Seriously. Who doesn't like a diversion? Something different. An altered perspective. A change of pace. We designed the new RLT 9 RDO to encourage diversion. A multi-tool of a bike capable of taking you where you want to go as well as to places you don't even know you want to go. Maybe to places you haven't even considered.

The all new RLT 9 RDO redefines what a gravel bike can be, and maybe, what it should be.
Built for wherever a rider might dream of riding a bike, the new  RLT 9 RDO, with its exquisite design and attention to detail, will make the most out of every riding opportunity. Well, almost. It's probably not the best on long and rocky downhills, or a day at the bike park, but it can handle two tracks, fire roads and long grinds on the gravel, not to mention the more mundane rides on the asphalt to get to the dirt.

A versatile bike at home under the performance-minded gravel grinding competitor as well as the discriminating mountain biker looking for an outlet when the local trails are closed, the new RLT 9 RDO offers comfort, performance and playfulness.

Built using Niner's carbon compaction process, the RLT 9 RDO keeps the ride compliant where it counts and stiff when the action is underway. At under 1100 grams, the RLT 9 RDO frame can be built up as a light race bike for competitions like Rebecca's Private Idaho or as a long haul bike with the capacity to load it with racks and bags and head way out.


For complete information on the new NINER RLT 9 RDO and to find a dealer, CLICK HERE.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING.

"The RLT 9 RDO felt like a bike I could ride all day. Even on the first ride, it felt like home. I wasn't shifting around, looking for a comfortable position or needing to move around on the handlebars. Descending on the curvy, wet roads in Italy, it felt super stable, but zippy. I feel like I could race this bike all day. Fast and solid are two words that really come to mind." - Rebecca Rusch, Founder - Rebecca's Private Idaho, Multiple time - Dirty Kanza winner, 7X World Champ. Author. Adventurer.

I would say the new Niner RLT Carbon is the best gravel specific bike I'v ever ridden. There's no weird fork rake or wide wheel base feel. The bike is light and zippy, different from the first gravel bikes which seem to be wider clearance touring bikes. In full sprint the bike may as well be a road bike on pavement. Despite this responsiveness, there was not the expected wheel chatter or "touchyness" going 45 miles per hour down hill with lose gravel. Turning on lose, sandy, rocky, dirt roads you never feel fully locked to the ground like a road bike on pavement but the New Niner RLT Carbon is as good as it gets. Once through the turn the bike's light and stiff abilities let you get back to speed as quickly as your legs will allow. - Zack Allison, Professional Cyclist, Senior Coach, President and CEO - Source Endurance Training Center of the Rockies 


A quick interview with Parker, Store Manager at Angry Catfish, Minneapolis, MN. 

Niner: Where'd the  name,  Angry Catfish, come from?

Parker: There was a time in the Angry Catfish history where there was no name, but there was a shop. Before the shop even opened, there was a lot of construction that had to happen, and it was customary to finish up a long day of working on the space with beers and some brainstorming about what to actually call the space. On one particular night, the frustration hit an all-time high and the crew at the shop departed for the evening and headed to a party nearby. It was many hours into the night before Josh (the shop owner), was approached by a very..."colorful", and very drunk gal who proceeded to point straight at him and tell him that he "...Looked like an Angry Catfish...". And well, it stuck.
 
Niner: What's your favorite thing about working at Angry Catfish?

Parker: The Community. It's amazing here. The amount of people that we genuinely enjoy seeing come through the doors is staggering. Everyone here in the city of Minneapolis is really looking out for each other, and looking to help grow the love of cycling in the metro. On any given night there's a group hitting the trails, headed out for a rainy urban assault, or rolling to a concert together. It's just a really good scene, no matter the weather, and no matter the time of the year.

Niner: Is there a favorite type of bike for Minneapolis? 

Parker:  All-Road bikes reign supreme around these parts. We have this funny little thing called "Weather" that not only messes with the temperatures and amount of moisture we see, but really changes our roads, paths, and trails throughout the year. You might ride the same route every day of the year, and I promise you that it won't be the same from Spring to Fall. A new pothole here, some new ruts there and the only real help is a higher volume tire that allows for a bit more forgiveness than your typical road slick. In recent years, the RLT has been the prime example of how to attack the roads and terrain around here. Add the ability to pack on some fenders and a light rear rack and our huge community of commuters stays very happy. 

Niner: Do you have many people who walk into the shop that are interested in bikepacking? What's the most useful thing you tell them?

Parker: Heck yeah! In the recent years we've tried to make ourselves a destination for that type of gear. We carry a multitude of bikepacking bags, straps, cages, stoves, and the occasional sleeping bag and pad of our liking. It seems that more and more we see the traditional cyclist exchange their lycra-clad group rides for weekend Sub-24 camping rides.
A lot of questions come up about bikepacking, for sure. What I try and remind people is that if they've been here in the midwest, and they've done any sort of camping in the past, they probably already have A LOT of the gear needed. Sure, I'd love to sell more and more gear to people, but it's really about helping each individual figure out what works best for them. In order to do that, you have to encourage them to go out with a lot of the gear they already have and figure out what could be better, or what they're missing.

Niner: Have you done any bikepacking? If so, what's your favorite experience?

Parker: Not as much as I'd like to, but I get out for my fair share of exploring and bikepacking throughout the year. Recently my girlfriend and I packed up a tandem we built for the shop and headed out to a local state park about 30-40 miles away. We stopped at a couple dive-bars, took our time, and eventually ended up in the park staying at one of their newly built Yurts with some friends. It wasn't the longest ride, and the scenery wasn't crazy epic. But being able to leave from home and escape the city with friends is always a joy. And doing it on bikes is the BEST!

Niner: If you could give readers one tip for being a successful rider, what would it be?

Parker: Ride for you. Don't ride because you feel obligated. Don't ride because you feel like you need to be fast. Don't ride because you think you had one too many beers this week. Ride because you love it, and because being on your bike gives you the freedom that we all need in our lives.
TREATS FOR YOUR FEET. GET THE SOCK DEAL TODAY.

W
e know you love socks. You're a cyclist. We all seem to have some sort of strange infatuation about what we wear on our feet when we ride. For the month of January, you can set yourself up with some pretty sweet Niner socks. We'll give you 25% off each pair you order. Doesn't matter the pair. Doesn't matter the size. Doesn't matter how many. 

      BUY NOW.

                            USE PROMO CODE: 
2017SOCKS

 

Niner employees are passionate riders who believe that time spent on the trails with friends  is as important as time spent in the office. Scraped knees, riding tales and camp fire smell  in our jackets remind us of our primary goal - building beautiful, dependable bikes that you will enjoy as much as we do.
 
Thank you, from the Niner Bikes Crew!

877-646-3792