Niner RLT e9 RDO in review – Trekking, adventure or gravel bike?

The Niner RLT e9 RDO takes on the competition in our E-trekking bike group test as an E-gravel bike. Thanks to the versatile bag concept and powerful Bosch motor, it promises to perform equally well as a multi-purpose adventure bike as it does for relaxed trekking. We put it to the test to find out what it’s capable of.

That eBike is part of our big trekking eBike group test. There you can find an overview of the test fleet and all information on the latest generation of trekking eBikes.

The Niner RLT e9 RDO on test – An E-gravel bike for trekking

Gravel riding and trekking aren’t all that different – long gravel roads, detours down off-road paths and loaded touring are terrain shared by both disciplines. They just approach the hobby differently. With trekking, the focus is usually on relaxation and comfort, while gravel riders take pleasure in physical exertion. The Niner RLT e9 RDO should cater to both thanks to the combination of a powerful Bosch Performance CX motor, drop bars and gravel geometry. We tested the € 6,299 and 17.55 kg E-gravel bike to find out where trekking ends and gravel starts. The riding position aboard the Niner is very aggressive. The combination of a high saddle, low front end, compact frame and long stem mean that you’re low and stretched out, putting a lot of weight on your hands. Repositioning your hands on the tops allows you to straighten your upper body and relax but it also puts the brakes out of reach. Additionally, handling in this position is even more challenging than on the hoods or in the drops. Compared to the other bikes on test, the steering of the Niner is extremely sensitive and has a very narrow margin for error, forgiving hardly any mistakes on the part of the rider. However, if you’re an experienced rider, the direct handling can be a lot of fun on paved roads, allowing the powerful Bosch motor to catapult you to the 25 km/h limit and letting you lean into corners at high speeds. However, beginners who are unfamiliar with drop bars are unlikely to enjoy the Niner, especially when heading off-road.

The handling of Niner RLT e9 RDO while touring

The handling of the E-gravel bike demands all of your attention and you should never take your eyes off the road for too long on poorly maintained paths. Due to the stretched riding posture, the view of your surroundings is a lot more limited compared to the competition. If you’re not used to looking back under your arms like a road cyclist, you should be very careful when manoeuvring the Niner through traffic and give yourself enough time to look left and right at intersections. The long stopping distance due to the tires on the RLT e9 RDO is another factor to keep in mind. The semi-slick Schwalbe G-One Speed tires roll effortlessly and fast on paved bike paths and compacted forest roads but they’re ill-fitted for loose, wet or soft surfaces, which is the kind of terrain trekking riders regularly encounter. On loose surfaces, the tires offer little braking traction, are difficult to keep on line and generally struggle to stop on certain surfaces, which is a shame. The easy modulation of the Shimano GRX 400 brakes can’t compensate for this shortcoming. Speaking of which, the brakes remain reliable on long descents and when hauling a heavy load despite the two-piston design and small 180 mm rotors, thanks to Shimano’s ICE-TECH technology. The Niner is unfazed by luggage on the rear rack, even when perched precariously on top of it like our beer crate, thereby creating a high centre of gravity.

Hardcore trekking – Riding comfort aboard the Niner RLT e9 RDO

The Niner RLT e9 RDO has little to offer for comfort-seeking riders. Just getting on the bike can be a challenge due to the ample standover height and rigid seat post. With its aggressive riding position, you will feel a lot of weight on your hands and your chest and shoulder muscles have to maintain tension to stabilise your upper body. While well-trained riders can comfortably hold this position for extended periods, it’s less suitable for tours if you’re inexperienced or unfamiliar with drop bars. The Niner doesn’t have a suspension fork or shock, relying purely on the tires and compliance offered by the combination of the components and carbon frame instead. That isn’t enough to keep up with the eMTBs and trekking ebikes on test. Even the smallest vibrations are passed on to the rider. We recommend dodging curbs and potholes or hopping over them if you’ve mastered the technique. If you don’t, you’ll get bumped around. Due to its light weight of 17.55 kg, the Niner RLT e9 RDO is easy to pick up, either to load, manoeuvre when parking or carry into the basement.

The Niner RLT e9 RDO takes the title of fastest E-trekking bike. However, it’s too aggressive and the handling is too sensitive for classic trekking.”

A minimalist’s trekking bike – The components of the Niner RLT e9 RDO

The Bosch Purion display can only provide basic data. If you want to record your route, navigate while riding or use other connectivity functions without using your smartphone, there’s no avoiding an external navigation device. Unfortunately, there’s no simple way to upgrade the Purion display to an onboard computer like the Nyon. Other accessories are just as minimalistic. The Niner RLT e9 RDO doesn’t have a bike stand or lighting system. There are mounting points for mudguards but they’re only available from third party brands. The best way to transport luggage on the Niner is via the classy-looking set of purpose-made and waterproof frame bags, which Niner offer for all frame sizes. If you want to carry luggage on the Niner, these bags are your best bet. Otherwise, you’ll have to get creative when loading the front and rear rack, which are certified to carry 13 kg and 18 kg respectively, since you won’t be able to fit traditional panniers without running into issues. The rear rack is very short and the bottom of standard panniers will rub against the seat stays. Indeed, most common panniers are far too big for the bike anyway and get in the way when pedalling. When fastening items to the racks, you’ll have to use bungee cords or Voile straps. For more packing tips and tricks, check out our bikepacking 101 article in our sister magazine GRAN FONDO.

Tuning tip: shorter stem for a more upright riding position

The Niner RLT e9 RDO in detail

The Niner is a real eye-catcher, featuring elegant lines, a striking look, green metallic paint job and numerous details, stealing the show from many of the other bikes on test. Unfortunately, the untidy cable routing up front tarnishes this impression and scuffs the paint on the head tube. If you want to carry two water bottles in the front triangle, we recommend using a side load bottle cage on the down tube to get the bottle past the frame bag. You can also resort to using the triple cage bosses on the carbon fork legs instead, giving you further storage options. Otherwise, the purpose-made bags match the look of the Niner perfectly and even conceal the disproportionately large down tube housing the 500 Wh battery. In Turbo mode, the Bosch motor propels the Niner with brute power but lacks the progressive eMTB mode that would give you more refined power delivery that is easier to control. Fortunately, you can have the software updated at a Bosch dealer.

Off to new shores! The Niner RLT e9 RDO has a thirst for adventure and action. It’s made for experienced globetrotters and long journeys instead of just riding the same weekend loop on repeat.”

Niner RLT e9 RDO conclusion

The Niner RLT e9 RDO lacks the comfort and stability to score as a trekking all-rounder. Beginners and those who aren’t used to drop bars are likely to get overwhelmed by the handling and the limited accessories make the Niner better suited for bikepacking adventures than trekking. For the purposes of our E-trekking bike group test, it can only cater to a small niche of experienced riders. However, these riders will enjoy the direct handling and high speeds possible on paved roads.

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For more information head to the manufacturer website

The review of the Niner RLT e9 RDO is part of our big trekking eBike group test “The best trekking eBike of 2021 – 8 modern eBikes for touring in comparison”. We’ve tested four different concepts and eight bikes to tell you what modern trekking eBikes are capable of and which one is the best to buy.

Test bike overview

CENTURION Country R2600i | FLYER Goroc3 6.50 | Greyp T5.2 | Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Advanced + | MERIDA eONE-FORTY EQ | Niner RLT e9 RDO | Riese & Müller Homage GT Touring | Trek Powerfly FS 9 Equipped

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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Valentin Rühl