Nice review. Thanks. A couple of years ago I pulled the trigger on an RKT after seeing your review. I was now checking the geometry of the 2018 Air 9 RDO and realized it has changed quite a bit since the 2011 model I have. I think I'm going to like this bike a lot!
Would like you to compare and contrast this bike with the Giant XTC you tested last year. Thanks for showing us all these bikes Clint, it has really helped me in bike buying decisions.
Excellent review on the niner rdo ht.. Nice colour frame matches with the fox 🦊 fork.. Sweet specs too.. I hope you to do more reviews on ht bikes and if possible a review on another brand and compare it to the niner.
I like your videos, always very interesting. Just few thoughts: you use some very strong statements like, one of the best hardtail, one of the fastest, one of the most fun hardtail... Etc... you mean compared to what you have tried and your experience because there are so many good options and contenders in the xc race carbon categories...like new Specialized epic, New Santa Cruz Hiball, Cannondale Scalpel, Trek Fuel, Rocky mountain Element, Scott Scale....sll companies that actually have teams that compete in the UCI Xc world cup....with real world testing.it would be nice to compare the Niner to other companies like those... I'm not sure the Niner would be on the top list....😉
Clint I have a 4 star Air 9 rdo with niner carbon wheels and a 3 star rkt with Arch alloy wheels. Using niner carbon on the rkt now and thinking of adding Stan's carbon wheels to the Air 9 and would like to know what you think about the AIR 9 with your Valor wheels. looking at the new Crest carbon wheels. Thants
Great video. Only thing that could be better in my honest opinion is audio quality. Don't know how to explain it but it wasn't great. Sounds like the mic was covered and there was noice from something rubbing against the mic? :S Looking forward to next video!
Nice review. Thanks. A couple of years ago I pulled the trigger on an RKT after seeing your review. I was now checking the geometry of the 2018 Air 9 RDO and realized it has changed quite a bit since the 2011 model I have. I think I'm going to like this bike a lot!
The air 9 is a fantastic hardtail. But I just can't get away from full suspension. The RKT9 is one of the best bikes I've ever ridden.
Would like you to compare and contrast this bike with the Giant XTC you tested last year. Thanks for showing us all these bikes Clint, it has really helped me in bike buying decisions.
super pumped!!New bike day Monday..canyon strive..cant wait
Another great video Clint
I love the looks of that bike, so simple and faaast!
Would like to see your time trial difference from a hard tail compared to a full suspension. Keep up the videos!
Excellent review on the niner rdo ht.. Nice colour frame matches with the fox 🦊 fork.. Sweet specs too.. I hope you to do more reviews on ht bikes and if possible a review on another brand and compare it to the niner.
Great vid Clint
Love your videos Clint,would like to know how it compares to the gravel bike for speed and comfort on single track and a long gravel ride.
same here
I like your videos, always very interesting. Just few thoughts: you use some very strong statements like, one of the best hardtail, one of the fastest, one of the most fun hardtail... Etc... you mean compared to what you have tried and your experience because there are so many good options and contenders in the xc race carbon categories...like new Specialized epic, New Santa Cruz Hiball, Cannondale Scalpel, Trek Fuel, Rocky mountain Element, Scott Scale....sll companies that actually have teams that compete in the UCI Xc world cup....with real world testing.it would be nice to compare the Niner to other companies like those... I'm not sure the Niner would be on the top list....😉
So is the RDO smoother than the Xtc?
If you would get to add a dropper then it would be the perfect XC machine for my taste.
Clint I have a 4 star Air 9 rdo with niner carbon wheels and a 3 star rkt with Arch alloy wheels. Using niner carbon on the rkt now and thinking of adding Stan's carbon wheels to the Air 9 and would like to know what you think about the AIR 9 with your Valor wheels. looking at the new Crest carbon wheels.
Thants
I would really love to put the valors on that bike but the hub on the Air 9 RDO is SRAM XD Drive and my valors are Shimano interface.
Great video. Only thing that could be better in my honest opinion is audio quality. Don't know how to explain it but it wasn't great. Sounds like the mic was covered and there was noice from something rubbing against the mic? :S Looking forward to next video!
Welcome To Go Pro Audio. I do need to figure out a good external mic to use with it. But the adapter is so bulky!
Ok, I see. I just wanted you to know. Good luck and keep it up. Bless
Cool video. What resolution and frame rate do you record in? Your footage looks great!!!
I did 1080p and 60fps for this one.
Anyway to do the same loops you did on the giant plus HT, and compare times?
I will. When I was doing the plus bike comparison I did put some 29er wheels on and I was faster on those.
in the video, youre not on your valor wheelset, right ?
Right. Stock wheels...Stans Arch
At least it wasn’t a wasp. Happened to a friend of mine and it got him on the tongue!
One can easily die if allergic to wasp bites! Hope he's OK.
Isn't 71 degrees quite steep for a modern xc bike?
Niner's geometry is generally pretty old-school. In fact, I would say they're quite behind the curve these days.
Yeah, super old school
gimble