For those who enjoy the Road Less Traveled, but desire a smoother, more responsive ride, the RLT 9 RDO frameset from Niner brings their premium Carbon Compaction System (CCS) construction and an advanced design to their gravel-focused frameset. Weighing 10% less than it's alloy elder sibling, with more top tube slope, 5mm shorter chainstays, flat mount disc brake set-up and the versatility you need from a gravel design that accommodates a 40mm tire, this is the way only forward for many original RLT 9 riders. With the carbon RDO, Niner can deliver all of the standard features, improved tuned-ride quality and performance that the alloy and steel frames can't offer, as well as a new cable management system. This the RLT for the rider who wanted more of the BSB 9 performance, but wanted the more stable geometry and adventure-oriented features of the alloy RLT 9.

You can see, and feel, the results in the shapes of tubes and junctions. The top tube widens at both ends, with a series of overall shaping that counteracts torque at both head and seat tube junctions. The central section is tapered, with a flat bottom and slightly curved top. The CCS process defines a strong, but very thin wall thickness through the top tube, especially on the top and bottom. This allows the tube to flex more, without compromising strength or power transfer. The top tube continues into the seatstays, diverging around the seattube and down into the rear dropouts. The whole system is designed for the vertical compliance, with fibers, orientation, and final tube shaping all improving ride quality and decreasing the stress on the rider. There is also more slope to the top tube than on the standard RLT 9 or BSB 9, so most riders will have more exposed seatpost, meaning a properly designed carbon post, such as the Niner RDO Seatpost, will only increase overall rider comfort, which is truly required for miles and miles on rough roads and terrain.

It is in the width of the tubes, carbon lay-up, as well as the overall shape of the massive downtube, bottom bracket junction, and tapered head tube through which the overall strength, handling characteristics, and power transfer is achieved. The RLT RDO 9 Frameset is responsive, almost as quick to accelerate and react as a road race bike- well if a road race bike could carry a 40mm tire. The seatstays are 430mm, exactly 5mm shorter than the RLT 9 alloy, and 5mm longer than the BSB 9 RDO. The rear triangle is yet stronger and stiffer at the disc caliper flat mount, with the 12/142mm thru-axle locking everything together. For fender users, a boss is provided at the back of the bottom bracket junction and a pair sit inside the seatstays a few inches from the seattube cluster. Niner's standout RDO Gravel Fork features a 1⅛ to ½ taper, stout blades, a top fender mount boss at the back of the crown, and three pairs of bosses on the blades for a rack and or fender. The disc caliper flat mount is beautifully integrated, and tabs for mounting brake housing are well placed and easy to use with zip ties. The 15/100mm thru-axle system is clean and strong. Niner provides the lightweight and secure hex key, alloy Maxle thru-axles front and rear.

Whether built with mechanical or electronic shifting, the Niner NMF guide and internal cabling system is one of the best we have seen yet. The hatch opening at the bottom bracket is large enough for straightforward cable installation. Only the front brake housing is fully exposed, with the rear brake and derailleur (or electronic cable) options disappearing into the downtube. Plugs are provided for openings that may not be required. The internal guides eliminate cable "fishing". A low stack, Campy-style, sealed cartridge bearing Cane Creek headset is provided (IS42/28.6 | IS52/40). Flat Mount disc brake calipers can be directly set up for 140mm rotors in this build, and the frame and fork can be adapted to 160mm as you prefer. While 160/160 has been most popular, a 160 front and 140 rear combo is widely used by riders under 185lbs, especially if being used more for training and general purpose over loaded bikepacking.