NINER RLT9
Original price £999 (frameset)
AS BUILT WEIGHT 8.4kg (53cm) FRAME RLT 9 hydroformed aluminium FORK Niner carbon GEARS SRAM Rival HRD 52/36, 11-32 BRAKES SRAM Rival hydraulic disc WHEELS Reynolds ATR carbon clinchers FINISHING KIT Bontrager Race X Lite IsoZone VR-CF bar, Deda stem, Merida carbon seatpost, Bontrager Paradigm RL saddle, 28mm Hutchinson Sector 28 tyres, Speedplay Pavé stainless pedals Apart from acting as test mule for a few different disc wheels, including the Shimano RX830s [1] it’s wearing now, the RLT9 has been languishing of late and it’s time for that to change. While it’s a great looking and seriously versatile machine, I’ve never felt that its ride quality quite lived up to the promise. It’s decidedly firm and off-road it can be a somewhat bruising mount, particularly if you aren’t exploiting the considerable tyre clearance it has on offer.
I want to change that, so I’m shifting the focus away from high-speed bridleway-bashing, to turn the bike into a posh commuter and winter milemachine. On their way I have comfortable 35mm Panaracer Pasela PT tyres, an ultra-lightweight pannier rack from Tubus, and proper SKS P45 mudguards. I’ve also swapped out the lightweight but mercilessly firm Bontrager saddle for a Selle Italia Novus SuperFlow [2] that’s more forgiving, but still nice and supportive.
I’m still not exactly in love with the rather agricultural shifting from the SRAM Rival groupset, but I do like the brakes, which offer loads of power and, dare I say it, easier modulation than their Shimano rivals.
The Niner is not objectively terribly good value, especially as a frameset, because it’s quite expensive for a relatively lowtech alloy bike. That said, it’s hard not to be charmed by its ‘road less travelled’ spirit. It’s a bike that invariably attracts compliments, and with some spec tweaks I think we’re going to get on splendidly.