What is your Road Less Traveled? Does it carry across the hinterlands, with gravel roads, dirt tracks, and broken pavement? Or is it the alternative commute, the one that takes you over a few miles of road, through open space trails, and down the rutted path to the back parking lot at work? Perhaps it is just the freedom to head out and see where life takes you. It can be all of those trips, over time. Niner Bikes is with you, and if you choose, their RLT 9 will carry you. Niner built the RLT 9 to handle gravel roads, pavement or even less technical singletrack. This updated version features front and rear thru-axle systems. The ample tire clearance gives you many set-up options, and the smooth, stable ride carries from surface to surface, up hill or down. We don't want to say this is a do-it-all frameset, but it sure can do a lot, and quite well, in fact.

When considering the frame, there were two primary decisions- material and geometry. Niner choose the elusive Reynolds 853 tubes to weld up for the RLT. Hard to source and expensive, we do not think you can make an argument about the choice of tubes. The seat tube is designed for a 27.2mm seatpost, which can be much more flexible than an oversized design. Combined with a carbon post, the frame will eat up bumps and attenuate vibration to reduce rider fatigue. The RLT 9 Steel has been updated with a full complement of fender, rack, bag, and bottle bosses for all of you adventures and bikepacking. It features internal routing for Di2 set-ups, Flat Mount brake caliper interfaces.

The frame geometry also draws on Niner's hardtail background, but there were challenges. The steering needed to be both stable and responsive, and the frame needed offer good clearance and a snappy response. The decision was made to use the lower BB height concept found on the Air 9 hardtails, and to lengthen the chainstay to 435mm. The head tube angle varies slightly with frame size, but the 56cm runs a 71.5 degrees. Overall the frame is less responsive than a cyclocross racing bike, but more stable with better tracking on rough roads. In other words, Niner found the best balance for the broad aspirations of the frame. You will feel comfortable descending on singletrack (not too technical), but not worry about taking weight off the front of the bike on a gravel or pavement surface. Niner calls this their Fire Road Geometry- sounds about right.