650b Niner RLT9 steel

Lockdown project... I seized the day on the sale price Niner framesets on R2bike a few weeks ago so now the Carpe Diem is going out, the Niner is coming in...

Build will be 1x11 Sram Hydro. Rival shifters and brakes, Red crankset, Thomson finishing kit and Superstar 650b wheels...

More to follow.

Most of the parts will be moved over from this. My old Airborne Carpe Diem. i've had the frame for 15 years so fancied something different for gravel duties.

Collected some new/2nd hand parts over the past couple weeks...

Thomson Elite layback 27.2

Garbaruk 38t

Shimano XT M8100 pedals

Looks great. Will watch with interest.

Turns out the ebay thomson is cracked!

Do i buy another or is there another good looking seatpost I should try?

I was taking inspiration from the niner builds at this japanese shop (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ultimate-factory/albums/72157667231711080/with/26669697732/)...

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Yeah I'd look for another post!

Classy times ahead. SRAM though? Also the lower part of the HT is humongous next to the downtube.

Yeh man. Got the Rival shifters and brakes already and like them (were cheap on ebay and great after a bleed) plus a Sram X9 type 2 clutch mech.

Plus got this crankset to match...

Went with a Praxis PF30 GXP conversion bb. Seemed to go in without too much trouble. Headset also in with my ghetto bearing press.

Frame is CHUNKY

Fork average...

Needs work but done. First ride tomo

Need to order another Thomson Elite layback and then thinking a Nitto UI-25 stem once I've decided on optimum length.

Oh and lower the stem.

i have a layback I'd like to trade for inline if you have? thomson blaack 27.2

Don't have one. Wanna sell?

sure

👌

Awesome. Bandito for the win.

Went for a ride, got it dirty.

Love it! Weighs more than the old airborne (10.5kg) but seems more spritely and fun to ride.

Looking good!

seems more spritely and fun to ride

Glad to hear this, my new bike is basically a copy of the RLT9 geo.

Updates on the Niner - got some Light Bicycle 650b wheels + Goodyear Connectors and have been running SKS Edge guards offroad on it during the winter.

Taken it on a couple of bikepacking trips...

First KAW with a rear rack...

Then the Downs Link and bit of the SDW with a Carradice and trying out some new bikepacking bags...

Then fullsend on the Badger Divide and Skye wild camping along the way with a custom frame bag and dry bag front setup...

Bike looks awesome!

How did you find the Badger? The floaty forestry road up above Loch Lubnaig is basically where I was introduced to gravel riding many moons ago.

Very lovely bike, makes me miss my niner rlt9.

How do you find bike packing and fully loaded on 1x?

Thanks!

Badger was awesome. We found it fairly tough but had a great time. Did it over 4 days Inverness to Glasgow in september, wild camping at the bothy before Corrieyairack, Corrour Station and Loch Earn. Great bacon sarnie at the Loch Lubnaig cafe!