Submitted by
cafam1
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2010
Strengths: solid build, grease fittings,long top tube, etc
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
The bike is so much fun to ride. I ride all mountain and the bike just shines. With the revamp that included new wheels, fork, shock, and 5.5 spot rockers its like a new bike geared more towards enduro type riding. When i first purchased this frame I was not impressed with small bump sensitivity and decided to have the dhx coil pushed. Disappointed with the result I purchased a dhx air on closeout and being 200lbs and with the high leverage ratio of the sixpack the shock would just bottom out on regular trail rides without getting any air. If i pumped the shock up to reduce mid stroke wallowing I would lose small bump compliance so I was back to square one. Then I went to plan B and decided to purchase 5.5 spot rockers and put a smaller can on the DHX air. This was the ticket because the spot rockers lowered the leverage ratio a bit and the smaller float air sleeve added to the DHX mid stroke stability. Now the bike just floats up and down the trail and has the small bump compliance that I was looking for. The rear is alot more active even with propedal halfway. On the other end of the spectrum the original sixpack with the pushed DHX would be better for big hit riding not enduro style riding. I'm very happy with the purchase. I can't imagine the new RFX performing better than my rig.
Bike Setup: XT all around Rock Shox lyric coil 2010 syncros ds28 wheels
fox dhx air small can avid elixr 5 brakes 5.5 rockers.
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Submitted by
tomsharo
a Weekend Warrior
from Presque Isle, Me USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2010
Strengths: These bikes are very durable, smooth and track the trail like they are on rails
Weaknesses: price
Bottom Line:
I have had five turners all have been great bikes and I still own three and gave one to my daughter. The six pack is the strongest of the five I have had and will do it all. You will work a little harder on the climbs than on the 5 spot or the RFX but the coming down is worth it. I have never been let down by this bike. This is why I still have it. My favorite is the 2008 RFX for all around riding but the 5.5 spot climbs the best and is the best in all purpose riding but lacks a little confidence in the down hills and free riding. The six pack kicks it up when the hill turns down and will take whatever you through at it without an issue. Strong is the word. I have put a marzocchi 88 on it and went to the park and did much better than my stinky primo. Guess what I sold the stinky. Still have the six pack. This is a great bike and mine is in excellent shape and I save it.
Favorite Trail: Tom's trail @ Nordic Heritage Center
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: Turner Suspension
Similar Products Used: I have a six pack, 2008 RFX, 2009 5.5 Spot and have had a 2004 RFX, a 2008 ellsworth ephaniny, Kona Koiler, Kona stinky, Kona Dawg, Haro xeon, Haro Sonic, and sevral Jamis XLT's as well as a couple of Jamis dragons
Bike Setup: Fox 36 talas fork, marzoochi AM 1 and a manitou sherman I switch them at times. XT brakes, derailleurs, shifters, carbon bars by raceface, thompson stem and seatpost, white industry wheels with sun ryno lite rims and a set of saint hubs with sun ryno rims, nevagal tires and lock on grips.
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Submitted by
Pastor.Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Augusta, Maine
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2009
Strengths: Great LongTravel Trailbike--one of the best anywhere. Strong, light, plush but capable ascender.
Weaknesses: None at all. No quirks, no shortcomings, no problems.
Bottom Line:
Recommended. A+ with no qualifications! When the newfangled DW-link designs became all-the-rage these started getting cheaper. So we're giving this a 5-star "Value" rating. But most have been thrashed by the time they go up for sale so if you can find a clean one then buy it. We're also giving it a 5-star "Overall"rating because its design, build and quality is perfect. Best-of-the-best! We bought this for my teenager and we built it up together--perfect for him! He may never need another bike...
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Joker, McMahon BoomShaka, Intense Tracer, Haro Xeon, GT-LTS, Santa Cruz Heckler, Intense M1.
Bike Setup: Fox DHX5.0, Manitou Nixon fork w/20mm T/A, Sun/Ringle AM wheelset w/Kenda Nevegal 2.35's, Shimano XT hydraulic brakes, XT shifters & XTR derailleurs, Truvativ, Thomson & RaceFace parts build. We have both a coil and an air DHX and still haven't decided which is best. 6" travel F&R.
Strengths: Grease fittings and just the crafsmanship of the frame.
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
I built the bike fairly light about 33 pounds for a heavy duty trail bike. what drew me to this bike was the lomg top tube and it about 24". The bike just floats over the trail. Its heavier than my 2004 heckler but the ride cannot compare. The bike can be ridden cross country or light downhill and thats the beuty of this frame. If you are looking for a cross country racer this is not the bike but if your the type of person that just wants to chill and is not worried about heart rate and grams,this may be the bike for you. This bike shines when the trail gets technical.There have beeen times when I felt like i was gonna lose it and the bike just corrects itself. I ride a large and weigh about 190 with gear and use a 550lb spring. I was going to buy an Ellsworth moment but was hearing horror stories about the customer service.Dave turner backs his product and sometimes if you have a question about setup you may actually talk to him. Thats the beauty about not buying from a cookie cutter company.
Bike Setup: XT all around, Marzocchi all mountain 1 with a coil upgrade in the right leg. F519 rims laced to a rear xt hub and a front chris king hub. Chris king headset, WTB motoraptor 2.25 raer 2.4 front. FOX DHX coil
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Submitted by
IPhreely
a Cross Country Rider
from SF, CA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2008
Strengths: climbs AND descends like a champ. Truly a do-it-all rig. With the right setup, you can build it as a nimble trail bike or beef it up to hang with the big DH rigs at the resorts.
Weaknesses: it's almost too versatile...if that's a weakness??
3:1 leverage ratio (7.5"x2.0") of the Horst link makes it difficult to find shock springs for clydesdales, like myself.
they ain't cheap.
Bottom Line:
Coming from an XC background riding in the east coast, I was looking for a heavy duty rig I could do shuttle runs and reasonable DH rides at the resorts. I spent a good deal of time researching different bikes and came upon the 6 Pack/RFX. I bought it gently used, and after a few (mildly) frustrating rides, I started dialing it in for my riding style...eventually built it up as a point 'n shoot bike that could keep up with my friends riding bigger DH rigs, but could still motor uphill when I needed it to.
With the right suspension setup, this bike can do pretty much anything you ask of it. The geometry is solid, and it's super maneuverable in nearly any terrain.
If you're looking for a do-it-all bike that can be built to suit any need, and you can find a good deal, I would totally recommend the 6Pack/RFX.
Strengths: Incredible stability at speed, descends like a guided missile, quiet pivots, inspires confidence, fully active suspension, excellent climbing traction, can take huge crash hits, durable powdercoat, beautiful machined rear triangle, massive squared-off top and downtubes.
Weaknesses: Tendency of rear suspension to pitch forward under hard braking, no center top-tube guide for brake hose, cables can "clang" against the taco if they are routed underneath it. In other words, not much.
Bottom Line:
I bought this frame and fork as my winter project. Mostly, I wanted something that could handle freeride and light downhill, but still be able to pedal uphill. Coming from a cross country background, a 6" travel bike with a slack 68 degree headtube angle and high 14.25" bottom bracket was a new venture for me.
From the moment I finished building it and sat on the frame, it felt incredibly comfortable and balanced. Neutral would be the best description. It climbs fairly slowly, but it's traction is comparable to a bulldozer, especially with the wide 2.4 tires. Extra rotating weight is the trade-off, but downhill prowess and sticking to the trail in any condition makes the big tread worth it. I can clean climbs on this bike that I can't with my light XC bikes because of increased traction and neutral balance. The Z1 Light fork is the perfect compliment, as I use the ETA to drop the fork on every climb.
Downhill, this is a guided missile. Stand up, point the bike, and go... over everything in the way. Forget picking a line, the Six Pack rails over anything. Again, the Zoke fork is absolutely set and forget, with a great compression damping feature that minimizes fork dive. After monster crashes, the bike has no dings or paint chips. The scratches polish right out with automotive scratch remover.
I put a Float air sleeve on the DHX for better mid-stroke support, and it was a great upgrade. At 175lbs w/o gear, I run the DHX at 185psi in the main chamber, 135 in the boost valve, full pro-pedal, and a slight rotation of the bottom-out adjuster. I run 10psi in the Z1 fork.
The very minor bad trait is a tendency to tip forward from the rear shock under hard braking. Additional rebound damping could fix this somewhat, but it would compromise trail performance at speed. I just brake less, as this bike gets more and more stable as it goes faster.
The mechanic at the LBS offered to buy the bike if I didn't like it. He can't have it. If you find one, buy it.
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky and Coil Air, Titus El Guapo.
Bike Setup: 05 Turner Six Pack (RFX) w/ Horst Link. Marzocchi Z1 Light, FOX DHX Air 5.0, SRAM X.9 shifters and derailleurs, Saint 8" brakes and hubs, Sun Rhyno Lite, Panaracer Fire FR 2.4, Answer ProTaper, ODI Rogue Lock-on, Crank Bros Mallet C, Thomson 70mm stem, Race Face post, WTB Laser V ProGel.
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Submitted by
Jason Koplin
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007
Strengths: Strong, excellent peddling up and down, service free, flex free, excellent customer service, super easy maintenance, paint is solid (it will scratch but won't chip), superb handling, very light for 6" travel, plush and active....I could go on
Weaknesses: Won't stop begging to be ridden.
Bottom Line:
This bike has ridden in the mountains and foot hills of Colorado, the canyons of Moab, The forests of Maryland, the deserts of Arizona, the forests of northern Wisconsin and a few other places I may have missed. I weigh 245, needless to say I break stuff. I must say this Bike is awesome. It is flex free, nimble and comfortable on long rides. Even better it has required the simplest of maintenance. This Six Pack has given me no trouble with all the mud, sand and water I have encountered. A few squirts of grease and I'm done. I should also point out that the word "bushing" is thrown around a lot, in regards to the rear pivots. Bushings are loose descriptions of what are actually there. they are technically Journal Bearings. Bearings are flat smooth "washers". That is not what is in this Turner. There are two large "bushings" that the axle passes through, that are flanged that provide a bearing surface at the pivot points. This provides a strong, durable, smooth, flex free, pivot. It would be worth checking out the Turner web site to see a picture. Anyway, this bike rides with the best of them. And even better it doesn't require a lot of attention or $$$ to keep going. Hundreds of dirty fast miles and two years later , the thing rides like the day I got it. I would not hesitate to recommend The Six Pack. P.S. it is quite bad@#$ looking as well!
Strengths: Horst link, Awsome, high quality frame build. This is the bike if you can only have one. It climbs great, and decends as fast and smooth as you want it to.
Weaknesses: ZERO
Bottom Line:
Like I said before this would be a great choice if you can only have one bike. I have it set up on the all mountain free-ride side, but with a wheel change and some DH tires you can enjoy any resort as well. It is basically a high end Enduro SX. Dave Turner knows bikes, and this is the bike that he rides the most. He developed the idea for this bike while riding Pourcupine, so that is where the pedigree comes from.. I haven't ridden the TNT version, but if you can, get the 6 PACK because it still has the horst link. I will tell you this I have owned both and have been mountain biking for 15 years, a good rider can tell the differance between horst and none horst link suspensions
Similar Products Used: Spec. Enduro, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup: All XO, The new Retro Z1 RC2, all the goods
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Submitted by
Kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan Capistrano
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2007
Strengths: Excellent Frame! It's a work of art! I don't know how the guys at Turner make a frame so strong and long lasting. The welds and CNC work is superb.
Weaknesses: NONE! ABSOLUTELY NONE!
Bottom Line:
Excellent frame! Excellent weld joints and super strong! I think it's the best all mountain frame on the market with 6" of travel. If you can find one, BUY IT!!!!
Bike Setup: 6 Pack, Marzocchi All Mountain 1, Thomson, XT and XTR, WTB, MAXIS, Crank Brothers, Panaracer AM Pro 2.3
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Submitted by
Ali Aftahi
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2006
Strengths: Solid as it can be. Simple design, NO BOB at all, quality bike that you can't appriciate enough, Climbs like a goat, Heavy? I weight 225 lbs, and I am a bit slow up hills which is my issue and not the bike. But once up the top, then, I point it down and there I go like a bullet. It is made to satisfy your needs for speed, and more. Can't say enough about it.
Weaknesses: N-O-N-E, I mean it.
Bottom Line:
You will be glad you get one of these. They worth every penny and more. Customer service is one of a kind. Price is very reasonable comparing to all the other junks out there that don't do what they are suppose to do. Can't wait to see their new product line so I can ad one more to my collection of fine bikes. Don't wait, go get one and enjoy every ride from now on.
Similar Products Used: Currently a proud owner of a 5 - Spot.
Bike Setup: All FSA stem, post, head set, cranks, bottom bracket, bar, bash guard, WTB dual duty wheels and saddle, Magura Louise FR, SRAM X9 all over. Maxxis Mobster 2.35 with Stan sealent.
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Submitted by
ZipsBiker
a Downhiller
from Orange County
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Strengths: Horst link model. Climbs like a mountain goat. The cross county riders are much faster uphill, but they can't seem to do the steep technical stuff. The suspension design and beefyness of the bike allow it to stick to the ground. Probably the best descending 6" bike.
Weaknesses: My bike is heavy, but it doesn't have to be. For me that's actually a strength because its stronger and sticks to the ground. I have no complaints with this bike.
Bottom Line:
For the average all-around rider, buy a 5 spot. This bike is perfect for what I do. Slow steady rides to the top while we try to clear the steepest and most technical trails. We play around at the top jumping road gaps and doing 5 ft drops. Then we bomb down as fast as we can. The long wheel base makes this bike very stable.
The 66 ETA Light is perfect for on the fly adjustments. I can lower the fork for climbing without stopping.
I didn't want this bike to be 40 lbs. My cranks, stem and wheels were from my RM7. However, the weight makes it very stable downhill. It took me a couple rides to adjust and now my legs are much stronger. The weight from the 2.7 wire bead on the front is noticeable, but it also keeps the front end down while climbing.
Bike Setup: Heavy. 40lbs. 66 ETA Light. Diabolus cranks and headset. HFX 9 brakes. big rotor front, small back. DHX 5coil. Mobster 2.7 front Nevegal stick E 2.5 back Sram X9
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Submitted by
JAMES
a Cross Country Rider
from BOULDER, CO
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2006
Strengths: THIS BIKE DOES IT ALL. I RIDE WITH A BUNCH OF XC RACERS AND THEY CAN WORK ME ON THE UP HILLS BUT WHEN I POINT THE SIX PACK DOWN, BYE BYE. STRONG AND STIFF WITH GOOD GEOMETRY.
Weaknesses: PRICE, BUT YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET. THIS IS NOT A CROSS COUNTRY BIKE. ALTHOUGH, I HAVE RIDDEN IT LIKE ONE.
Bottom Line:
TOP OF THE "TRAIL BIKE CLASS," I PLAN ON RACING SOME SUPER D THIS SUMMER ON IT SO I'LL SEE WHAT IT CAN DO THERE. IT TOOK AWHILE TO DIAL THE FORK AND REAR SUS. IN BUT ONCE DONE VERY PLUSH. THE BIKE HAS A BALANCED FEEL AND CAN BE ADJUSTED TO RIDE BOTH XC AND FREERIDE TYPE TERRAIN WITH MINIMAL PART CHANGES. BUSHINGS ARE HOLDING UP WELL UNDER EXTREME USE AND PAINT DOES NOT CHIP EASILY, ALTHOUGH IT DOES. TURNER CUSTY SERVICE IS VERY GOOD. I DOUBT YOU'D HAVE A PROBLEM. I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF XC BIKES AND I THOUGHT I MIGHT BE GETTING IN OVER MY HEAD WITH THIS ONE. I WAS PLEASENTLY SUPRISED WHEN I COULD RIDE EVERYTHING THAT I DID BEFORE AND HAVE MORE FUN DOING IT. BOTTOM LINE: GREAT SOUL RIDER BIKE.
Strengths: Versatile. Bushings for a stiff rear end season after season. Simple design. Short shock-bolts resist bending (as opposed to long shock bolts). Horst link braking traits. Active design so there's no pedal feedback (unlike vpp or single pivots). Not excessively heavy.
Weaknesses: Pivot bolts are nearly impossible to remove without rounding them out,due to the locking compound that is used at the factory. Two solutions, don't lock the bolts in so tight, or use the highest grade of bolts so they don't round out.
Bottom Line:
A truely versatile and amazing bike. Pedals great, but the rear end remains real active. It doesn't have that "hardtail" pedaling feel like VPP bikes, but on the other hand in rough terrain it doesn't kick back and get harsh while pedaling uphill, as the VPP tends to do. The last review seems to be looking for that "hardtail" type feeling, but it's going to sacrifice something else.
Turner puts a lot of thought into this bike, and while it looks simple, there's a lot of small details such as the bushings for lateral rigidity (one of the problems with the FSR design, and turner addresses this), the shaped link plates so short shock bolts can be used, the ST is bulged just below the TT junction-it's a small detail but it's there. Your turner 6pack/RFX is going to last season after season, while your buddies replace bearings and eventually kill their frames.
Similar Products Used: Azonic saber, other FSR bikes I've owned, other 6" travel bikes I've owned (K2, RM, Foes, etc)
Bike Setup: Marz 66 light ETA, mostly XT stuff, hope Mono M4s.
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Submitted by
Jared berg**
a Weekend Warrior
from KA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
Strengths: it looks cool, it rides okay, and it versatile. and there are at least two bikes out there that are worse, but that is all. o yeah the fact thats its made in the usa, but that leads to negatives as well.
Weaknesses: to expensive, Horst link or what ever its called is all hype, doesnt climb as well as i would have liked. its not meant for anything other then local trails like Romero and cold springs. it doesn't compare to my downhill bike and it not that good of a bike for someone who is like me, big headed, fat, and just buying stuff because i get bored easily with what i have.
Bottom Line:
don't consider this thing if you want a bike that is in this category buy a better bike for less, buy the specialized sxtrail 2. I'm selling mine as of now for this bike it rides downhill and with the fsr susp. design it actually goes up easily (no hype)
Similar Products Used: kona stab supreme built up better than fabiens,coiler, 01 stab, stinky, intense uzzi, specialized sxtrail, and the list goes on they are all better then this piece of scrap metal
Bike Setup: 36, green themed components, you know green CK headset and spank wheels, along with stuff that I stupidly traded my downhill stuff for (lost a lot of money)and most important these cool glow in the dark decals.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Charlottesville, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006
Strengths: Extremely strong and laterally stiff. Plush when it needs to be, yet almost bob-free when climbing. A boatload of fun to ride!
Weaknesses: Heavy - 35lbs as set up - but I expected that.
Bottom Line:
I picked up this '06 RFX a couple weeks ago, intending to use this as my one "do-it-all" bike, and so far I'm pleased as punch. It's gorgeous to look at (welds are spot-on, and the shock basement/bottom bracket is amazing), and does what I ask of it. I can't comment on the HL vs TNT issue, but I can say that the TNT climbs as well as my previous 575, and feels plenty cush on the way down. Rocks, roots, g-outs, jumps? No worries, it cruises. It will stick the techy climbs, but the weight will be noticed. (Ok, you wouldn't buy a 9lb frame without expecting a bit of heft, eh?) Also, I detected ZERO lateral flex yesterday while bombing down a bermed, rock-strewn trail. 5 chilis for an outstanding frame.
