Niner launches RLT 9 Steel gravel road bike

[Rebel_Biker]

http://www.roadbikereview.com/reviews/niner-launches-rlt-9-steel-gravel-road-bike

Right price and tube set.

However, in my opinion, that tapered HT looks awkward with the TT&DT size. I think those HT are awkward with most tube sets but really bad with the round 853 tubes. At least the Condor massive DT and shaped TT look OK joined up to the big tapered HT.

[PoppaWheelie]

I was a huge hater of the beer can head tube when they first appeared...but now I admit I think it's cool...even with a small downtube like the Niner.

[sandyrs]

This was discussed in this thread a bit:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=165835

I like the looks of it overall, though I would make some changes to make it ideal for my needs (no PF30, for example).

[adhumston]

I have a Co-Motion Klatch that's in the build process at the moment. It uses a tapered HT with 853, and it's actually pretty mean looking (in a tough, wouldn't mess with in a bar fight kind of way). It may use a larger diameter tubing though.

http://co-motion.com/index.php/bikes/klatch

[eBAUMANN]

Ive seen a disc frame like this with a under-sized (31.8) downtube straight up BREAK IN HALF in a relatively minor crash (cx race, landed squarely on the front wheel to endo).

Super stiff tapered carbon forks + oversized headtubes = all force directed into the TT and DT upon any sort of impact to the front end.

The builder who had this happen to one of his frames has never built another without 35mm downtube and even went so far to recall and replace the DT's on all frames with 31.8 tubes.

It also just looks...off, IMO.

[osu cycling]

I too think the RLT Steel has a lot going for it that the regular RLT did not (namely, steel!)... sort of odd that the rear is thru-axle but front is not though.

[hamitup]

I have the Alum version and so far have enjoyed it