New Face: Niner RKT 9 RDO XC race bike that's stiff, nimble and playful, too

Mountain biking is a niche sport. And I don’t mean in the fringe sense. In this day of extreme specialization, you’re not just a mountain biker anymore. Instead we’re segmented into ever thinner categories. Maybe you’re a trail rider or all-mountain shredder. Perhaps marathon is your thing. Or you’re a racer — enduro, downhill, XC, pick a flavor. For all those categories there is “the right” bike, one whose attributes fully encapsulates the unique requirements of your chosen discipline. The question then is do you want a bike with such a precise, narrow focus? Or are you looking for something more diversified? How you answer those questions will go a long way towards whether or not you’re a fan of the Niner RKT 9 RDO, those final three letters short for “race day optimized.” Read our full review to learn more.tat Box Frame: Full carbon front and rear Chain: Shimano XT 11-speed Fork: Fox 32 Float Factory Fit4 100mm w/Kashima Bars: Niner flat top carbon, 710mm Shock: Fox Float DPS Factory 90mm Stem: Niner alloy, 100mm Shock sag: 25 percent Grips: Niner Grrrips Wheels: Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Arch EX Seatpost: 30.9mm Niner carbon Hub spacing: 110x15mm front, 148x12mm rear Saddle: Niner custom with cr-mo rails Tires: Maxxis Ikon 29×2.35” front, 29×2.2” rear Headtube angle: 71 degrees Brakes: Shimano XT M8000 Ice Tech Pads Chainstay length: 439mm Rotors: 180mm front/160mm rear RT86 Ice Tech Seat tube angle: 74.5 degrees Shifters: Shimano XT M8000 BB drop: 35mm Front derailleur: N/A Wheelbase: 1146mm Rear derailleur: Shimano XT 11-speed Sizes: XS to XL Cable routing: Internal Colors: Green/greener; carbon/Niner red Crankset: Shimano XT M8000 32t 1x Weight: 25 pounds size XL Bottom bracket: Shimano XT MT80 MSRP: $5500 ($3000 frame/shock) Cassette: Shimano XT M8000 11-42t Rating: 3.5 Flamin' Chili Peppers 3.5 out of 5