Niner RLT RDO Carbon vs RLT 9 Alloy - Gravel Bike Review with Shimano GRX

[@seanwise7464]

I picked up an rlt 9 alloy 3 star a few weeks ago, previously only riding road on a fully upgraded and bone jarring cervelo s3. Didn’t give much thought to gravel bikes as I figured they were slow and bulky like a cheap mtb you would get at a box store. The niner has opened up a new world of riding to me. So far I’ve had 200 miles of mostly gravel fire roads and steep climbs on it, even a few light mtb trails. Despite the extra weight which I found does not bother me at all it is almost as fast on pavement which I’m still having problems understanding. Being quick enough on pavement to keep me happy coupled with ability to go pretty much anywhere and the comfortable frame and ride I would easily choose the niner if I could only have one bike.

[@steveanderson5754]

Thank you so much for this review video. THIS VIDEO WAS AWESOME! VERY HELPFUL! I am a mountain biker and road biker and this winter am planning on building up a gravel bike (and all around do-everything and fire road bike here in the Rocky Mountains). Since I am new to this, I wanted to find an affordable frame that I could build up and use as a test-bed for getting to know different gravel oriented parts. So, I wanted the frame to be affordable but have standard gravel measurements (axles, etc) and fairly generic geometry. I am guessing there will be a world of new gravel bikes in the next few years and I figured while I play with this one I can zero in on my more expensive dream-bike using my experience with the affordable test bed frame. My fear with going with a less expensive frame (and, thus, less expensive frame material) is that it would be a harsh ride. So, this video was fantastic! My association with aluminum is with older harsh road bikes (well, other than mountain bike frames, but they have suspension). THIS HAS HELPED IMMENSELY to know the ride is comparable to Niner's RDO. A little less smooth is A-OK. I will be buying my Niner Aluminum frame later this week. THANKS, AGAIN!

[@GravelCyclist]

Glad my review helped, good luck with the build!

[@somethingbig3797]

Just moved to Colorado in October and one of the first things I wanted to do was get my first nice bike. I hadn't ridden one in over 22 years. I picked up the rlt9 alloy on black Friday at a local bike shop for $1000 off since it was demo model. I've always had cheap bikes, so when I picked this up I was shocked by how light it was. I was a bit shaky at first riding it, but it all came back to me. I'm still unstable, and since the snow is here to stay where I live in the mountains, I've only been able to ride it a few times. I can't wait for spring because it was a great ride.

[@hardmtnbiker]

I find the Niner gravel frames are for taller riders. Maybe built as a 650b wheel gravel bike it would fit smaller riders better.

[@mancello]

Owned the 2019 version of these bikes. I found the alloy version too stiff for my liking so I sold it. The carbon version is one of my favorite bikes and gets ridden often.

[@rawanner7]

Balls on the blindfold observation. 👍🏼. And WHEELS are everything. THNX for the Comparison

[@Merda_Propaganda_Yumerda]

Niner is a great bike for you already a fan of mixed circuit cycling (dirt, asphalt, gravel, etc.), and a great choice for those looking to venture into mixed circuits. Being able to go pedaling without being off the ground is sensational. I have a RTL Alloy 2-Stars that suits me very well! I made an increment on the wheels by using DT Swiss E1900 rims with Panaracer Gravel King SK 700x43 tires, which ensure comfort, stiffness and better performance (both uphill and downhill on dirtier roads). My Niner is already over 27,400km's (since March 2018). I even made a pedal with almost 600km's (about 27h of activity), which despite the physical stress, the comfort provided by geometry made all the difference to succeed in this endeavor. Of course I think of exchanging it ... for another Niner! I highly recommend that at the very least, before buying a bike for Gravel, do a test drive with a Niner.

[@HikeBikePhoto]

The upload consistency is appreciated

[@gregh7387]

RLT 9 alloy is the best gravel frame for the money hands down. The original that everyone tries to copy.

[@tobiasmeierle]

I would love to buy the aluminium frame but i dont like the color at all 😩 I hope next year they will launch a new alu model in a new color that suits me better 😊 nice video!

[@madcapper6]

I remember thinking $4k for a Niner was prohibitively expensive until I started seeing bikes that cost $10k or more. I was looking up the price differences between the two bikes featured in your vid and noticed a $950 price difference on the 4-star build for each. Is the frame the only difference between the two and does the carbon frame justify the price difference? I really like the look of the alloy bike and I'm not a professional racer but do like to ride a fun bike and it looks like plenty of bike for me. Interested in the 3-star build at $2500 US MSRP with the Rival group set. What do you think of Rival as compared to GRX-800? Thank you for the review. Always love your vids.

[@MrLaddog]

I have an older alloy RLT9 and was looking to upgrade to either the new RDO carbon.m or Cervelo Aspero. I don’t do bike packing but I do ride a mix of payment and light gravel. Any thoughts Jom???

[@GravelCyclist]

Brian, both bikes would be fine, but if you want big tyre clearance and a not as harsh ride, get the RDO carbon.

[@THE_W0RLD_1S_Y0UR5]

"I you were blindfolded I don't think you could tell the difference" I don't think you'd remember what you were doing after the horrendous crash that would occur 😃

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha and nobody needs that!

[@mattpalmbeach]

what wheelset and tyres would you strap on the RLT9 RDO for performance?

[@johnevanko3797]

Best bike reviewer on youtube !

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you John! Hopefully, I'll build more of a following one of these days.

[@osint6372]

If you were to remove the wheels , what would you suggest the replacement would be for faster riding/racing? Thanks

[@GravelCyclist]

There a lot of wheel options... generally the lighter the wheel, the lighter the wallet. I really don't like making suggestions. I have reviewed many wheels, I hope those reviews can help you make a purchase decision. Thank you.

[@osint6372]

Nice review indeed....! I have a quick question if you can answer...What are your thoughts on gravel bikes from GIANT.....Any thoughts on the REVOLT ADVANCED 0...Also, I am 5"68 and I was looking at a NINER....Do you believe a 53cm would work..?.My specialized Roubaix Sport is at 52cm.....Thank you in advance

[@GravelCyclist]

No idea, I have not ridden any of the Giant Bikes. Sorry, I do not provide sizing advice.

[@rgroy7125]

great video. I have the RTL Alloy. Any recommendations for a lighter wheelset for a road / gravel ?

[@GravelCyclist]

One tip about wheelsets... the lighter the wheel, the lighter the wallet. With that said, I LOVE the Berd Sparrow wheelset, I reviewed it here (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZipg3WGfbmsopo) and arranged to keep the wheelset after the review.

[@rgroy7125]

@@GravelCyclist Do you have any recommendations in the $500 -$700 range that would provide increased performance and weight relief

[@GravelCyclist]

@@rgroy7125 Take a look at Hunt Wheels - us.huntbikewheels.com

[@jonathanharrill1795]

As always, great gravel bike review! I'm very interested in the RLT RDO 4-star in olive green and orange based upon this review and JOM's joint review on Clint Gibbs' channel. However, I'm vacillating on the size... 53cm or 56cm. I'm 5'11", 31.5" inseam with a longer torso. My roadie is a Trek Domane SL9, 56cm. I've been told the RLT RDO standover is slightly higher ( 81.78 cm’s in the 56cm while the 56cm Domane is only 77.6). Perhaps I could purchase the 53cm and add a 110/120mm stem and get kinky with the saddle/seatpost. Unfortunately there is not a Niner distributor that carries the RLT RDO bike within 100 miles of me in Wash DC.Thoughts anyone?

[@TheDarKris]

With the 29 x 2.0 or the 27.5 x 2.1 tires, about how much clearance was left between the fork/chain stays? Would there be any rubbing if there was mud present when running those tires?

[@GravelCyclist]

Riding in mud with big tyres is ill-advised in my experience, my GK Mud specific tyres measure 700c x 35 and crush... and have a ton of room. With both of the bigger tyres in the review, there was about 4-5mm clearance, but the non-drive had a smidge more... there is a little offset at the rear end on both bikes which I assume has to do with how the stays are designed to accommodate decent size 2x and big tyres. To answer your question, if you were running big tyres and riding in sticky mud, I think yes, you would have some rubbing.

[@TheDarKris]

Gravel Cyclist that’s fair. I personally enjoy the wider tires since I’m a much heavier rider. And while I don’t intentionally ride through deep mud I’m always over cautious.

[@andyheilmann1656]

I have a carbon TT bike and an aluminum road/gravel bike. I'll definitely stick with aluminum got gravel. I get nervous whenever I get my carbon bike dirty

[@kpbo5430]

I could be mistaken, but according to the Niner spec sheet, these bikes are supplied with the 'standard' carbon seatpost (not the 'RDO' model as you suggested). Perhaps this explains the difference you noted in compliance?

[@leefitler4597]

Kevin Oh Yeah, it looks like the Niner aluminum seat post to me.

[@kpbo5430]

Lee Fitler naw it’s definitely carbon (I’ve got the same exact model/build). Just noticed that it doesn’t have the ‘RDO’ badging. Competitive Cyclist catalog shows both a ‘Niner carbon seatpost’ ($120, 273g) and a ‘Niner RDO carbon seatpost’ ($200, 220g). I’m assuming the 2020 RLT is spec’d with the former.

[@strix2035]

How would you say the RDO rides on the road? Is it a fast bike?

[@GravelCyclist]

RDO carbon would be a good dual purpose machine, pavement or road. Slap on a second pair of wheels with tubeless roadie tyres FTW!

[@strix2035]

@@GravelCyclist I just picked up the RLT RDO in that blood red. This is my first drop bar bike move from mountain bike back round. I got a good deal on the lower end 2 star build do you think that Apex will be a good starting point?

[@GravelCyclist]

@@strix2035 Definitely. Even the 11 speed Apex 1x is a good starting point.

[@earlyapex911]

Thanks for this review. It helped me decide on the Niner RLT 9 Alloy frame and put some of the savings into a set of lightweight wheels.

[@GravelCyclist]

Nice one, wheels make the biggest difference.

[@jg9008]

I really wish they would have stuck with the GRX crankset. Other than that, fantastic! (Also, thanks so much for your content!)

[@GravelCyclist]

You are welcome! I am a bit perplexed by this decision as well, it is also found on the MCR range of bikes.

[@tmayberry7559]

Does clicking the bell button set me back any coins lol

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha there is no Patreon around here. I work a regular 40 hour a week job + this madness to keep it all afloat!

[@tmayberry7559]

@@GravelCyclist way to go jom

[@SheonneNoon]

What is that rear light at 5:40?

[@GravelCyclist]

It is a Cycliq FLY 6 CE Rear-facing Taillight & Camera.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@OutThere42 Unfortunately, you are incorrect. It is a Cycliq FLY 6 CE Rear-facing Taillight & Camera.

[@carloarguelles5205]

alloy rules

[@Edub-em3rr]

The irony. Now they are like unicorns if you can find one.

[@patrickbaker9040]

RLT 9 RDO available in April

[@brentboswell7972]

Yep, been waiting over a year now since ordering my RLT 9 Alloy

[@aaarauz1]

@@brentboswell7972 ever get it?

[@brentboswell7972]

@@aaarauz1 yep it took 13months due to Covid delays.. but the carbon RDO came instead so wasn't disappointed at all. Luckily have a nice hardtail to ride the backroads while I waited.

[@georgegoryan2781]

Please review the Ribble CGR AL !!!!! :)

[@shannonparker7404]

PF30 Bottom Bracket. Burn it. Burn it with fire.

[@GravelCyclist]

Yikes!