The RLT 9 is Niner's first drop bar model. It has low and slack geometry ideally suited to gravel road racing - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Niner adapted their full carbon fork for use on the RLT 9 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Niner's RLT has a slacker head tube angle than many cyclocross bikes on the market - as slack as 70 degrees on the smaller frame sizes - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 ushers in an updated Niner headbadge design - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Tire clearance in the RLT 9 fork is quite good - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 can run a 140mm or 160mm (shown) front rotor. The fork has mounts for fenders - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The frame has internal routing through ports on either side of the downtube for the front and rear derailleur cables - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The rear brake line is routed along the underside of the downtube on the RLT 9 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Just a bit of motivation that's on the top tube of each Niner frame - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
RLT stands for Road Less Traveled - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Niner's own carbon seatpost will come with complete bikes. The company claims the RDO seatpost is designed to flex twice as much as other carbon seatposts - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Niner has offices in California and Colorado - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 has a port on the seat tube for an internal Di2 battery - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 uses a Press Fit 30 bottom bracket. Niner has an eccentric version that will allow riders to run the bike as a singlespeed - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Niner claims the RLT 9 has clearance for 700x45mm tires - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Niner RLT 9 has chainstays that are slightly longer than a race-bred cyclocross bike for increased stability over rough roads - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The rear brake is tucked between the seat- and chainstay, making fender mounting a breeze - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The RLT 9 uses post-mount brake mounts and can accomodate up to a 160mm rear rotor - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Subtle details abound on the RLT 9 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Rear dropout spacing on the RLT 9 is 135mm - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Niner RLT 9 will be available in early 2014 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 is slightly lower, longer and slacker than many cyclocross bikes on the market - Courtesy
The RLT 9 Rival will retail for US$2,999 - Courtesy
The Niner RLT 9 105 will retail for US$1,999 - Courtesy
Claimed weight for a size 53cm Niner RLT 9 frame is 1,395g - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
In additon to the industry grey/white color scheme, Niner will also offer the RLT 9 in mint and white - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Niner’s product releases are nothing if not predictable, predictable in the sense that riders know it will be a mountain bike and that it will have 29in wheels. Until now, that is. This 29er-centric brand is venturing into new territory with the introduction of the RLT 9, a disc-equipped gravel race bike that’s longer, lower and slacker than typical cyclocross bikes.
Niner’s RLT 9 will be available in early 2014. The RLT 9 frame with matching carbon fork will retail for $1,049. Complete builds will range in price from $1,999 to $2,999.
Click through the gallery at right for detailed images of Niner’s new gravel grinder.
Niner is the latest in a small but growing number of companies to recognize a distinction between pure-bred cyclocross race bikes and something better suited to the emerging North American gravel race scene.
Niner's rlt is the company's first drop bar model. it features low and slack geometry ideally suited to gravel road racing: niner's rlt is the company's first drop bar model. it features low and slack geometry ideally suited to gravel road racing - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 is designed for gravel racing
“Gravel grinders are not ‘cross bikes and vice versa,” said Niner product manager Barrett James. “The geometry of the RLT 9 was not designed with cyclocross in mind, but that’s not to say you can’t take that to your local ‘cross race and have a good time.”
The rlt is slightly lower, longer and slacker than many cyclocross bikes on the market: - Courtesy
The RLT 9’s low bottom bracket is in line with many other North American cyclocross bikes, but the longer chainstays and slack head angles make for a longer wheelbase and handling that favors stability over agility.
RLT stands for Road Less Traveled and, as one might expect, it’s designed with versatility in mind. The RLT 9 can accommodate tires up to 700x45 and has fender mounts on the fork and rear dropouts.
Other frame features include internal cable routing for the front and rear derailleur cables through ports on either side of the downtube, while the rear brake line runs along the bottom of the downtube. The RLT 9 also has a port on the seat tube for a Di2 battery, should owners want to ditch cables for wires.
The rlt uses a press fit 30 bottom bracket. niner has an eccentric version that will allow riders to run the bike as a singlespeed: the rlt uses a press fit 30 bottom bracket. niner has an eccentric version that will allow riders to run the bike as a singlespeed - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9 frame uses a Press Fit 30 bottom bracket. Niner developed an eccentric version for singlespeed use as well
Niner has a great deal of expertise in designing carbon forks. The RLT’s full carbon fork shares many aesthetic and structural similarities to the company’s rigid mountain bike forks. The same 45mm offset fork is used on all six frame sizes.
Niner's rlt has a slacker head tube angle than many cyclocross bikes on the market - as slack as 70 degrees on the smaller frame sizes: niner's rlt has a slacker head tube angle than many cyclocross bikes on the market - as slack as 70 degrees on the smaller frame sizes - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The RLT 9's fork has fender mounts and dropouts for a standard 9mm quick-release
One might expect a company firmly rooted in mountain bike technology to lead the charge for thru-axles on bikes with skinny tires. According to Niner’s marketing manager, Carla Huckee, the company chose to stick with front and rear quick-releases because it expects that many customers will build up RLT 9 framesets with existing mountain bike wheels.
Despite the fact that the RLT 9 is more road bike than mountain bike, both the frame and fork are tested to the more rigorous mountain bike CEN standard. Claimed weight for a 53cm RLT 9 frame is 1,395g.
Niner will offer the RLT 9 in two color options, two complete builds, and as a frame with matching fork.
What’s next?
Judging from the progression of Niner’s past projects, it’s safe to assume that there will be a carbon version of the RLT 9 down the road. The fact that RLT 9 is not intended specifically for cyclocross leaves the door open for the development of a ‘cross-specific Niner at some point.
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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