Niner Air 9 RDO Review

[@nealpoorman2159]

I think many of us would love to see a comparison with your gravel bike!! great video as always

[@ClintGibbs]

That's coming up in a few weeks

[@rigorhead01]

Great job! You are very articulate and the information you provide is relevant, and the way you delivered the content kept things interesting throughout the entire video. Well done!

[@John_D2]

Nino Schurter still rides a hardtail on some courses , actually a lot of other pros still ride HT's. I don't think they will ever disappear completely.

[@michaelfabian2401]

Excellent review as ALWAYS Clint! Man I'm looking forward to the riding season, I'm here in WV and it's still snowing, sleeting and raining more often than anything... Come on SPRING!!

[@th_js]

Love your Reviews Clint!

[@NoBrakes23]

You're right on the money about big kids getting good travel out of that seatpost. I weigh 275, and I rode the carbon RDO seatpost on a SIR 9 a couple of years ago, It felt almost as compliant in the rear as the RKT 9, (Obviously it isn't, but it felt that way.) Speaking of fat kid issues, fork flex is an issue that plagues me, but I recently demo'd a Giant Anthem with that Fox 32 SC. I was surprised that it held up fine and tracked well, even over some rough descents. I prefer the 34, but I could live with a Step Cast 32 in a XC/mild trail environment.

[@Devon4628]

Can't argue the fact that that's a great looking bike!

[@trevornye131]

Thank you for the review very interesting that it took you by surprise I think. A good bike though.

[@lakeorion9355]

Clint, couldn't you just pull the hub axle out of your Valors with the cassette body and swap with you Arch axle? The Valors dropped about 0.8 lbs over the Arches for me. BTW: I am switching from the RKT 9 to the Air 9 this year so I will be following these review closely. Thanks for all your great reviews/videos.

[@ClintGibbs]

I'm going to check with Stans to see if I can get another freehub body for the valors.

[@joemorreale9204]

I just ran into this with a set of Bontrager wheels. All I had to do was order the Shimano freehub body. Hopefully Stans works with you on this, Clint. You’ve certainly given them a good chunk of free advertising. Looking forward to the next video.

[@unpavedattitudeFl]

Specialized Epic hardtail...now that would be interesting.

[@peacedets]

The main issue for me riding a hardtail is a different feeling of front (suspended) and rear (not suspended) wheel. That's why I do not like hardtail as a bike type. I use Gravel / rigid fork hardtail or full-suspension only.

[@auricusvaljan3104]

Just got my AIR 9 RDO 4 star , used to ride a Trek Fuel EX full suspension , but honestly this bike just blow me away .

[@RickyScoles]

Treks new ISOspeed seat post gives better flex and makes the hard tail way less harsh on your bum without sacrificing any pedal efficiency. Should definitely try that out . More fun for your bum 🤙👍

[@shane4176]

Could you link your video, hard tail vs full suspension? Thanks all great videos!

[@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia]

Clint- just discovered you, and that you live in my hometown Gainesville (heard you mention Fla in another video and then Gville in your nutrition video). What's the fast trail you ride in this vid? I've been in Miami a long time now- ride the parks we have here on my Santa Cruz Blur carbon 26, and occasionally head up to Santos. Go Gators (if not Gatorade) & Petty!!! ;^)

[@ClintGibbs]

Welcome to Gainesville! The trail is Tung Nut at San Felasco. I'm actually putting together a new type of video called local Trail time and I feature that one first. It'll be posted in the next couple days.

[@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia]

No, I'm a Gainesville Native who left... over 30 years ago- I should welcome you to Gville! :^) Back in the day, as a teen, we'd ride motocross in the San Felasco area... Look forward to Trail Time, subscribed! PS, good luck with the pancreas!!!

[@ClintGibbs]

I gotcha. Well I'm sure San Felasco has changed a lot since then. No motorcycles out there now. Not sure what you meant by"pancreas"?

[@glennoc8585]

I'm biding up a.new 29rer now.but this one will.be a fully rigid nut.I work out what forks I out in her. I've had a custom.Orange paint job much.like this bike. I love hard tails for xc riding but then I'm over 40 and grew up.on.hard tail.Marin and Giants.

[@phl1200r]

How has it been dealing with the new ownership of the company?

[@ClintGibbs]

No problems at all

[@sonnybocalajr.725]

How does the ride compare to the Giant XTC Advanced with 29er wheels that u tested a while back?

[@tigerbalm666]

Why don't they design som shock absorbing grommet forthe seat post to absorb vibrations?

[@YanDoroshenko]

780 on an XC bike? I thought I was the only idiot to do that.

[@andypaul999]

Yan Doroshenko i another idiot on 780’s

[@Montblanc1986]

Shouldn’t it have level brakes not guide?

[@ClintGibbs]

The three-star build comes with Guide R brakes.

[@blambmtb6189]

I'm 200lbs. Would a fox 34 SC be ok on this?

[@ClintGibbs]

Yes

[@blambmtb6189]

@@ClintGibbs quick question i have the chance to get a good deal on this bike. I'm 6'2 would the xl be too big for me ? Says its good for people that are 6'3-6'7

[@ClintGibbs]

@@blambmtb6189 my son is about 5’10” and rides a large. I got him that size because he continues to grow. I don’t think an XL would be too big. Worst case is you put on a shorter stem which may actually improve a handling

[@blambmtb6189]

@@ClintGibbs thank you Clint! Love the channel

[@chrismurphy92]

I just put an RDO seatpost on my aluminium Trek Superfly hardtail. It really does work great!