By adding our CVA full suspension to a dedicated gravel bike platform, we’re blending the confidence and control of a cross-country race bike with the efficiency, fit, and responsive handling of a gravel bike. The result is a drop bar bike with superior comfort, power delivery,and pure, unadulterated fun.
At the heart of the MCR is Niner’s patented, proven, Constantly Varying Arc (CVA) suspension system. It debuted in 2008 and has been incrementally refined ever since. But the fundamentals have not changed: CVA is stable yet supple while climbing and pedaling; sensitive and supportive going downhill; consistent and controlled in every situation.
For the MCR 9 RDO, we changed the suspension curve to emphasize performance for a seated, pedaling rider. It’s tuned to be especially sensitive to high frequency, low amplitude bumps, and more linear with less end-stroke progression. Configured as a short-travel system, we want riders to easily achieve full travel with less emphasis on big hits and bottom out resistance like you’d find on our mountain bikes.
In the MCR 9 RDO, we made the most sophisticated, tunable suspension system possible, with minimum unsprung weight. By suspending as much of the bike and rider mass as possible, we achieve the most sensitive, compliant ride possible. For the suspension to be effective for riders who are seated and pushing on the pedals, this was a critical piece of the full suspension puzzle to nail down.
Air springs are infinitely tunable to suit a wide range of riders and their gear. And oil damping is essential, both for controlling compression energy inputs from the rider and for dissipating rebound energy as the suspension recovers from bumps of all sizes.
The MCR 9 is more than a gravel bike. It doesn’t skitter and skate through corners. It doesn’t buck you out of the saddle when you pedal through washboards, ruts, and cobblestoned stream
crossings. And descending rough roads at speed is not a white-knuckle fear fest.
Why? Because it doesn’t rely simply on tire pressure and undamped frame flex for suspension. Thanks to suspension, the MCR 9 encourages sitting deep in the saddle and pedaling powerfully through chop. It hugs the ground and tracks corners like a slot car. It’s planted and confident on high speed descents. It leaves you fresher, with more energy and less wasted effort, by isolating you from intrusive bump inputs.
If light weight, endless uphills, and ruthless efficiency is your thing, our RLT 9 gravel bike series is your jam. If steep, rough descents and straight up singletrack figures prominently in your plans, consider the RKT 9 RDO mountain bike.
But if you want an entirely new outlook on gravel,one that marries the confidence and comfort of a mountain bike with the efficiency and fit of a gravel bike, hop on this Magic Carpet for the ride of your life.
1. 50mm of stable yet supple CVA suspension with a refined curve for small bump performance and full travel.
2. Rear shock lockout with handlebar remote; fork lockout.
3. RDO carbon fiber main frame and rear triangle with forged, 1-piece linkages.
4. Integrated rear fender protects suspension components.
5. 11 fixed mounting points for frame bags, bottles, and more.
6. Removable front derailleur mount, for 2x and 1x chainring options.
7. Durable, long-lasting Enduro Max “Black Oxide” pivot bearings.
8. Clearance for 700x50c and 650b x 2.0 tires.
9. End-to-end, Full Sleeve internal cable guides including
dropper post routing and integrated frame protection.
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