We only learned about it last week when we stumbled upon Dave Weagle’s Instagram post explaining the soon-to-be-released RMU Nighttrain enduro bike. In the few days since then, RMU Skis has launched and opened orders for its first-ever mountain bike and officially entered the cycling market.
We learned a bit about the Nighttrain from Weagle’s social media post, but now, with the curtain pulled back, we’ve got a lot more to work with. It’s clearly a long travel enduro bike built for riding fast and aggressively, but now we’ve got important details on geometry, suspension, build kits, weight, and pricing. Let’s check it out.
RMU Nighttrain Details
The Nighttrain is a brand new long-travel enduro bike from RMU. It features the latest iteration of Dave Weagle’s Orion suspension design in a 6-bar flexstay layout with a mid-pivot location and dual-idler, dual-chain drivetrain setup. That unique suspension platform controls the 170mm of rear wheel travel on the 6066-T6 aluminum frame. That’s meant to be paired with a 170mm fork, though RMU is also offering a “DH” build with a 190mm fork. The Nighttrain rolls on 29″ wheels front and rear.
The Nighttrain has 12 x 157mm Superboost rear axle spacing, which was apparently needed with the suspension design and the dual-idler, dual-chain setup. It has 136mm Boost crankset spacing and uses a 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket. The frame features internal routing for the shifter cable and housing, while the rear brake line is routed externally for simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Orion Suspension
The suspension design on the Nighttrain is the latest evolution of Dave Weagle’s Orion suspension. In this case, it is a 6-bar flexstay design with a mid-pivot location. This is how it’s described on the RMU website: “The Orion design provides an efficient and stable pedaling response on both smooth terrain and in the rough, and without even a hint of pedal feedback. Exceptional mid-travel square-edged bump compliance creates continuous traction in varied terrain, so you’re always in control. Optimized for single-chainring big range drivetrains, its two short links work in concert to provide controlled lateral stiffness and keep braking forces in check when the trail gets rough. Seated or standing, climbing or cornering, jumping or hammering rock gardens, Orion does it all and does it well.”
The complex-looking dual-idler, dual-chain design is used because, as Weagle put it in the Instagram post, it is the most efficient way to get an elevated chainline for the mid-pivot design. They state that the design has been thoughtfully engineered for very low chain wear and extremely efficient power transfer while reducing pedal feedback.
Geometry
With a stated purpose of being a “no compromise enduro bike that is made for the roughest of terrain to the biggest of jumps, while also being extremely efficient climbing uphill,” it’s no surprise the Nighttrain has a geometry that reflects that. The head tube angle is a slack 63 degrees, which speaks to the bike’s downhill smashing intentions, while the 77.5-degree seat tube angle aims to put you in a comfortable position for pedaling back up for more laps.
Reach numbers look fairly typical by today’s standards, with 485mm on an S3 (L) frame. It has been designed with size-specific chainstay/rear center lengths and kinematics with the goal of consistent handling and ride feel across all sizes. It comes in four frame sizes, S1 to S4. Chainstay length grows incrementally from 426.7mm on the S1 to 437.8 on the S4. Check out the chart below for all the details.
RMU Nighttrain: Builds and Pricing
RMU has begun taking orders on the first run of Nighttrain bikes, with the first batch coming in an “ultra-limited production” in Midnight Onyx. It is being sold as a frame-only or in three complete builds.
Nighttrain Frame: $2,499
The Nighttrain frame comes with a Fox Factory Float X2 shock and has a claimed weight of 10.2 lbs (size S2)
Nighttrain Shimano Deore: $4999
- Fork: Marzocchi Super Z, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore mechanical
- Brakes: Shimano Deore 4-piston w/ 203mm rotors
- Wheels: Race Face Turbine eMTB w/ Vault hubs
- Dropper: SDG Tellis (length varies by frame size)
- Tires: Maxxis Assegai/Minion DHR II (f/r) EXO+
- Claimed Weight: 37 pounds (size S2)
Nighttrain Shimano XT Di2: $6,999
- Fork: Fox Factory 38 Grip X2, 180mm
- Shock: Fox Factory Float X2
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT Di2 wireless
- Brakes: Shimano XT 4-piston w/ 203 rotors
- Wheels: Race Face Turbine eMTB w Vault hubs
- Dropper: Oneup V3 Dropper (length varies by frame size)
- Tires: Maxxis Assegai/Minion DHR II (f/r) EXO+
- Claimed Weight: 36 pounds (size S2)
Nighttrain Shimano Saint DH: $6,499
- Fork: Fox Factory 40 Grip X2, 190mm
- Shock: Fox Factory Float X2
- Drivetrain: Shimano Saint
- Brakes: Shimano Saint 4-piston w/ 203 rotors
- Wheels: Race Face Atlas w/ Vault hubs
- Dropper: SDG Micro Alloy I-beam
- Tires: Maxxis Assegai/Minion DHR II (f/r) DH/MaxxGrip
- Claimed Weight: 40 pounds (size S2)
RMU Nighttrain Availability
RMU is taking orders for the Nighttrain now, with shipping projected in July. Head to the RMU website to check out complete build specs, learn more, or be the first on the block to get this new enduro machine.