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Turner RFX Frameset
Product DescriptionThis is a free ride frame, period. We applied the lessons learned on the DH race circuit to this frame so you can go for the biggest wheelie-drops and G-outs that your body can take. With 27 speed capability and optimized pivot locations, after bombing to the bottom of the mountain you can actually ride back up. The RFX enjoys 6 inches of wheel travel controlled by a Fox Vanilla RC reservoir shock with compression and rebound damping. For proper balance and geometry, a fork with 150mm of wheel travel should be used, a rocker is available for 5" of travel to match the 5" travel forks on the market. If you are a free rider seeking the finest in design and construction, nothing comes close to the ride or quality of the RFX.
User Reviews
Submitted by
jim x
a Racer
from san jose Ca Date Reviewed: October 2, 2004 Strengths: perfect welds full length seat post cable routing gussets where needed zerk fittings Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Duration Product Used: 2 Years Bike Setup: 02RFX 03SUPER T HAYES F8 R6 CK20MM FRONT CK ISOREAR RACEFACE CRANKS BB THOMPSON POST SHAMANO FRT AND REAR MECH SHRAM ATTACTS SHIFTERS MAXXIS 2.5FRT 2.35REAR MINION 11-34CASS HUTCH DH INNER TUBES 321RIMS 13GUAGE SPOKES..ABOUT39-40LBS
Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 Strengths: Well made frame. I didn't believe it at first, but it climbs really well and decends even better. I can never stop smiling. Weaknesses: None. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Blue Montain Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $1550.00 Purchased At: speedgoat Similar Products Used: GT Avalanche Le, IntenseUzzi SL, Intense Uzzi SLX, Trek Fuel 100, Trek 8900 Bike Setup: Crossmax XL disc, 2003 XTR crank, front der., and rear der., Chris King headset, Avid mechanical brakes, 2002 XTR levers and pods, Thompson seat post, Easton Mag stem, Easton Monkeylite DH bars, Manitou Firefly, Night Train San Marco saddle, Intense Edge 2.35 tires.
Submitted by
MadD
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002 Strengths: Burly, strong, quality of travel, i will NEVER ride a canti beam bike again. Weaknesses: no bearings?? see below Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Houghton Pit Duration Product Used: 2 Years Price Paid: $1800.00 Similar Products Used: LTS (HAHAHHAHAHAHA) Bike Setup: Turner RFX 6", Jnr T 6", E4, Bulbs, 521s, full XTR 
Submitted by
Tiga
a Racer
from North Vancouver, B.C Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 Strengths: Looks very beefy. Not Banshee Scream beefy, but solid. Beautiful construction. Straight seat tube. It has a "Turner" sticker on it. Weaknesses: I can appreciate a rig like this, but anybody that can see beyond the name will tell you that there are a few weaknesses. What bothered me the most is that the guys I was riding with when I tested this bike all we're on bikes that cost less completely built up than the price of the RFX frame alone. Bushing's at this price range is an insult. Also, while the ride was excellent, I have ridden several other bikes which rode better in my opinion, for less money. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain RM-7 & 9, Kona Stinky Dee-lux & 9, Kona Stab & Primo, Ellsworth Joker, Brodie 8 Ball, Norco VPS, Santa Cruz Bullit, Cannondale Gemini, Giant DH & AC-1, Specialied Big Hit comp & DH, Intense Uzzi DH, Orange 222.
Submitted by
Clem Hobbs
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 Strengths: Quality of workmanship, climbing efficiency for a "free-ride" bike is great. Versatitily as either a heavy duty XC bike or an aggressive FR bike depending on your setup. Uninterrupted seat tube design. Ride quality Weaknesses: Cost, but you get what you pay for. Maybe the bushings, time will tell. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: anything technical Duration Product Used: 6 months Purchased At: Duke's Similar Products Used: GT Backwoods, Trek Y-5 Bike Setup: 5" rockers, Z1 FR, XT Hydro, Raceface seatpost, cranks & rings, Easton Monkey light & Cully pedals, Mavic 519 with IRC Kujo DH & El Gato, all XT
Submitted by
Jason Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Orem, UT, USA Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002 Strengths: - Quality build (paint, fit and finish, etc.) - Bombs through anything! - Super plush, but pedals like a dream! - Loves to climb - Stiff rear end - Smooth, smooth, smooth! Weaknesses: - Price - Non-continuous "continuous" seat tube. I could only insert the post about 8 inches before it hits welds or something inside of the tube. David Turner assured me this was simply an oversight on their part as these things are typically filed out before shipping. Where's that darn round file when I need it? - You're up pretty high with the tall BB and seat height when climbing - Fairly heavy Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Wasatch Crest Trail Duration Product Used: 3 months Price Paid: $2100.00 Purchased At: WrenchScience.com Similar Products Used: - Santa Cruz Bullit - Intense Uzzi SLX - Ellsworth Id - Rocky Mountain Slayer Bike Setup: 6" Rocker Plates, 2002 7" Super T Pro, RaceFace North Shore DH cranks, Sun Rhyno Lite XL rims, XTR rear, XT front, XT shifters, Hayes 8" Hydros, SRAM 9.0 cassette & chain, Easton MG60DH stem, Blackspire DH headset, Maxxis Mobster 2.7 and Gozzi Jr. tires.
Submitted by
Jon G
a Cross Country Rider
from Allentown Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 Strengths: RFX frame is bombproof Solid welds and great paintjob Super smooth and supple in technical terrain Continous Seat tube allows for great range of seat height Customer service is very responsive Weaknesses: Price Had to wait 12 weeks to get my frame Heavy on long climbs Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Jim Thorpe: rim trail, American Standard Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month Price Paid: $3400.00 Purchased At: Halter's Cycles, NJ Similar Products Used: GT XCR 1500, Santa Cruz Bullit, Giant ATX Bike Setup: 6" rocker, Fox Vanilla RLC 125, Hayes 6" brakes,Mavic 219 rims, Chris King, Thompson, XT hubs and drivetrain, shorty deluxe, MRP minime with 32 ring, WTB 2.4 Mutanoraptor treads
Submitted by
John Sullivan
from Santa Monica, California Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 Strengths: Pros: . The RFX beat every other frame I found in the market (Kona, Ellsworth, Bullet, SLX, Gemini, Yeti, Fly, Rocky Mountain, Iron Horse, Big Hit, etc.) based on my specific “requirements”. Put simply, the RFX was, and is, the best bike available. If the RFX were to utilize needle bearings instead of bushings, it would have met 100% of the following requirements. 1. Burly – must have great rep for not breaking 2. Three rings in front 3. Uninterrupted seat tube – without a bend - for maximum seat post variability 4. “Normal” head/seat tube angles & BB for climbing and quick response/tracking 5. At least 6” suspension in the rear to balance with a Shiver 7.5” 6. 4-bar Horst Link suspension - for increased smoothness, minimal bobbing, and reduce break-induced lock out 7. Maintenance free (i.e. bearings) 8. Price is not a factor 9. Quality/caring customer service - incase something breaks 10. Company is strong (will survive a “down market”) and committed to the sport . The bike climbs like I can’t believe. It’s just “right” with regards to suspension (hence, the name of company, Turner Suspension Bicycles Inc.) and seat tube angle design. That’s the secret of this frame, the RFX will allow you to climb technical trails with full seat extension (34” top of seat to center of crank for me) and then drop the seat 10” down to the frame for ultra-vertical/technical drops. My buddies with SLXs (also 4-bar Host link) have only about 3.5” of seat tube variability. I have, and use on the fly, 10”. . With the 190mm Shiver (company stipulates only up to 150mm) the resultant head tube & seat tube angles, & BB, are 64.4, 72.66, and 14.75 respectively (the BB is 13 sprung). As stated above, these do not inhibit the bikes ability to climb TECHNICAL assents – at all. With regards to climbing DISTANCES – then you’ll of course be dealing with a 35-39 pound bike. No mercy there. . This bike gets along with high-speed rock gardens and 4’-5’ drops-to-flat like dykes & dogs. The tracking and stiffness are impeccable. Get yourself a pair of Intense Mag30 rims and you’ll never go back to flimsy equipment again. Weaknesses: Cons: (this is tough love of the 01 frame – in hopes of “continuous improvement”) . The bushings have to be constantly greased or they get really squeaky (like a loose crank) in only about four weeks at, maybe, three rides a week. Furthermore, one of the five grease fittings are placed such that you have to remove one of the shock bolts and pull back the rear shock to get access. I’m sure there is a valid technical reason why the fitting was placed there, but it isn’t the most elegant process to grease your bushings – EVERY MONTH. That alone has to be a full 90% of the market “con” feedback on this frame – bushings. Please Mr. Turner, design next years RFX with needle bearings (like the DH) and be done with it. The company philosophy is stated as “Compromise is not an option” – so lets do that. . I did break one of the two bolts that connect the rear shock (and the second bolt bent). My bad – I guess. I’m 250 and thought that various big drops would be OK without adjusting the compression dampening/preload. I should also probably up my 650 pound spring to a 700 now that I’m able to do this amazing stuff with this bike. God BLESS I do love this bike. . I did break the main pivot bolt that connects the rear triangle to the main triangle. I actually broke the thing trying to unscrew it to take it apart and clean the bushings - which wasn’t required but I like to take things apart and see how they work and to try and make sure it is clean and, ironically, last. I’m now told that you must replace the suspension bolts every time they are loosened – which you should never need to do unless you’re replacing your bushings maybe ~4 years into owning the bike. I did get the hex bolts replaced with Torques bolts, which are supposedly less prone to stripping – but that shouldn’t matter because I’m also told that you need very specific torque tightening (i.e. don’t over tighten). . The cables are brought down over the top tube. Since you can actually climb with the RFX the forward mounts are in the wrong place. They jut out from the sides of the top tube. I have hit my knees on those mother-scratchers many times. I understand that there isn’t enough room for the wires to go under and through the shock plate zone in the rear, but the forward cable connectors should be designed out of knees-way even if you have to go around the top tube to do it (bottom to top on the way back to the seatpost). Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: G-Spot-RedBox-RimTrail-Piuma-Valhalla-Tunnel-ColdSprings-Whoops-RockCreek-NobleCyn-FathersOffice Duration Product Used: 1 Year Price Paid: $1850.00 Purchased At: Helen's - Santa Monica (Monty) Similar Products Used: Other: . The spec calls for a fork with no more than 150mm of front fork, whereas, I’m using a Shiver w/190mm. I’ve found this to be a non-issue, at least for the 21” frame. Once you get used to the bike, you’ll ride it more like a motorcycle (on the tank) and when you flick it into a corner, it’s more like a ski/snowboard - you have to commit the front “edge” into the turn for the most effective response – thus balancing the bike. . The rear will accept a 2.7 tire but balloons, and then rubs, under load so I’m using a Kujo 2.35. Personally, I think the Maxxis Mobster is great for straight drops, however the Kujo 2.65 complements the lateral maneuverability of the bike better and is much more predictable (think SBK with a knee out – think the San Juan trail or Red Box). . Thank God the frame accepts a Hayes 8” disk in the rear. Barely. Like by 2mm. I can occasionally hear some knife sharpening going on back there with side loads. . The rear “triangle” (actually a 4-bar) looks wimpy in comparison to the main “triangle”. Specifically, the amount of material around the main pivot looks like it would be the first thing to fail. I’ve gone super-big on this bike and I will attest to its “bomber” durability with a 250 pound rider. No joke. It’s the poo – so take a whiff. . At this point the weakest link in my “system” is my chain bouncing off the front rings, no matter what gear I’m in, so I’m using a Bullet chain tensioner that works PERFECT but the company has gone under so good luck finding one. The shifting is a bit slower with it but the chain stays on the rings. Bike Setup: 21” RFX with all XTR, Hayes 8”, Thompson…, Azonic, a 02 Shiver, Chris King ISO/Intense Mag30, 2.65/2.35 Kujo, Salsa, The, SPD-M646, Bullet tensioner, ODI… is a tad under 40 pounds.
Submitted by
BOB AUSTIN
a Weekend Warrior
from COMOX, VANCOUVER ISLAND Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 Strengths: I reviewed this bike last July after three months of use and was greatly impressed. Now, eight months and seven hours a week of riding later and a full British Columbia West Coast winter of wet roots, frozen rocks and steep decents later, I am blown away. It is so well balanced, so stiff and predictable that it raises one's level of confidence for the tough riding we do here. Everything I tackle, I do so with much more certainty. Steep descents that a year ago I would ride cautiously, I can now do in the wet and at night. I highly recommend this frame...it just grows on you. Weaknesses: none Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Two Sheiks Duration Product Used: 1 Year Price Paid: $1900.00 Purchased At: direct from Turner Similar Products Used: Turner XCE, Kona Stinky, Bullet,various Rocky Mountain F/S bikes. Bike Setup: Chris King, Mavic rims, Mr. Dirt stem, Marzocchi Z1 5 inch. Hope discs.
Submitted by
James Wilson
a Weekend Warrior
from Kapaa HI Date Reviewed: March 20, 2002 Strengths: Pedals like a much lighter bike, handles drops and steeps so well you start to think it can survive anything, excellent craftsmanship and customer service Weaknesses: none at all and if anyone says different they just don't know how to appreciate a rig like this Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Kokee Rim Trail Duration Product Used: 6 months Price Paid: $1500.00 Purchased At: Leucadia Cyclery Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Joker, Kona Stinky series Bike Setup: 2002 Super T, Hayes hydros w/ Razor Roc Racing lever upgrade and 8 inch rotors front and rear, Chris King steel downhill headset (thanks Guy at Turner for the hookup), Hadley hubs laced to a Ryno Lite up front and a Big Mammoth in the rear, Tioga Factory DH 2.3 tires, Race Face North Shore cranks, BB and riser bars, ODI lock on grips, XT drive-train, Thompson seatpost and stem, SDG Bel-air saddle
Submitted by
dave franciosy
a Downhiller
from norfolk england (flat as you can get) Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 Strengths: THE FRAME IS VERY STRONG AND AS IT DOSE NOT BOB UNDER PEDALING YOU ARE ABLE TO GET BACK TO THE TOP .6" TRAVEL PLATES ARE GOOD MATCH FOR THE U.K Weaknesses: NONE A PART FROM THE STICKERS KEEP COMING OFF (HOW SAD) Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: aston hill (dh3) Duration Product Used: 6 months Price Paid: $3191.00 Purchased At: riverside england Similar Products Used: NONE Bike Setup: 6"TRAVEL PLATE HANEBRINK G7 HOPE HUBS&E4 BRAKES RACEFACE MR DRIT GIZMO AZONIC DX PEDALS XTR REAR.MECH
Submitted by
Roger
a Weekend Warrior
from LA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 Strengths: Same as before. Weaknesses: None Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Duration Product Used: 6 months
Submitted by
Roger
a Weekend Warrior
from LA,CA Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001 Strengths: Build quality: topnotch welds/construction. greaseport feature. Stiffness: despite rather thin-looking chainstays. Gussets in all the right places. Suspension: It levels almost everything. Although with "only" six inches of rear travel, I took this bike up to Snow Summmit and ran it on the downhill courses. Suspension feel was great. As a four-bar linkage design, the bike climbs quite well; lots of traction available. Weaknesses: The headtube/downtube would not clear my Foes F1 fork's lower crown, but this is more of a problem with the fork crown design, not the frame. The frame weight makes it a heavy for those that want to use it as a XC-style bike. Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Duration Product Used: 3 months Similar Products Used: Foes Weasle, LTS, Slammer. Cannondale SuperV. Bike Setup: DH: Foes F1, Shimano Discs, XT, Rhino Lyte/Mavic 36 Lbs. XC: Marz Z-1 MCR, King w/517 30 Lbs.
Submitted by
Steve Eckersley
from Merseyside, UK Date Reviewed: August 30, 2001 Strengths: Can you say Q U A L I T Y. Superb design and build with great details like grease ports and gussets in the right places. For me a major consideration was the fact that I can adjust my seatpost hight without fear of fouling the shock. Weaknesses: My forks, brakes, gears, legs. No Hydraulic cable guides. I had to file out the cable guides to fit my rear brake hose Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: Nannerch - RIP Duration Product Used: 6 months Price Paid: $2000.00 Purchased At: Riverside Similar Products Used: Intense Uzzi DH for 2 years. I thought I would be taking a step down in suspension performance for the benefits mentioned above but I couldn't be more wrong Bike Setup: 5" travel plates, Supernovas, hope discs blah blah
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from SF, CA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001 Strengths: Plush Stiff Immaculate workmanship Weaknesses: Huh?? Maybe a bit heavy but this is a freeride frame after all Bottom Line: Expand full review >>Favorite Trail: tenderfoot Duration Product Used: 6 months Price Paid: $2200.00 Purchased At: Kalo Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Truth, Dirtworks Termite, Titus Switchblade, Spec FSR, Klein Adept, Klein Mantra Bike Setup: Z1 MCR, Panaracer DH 2.3, XTR derailleurs $ shifters, XT disc brakes, Profile disc hubs, Vuelta XCalibur rims, raceface alloy risers, Kore B52 stem, Raceface Turbine LP crank, Fox vanillla RC
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