-15, and I was the first U23 guy. I had the realization that I could be really good at this."
But racing bikes isn't necessarily the high stakes pressure cooker that some may associate with sports. For example, attending the CLIF Team Camp this spring in Moab, Utah he got a chance to reconnect with teammates, sponsors, and ride the new bikes for the season. One of these was the all-new AIR 9 RDO.
Niner leaned heavily on the team's input on the redesign and Brady said, "They took our feedback and nailed it!" He claims that the new flattened seatstays and 27.2 seatpost make the new bike more comfortable, but, "it's still catered to racers." He also noted that the downtube and bottom bracket are ridiculously huge and stiff. "Getting off the line, the last thing you want is a flexy bottom bracket!"
The CLIF Team has been around a number of years now and they have a well balanced formula for success. Brady offered up, "CLIF is pretty low key and we have a lot of fun. Sure you have to get results at races, but it's more about being an ambassador and good for the sport." Fostering a positive image as an athlete and of mountain biking as a whole is an aspect he sees as an element of being a professional, and taking every opportunity to support younger riders and offering people tips are all ways to give back to the sport that has given him so much over the years.
So maybe you're still not looking at turning to a career as a pro bike racer, but it might still be interesting to show up to a race and challenge yourself. Setting some realistic goals can be a great motivator. And who knows, you might really love the thrill and adrenaline rush of racing, or at least take home the more modest feeling of accomplishment that Brady holds up as one of his reasons for racing. Either way, you don't have to get a team together to do it, and you might just find your own reasons to love bike racing. |
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When you think of Miami Florida, chances are you don't think mountain biking. Beaches, palm trees, retirees maybe, but it's one of Florida's best kept secrets. Within a 50 mile radius you'll find four different trail networks and every kind of riding, from manmade features to roots and sandy washes. "There aren't many long climbs, but there's lots of short and steep," says Miami Bike Shop owner Darren Venditti, adding that trails tend to pop up on reclaimed land with piles of dirt- perfect for berms.
"People don't realize it, but then they get to our trails and they're like, holy jesus I'm having so much fun!" The shop started as a combination scooter, skate and bike shop, but went pure bikes when Venditti bought out his partner in 2010. And bikes are what this guy knows - an avid racer with an impressive resume (including back-to-back Miami La Ruta wins aboard a One 9 RDO) he's one shop owner who genuinely loves what he does. 
Venditti's expertise and involvement with the local racing community have also helped establish his shop as the place to go for everything from a flat tire to a new bike. "I'm at all the races... people know they can come to me, whether it's for experience, or a fitting, or just some question" he says, "and it's not just mountain bikes, we do a lot of fixies, cruisers and road bikes as well."
The shop filled what Venditti calls a "vacuum" in Miami - it's in a great location full of people who loves bikes, but it's too close to all the major dealers to carry the same brands. It could be a tough situation, but it sounds like Venditti isn't too bothered. "People here love name brands, but if everyone's wearing Nike I'm gonna go try to find a pair of Vans. I always ride the bike no one has."
It can be a challenge to redirect that big-brand focus, but Venditti knows what he's doing, always working to match a bike to a person's riding style, price range, and preferences. "People come in looking for some big brand bike that their buddy recommended, and I always say your buddy doesn't know bikes, because if he did he'd know about Niner!" says Venditti.
A customer walks into the shop and Venditti pauses to chat with him. The guy's looking for a new rim and some grips, and Venditti quickly raps off the options. Cruiser bike? Road bike? Mountain bike? Bolt on? Quick release? Thru Axle? Options are narrowed down and a price settled in seconds. Impressive. For great service and genuine, race-tested know-how, check out the Miami Bike Shop.
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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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Photo: Blackburn / Brian Vernor
For the past couple years, Rangers have embarked on one of two routes, either the Great Divide or the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route stretching from Vancouver, Canada to the Mexican border. While riding the length of the Rocky Mountains is a serious undertaking demanding a somewhat specialized assortment of gear, the Pacific Coast is just the thing for those who prefer something more akin to the road less traveled.For this, Blackburn has partnered with Niner to set up each Ranger with a new RLT. Designed expressly for the road less traveled, they're the perfect match for Blackburn's many rack and bag combinations, giving the riders any number of ways to pack the things they will need on their journeys.Before setting them loose on their adventures, Blackburn hosts the riders at what they call Ranger Camp. It's a chance for the new Rangers to get set up with all the new gear they think they will need, gain some insight into the world of bike touring and get invaluable advice on how to mount their gear to their new RLTs.To follow the Rangers on their roads less traveled, or to become a Ranger yourself, you can visit Blackburn Design's website.
Q. Why did you decide to support the IMBA auction and bid on a limited edition RLT?I bid on this bike because it's an awesome bike first and foremost. Supporting IMBA was the icing on the cake. I love being able to show my support with the sexiest branding on two wheels. The bike gets a ton of attention and comments from other riders, and I love telling them about the Niner/IMBA collaboration. Knowing that I'm all but certain never to see this bike with another rider on it is kind of cool.Q. How does the RLT fit into the riding you like to do?I honestly like to ride anything and everything. Single track, tarmac, dirt roads... The RLT is awesome because I can leave my garage and ride ANYTHING around Boulder. I've climbed Flagstaff (a grueling road ride), I've gotten muddy on my way to Gold Hill, and have played around on single track on the RLT. The CX1 gearing crushed "the wall" on Flag, the sweet Reynolds steel and carbon fork damped the gravel road, and the IMBA branding says it's at home on single track. Last weekend I bunny hopped a prairie dog mound on the Sage trail in North Boulder, was great to feel that confidence!
Q. Do you have any fun plans for riding your new RLT this summer or maybe you've envisioned an adventure you'd like to set out on at some point in the future?It's already started. My first big ride on the RLT was a 50-mile annual ride called the Winterburg which I did with a bunch of guys on the laid back team I just joined (Team Alchemist).It was mostly gravel, with some single track and minimal pavement. The RLT will help maintain my sanity. I'm having my second kid in June, and while I love riding alongside my three year old daughter on her strider, sometimes I need more.I just picked up a custom through-axle to pull our kid trailer, so I plan to bike my daughter to daycare and then continue my 22-mile commute to Westminster from Boulder. It's a win-win-win. Kid loves riding in the trailer, wife will appreciate the help, and I get to maintain my sanity by getting out on the RLT!I also organize a bi-annual "Man Camp" where 10-15 dudes head to Moab, Fruita, or Wyoming to bike and bullshit for four days. It's all about mountain biking, but I think the RLT could hang with the 40c tires I put on it. Crush the guys on slick rock, snag a PR on Kessel run, or maybe I'll just ditch the car and bike to one of the next man camps! Who knows?
Surprisingly, the Buena Park and Fullerton areas aren't exactly mountain bike meccas. "We're in the city, so it isn't that great" says Ricardo when asked about their trail options. Most of their easily accessible rides include inner city trails or gravel paths between houses and alleyways, with the odd dash of singletrack. "It's very urban, but still fun!" The shop organizes after work rides every Thursday.
The hoodie is a classic in the American fashion lexicon, but that doesn't mean it's got to be the daggy old cotton sweat soaker you wore back in junior high gym class. Our new Pennock Hoodie is sewn with a great looking Melange outer material and adds a sublimated wicking liner for great heat and moisture management. We've added reflective details to keep you safe after dark, and the longer cut keeps it casual for your day-to-day, and more importantly, keeps it from riding up while you're shredding downCuts to the Chase
If you were to hear the word sawmill in the context of today's outdoor hipster culture, you might be forgiven for envisioning guys attired in free trade flannel, certified organic mustache wax adding the perfect glisten their delicately coiffed facial hair as they contemplate a decorative stacking of their artisanal firewood. Well forget all that, because the new Sawmill Short cuts straight to the chase. It's made to do what you want to do -ride-and gets you out on the trail for all-day fun and function.Welcome to the Niner Team
Bold is beautiful, and the bright new Wathen Jersey nails it. This clean looking riding jersey combines a big splash of racing red emblazoned with a team-style Niner logo on the chest to let everyone on the trail know who you're rooting for. A relaxed fit allows just the right amount airflow to cool you off on those hot climbs, and dueling zippered rear pockets give you just enough storage to stash a few items for the ride if you feel like running light.Wear Some Rocky Mountain Stoke
Nothing says Colorado like the Rocky Mountains and our new Front Ranger Jersey sings it from their highest peaks. With the outline of these majestic spires capping the Niner logo, this jersey delivers comfortable good looks that will take you from the trailhead, to the top of the climb and all the way back down for some stoke sodas. You're welcome.
