This past Saturday, I rode with 3 friends on gravel. Each of us had 3 totally different bikes with different size tires, psi's etc and we all had a great time. I'm not sure what the perfect bike would be for gravel as the terrain is so variable. It's seems every bike has an advantage. Meanwhile, I was on a cyclocross bike with 33 mm tires and had the stiffest bike with the most narrow tires, but it feels like a fat bike compared to my road bike...so it's all relative I guess. This MCR9 may have some disadvantages, but it sure looks comfortable...which is a niche that's important. Great review of the bike Clint.
I am going to go negative again for good reason. The price of this one bike is more than a full comp di2 racer and a full comp state of the art T1100 carbon xc bike COMBINED. If I purchase non comp trainer gravel road and xc bikes ALL TOGETHER its still less than this bike that for over here in Europe will not have UCI competition in the for seeable future or possibly EVER. That's two full carbon COMP racing bikes or Three carbon framed trainers that you most definitely could race on for one bike in 2020. That's simply absurd, but its still a great review Clint as always.
Hey Clint, I am a RLT 9 and MCR owner. I completely agree with your assessment of the MCR. I love my MCR's buttery smooth ride and everything else about it. It actually handles darn well too, and it gives me more confidence on fast descents and in chunky corners. I tinker with the shock lockouts as well and understand that is the nature of the beast. Guessing that will become second nature after a while. Thanks for the great review and have a great season.
Friend of mine has the new Cannondale with the elastimer suspension. I don't know if yours is the same but what I noticed with his was if you kept the cadence up it was really smooth but when you lowered your cadence down to 60-70 rpm it started to bob. Thing rocked on the downhills tho.
I am enjoying following your videos of the Niner MCR 9 RDO. I also have a MCR. The dirt roads that you rode in this video seemed relatively smooth and as a result, more suitable for the RLT. If the roads had been rougher, the MCR's suspension may have made it the better choice over the RLT. Also, it may have helped to swap out the stock tires that come with the RLT and MCR for something with a smooth centerline tread for this particular group ride.
Funny how the route looks familiar then i realized that Jom from Gravel Cyclist was also there and so the same route on his yt video. Nice content guys!
I know a Georgia DNR property in central Georgia call camp thunder where this might do fine. Most of the trails are double track with not many features. It is mostly rocky dirt.
Clint, I really liked your Giro helmet and I am thinking of buying the same one for the upcoming season. It is mtb style but matches nice with lycra. Can you tell me the model?
Hi Clint, love the videos, long time subscriber. I am looking at getting a gravel bike. I'm 52 y/o and only been riding for three years and I'm hooked. I hoping for some advice. What combo would be better on my joints? I'm in good shape, but that damn tendonitis keeps creeping up. frame w/ carbon fork or aluminum frame w/ carbon fork? Full SUS is out of the budget. I'm looking at the Diamondback, Haanjo 4 or Haanjo 5C EXP Carbon; both affordable through payroll deduct from my employer. Thanks man.
I would take a look at the Niner RLT9 steel to see if that's in your budget. That's a very comfortable bike. If not a carbon frame would take priority over carbon fork in my opinion.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks man, so save up the money and invest in the good one. I like it, good investment. I plan on riding until I can't; it has changed my life. Everything in balance though.
If you’re not going for a full race bike, I’d also suggest looking at the All-City Cosmic Stallion. Good steel with a Columbus carbon fork. Versatile bike with a very nice smooth resilient ride and great handling...
I had a hope that a rigid gravel bike will be better than my XC FS bike on a long dirt/forest/field roads rides which are at least twice LESS smooth than what's in video. But if full suspension is good even here then i better stick to my FS MTB
Kind of depends how rough the commute is and if you're using a backpack or saddlebags. I don't like riding suspension with a backpack because it changes the sag.
My bibs always shift right so it makes it look my butt is bobbing by the way the seams move. I think its mostly cuz my right cheek is bigger than the left... 🤷
This past Saturday, I rode with 3 friends on gravel. Each of us had 3 totally different bikes with different size tires, psi's etc and we all had a great time. I'm not sure what the perfect bike would be for gravel as the terrain is so variable. It's seems every bike has an advantage. Meanwhile, I was on a cyclocross bike with 33 mm tires and had the stiffest bike with the most narrow tires, but it feels like a fat bike compared to my road bike...so it's all relative I guess. This MCR9 may have some disadvantages, but it sure looks comfortable...which is a niche that's important. Great review of the bike Clint.
I am going to go negative again for good reason. The price of this one bike is more than a full comp di2 racer and a full comp state of the art T1100 carbon xc bike COMBINED. If I purchase non comp trainer gravel road and xc bikes ALL TOGETHER its still less than this bike that for over here in Europe will not have UCI competition in the for seeable future or possibly EVER. That's two full carbon COMP racing bikes or Three carbon framed trainers that you most definitely could race on for one bike in 2020. That's simply absurd, but its still a great review Clint as always.
Hey Clint, I am a RLT 9 and MCR owner. I completely agree with your assessment of the MCR. I love my MCR's buttery smooth ride and everything else about it. It actually handles darn well too, and it gives me more confidence on fast descents and in chunky corners. I tinker with the shock lockouts as well and understand that is the nature of the beast. Guessing that will become second nature after a while. Thanks for the great review and have a great season.
Scott Frisby if you ever want to sell your mcr , I’ll buy it from you 👍🏼
I can definitely see a long gravel ride to single track and back with that rig :)
Yep
Friend of mine has the new Cannondale with the elastimer suspension. I don't know if yours is the same but what I noticed with his was if you kept the cadence up it was really smooth but when you lowered your cadence down to 60-70 rpm it started to bob. Thing rocked on the downhills tho.
I am enjoying following your videos of the Niner MCR 9 RDO. I also have a MCR. The dirt roads that you rode in this video seemed relatively smooth and as a result, more suitable for the RLT. If the roads had been rougher, the MCR's suspension may have made it the better choice over the RLT. Also, it may have helped to swap out the stock tires that come with the RLT and MCR for something with a smooth centerline tread for this particular group ride.
your making this bike sound more and more interesting
Funny how the route looks familiar then i realized that Jom from Gravel Cyclist was also there and so the same route on his yt video. Nice content guys!
Looking forward to seeing you take the MCR on some proper singletrack
Gravel races in the west where you have steep downhills this unit would shine. Like Lost and Found , Crusher in Tushar or Grinduro.
I know a Georgia DNR property in central Georgia call camp thunder where this might do fine. Most of the trails are double track with not many features. It is mostly rocky dirt.
Clint, I really liked your Giro helmet and I am thinking of buying the same one for the upcoming season. It is mtb style but matches nice with lycra. Can you tell me the model?
It is the Giro Artex.
Artex Mips
Take it on some singletrack next and see what you think.
That's coming up
Hi Clint, love the videos, long time subscriber. I am looking at getting a gravel bike. I'm 52 y/o and only been riding for three years and I'm hooked. I hoping for some advice. What combo would be better on my joints? I'm in good shape, but that damn tendonitis keeps creeping up. frame w/ carbon fork or aluminum frame w/ carbon fork? Full SUS is out of the budget. I'm looking at the Diamondback, Haanjo 4 or Haanjo 5C EXP Carbon; both affordable through payroll deduct from my employer. Thanks man.
I would take a look at the Niner RLT9 steel to see if that's in your budget. That's a very comfortable bike. If not a carbon frame would take priority over carbon fork in my opinion.
Or maybe add being an Uber driver for a month as a second job and get the MCR 😉
@@ClintGibbs Thanks man, so save up the money and invest in the good one. I like it, good investment. I plan on riding until I can't; it has changed my life. Everything in balance though.
@@ClintGibbs Right on!
If you’re not going for a full race bike, I’d also suggest looking at the All-City Cosmic Stallion. Good steel with a Columbus carbon fork. Versatile bike with a very nice smooth resilient ride and great handling...
It would have been nice to see a detailed overview of the bike.
ua-cam.com/video/E5SOca2f87w/v-deo.html
How much does the MCR9 RDO weigh?
Garage Sale about 28 pounds
I had a hope that a rigid gravel bike will be better than my XC FS bike on a long dirt/forest/field roads rides which are at least twice LESS smooth than what's in video. But if full suspension is good even here then i better stick to my FS MTB
Between the RLT 9 Steel and the MCR which would you take as a gravel/commuter bike?
Leaning towards the RLT...
Kind of depends how rough the commute is and if you're using a backpack or saddlebags. I don't like riding suspension with a backpack because it changes the sag.
Take it to the trails!
That's coming soon
I wish we had gravel roads like that in SoCal
I wish we had gravel roads like that in damp eastern England !!! They look awesome.....
Dude we are surrounded by dirt and gravel roads lol.
Can you share the route?
It's in the description. Tour of the Quilt Country in FL
Great review as always. All these guys wearing knee warmer and tights.. 😂😂😂
Hey Clint, single trackable in any way ?
Yes. That's coming in the next few weeks.
Why is this a thing would an xc bike do the job just as well
60 miles in 3 hrs is fast on gravel. 20 mph average. I can hit 18, once I hit 19 on a shorter ride.
At 7.45 the guy in front of you.. Look at his pelvis shift down to the right on every pedal stroke.. Im curious if he has back issues/seat to high..
Not really sure. He’s not a guy I know.
keepinitreal 11 x, could be he’s compensating for a tight muscle as in calf trying to cramp. Ask me how I know. 😂
My bibs always shift right so it makes it look my butt is bobbing by the way the seams move. I think its mostly cuz my right cheek is bigger than the left... 🤷
@@ClintGibbs next time we're riding together I'll introduce myself
@@lincolnlu9869 👍
long ride there..nice
I'd love one....but, alas, I don't have £2800 spare.......shame....
All of the riding footage is of everyone else's bikes. Point the cameras at your bike during the ride please
I show a lot of it in my first look video
ua-cam.com/video/E5SOca2f87w/v-deo.html
I appreciate the shots of my butt lol
It's a hard sell.