Jet 9 RDO - First Look
The Jet 9 RDO used to be a fully-fledged XC race machine but the latest incarnation sits clearly in the trail bike division. Rear travel has grown from 100 up to 120mm and it’s designed to run with either 130 or 140mm up front depending on the configuration.
While the travel changes are significant, it’s the frame geometry that totally transforms the character of this bike. The head angle has gone from 70.5 degrees on the older version to 67 or 67.5 degrees. Chainstays have shrunk from a lengthy 455mm down to 434mm on the new bike. The reach on a medium bike has gone from 413mm up to 426mm. All of these figures show that the Jet 9 RDO is now a very modern fun-oriented trail bike.
This is also the first Nine bike to offer cross-compatibility between 29-inch and 27.5 plus wheels. In 29-inch form it’s designed to run a 130mm fork. Swapping to 140mm travel up front when running 27.5 plus wheels reduces the bottom bracket drop by 4mm. This goes part way towards compensating for the smaller diameter of the plus wheels; the bottom bracket will be slightly lower in 140/27.5 plus format but it’ll still be within a workable range. Whichever wheel diameter you fit, the Jet 9 RDO offers masses of tyre clearance; it comfortably clears 3-inch wide plus tyres or big 2.5 inch rubber in 29er format.
The impressive tyre clearance and the short stays are credited to the use of the 148mm ‘boost’ hub and drivetrain standard. The Jet 9 also accepts electronic shifting and has internal storage for a Di2 battery. Internal cable routing and stealth dropper compatibility is standard too. Despite all of these new-school inclusions, Niner still runs a threaded bottom bracket to make home-servicing an easier prospect.
While the new Jet 9 RDO is far burlier and more capable that the older XC race oriented bike, it remains impressively light. The carbon frame and shock comes in at 2,580g in a medium size, which is a competitive figure for a versatile all-rounder like this.
If this all sounds tempting to you, grab a free entry in the Ultimate Garage Giveaway. It puts you in the running for two awesome prizes; click here to see the first prize and second prize is a Niner Jet RDO. The bike will come fitted out with a Fox 34 fork, Transfer dropper, Craftworx wheels, Spank cockpit, Schwalbe tyres, Ergon grips and a bunch of other accessories.
The Jet 9 RDO frame sells for $4,790 and the complete second prize value is over $9,500!
Click here to get one free entry or subscribe for an even better chance of winning!
