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Product: RKT 9 RDO 2-Star SX Eagle Mountain Bike

Write Up: The best thing about being a privateer is that we get to choose our bikes, and some of the best riders in the world can't access all the tech crammed into the Niner RKT 9 RDO 2-Star SX Eagle Mountain Bike. Niner proves with the RKT 9 that they're all-in on securing cross-country podiums. Aggressive suspension and proprietary linkage build a hyper-capable machine that's ready for short XC events and our next marathon stage race. The 90mm CVA-tuned suspension in the rear keeps things plush during long races and training days, while the unique kinematics ensure efficient pedaling on chunky terrain.
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Starting in 2004, Niner was one of the first companies to go all-in on 29” wheels. Improved rollover and the bigger contact patch mean they’re faster at a minimal weight penalty. That innovation has carried over with the RKT 9 RDO, which uses Niner’s CVA (Constantly Varying Arc) suspension system to give riders an ultra-predictable platform. Once we get used to how CVA rides and responds, we can't imagine going to the alternative.
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Geometry on the RKT 9 RDO is aggressive but designed around a downcountry approved 120mm fork, so we still get a good dose of forgiveness when sending ourselves off steep terrain. Designed and ridden in Colorado, this bike is built for long, technical climbs and ensures the effort we put into the pedals efficiently drives us through steep terrain. With a demanding 70° head angle and a slightly slacked-out 73.5° seat-tube angle, the bike pushes us to get out of the saddle and over the bars, going hard until all we can see is red and all we can hear is our heartbeat.
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We knew what we were getting into with the RKT RDO 9, an aggressive cross-country race bike that yearns for Strava® KOMs and podiums, and we’re not afraid to push ourselves to the absolute limit to meet those demands. Fox suspension performance is equipped to the RKT, and when the trail tilts down, it supports us over anything we throw ourselves into. The 2-Star build features the same carbon the 5-star model gets, so don’t be afraid to upgrade the bike over time, as you’ll still get the same responsive and stiff carbon layup the big dogs enjoy. The RKT 9 might not be our next trail bike, but it will be the bike that gets us on the top step of coveted cross-country podiums.