Niner RDO Carbon Fork: The RDO Fork starts with our incredible Niner Carbon Fork and increases steering precision with a Rock Shox Maxle through-axle. The no-compromises 15mm interface makes...
Submitted by
Goldsbar
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2011
Strengths: Flexible yet stiff, mega light.
Weaknesses: Typical Niner product delays. Took 5 months to get.
Bottom Line:
Using to replace a Niner steel fork but I've had plenty of suspension bikes from a mid 90s HT with a 50mm(?) fork to a 6" Enduro SL F/S. The Niner steel fork was very good and certainly a much better value. This fork is simply great. The steel fork required some speed before it became compliant. This fork feels compliant at 2 mph. When things get faster, this fork really comes alive and dampens up the rock hits very nicely. It feels like a low travel suspension fork. Yet somehow, during slow climbs, it still manages to turn on a dime. Really impressed. Rigid and 29ers go together well. Many of the trails in the area are rocky - not downhill style rocky but certainly what people used to call technical. My hands are still able to function after a couple of hours on this fork. Not so much the steel fork.
Similar Products Used: Various over 20 years. Replacing a Niner steel fork.
Bike Setup: SIR 9, 2.4" Ardent up front at 23-25 psi. Don't try to run rigid with a thin racing tire at 40 psi!!!
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Rotorua, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2011
Strengths: Light weight, looks great, absorbs smaller impacts well, excellent on high speed sketchy tracks, stiff enough to steer great yet enough flex give comfortable ride
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
Only just had the fork fitted but absolutely love it. Steel feels great but never thought carbon rigid to be that much better, but it is. Single speed 29r rigid matched with carbon is the way to go. Will seriously be looking at an Air9
Similar Products Used: GT Steel and original Salsa steel
Bike Setup: 2011 Salsa El Mariachi in blue, Nude carbon Niner fork, Chris King headset, Thomson 100 stem, Niner flat top bar 710 wide, Ergon grips, Thomson 410 seatpost, Flite titanium saddle, Truvativ Stylo BB and crank (32-18), mavic 719 rims, DT Swiss SS spokes, Hope hubs front and rear. Rides fantastic.
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Submitted by
tmcgreer
a Cross Country Rider
from Keene, NH
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2011
Strengths: This fork is so resilient! Super strong, yet not harsh. Great design!
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
Being over 210lbs and over 40 yrs old, I was a little aprehensive about going to a rigid fork. After 2 rides, I decided to sell my Reba Race! I put a 2.4 tubeless up front, and took 2 lbs off the bike! It is so responsive, steering is more precise, and the ride quality couldn't be better!
Bike Setup: Moots Ybb, Full XTR, Carbon Bars, Moots Stem and Seat Post
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Submitted by
jomissa
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2011
Strengths: Looks killer, super lightweight.
Weaknesses: -Crown Race snugs right up to the top of the fork- no way to get off without damaging top of fork (e.g. notches with white brothers rock solid) MUST use removal tool.
-I found the ride quality to be harsh for rocky riding even with a 2.4 raching raplh.
Bottom Line:
I did not like the ride quality and fgor technical rocky riding would not suggest. Im still giving it a good rating as its a pretty good product- just not my cup of tea. went back to WB rock solit and felt back at home!
Submitted by
ssloser
a Cross Country Rider
from So Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2011
Strengths: way cool factor, blingy looks, superb handling, total fun, over 2 lb weight loss!
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
i thought the White Bros was a good rigid fork but this Niner is a fantastic product. In a nother league. First time i rode i had a ear to ear grin. makes you ride way faster and a better rider. I originally bought it for a CX bike , decided to try it on my SS, took off the Fox F29er and never looked back. want to get the tapered setup now, got to be even better i would imagine/. Be a man. Do it.
Bike Setup: Specialized Stumpjumper SS (non tapered)
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Submitted by
Thubeav
a Cross Country Rider
from Decatur, GA USA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2010
Strengths: Bling factor. Functionality. Fun factor.
Weaknesses: None really. However, carbon does require careful handling to achieve best results.
Bottom Line:
What a great ride. Everybody loves it. It's as light and simple as it gets. I'm still learning what I can do with this set up. It feels like an extra tooth or two faster.
The factory install directions must be observed. 1. Don't void your warranty. 2. Don't hurt yourself or worse your bike. 3. Do it right and get a torque wrench.
Similar Products Used: Nothing similar. Lots of mtb suspension forks.
Bike Setup: carbon Niner w carbon Niner fork. And other parts to make SS bike.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
sngltrkr
a Cross Country Rider
from Deerfield IL USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2010
Strengths: super light, stiff, durable
Weaknesses: cost i guess
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks. The front end is super light and handling is outstanding. I have an old wrist injury and no problems riding this on lots of rough single track. Fork is very durable. I've done several direct hits and even been over the bars more than a couple of times and no problems with the forks. I'm riding a Ti frame with carbon seatpost, this fork and carbon bars. It's like having suspension on an 18 lb. bike.
Similar Products Used: Kona Project 2, Rock Shox Reba Race
Bike Setup: IF Ti Deluxe SS 29er
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Submitted by
yourdaguy
a Cross Country Rider
from Newburg
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2010
Strengths: Light, comfortable ride, good looks, resists brakeing forces well considering the ride.
Weaknesses: Solid Gold color did not match Solid Gold color on bike. (Apparently this is the only color that has that problem)
Bottom Line:
Rides softer than steel, yet resists braking forces much better. Steering is super responsive. I actually rode this bike for 6 months with a Fox RL29 that was off my recalled Jet and I bought this when the new Jet came in to put the Fox back on the new Jet. After riding full rigid on the 853 Steel Sir and this fork, I barely ride my full sus and very awesome Jet with the Fox RL29. This bike/fork combo is so responsive both steering and accelerating that the very plush Jet actually feels sluggish. I might be faster on the Jet if I timed it because I am sure I descend faster, but I like the sharpness of this fork and the Sir9.
Just for the record, I generally use an Ardent 2.4 on Arch rim front tire and Aspen on Flow rear. I have 4 wheelsets so I have tried many combo's and this setup is heaven with this fork at an amazingly low 21 PSI (I weigh 175)
Similar Products Used: Generic Steel fork and suspension forks
Bike Setup: This is on a Sir9 both ss and geared. Various wheelsets mostly Stans all tubeless.
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Submitted by
CornerCanyonRider
a Cross Country Rider
from Draper, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2010
Strengths: Super strong/crazy light/absorbs vibration/looks amazing!
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Awesome, awesome fork! I was on the fence for a long time deciding if I should switch to rigid. I had a Manitou Minute 29er and felt it was a little too heavy and too squishy for the type of racing/riding I do (mostly buff singletrack and fireroads). I don't do a lot of big jumps or drop-offs or anything like that. I thought that a rigid carbon fork would be very harsh. That is not what I found with Niner! It did seem a little harsh on my first ride, but I didn't have my headset/stem adjusted properly and there was too much play and so I was getting a lot of feedback from that. I was half-way through my ride today and thought "Wow, did I put the squish fork back on?". I couldn't believe it when I looked down and saw the Niner fork! It is so comfy. It probably also helps that I'm running a carbon riser and big WTB tires (DIY tubeless w/Stan's) at low (26-28psi) pressure. If you are on the fence and think that a rigid fork my suit the type of riding you do, just go for it and take the plunge--but only if you get a Niner Carbon Fork! They are pricey for a rigid, but worth every penny in my book--especially if you have a Niner framer to match!
Similar Products Used: Cromoly forks/Manitou Minute 29er
Bike Setup: Kermit Green Niner Air9 w/matching Niner carbon fork. XT crankset/Sram 990 cassette/Easton monkeylite riser/Ergon grips/XTR everything else.
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Submitted by
professed
a Cross Country Rider
from Oz
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2009
Strengths: Stiffness for braking, length and offset, weight, comfort, looks
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I bought the fork toi replace my white bros rock solid as it looked to be stiffer under braking.
When this thing of beauty arrived in australia promptly (bought from speedgoat) I could not resist fitting it to my orbea alma.
Its finishing fabric weave in nude matches the frame perfectly!
Not just that but with a handy 1+ kilo shaved from an already light set up and with the longer offset the bike handles like a dream.
The fork is uncannily comfortable too. I only notice the increased work on heavy rocks and technical terrain.
The stiffness is superb. Under brakes it is in another league compared with the flexy white and pace forks.
Its longer tip to crown compared to those also makes for more neutral handling.
I came off a fox rlc initially and will only go back for epic rides as this niner carbon is just sooo good.
I don't know iif it will ever make it onto the niner sir!
if you want a rigid mtb fork, get this one. Increadible!
Well done niner. Now apply the same thinking to your stupid aluminium rear ss cogs. I am no powerhouse but destroyed one of these after about 5 races!
Similar Products Used: White Bros. Rock Solid 29er Fork
Bike Setup: Sir 9 set up as a SS
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Submitted by
Gwen
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2009
Strengths: Very stiff yet very damp
Weaknesses: none zero, nada no weaknesses that my girlie self can see.
Bottom Line:
Very, very impressed with the fork so far. Unbelievably stiff yet swallows the bumps. Carbon bar is helping as well no doubt. Before my first ride I was very scared that I would be jarred to death. Not the case. I can see riding this bike much more than the 1/3 of the time I had thought before hand. Only about 20 miles on fireroads and the rest on pavement so far as it has been raining almost constantly the last couple of days keeping me off the trails. Even with my heavy as all hell Exiwolfs, the bike dresses at 23 lbs. Very happy I bought this fork.
Bike Setup: '08 EMD9 Small frame, Stand Arch/I9 XC wheels, CK Headset and BB, RaceFace Dues White triple, Ritchey Pro Carbon riser HB, Ritchey 44axis stem, Niner Carbon Fork, X0 shifters, SRAM 990 cassette, X9 Rear dérailleur, XT front dérailleur, SRAM 971 chain, NextSL Carbon Seatpost, WTB Deva saddle, Exiwolf running tubeless w/Stans, Avid BB7 brakes. Lots of pink stuff on the bike. :)
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Submitted by
shdown75
a Cross Country Rider
from OKC, OK US
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2009
Strengths: Stiff, light
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
After riding this fork for about a month, I would say that going from suspension to rigid using the Niner Fork does not take much to get used to. I basically pick up the front end slightly instead of just plain hitting them to maneuver over obstacles. It makes the bike so light (at a hair under 18lbs with heavy tires) and flickable that I find myself going faster than ever before.
Bike Setup: Niner Air9 medium raw, Thomson stem, seatpost, Fizik Gobi saddle, Chris King headset, Salsa Promoto Carbon bar, Avid Elixer CR brakes, American Classic Wheels, Truvativ Noir 1.1 Crank, Niner Cog, Ashima Brake rotors
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