Carbon fiber gets all the credit these days. It’s light, it’s stiff, and it’s infinitely variable in terms of size, shape, material properties, and strength. Ask any bike freak about the world’s best bikes, and 9 times out of 10, they’ll foam over like a simmering saucepan, raving about exotic Italian carbon fiber dream machines.
But carbon fiber is like tomato sauce ndash; there’s more to it than the tomatoes and where they were grown. It matters more how you make it and what you put it on.
As lifelong gravel (and pasta) addicts, we’re experts at finding the ingredients to make carbon fiber ideal for every adventure we can envision. As such, we add a healthy dose of soul to our in-house RDO carbon fiber recipe.
To be clear, Niner’s RDO carbon fiber is light enough and stiff enough to satisfy the most selective gravel racers. We’re not afraid to brag that Niner riders have won a fair share of Unbound Gravels. But these days, “light, fast, strong, and stiff” is easy.
What takes more thought and care is maintaining a healthy dose of bump-absorbing compliance. RLT 9 RDO riders roll in comfort with tube shaping and carbon fiber layups made for a forgiving ride.