Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5+ 2 Star SLX Complete Bike 2017

Niner's breaking tradition and expanding its options with the 2017 RIP 9 RDO 27. 5 2 Star SLX Complete Bike. Yes, you read that right. 27. 5. That wheel and tire pairing is so nimble, so plush, and so grippy that we suppose it was only a matter of time. The frame itself is also somewhat expanded. Simultaneously slacker, longer, and even more responsive on climbs, the RIP 9's REvolution geometry boasts the versatility to shred rock gardens and technical descents as eagerly as it scales steep grades. This build is kitted up with Shimano's workhorse SLX drivetrain, a dropper post, and Stan's NoTubes hoops to expand your definition of fun on the trail. The frame's versatility is heavily influenced by its Boost axle spacing. By bumping the rear axle out to 148mm, Niner was able to buy enough clearance at the bottom bracket to shorten the chainstays and sharpen the seat tube angle by 11mm and 2. 5 degrees, respectively. These subtle changes make the rear triangle that much more responsive to input while also pushing the rider's engine up over the pedals. The stubby stays also keep the bike agile, but with a 67 degree head tube and 170mm of RockShox forgiveness up front, it's just as happy to try flattening everything in its path or at least bailing you out when your lines start to get a bit too ambitious. In the event that discretion wins the day, the RIP 9's longer top tube and short stem keep handling on point, despite that low head tube angle, so you can always fall back on those dicey stays to navigate stretches of especially techy terrain. There's obviously a lot of new radness with the RIP 9, but two things remain pleasantly unchanged: the Race Day Optimized RDO construction method and the Constantly Varying Arc CVA suspension design. RDO involves a dual compression process that eliminates resin pooling and allows precise control over wall thickness. Reducing imperfections makes for a more structurally sound frame, and the targeted control over lay up ...