We've been improving this design since we first developed it 10 years ago.
The Burner features 3.6 inches of travel, double butted tubing, bushings with zerk fittings, the Fox Float R with Pro Pedal, disc or cantilever option and the same U.S.-made quality you've come to expect from Turner Suspension Bicycles, Inc.
Similar Products Used: Mountain Cycle Zen, Niner Rip9, 20 years of Hardtails.
Bike Setup: Fox Float F100 RL, Manitou Swinger Shock, XT Crank, Avid BB7s, Sram Attack Shifters, Deore LX deraillers, WTB SX24 rims on XT Hubs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
aiden mc donald
a Cross Country Rider
from ireland
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2009
Strengths: longevity reliability and it seems to just want to go on forever.
Weaknesses: swinger shock so i changed to fox
Bottom Line:
this bike has been ridden and raked all year every year since i bought it in 2004 and has never ever given me any trouble . changed the bushings once . still rock solid at the back . changed everything else on the bike except the frame over the years .well except the hope brakes that is . So the bottom line ? i will never sell Tina
Similar Products Used: epic, fuel, dawg, stumpjumper,
Bike Setup: chris king headset(11 year old swapped from one bike to another and stil goin strong. how is that possible in this irish weather!? thanks cathy and jim for introducing me to C.K) and C.K hubs(6 years old and still as smooth as silk Ha! i laugh at people who buy other hubs!) xt groupset except brakes which are hope mono mini thompson seatpin and easton bars
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
TJ Zimm
a Weekend Warrior
from everywhere east and west
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008
Strengths: Frame has stayed true and smooth for 1000 miles through rock garden and single track
Weaknesses: chain sucking was an issue...
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Can't think what I would do next for an upgrade. Therefore I am staying put. (XR rockers do little for this bike but raise the BB)
Similar Products Used: Trek, Gary fisher, Klein, LItespeed, IF, need I say more?
Bike Setup: Marz AM SL 110-130mm, SRAM x9, Hope/Velocity, Romic Ti spring, standard rockers, me
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Doug V
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, TX
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2007
Strengths: See previous reviews
Weaknesses: See previous reviews
Bottom Line:
The right fork makes a world of difference. With the 130mm fork, the bike was taller in the front making stand-over height taller than it should have been; the handling was ungainly; and it was just down right awkward. I contacted the great folks at Turner and they confirmed that the fork was too long for this travel bike. I swapped out the min2 for an 08 Fox Float 100 RLC- BINGO! Need I say more. Now it rides as intended and then some. I have yet still needed to perform any maintenance on the bushing. This ride is as sweet as the day I bought it and even better now. The mistake I made was I let Supergo pick out the fork when I was assembling the bike instead of doing more research and ensuring the right fork was installed. I should have known better- they should have advised me better. Water under the bridge and now it is time to go find that water. Merry Christmas and GOD Bless America.
Bike Setup: Changed out the Manitou Minute2 130mm for a Fox Float 100 RLC
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Manteca
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007
Strengths: - Quality construction and craftsmanship - Plush ride - Bushings have been problem free - Smart cable routing
Weaknesses: Seat tubes run kinda short for the size medium (17")
Bottom Line:
The bike just works. Headache free and hassle free. The craftsmanship is very high. Every suspension frame has required routine pivot maintenance, even after 4 rides or so. But the Burner is maintenance free. It simply just works and I am fan of the Turner's decision to use bushings instead of bearings. The Burner with the XR rockers feels very plush and smooth and doesn't make you feel like you needed anymore travel at all.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Superlight, Specialized Stumpie, Jamis Dakar
Bike Setup: XR 4" Rockers with Fox RP3
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Walker
a Racer
from Mission Viejo, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2006
Strengths: Everything! Great climber, nimble in technical and turns, fast on the downs, solid, stiff, and precise. Tracks like it's on rails.
Weaknesses: Stickers suck. Peal off easily.
Bottom Line:
The most awesome frame I've ever ridden. This bike is never the limiting factor in riding ability. Excellent for short XC races or 24-Hour events. Can also be used as your recreational trail bike. Best frame Turner has ever designed.
Bike Setup: Manitu R7 Elite 100mm, Fox Float RL w/lockout, Crossmax SL UST Tubeless Wheels, Thompson post and stem, XTR 960 cranks, XTR calipers and rotors, XTR front derail, XO Grip shifters, X9 rear derail, carbon bar.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Escondido, Calif. USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006
Strengths: Beautiful workmanship, high quality, designed and built by someone who cares, USA made!
Weaknesses: Couldn't get the color I wanted in my size; this model has been discontinued.
Bottom Line:
This bike is all about precision, quality, and handling. The balance is absolutely astounding; technical stuff used to be my weakness, but no more. Just point it, and it goes there. Need to hit a two inch wide spot in tough terrain? It will go there every time. Very efficient, pretty light. I always wondered whether these high end bikes were really any better than the rest of the bunch. Now I know. This bike has made me feel almost superhuman at times; I feel like I can go anywhere no matter how steep or rugged. I'm a bit of a local legend at my age(57), and Turner shares a large part of the credit. Well, maybe I'm just a legend in my own mind, but if I ever have to buy another bike, it WILL be another Turner. There can simply be no other choice. For anyone riding cross country with a little rough stuff thrown in, this bike has no peers.
Similar Products Used: Raleigh, Mongoose, KHS, Fuji, Specialized fsr
Bike Setup: Fox Float RL 100 mm, Swinger 3 way, Truvative Stylo cranks, X9 triggers and rear der., Mavic Crossland, Avid mech disc, carbon bars, Conti Vertical Pro 2.3 used tubeless, WTB saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Berardino
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2006
Strengths: Barcalounger plush suspension, very still rear end
Weaknesses: none found so far
Bottom Line:
An awesome ride, now that I've got the suspension dialed in the ride is amazing. I had been off my bike for a while after a fall last year that laid me up in bed for a few days, and used buying this bike from SuperGo while on a business trip to San Diego as the excuse/reason to get back on dirt. What an excuse it has proven to be :)
Compared to my old FSR, this think is 10x plusher while being 10x stiffer in the rear for climbing/descending. I can climb stuff easily now (out of shape and all) that I could barely climb before. For descending, the suspension just sucks up the bumps without complaining. For cranking efficiency I'm running the big ring much more than I ever did with my FSR. I can't wait to get back in shape and really see how much this bike hauls :D
Given the price I paid it's definitely worth 5 chillis, I have XR (~$100) rockers (gives 4" rear travel), my original choice was a flux but given that I saved about $700, I think I made the right decision :D
Final comment is the same as my first, an awesome ride.
Weaknesses: weight compared to cannondale hardtail - not a fair comparison I realise
Bottom Line:
After riding a hardtail for 10 years I thought I would explore the benefits of dual suspension. Thanks to mtbr reviews and a particularly good deal, I ended up with a 2004 Burner. What an incredible difference 3.6" of quality suspension makes! The confidence this frame inspires downhill and through rocky sections is closely followed by the traction it provides on technical ascents. It's probably made me a lazier rider - there's less need to pick a line, just ride it. If you like the responsiveness of a roadbike when climbing out of the saddle on a smooth fire road buy a hardtail. If you like all the other aspects of mountain biking but would like to love them, buy a Burner.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale hardtail Brief stints on Spec FSR
Bike Setup: Hope, Sram X-9, Fox 100X, Monkey lite bars, Thomson seatpost
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
noD
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2006
Strengths: Great bike, great value, good ride
Weaknesses: weak decals,26" wheels, discontinued
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike that soaks up everything any cross country trail can throw at it. Of all of the FS bikes I've owned, this rivaled the Santa Cruz Superlight, although not quite beating it. I have seen the light and now ride 29" stuff, but if you are looking for a good deal on a great 26" bike, this one would be it (plus it's made in the USA). If you can't find your size/color at Supergo, then look at it's replacement the Flux.
Similar Products Used: Giant NRS, Specialized FSR, Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup: CK Hubs and headset, Shimano LX, Mavic 821 Tubeless
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mick Mulcahy
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2006
Strengths: The geometry on this bike is ideal for me, making it very snappy on singletrack. The four bar suspension is the best out there, it climbs as well as my hardtail, and... dude, it's a Turner man, what more do you want?
Weaknesses: The headbadge is peeling off, and yeah - the lack of hydro routing for the rear disc is a bit of a pain.
Bottom Line:
This frame rocks the house. The build I have ain't ideal, but that doesn't detract from this example of how a company should build a bike, and I'll upgrade over time. I always wanted a Turner, and when I heard about Supergo blowing these things out, I sold my Blur and jumped on one. Best decision I ever made - I thought the Blur was good, but this bike makes it feel like a Huffy. It climbs SO MUCH BETTER than the Santa Cruz. The geometery makes it feels like it was custom built for me. And unlike the Flux, there's something about the Burner that makes you feel like you can be more agressive on trails than with something like the Blur. Turner has dropped the four bar in favor of "faux bar", so these horst Turners are quite frankly like gold. Get 'em while they last, people. Five chilis all round - heck, I'd give this thing six if I could!
Similar Products Used: SC Blur and Superlight, Giant NRS, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup: Marz MX fork, all SRAM, WTB Laserdisc Lite wheels, Juicy 7 brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
doug v
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft. We-Still-Gotcha, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005
Strengths: See previous review...
Weaknesses: Yukkie stickers
Bottom Line:
Great bike that handles sweet. I previousely down-graded the bike because of the wheels and fork. However, the bike doesn't affect how the wheels and fork perform, but vice-versa...therefore, I have upgraded my previous review. It's a great bike, especially when compared to the designer set that goes for $1500+. I also adjusted the purchase price to the cost of the frame in lieu of the full cost to assemble the bike ($2400). There is nothing wrong with the fork except that I installed a 130mm fork but should have installed a 100mm. The wheels- well, never again will I NOT put hand built wheels on a bike (see my review of the wheels- Mavic 717 with XT). One last note- I did fall recently and the TT hit something hard causing a ding in the frame, however, the paint didn't chip- but that ding stands out...my specialized never dinged and it has gone through a lot of rough falls, but I'm not "dinging" the value or overall rating because I fell, but then again, it wasn't a dramatic fall so maybe the frame shouldn't have "dang"...but, then again, it did land right on top of a small boulder- my specialized only slid down a nice soft mountain and the frame is heavier so 5 flames stands. If you can get them at the price, get one (Supergo...er, I mean Performance) still has some in Tucson (larges I think).
Similar Products Used: See previous review, though I added an Airborne Ti-hag to my line up since.
Bike Setup: See previous review
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
D Line
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005
Bottom Line:
This is a 1 year followup to some earlier reviews. I still love this bike. I've changed a few things that I feel has improved it over time, though. First, I ditched the Swinger shock. Not a bad shock, but more trouble (to me) than it's worth. I just got a simple Fox Float R (propedal - 05 model) and it suits me better. The preformance difference really isn't drastic between the 2, but it's alot easier to deal with. The Swinger is now a backup.
I got the "XR" rockers from Pauls Components to bring the rear wheel travel to 4". This did make a significant difference in both the plushness and overall feel of the travel throughout the stroke. Highly recommend it.
I'm running a Fox Float 130 fork now. It is too tall for the bike on the uphill, as I have to really shift forward to keep from wandering, but the down is nice. I do notice some spiking from the fork, though. Overall, it's much better than what I had previously, and the stiffness is good. This winter, when I do a rebuild, I'll drop it down to 115 or so to better balance the bike. The funny thing is the front suspension at 5" feels very close the rear suspension at 4".
I still occasionally entertain the though of getting a 5 Spot, but haven't made the jump. Just can't justify the added cost when I'm pretty darned happy with the Burner. It's really a classic. I don't know if this will help anybody, but there you have it. Happy trails.
Submitted by
Gaz Edmunds
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2005
Strengths: You name it. Oh God, where do I start? Perfect geometery, light, handles like a rat in a drainpipe, climbs like a billygoat on speed! Horst Link suspension is phenominal. The only bob on this bike would be if I let a guy called Bob ride it. But I won't - it's mine, so STAY OFF!
Weaknesses: None, zip, zero. If I wanted to TRULY nitpick, I could chime into the decals, but this doesn't effect the ride in any way, so it's more an irritant than a weakness.
Bottom Line:
This bike makes you a better rider. Period. I tend to avoid hucking my carcass off 8 foot drops, so wanted a rig that was designed for light all mountain/XC use, and this is it. I test rode my girlfriend's bro's one in Marin and fell in love, and after calling the Supergo retail stores, finally managed to get one of my own. Compared to all the other bikes in this category I've ridden, this is the best, hands down. (apart from the Flux, but that's $1,000 more expensive!) I ride east coast singletrack - so while it's not crazy climbs and descents, it's technical, technical, technical, covered with roots and rocks - and this bike eats it up. When climbing and descending the superior Turner suspension shines like... a big shiny beacon of shininess. But even though you're pedalling around on a relatively low travel XC bike, it's touch of beefiness inspires a confidence that lets you hit that corner just that BIT faster than if you were on a "pure" lightweight bike; lets you choose the line that's a BIT more aggressive. So bottom line. If you're an uber weight weenie who wants a bike to weigh in sub 22-lbs, this may not be for you. If you wear full body armor, and like to jump off stuff, this may not be for you. But if you're in that 5%, and want a fun bike to take on the trails, than annihilates the competition, then you want this bike. (Just not THIS one, cause like I said, IT'S MINE!! ALL MINE!!) And at $799 from Supergo, you'd be mad not to.
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth ISIS, Giant Trance, Fisher Sugar, Marin Rift Zone, Titus Racer X, Yeti Kokopelli SL
Bike Setup: 04 Burner with Reba Team U-Turn, DT 240s hubs laced to VXC rims from Odds and Endos, SRAM X9 all over, Hope Mono Minis, Race Face Turbine Cranks... AND A PARTRI-IDGE IN A PEAAAR TREEEEE!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
doug v
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft. Whee-Gotcha, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2005
Strengths: lots of 'em
Weaknesses: Factory wheels gotta go; 130mm fork too long
Bottom Line:
Great bike. This is a follow up to a previously submitted review. The two points here are the wheels and the fork- none of which have got squat to do with the bike itself. The factory Xt/717 disc wheels camy untrued after a few rides. That's jsut plain lousy workmanship- should ahve had the wheels hand built. The fork- Minute 2 130mm is too long for this bike. I was naive when I bought it and should have done better research. I am happy with the fork, but for this bike, I should have known to get a 100mm- it would have been a better match to the rear's 3.75" of travel- I find the front too willing to come off the ground, but I have adjusted my riding- I might start looking for the sales.
Remember, the downgrading in flames is not because of the frame, but the wheels and fork.