I'd love to hear an update on your RDO vs. RIP comparison after spending a lot of time on the RDO.
Yes I have been meaning to wright something but have been trying to work out how to word it.
So I will start with the Jet9, Well the RDO feels lighter,stiffer,faster & smoother than the Jet9 & pedals very well also, I'm not knocking the Jet9 but I cant think of a single place were the Jet9 would work better than the Jet9 Rdo.
Now with the Rip9, the RDO is alot lighter feeling, jumps out of corners alot better, feels as stiff or stiffer than the Rip9.
The RDO is alot better if you have to stand & stomp on the pedals on a pinch climb ( feels like no bob )
Now the bit that will get people saying I don't know what I'm talking about.
The RDO doesn't feel as plush as the Rip9 ( not moving through it's travel on small/med bumps ) but it does feel as smooth & looks after your body the same way/ better.
( I did a 12h event & did more laps than ever before & my last 2 laps were almost my fastest, I just didn't feel beat up at all )
I do think on the very ruff stuff the Rip9 will be a little bit quicker but only a little bit quicker,
However on pretty much everything else the RDO would eat the Rip9. It climbs steps,tree roots & ruts just like the Rip9.
Seated climbing on steep stuff the RDO keeps its front wheel planted better than the Rip9 ( as good as the Jet9 ) but then standing when it really gets steep it transitions better better than the Rip9 but with more grip than the Jet9.
When I had the Rip9 & the Jet9 the Rip9 was always my go to bike, but I would choose the Jet9 when I went riding with people that were fitter & stronger than me to help keep up on climbs ( I don't have any problems keeping up on the down hills on the Jet9 ) I did however have to back off the pace on the Jet9 on the down hill & would have alot more oh $hit moments.
There really isn't much ( in the way of track ) that I would choose the Rip9 over the RDO if I still had it.
I do for the 1st time feel like I'm riding the right bike for me all the time now, sure there will always be a drop or part of a track that for that little part of the track could be better but over all its very good.
On fast down hill I found that with chatter bumps before a corner the Rip9's braking was much better than the Jet9, The RDO feels much the same as the Rip9 for grip in this area.
The Rip9 had much more grip in the rain than the Jet9 ( same wheels & tyres ) I have not had a chance to take the RDO out in the rain yet but plan to do some shuttle runs with the bike this weekend & it looks like it might be raining so we will see.
I hope this helps.
