Submitted by
AllMountainRider1111
a Racer
from Santa Barbara, CA Date Reviewed: June 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Cannell Plunge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Werks
Strengths:
Super Strong, Plush Design
Weaknesses:
Heavy
Similar Products Used:
Intense M6, Santa Cruz V10, Turner DHR
Bike Setup:
Totem Solo Air Fork, Hope M4 brakes, Mavic EX823 Tubeless w/ Hadley Hubs, XT drive train, Race Face 50mm Stem, Sunline xtra wide bar
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. For 37lbs, I can climb this on almost any trail because it's so efficient. On the downhill, it rides like a DH bike. I wish Turner hadn't stopped making these!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
YoPawn
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Warshington Date Reviewed: June 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Toilet Bowl
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1599.00
Purchased At:
go-ride.com
Strengths:
Uber strong
Super supple suspension
Strongest pivots of any bike known to mankind, with needle bearings and grease ports. Knolly can eat a fat one in comparison!
No stickers. Just some etched logos.
Perfect cable routing.
Climbs better than any bike I've ever ridden, when equipped with lightweight tires. Mine has 2.35 Nevegals and feels amazing on the DH too.
Takes drops like they are not there. Which gives you the confidence to launch off anything without even seeing the landing first. Also gives me confidence to ride without my fullface.
Pretty damn crash resistant. You have to really screw up to crash on this bike. It tracks straight, stays upright, and just down right plows through crap as you pucker up.
Full length seat tube
Looks beautiful.
This bike is the best in every single way. It's no hype.
Weaknesses:
Not being made any longer. :(
The main pivot bolt near the BB can get loose after a lot of riding and is hard to keep tight again. It is also impossible to tighten without taking the cranks off. You can call Turner and order an upgrade kit that holds tighter and can be tightened without taking the cranks off.
Similar Products Used:
Other than going squish-boing and having two wheels. There is nothing similar to this masterpiece.
Bike Setup:
66rc3 with FSA orbit X headset, FSA Gravity Cranks (not the garbage light ones), Hadley hubs, code brakes, 2.35 Nevegals Stick-e folding bead modded with front tire transition knobs removed, azonic strip bar.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike ever made. And you can't buy one new.
If you can get a used one DO IT! Turner transfers the warranty over to the next owner.
This bike is going to last me for at least 5 years before I even think of buying a new frame.
Also, this is the perfect do everything bike. With light tires on there and 175mm cranks, this thing flies uphill, through anything. I take mine over the hardtail for even pure XC rides. It just floats over bumps so even though it does weigh more, you spend much less energy getting out of the saddle and getting caught up on bumpy stuff. I did the McKenzie River Trail (27 miles, half pretty gnarly) on mine and it was a dream.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chumbot
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim, Moab
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2950.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Indestructible on the downhill, climbs anything on the uphill. Corners on rails and handles like it's 10 pounds lighter than it reall is.
Weaknesses:
None, other than it makes all your friends look weak.
I bought this bike for downhilling at the local ski resorts. Most of my buddies ride XC bikes, so I thought I would keep my Cannondale Prophet for doing rides with them, but now the Highline is the only bike I ride no matter where we go. I can climb everything my friends can on their XC bikes, and sometimes a lot more! But downhill is where it really shines, whether it's carving on a tight and twisty trail, or bombing down a steep chute with a bunch of drops, it takes it all and begs for more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shanedawg
a Downhiller
from san jose, ca Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
fatcrobat, Whistler, BC
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Evolution Bike Shop,
Strengths:
Burly design, geometry, cable routing, stiffness, needle bearings with zerks, Turner support and service, stealthy look of 06 model.
Weaknesses:
Some early chainstay issues but they got taken care of really well. Mine never broke but they set me up with new ones anyway. Lack of manual or diagrams for needle bearing maintenance. BB of 06 model with the 8in travel is a little high for tight switchbacks with nasty roots, but that's fixable with a different shock if you want. I like it most of the time because I rarely clip a pedal.
Similar Products Used:
many, many bikes demoed or tested but the ones I have spent time on in this catergory are the DHR, 01 RFX, Specialized demo line a little, Foes Fly, Titus Quasi Moto, Titus super moto, Transition Blindside, Santa Cruz Bullet, etc.
Bike Setup:
06 small Highline with pushed 8.75 DHX-C shock for 8in travel, 06 888 RC2X fork, FSA 1.5 reducer headset, FSA gap stem, easton havoc bars med rise 28in wide, Sram x-7 and x-9 shifters and rear der, shimano XT front der, fsa platinum DH ISIS bb 83x128, truvativ holzfeller cranks, hadley front and rear hubs with mavic rims, maxxis 2.5 minion dhr 3c in the back with a kenda 2.5 in front.
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike for over 2 years now and have made a bunch of changes to it since I first built it. It was my first bike with a double crown fork and my first bike with more than 6in of travel so I kinda expected that. I recently switched the 2in rise bars and 53mm integrated Marz stem on the 888 with a 60mm gap stem and mid rise easton bar that was wider. This helped the handling so much I can't even begin to tell you. I think it was basically related to the fact that the 06 small top tube was a little short for me and my weight was too far behind the BB while standing. I also just pushed the rear shock and this helped the rear suspension really come alive. I can now boost huge air with the bike really taking flight nicely and if I do come up short it sucks it up like mad. It takes big drops like butter now compared to before, when it was just a bit harsh. The other changes I have made were to add a bigger rotor in back. The back end had so much traction that sometimes it seemed that the front end would not rail as well as I wanted. With the new stem, bars adding weight to the front and the bigger brake in back I can now pitch the bike anywhere I want to on sketchy, steep rock faces in north van or whistler type terrain.
So enough about the bike fit and tuning...I really think that Turner got this bike super dialed in 08 and now they are discontinuing it? Is this like the RFX back in 03? Maybe the market will come back around and Turner can start making the highline again in 2010 or something cause it's a rocking bike. For a DH/Freeride bike it is so problem free I'm blown away. The pivots have never squeeked, the frame shows no signs of looseness or slop in the back end, the finish is strong and contrary to the below posters I found it very easy to clean using something like finish line orange degreaser, or even rubbing alcohol with a clean cloth.
I wish the price for bikes was lower but if this bike lasts as well as I think it will I think the price might be justified. I do think that the huge discount on the remaining frames is gonna drive down the resale of the frame if I ever find something better so I'm gonna put down a 4 chillis rating for value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scepticshock
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: August 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Demo from Turner
Strengths:
Incredibly well made and good looking frame. Full needle bearings with zerk fittings on all pivots. Rides like a mini-downhill bike that you can pedal up. Unbeatable customer service from Turner.
Weaknesses:
Hard to find a weakness. Maybe a little heavy, but this bike is pretty bombproof.
Similar Products Used:
RFX, Titus Quasi-Moto, M-1
Bike Setup:
Totem Solo Air, Push'd DHX, Codes, King Hubs/6.1 rims, Gravity Lites, X-9, Sunline V-1 stem.
Bottom Line:
Grab one of these awesome rides before they are discontinued next year.
I have the 06 front mated to the 08 Rear in the 7.1" travel mode. After over six months of riding everything is tight and perfect.
From the first time out on this bike, I felt like I was able to push it much harder then my 6" bike. Nice and stable at speed, and well composed in the rocks, Really fun in tight single track. Climbs tech rocky sections really nicely.
I'd say if your looking for a bike between a 6" all mountain and full on downhill this is your bike. I have so much fun on my Highline I pretty much ride it all the time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Downhiller
from Margaretville, NY, USA Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ghost, Last Gravity East Trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Employee
Strengths:
Round Tubing, About 10 pounds, Great Customer Service, Simple design, no strange welds or cuts. American Made. Color options. 1.5 head tube. There sizing is right on.
Weaknesses:
The brushed alum. frame gets dirty fast, hard to clean. Expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Turner DHR, Marin, Santa Cruz
Bike Setup:
Fox 40, Sram XO, Dee Max, Avid Code, Shimano Saint, Deity, E-13, Maxxis.
Bottom Line:
This is by far my favorite bike. It feels great flying out of berms and takes a lot of hits. I have the 8" travel version and I don't think I would want it any other way. If you're about 5'11" then the medium frame will be perfect for you. This is one of the top brands, and you can only expect the best customer service and frame quality. They go the extra mile to make sure every part is perfect. A company that truly cares for it customer and at the same time makes the best bikes on the market, whatever it is DH, XC, FR, AM.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Wa. USA Date Reviewed: January 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
can't say
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
Super confidence inspiring geometry, low maintenance, versatility with different shock set ups, bottomless travel and laterally stiff, best customer service in the business!
Weaknesses:
v1 & v2 chainstay breakage. Even if you buy a used highline, Turner will upgrade you to the latest bombproof design at no charge.
Similar Products Used:
RFX, Demo7 etc.
Bike Setup:
170mm 66rc2x, roco, sram, UST tires etc.
Bottom Line:
I picked up a used highline to replace my '02 RFX, and in the year and a half since I have had so many incredible days on this bike, it has really encouraged me to push my skills and never been a drag on the ride up or back. Lots of long days on the northshore and whistler... this bike rocks everywhere. I've tried 3 different travel combinations, and my favorite is the 8.5" rear shock (7" of travel) with a 170-180mm single crown fork. Set up like this, the highline has a nice low BB, slack angles and a slightly long wheelbase, yet it never feels unmanageable on tight twisty trails. The suspension does not bob with my roco, you don't need a platform shock thanks to the dialed pivot placement. Full length seat tube means you can slam the seat to the rails. 83/150 rear end is super stiff! and the der hanger system is so cool, it really makes the shifting feel more precise and you don't break hangers constantly. With a little fitness this bike is even fun on all mountain trail rides. I can't say enough good tyhings about this bike, if you are considering it, go for it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corey
a Weekend Warrior
from OrangeCounty,CA Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anything with hangtime
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
turner
Strengths:
Sexy, super light, fast, plush, pedals. Its a do-all, no compromise bike.
Weaknesses:
It gets dirty when you ride it.
Bike Setup:
fox 36 float rc2, dhx 5.o air. Gravity stuff and shimano stuff.
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike. Not even almost overpriced. Mine weighs 38 pounds with some heavy duty stuff on it. Very nimble. Good frame shape. Embarrass the XC guys going up and the DH guys going down. BUY THIS BIKE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Biff Giggler
a Downhiller
from MT Date Reviewed: September 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
dh
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
FUN FUN FUN
Weaknesses:
NONE NONE NONE
Similar Products Used:
dhr, sunday, vp free, demo 8,
Bike Setup:
for dh, dual crown fork, strong wheels/cranks, big rotors, etc....
Bottom Line:
If you get a chance to ride one of these, go for it, even if you have to ask some dood you have never met before, just try it.
The fun factor on the new highline is super high. what FR rig lets you pedal it well, and drops jumps with willingness.
Its all about the ride, this one will keep you smiling for a long time. run it at 8" or 7" with a different shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nick hart
a
from sheffield uk Date Reviewed: July 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
quality of build,the way it looks (subtle and compact), low standover height, tight head angle, super responsive, low weight (relatively!)
Weaknesses:
setting up the front mech can be a pain. also some of the pivots are going to gather muck in our wet winters but hey they've got grease ports.
Similar Products Used:
orange 223, demo eight (borrowed)
Bike Setup:
sherman with extra stiff spring in. hayes brakes, fox dhx 5 rear, big earl chainset with howitzer bb, shimano shifting stuff, maxxis front and rear
Bottom Line:
awesome duuuude. no really it's my only off road bike as i haven't got a limitless budget. it climbs better than pretty much anything i've ridden before. up and over roots no problem, confidence inspiring handling on the climbs (not too short on the front). fire roads are no problem either as the bike is so stiff and responsive, almost climbs like a hardtail. point it down hill though and wow, just give it more speed and it revels the rough stuff. twisting singletrack is excellent on it as the head angle is just right. it makes the bike lively under you so if you want super stable take your hands off the bars at warp speed then don't by this. but if you want nimble fast steering and a sack full of fun the buy one now. i think you can tell i love mine the only problem is getting more time to get out on it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Downhiller
from da roots Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Krippler
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000000001.00
Purchased At:
turnerbikes
Strengths:
Light, flickable, strong, pedal friendly, travel options, high quality craftsmanship, etc, anodized finish is durable.
Weaknesses:
The rider would be the only weakness here. Otherwise, you could only complain about the weight if you wanted a stiffer rear end, but to fix that would add weight which you dont want either, its perfect as is. More color options....
Similar Products Used:
Gran Mal, Foes, DHR, IH Sunday, RFX, VPFree, Demo 8/9.....
Bike Setup:
888, Hadley, Race Face, Sram, Thomson, Answer
Bottom Line:
A great bike for the current freeride generation. Versatile enough to climb up the hill or DH with the Dedicated DH rigs.
Its the bike to have.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a
from sheffield england Date Reviewed: May 29, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
climbing, build quality, size (nice and short at the back)
Weaknesses:
bit of faffing with rear mech hanger
Similar Products Used:
demo 8 orange 223dd
Bike Setup:
shermans up front, hayes stoppers, raceface/truvativ finishing kit fox shock. minion front white tiger rear
Bottom Line:
this has got to be the best bike i've ridden for a very long time. climbs like a good un, the rear shock is incredibly adaptable. the frame has no perceivable flex anywhere. landing small drops is disappointingly quiet! very fast handling but NOT twitchy at all. brilliant on tight singletrack. has quite a high bb but it works well when rider on board and it's sagged into it's travel. it's much much more than just a dh bike, run two chainsets, one for the race weekend and one for the all day rides. mega impressed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
neil
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
fort billy
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$7000.00
Purchased At:
fat treads
Strengths:
Peformance, ability to eat up BIG drops, confidence inspiring handling, amazing cornering, fast for bombing along and through tight twisty sections, efficient pedalling, looks, build quality
Weaknesses:
not cheap (though worth it)
Similar Products Used:
VP free, stinky, sunday etc
Bike Setup:
fox 40, DHX coil, saint brakes, race face finishing kit
Bottom Line:
A great bike - excellent performance and a quality build. Definately more of a freeride / downhill bike, pedals really well but is just too heavy for X country use. Brilliant fun to ride. Addictive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryan cowling
a Downhiller
from tempe,az,usa Date Reviewed: March 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
holbert
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
pedals as good as a five spot
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
turner dhr ,turner sixpack
Bike Setup:
fox 40 fork .magura louise fr brakes
Bottom Line:
this bike will change freeride
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A Matula
a
from Shelton, CT Date Reviewed: February 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
It's a Turner
Bike Setup:
Fox 40RC2, DHX rear shock
Bottom Line:
After years in the making is the Turner Highline ready to be released into the Freeride market? ABSOLUTELY! This extreme freeride bike can be described, in one word, plush, yet it does not lose any handling ability and can be easily maneuvered at slower speeds and around tight corners. I was able to demo the Highline at South Mountain Park in Arizona on the Geronimo trail, a place I had never ridden before, on a bike that was not set-up the way I would normally ride, and honestly, I had no problems jumping, pedaling, descending, or controlling it. This bike moves and proved in a few short minutes, that compared to my RFX, it wants more of the gnarly terrain and inspired more freeriding confidence. The Highline handled everything it was put through very smoothly and never bottomed out. The bikes 8.5” of rear travel absorbs hits without any loss of control making a very noticeable difference in the rear suspension. Is it heavy? This bikes weight wasn’t even an issue once you start pedaling or jumping it, it is very easy to maneuver. Finally, although the frame comes with the option of a front derailleur mount you really don’t need one. The demo I tested was set-up with a 32, 22 ratio and that was plenty of gear to pedal this bike up some trail hills without much effort. I was impressed with is its ability to climb well without feeling any sag, clearly a design that Turner has perfected. So, if you’re in the market for an extreme freeride bike that has not compromised quality, corners as if on rails, pedals efficiently, and will take your freeriding to the next level; than this is your next bike, without a doubt.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kym Howell
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale,Az, USA Date Reviewed: February 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Geronimo
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
The lack of stickers, I hate stickers. The frame was in basically bare metal for the demo so you could see it "naked" and it gave me a hardon for sure. Beautiful welds, greaseable pivots, machined derailleur hanger that was part of thru axle, the logos that are engraved into the metal, the more I looked the more I liked. Dave Turner was on hand and just talking to him and hearing his knowledge, opinions and beliefs just made the bike all that much more appealing to me. Quality product built by a quality guy.
Weaknesses:
Made my knees weak, and difficult for me to stop scheming of a way to get one.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Ellsworth Joker
Bike Setup:
Fox DHX5.0 rear shock, Fox DH40 fork, gravity dropper seat post was a nice touch.
Bottom Line:
I showed up at the demo just to see what was going on and already had plans to ride with friends on a different trail but in the end couldn't resist the opportunity to ride this bike. I'd never ridden the Geronimo trail(Phx,South Mtn), only hiked it and new it would be a challenge. This isnt the roughest trail around but it is the roughest most technical ride I'd ever been on in my 3 years of riding. This bike got me through everything and added a big boost of confidence. If I had come prepared and brought my armor and full face helmet.... I might have killed myself trying new stuff but afterwards they could have carted me away and this bike would be ready to go again. Thanks again Dave I had a blast.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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