Niner JET 9 RDO Review, Why You Need a Training Bike

I review my training bike, the Niner JET RDO. I also go into the reasons why you should consider having a separate bike for racing and training.
Big thanks to Kaine McAlister for filming. Check out his KZbin channel: / @kainemcalister
My Niner JET 9 RDO: ninerbikes.com/MY19-JET-9-RDO-...
5 ways to test your FTP: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmxhV...
Will lifting make you faster?: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xej9...
How to do a recovery ride: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsfNu...
The Time Crunched Cyclist: amzn.to/2zgUx08
Follow me on Instagram, twitter, and Facebook for more coaching content:
Instagram coaching page: @dylanctscoach
Instagram athlete page: @dylanjawnson
Twitter: @djdylansjohnson
Facebook: Dylan Johnson Cycling Coach
The views and opinions expressed in this video are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CTS, my sponsors, and/or partners.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

I have seen this guy racing folks and he is the real deal. This guy was fast without a doubt.

[@trbeyond]

I love that you included a video of yourself crashing hard in the intro!

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Had to get the point across that this bike has been abused!

[@Rzagski]

When I first started racing at age 49 I had one XC race bike, a scalpel 1 carbon. That bike has a ton of miles on it but after two years I bought a niner rip rdo. It’s my training bike for the last few years. It’s a few lbs heavier and definitely bigger in the switch backs and bombs down hill. That being said it’s made me faster on the race bike. Training bike is a great idea and you can always find a used one less than half of new. I’m old and slow but faster than 33 other guys last week in my bracket.

[@rascal1234]

9er is my favorite mtb bike. Ever since I got my Air RDO, I’ve been hooked. Getting my daughter the jet. Thanks for the review.

[@hpaa3869]

Awesome man. I use my ‘16 niner jet9 rdo as my trail bike. Love it!

[@bbens999]

2016 Niner Rip 9 RDO is mine - love it!

[@poochie8208]

I'm coming back to MTB after a 10 year vacation (yikes), cracked my trusty old Gary Fischer and used that as an excuse to get me a new Trek Procaliber carbon. A buddy suggested I tried getting the old frame warrantied, yeah fat chance I thought. Well, lo and behold, the guys at Trek were super awesome and I ended up getting a warranty Procaliber Aluminum frame. With parts that I had lying around (read parts left from upgrades to the new bike) I was able to build me a training bike that is the same frame as my more serious bike (Would not have the nerve to call it a race frame as I don't think I can push the bike hard enough to use that word yet). The benefits are that one fit is good for both bikes, just copy measurements over, and that I keep the same geometry on my training rides so am also getting used to the geometry during the long base km. Same as Dylan, I swap cranks with the power meter, as it is silly to have 2. This setup is the result of sheer luck, no planning whatsoever. But goes to show that sometimes paying premium for a frame does work, specially in the warranty department.

[@gregcavanaugh6259]

Dylan, a pretty glowing review. The Jet 9 is a little behind the newer crop of mid travel 29ers in terms of geo and other items that the press/industry loves to dwell on, but a fantastic value on their frames right now. Have you spent time on anything else besides your Niners? Do you think there's any truth to all the hype about other bikes out there? Also, do you sometimes choose the Jet vs RKT for longer/rougher races? If not, why not? Is it that much heavier? Thanks for great content! Video suggestion: How about a simple do every week training routine, that those of us without power meters can still do. (also with about an hour session each time...maybe on a trainer...)

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Great suggestion. I've been on Scott and Giant although only their xc bikes so I can't really say what their mid travel bikes feel like. I always chose the RKT for racing no matter how rough it is because it is about 4 to 7 pounds lighter depending on how I have it set up. If it is a rough course I opt for a 120mm fork on the RKT instead of a 100mm.

[@gregcavanaugh6259]

@@DylanJohnsonCycling thanks for the insights. I'll only have one bike, so just getting some more insight on the Jet.

[@matt.eggleton]

So, I'm like many -- own ONLY "race bikes," each spec'd for a specific task ... hahaha -- but, reminded that the mega-buck CF race wheels can stay in the cool/dry basement and I can/should be doing the majority of my hard training on my stocker alum wheels. Duh! Thx for that nugget!

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Yes! If you're not going to get a training bike at least get some training wheels.

[@SaltyMikeNC]

Damn! that got Gnarly quick!

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

It's easy to push a little too hard when the camera is rolling

[@vinasr123]

Love mine jet 9. I think there new niner dealer in Brevard, NC. Are you using them?

[@fastleopard1]

Good argument for having a training bike. Do you have narrower race handlebars and you do on your training bike?

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

I have the same width bars on my race bike. 780mm is wide by xc standards but I like it that way and it's what I'm used to.

[@AlexTampa-zn9xo]

Great review thank you. I ordered mine 27.5+ and comes with the slacker puck. Have you ride the bike with it? Any diff.?

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

I haven't because I want the geometry to be closer to my xc race bike but I should probably give it a try. It would be nice for some of the downhills here.

[@davidmaco1]

Alex did you get the 27.5 plus yet? wondering how you like it

[@romemubarak13]

Hey Dylan is that a 2 star, 4 star or 5/star build?

[@myonedog]

hi what size you ride and how tall are you?

[@zachhutelin8988]

HOW DID YOU DO YOUR CABLE ROUTING???????? LOOKS SO CLEAN

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Proper cable routing is key

[@durcell123]

Got one ..did a build on it ..put a 140 pike on it ..I thought it's was tab bit twitchy .. granted I was going from a specialized Enduro which I still have to this more of a trail ask bike which I'll be the first to admit I have a hard time riding two different styles of bikes definitely.

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

I'm coming from the opposite end of the spectrum, I usually ride an xc bike. Interesting to hear your perspective.

[@durcell123]

Yeah I love my bike our bills are almost identical I have a GX 12 speed comes in and right at 28 lb I did have to mess around with this suspension a bit cuz I'm a bigger guy(200) the standover great I do think they could probably add a little steeper seat tube angle maybe a half degree slacker that bike will be dialed. It's an extremely playful bike but you got to be careful I believe that's it's so playful and so responsive you can dip a shoulder or move ahead and that bike goes directly where basically point it. I could get away with a little bit of those mistakes on my Enduro I guess I can't took me a little bit to get used to.

[@patrimron6212]

I have the same bike and it came with a spacer under the head tube that lifted the front end up and out just a bit. Its supposed to be for the 650b wheels but Niner shipped it with my 29 version and is their "recommended" set up. I ended up taking taking it off (made the bike more responsive) but am wondering if you've ridden with that spacer under the head tube?

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

I have not. That's interesting. I would probably get a longer travel fork if I converted to 650b over putting a spacer under the head tube.

[@user93634]

If you are racing on a full suspension, would it be okay to be riding a hardtail that has the same fork and drivetrain for training? Or should I be riding something similar to race day?

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

I used a hardtail as my training bike for a long time. Ideally you would train on a FS if that's what you're racing but a HT is not a bad option either.

[@rogsands5644]

What is your stem length? I have an 80mm stem on my xc bike,. Wondering if I should try shorter stem?

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

I've got a 90mm on my race bike and a 40mm on this one. I'd give it a try and see how it feels.

[@guicao]

hi Dylan...i already have an air 9 rdo hardtail....do you think an jet9 would be a smart choice for cape epic races?

[@bbens999]

I don’t think you’ll ever regret getting a Niner FS - I love mine

[@jonienglish3231]

what size BIKE ? how Tall are you ? DYLAN

[@ianschwing1273]

You should do all your bikes’ bike check

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Planning on it!

[@carlosgomezzzzzzz]

My training bike is a road bike, I do most of my training on the road

[@Narutofan825]

You sure do have lots of money to spend on so many bikes lol

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

hahaha I wish

[@randy6350]

Sorry but sounds like a commercial Niner bikes. I.e. paid spokesman and or sponsored rider. Sorry buddy nothing that good right out of the box. Plus I would take a “Nice” the word here is “Nice” steel or Ti. hardtail over full suspension for racing any day. Better yet try a YBB! I’m sure you’re fast but I attribute that to genes and training not so much the bike. I raced MTB’s for years (before the first Rockshox with pink decals & clip less pedals) and there’s no substitute for fitness!

[@bbens999]

Niners are that great right out of the box. Mine is amazing and easily the best climbing full suspension out there. Beats a hardtail any day with the time made up in descents. It’s reliable and well-engineered. Love my carbon FS Rip 9 RDO. Sorry you missed out on great bikes like these.

[@bbens999]

But you’re at least correct about there being no substitute for fitness. But, having the best tools helps.