For 2019 Niner has released a new design for the all-mountain RIP 9 RDO, or should we say two designs? For the first time Niner has chosen to offer 29" and 27.5" wheel versions of the same frame concept. While the previous generation was considered acceptable for both wheel sizes, the engineers and Niner simply felt the compromises made to allow both wheel sizes were detrimental to an otherwise well-designed 150mm travel frameset. That realization was ultimately the start of this complete redesign and the process and changes have paid off for trail and Enduro riders, no matter what wheel size they prefer. Sold here as a complete 29" version Niner RIP 9 RDO 4-Star complete bike build, riders can practice one-stop shopping on the road to trail ripping domination and sheer excitement, a duality acceptable to the team at Niner.

Ultimately the key to any Niner full suspension bike is the Constantlu Varying Arc, or CVA linkage and pivot suspension. While the specific design and application of CVA for each frame model is engineered the travel required and intended usage, the principles of CVA remain: stable yet supple while climbing and pedaling; sensitive and supportive going downhill; consistent and controlled in every situation. For the 2019 RIP 9 RDO, which now features 140mm of frameset travel, the key is the new, slightly higher overall leverage ratio. Starting off at about 3.0 and ending right around 2.3 for an average of 2.55, the new, higher leverage ratio off the top makes it easier to set the shock in motion and overcome static friction. At mid-stroke, as the leverage ratio decreases toward the sag point, less rear wheel force is transmitted to the shock. So, the shock holds the rider up in the travel, giving solid mid-stroke support. And at the end stroke, the leverage ratio increases just slightly to overcome the natural progressivity of air springs and give bottomless, smooth response under the biggest hits. This system, when dictated and managed by the Kashima coat FOX Float DPX2 Factory EVOL 3-POSITION Rear Shock with Adjust, makes the 140mm range available and tunable to every rider's requirements.

As a full carbon frameset, the RIP 9 RDO can handle massive loads and distributed energy. Niner worked to make the new frame better able to manage torsion. By adding new Rib Cage struts across the front triangle, flattening the top and down tubes, widening the main rocker link pivot, and beefing up the rear triangle, the entire bike is stiffer from front to back. The struts reduce bottom bracket deflection while keeping the upper portion of the front triangle supple and compliant. And the wide, flat surfaces found on Niner’s top and downtube help to absorb frontal impacts and vibrations while resisting deflection (twisting) under torsional load. The efficacy of the frameset is Niner's RDO Carbon Compaction System. The process employs rigid internal molds in addition to external molds during the curing process. This results in tighter, more consistent compaction of the carbon layers, and correspondingly greater precision in wall thickness with significantly reduced resin pooling in the finished product. This tighter construction tolerance allows more refined ride tuning, strength and durability, plus overall weight reduction with improved impact protection.

The new geometry of the 29er is familar but optimized for the frame design. With a 150mm travel FOX 36 fork up front, a 66-degree head tube angle, and a 75.8-degree seat tube angle, most will find the sweet spot of efficiency and capability of the CVA design. Niner also built in more standover clearance (20mm across all sizes) and a 20mm shorter seat tube to accommodate 170mm dropper posts. The result is longer, lower, and slacker than any Niner ever made, allowing the rider more fit options for their trail preference without compromising handling. Niner also allowed for the fact that trail and Enduro riders don't simply ride trails, but also love to hit shuttle runs and enjoy ripping full downhills. The decision was made to feature Adjustable high/low geometry via flip chips in the seat stay pivots, so when you are out for your trial rides or downhill runs, you can opt for the optimal bike set-up. Most riders know a full 1° change in headtube angle along with a half degree in the seattube creates a drastic effect in stance and weight distribution. The total frame design brings the chainstays to 435mm for the 29er, which makes for a bike that can be flicked and handled like no other Niner ever has.

The details are smart and fully practical. The 29" RIP 9 RDO can handle tires up to 2.6", with plenty of clearance for mud and debris. Durable, long-lasting Enduro Max “Black Oxide” pivot bearings have been selected to keep service periods manageable and action smooth. The designers, no doubt with input from in-house and shop mechanics, have spec'ed end-to-end, Full Sleeve internal cable guides and factory-installed frame protection. The routing lines are clean and well thought out. A threaded bottom bracket shell is most welcome, and the paint and finish are high quality.

With this 4-Star build, Niner selected a hightech, workhorse fork, the FOX 36 Float Factory FIT4 EVOL, 3 Position W/ ADJ, Kashima coat with 150mm travel, set-up for the 110x15mm thru-axle, with a 44mm Offset. The drivetrain is the SRAM X01 Eagle 1x12, with a Carbon DUB crankset featuring the 32T NSync2 CNC ring and DUB threaded BB, Eagle XG1295 10-50 XD cassette, X01 Rear derailleur, right shifter, and 12-speed chain. Super efficient, super effective, and super impressive, Eagle is the perfect match for the RIP 9 RDO. SRAM's Guide RCS hydraulic brakes utilize the power of 180mm Centerline disc rotors.

Kit wise, RaceFace supplies the 35mm diameter Next R 800mm wide bar with a 20mm rise, and the Turbine R 40mm stem. Niner chips in the their flanged, Lock-on GRRRips, Custom TR Saddle, and the Niner Internal tapered ZS44/28.6|ZS56/40 headset. An SDG TELLIS dropper post sets you up. The bike rolls on NoTubes S1 Flow Wheels with Boost NEO hubs. Maxxis provides a Minion DHF 3C/EXO/TR 2.5 WT Front tire, with an Aggressor 2C/EXO/TR 2.5 WT Rear. Top to bottom, an exceedingly well spec'ed complete RIP 9 RDO 29er, new for 2019, and ready to shred trails and runs to your hearts desire.

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