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About Niner
Chris Sugai and Steve Domahidy founded Niner in 2005 and launched it at the Sea Otter Classic with the ONE 9, a rigid single-speed built around the 29-inch wheel. The bet was the whole company: while the industry still ran 26-inch wheels, Niner committed to 29ers exclusively, and the name says so. The company is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Niner became the brand that proved big wheels belonged everywhere off-road. Its CVA suspension linkage and Race Day Optimized (RDO) carbon frames anchor a lineup that runs from cross-country to enduro, and the RLT gravel platform extended the 29er philosophy to drop bars and all-day adventure riding.
The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and was acquired by United Wheels in 2018, which kept the engineering and the Fort Collins base intact. Today Niner builds mountain bikes across the full travel spectrum and a deep gravel range, still aimed at riders who, in the company’s words, would rather pedal than make excuses.
Most popular Niner models
Niner’s mountain range covers every discipline on 29-inch wheels. The AIR 9 is the aluminum hardtail and the most accessible way into the brand, while the carbon RKT 9 RDO is the 100mm cross-country race weapon. The JET 9 RDO is the 120mm trail bike, the RIP 9 RDO steps up to 140mm of all-mountain travel, and the WFO 9 RDO is the 170mm enduro rig built for the steepest, fastest descents. All of them use Niner’s CVA suspension linkage tuned for pedaling efficiency.
On the drop-bar side, the RLT 9 is the gravel workhorse in aluminum, carbon RDO, and steel versions, and the ORE 9 RDO pushes further off-road with more clearance and bikepacking mounts for loaded adventure. A carbon RDO gravel build or a long-travel enduro 29er carries the kind of replacement value homeowner’s policies routinely cap below, which is where stand-alone gravel bike insurance from Velosurance fills the gap.
The carbon gravel flagship. A Race Day Optimized 29er frame with wide tire clearance and adventure mounts, built for fast, all-day mixed-surface riding.
The aluminum gravel workhorse. The most accessible RLT, with the same versatile geometry and mounts for commuting, racing, and loaded touring.
The steel-framed RLT. Chromoly compliance for long-haul comfort and bikepacking, with the durability that steel touring riders prize.
The gravel-plus adventure bike. More tire clearance and rough-terrain capability than the RLT, with mounts for fully loaded bikepacking trips.
The cross-country race bike. A 100mm carbon 29er with CVA suspension tuned for efficient climbing and XC race-course speed.
The do-it-all trail bike. 120mm of rear travel on a carbon 29er frame, balancing pedaling efficiency with capable trail descending.
The all-mountain bike. 140mm rear and 150mm front travel for aggressive trail riding on rough, technical terrain.
The enduro 29er. 170mm rear and 180mm front travel built for the steepest, fastest descents and aggressive downhill terrain.
The aluminum hardtail. A 120mm-front 29er and the most accessible entry into the Niner range, ready for cross-country and trail riding.
Why Velosurance is best for your Niner
Velosurance is a stand-alone policy that covers theft and accidental damage and can be optioned to create a comprehensive umbrella of protection for your cycling lifestyle.
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