First Look: 2015 Niner Jet 9 RDO

When it comes to the bigger wheel size, Niner does it as well as anyone. They’ve broken into the trail bike market with their WFO, but today we take a look at the no holds barred, take no prisoners, marathon and high mileage trail eating machine, the Jet 9 RDO.

Niner Jet 9 features RDO Carbon Compaction in their top-end trail bike, a race ready "quiver killer". — Niner Jet 9 features RDO Carbon Compaction in their top-end trail bike, a race ready “quiver killer”.

Niner is technically based in Torrance, California but has a big part of it’s staff in the university and outdoor crazed town of Ft.Collins, Colorado, which is a perfect melting pot of ultra fit athletes of all ages, and surrounded by endless terrain to test new product and get out and ride bikes. Since founding the company in 2005, owner Chris Sugai calls Niner an employee-driven, cloud-based business of the future. They’re forward thinking and have heavily based their business on internet usage. Employees can work remotely and choose the best situation to get the most out of themselves. Wife had a baby? Work from home, help create a happy and healthy family, and in the process, make you as an employee happy and productive. Really, it’s a pretty cool business structure.

But you’re not here to learn about Business 101, you want to know about sick bikes. And the Niner Jet 9 RDO is that.

Some highlights are:

Patented CVA suspension is available only on Niner mountain bikes.
Niner only builds 29’ers and has perfected geometries for different trail applications
Niner RDO (Race Day Optimized) – full carbon layup throughout, lighter weight, stiffer, stronger
Niner’s Carbon Compaction System – more consistent compaction of the carbon layers, yielding increased precision
100mm of patented CVA suspension is efficient in every chainring
Carbon suspension linkage and unique Niner alloy hardware
5 year warranty on RDO Carbon Compaction System
Top of the line build kit featuring Sram XX1 and RockShox RS-1
XTR Trail Brakes
Stan’s NoTubes Valor carbon wheels

Featuring a stellar build kit, with 120mm RockShox RS-1, the Jet 9 is ready to tackle anything.

With the RS-1 mounted, at 120mm of travel, the Jet 9 features a slack (for it's category) 70.5º head tube angle. Race ready, but trail worthy. — With the RS-1 mounted, at 120mm of travel, the Jet 9 features a slack (for it’s category) 70.5º head tube angle. Race ready, but trail worthy.

Niner nails the bling factor with it's own custom hardware, adding just enough "look at me" touch to remain extremely classy. — Niner nails the bling factor with it’s own custom hardware, adding just enough “look at me” touch to remain extremely classy.

Sram XX1 carbon cranks and drivetrain keep this bike race light and ready to go.

Being based in Ft.Collins, CO, it seems fitting that a Colorado brewery is highlighted on the top cap.

The black and red color scheme appears ninja stealthy and fast. A great looking bike.

We haven’t ridden the bike, but it certainly caught our eye at the outdoor demo at Interbike 2014. A good-looking frame, an interesting geometry and a home run in part spec – the Niner Jet 9 could be a great bike for marathon style trail rides and in certain enduro race situation. With a 142mm x 12mm rear spacing, the rear end should be stiff and burly enough for hard charging trail rides. Built up with the right kit and point in downhill. Build with a different kit, it can easily weigh as little as 22.5 lbs. (10.2kg)(shown here). It doesn’t come cheap, at $9,999, but hey, a sick ride is worth it.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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First Look: The 2015 Niner Jet 9 RDO Trailbike

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