Description:This is the all terrain fun bike for the toughest rides in the world. The world renowned XCE is the ideal trail bike for the heavier and\or aggressive cross country rider. The plush 4 inches of wheel travel is for the rider who demands the ultimate in comfort and control. Our proven 4 bar linkage system ensures reliability and maximum rigidity. The XCE comes equipped with a FOX Coil Over Vanilla RC with compression and rebound controls. The pivot locations are perfect for your type of riding, it will not partially lock out when you are sweating over that rock pile, and it doesn’t bob noticeably when hammering the smoother sections. If you challenge yourself with the toughest climbs and descend rocky trails and screaming fire roads, the XCE will keep you smiling hour after hour. The XCE is designed around a single crown fork with 100mm of travel to maintain proper geometry.
Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any one without any traffic
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1051.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Nimble, neutral, climbs like a banshee and flies down the hills! And the faster it goes, the better it handles!
Weaknesses:
Haven't found one yet...
Similar Products Used:
Giant, Cannondale, Novarra, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Cane Creek Zonos wheels, XT drivetrain, XTR cranks, Hope mini disc brakes, Easton carbon bar & seat post, Pushed Fox Vanilla RLC forks, Vanilla RC rear shock
Bottom Line:
What a great bike! I wanted something fast, durable and light, but only had a limited budget. Should I go low-end new or high-end used? Decisions, decisions... In the end, I opted for a used Ferrari instead of a new Ford and am very glad I did! I now ride farther, faster and with more confidence than before!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ED
a Weekend Warrior
from pasadena Date Reviewed: March 2, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
the frames is best i ever ridden. this frame is more than an xc bike it could be a free ride with proper set up. the frame is strong. awsome geometery even with a 130mm fork!
Weaknesses:
price
Similar Products Used:
5 spot,truth,tracer
Bike Setup:
early model 2003 before 5 spot frame black all xtr,marzocchi 130mm,mavic crossmax,chris king head set,easton monkey ct2,fox rear shox,thomson stem & seatpost race face cranks
Bottom Line:
this frame is truly an all around mountain bike turner nows their stuff!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G MA
a Cross Country Rider
from Flower Mound, TX, USA Date Reviewed: June 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Isle du Bois
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Handling, durability
Weaknesses:
price
Similar Products Used:
none really - just test rides on other FS rigs
Bike Setup:
SRAM X.0 shifters, 9.0sl rear der, LX front der, Mavic 317s, CK headset, Marzocchi 100mm front fork.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike from Supergo (now Performance, of all things) at a closeout price when Turner was switching to the 5 spot. Personally, however, I couldn't be happier. I thought I might lose climbing ability, but this thing climbs better than my hard tail. It has taken everything I have thrown at it, even when some of the components haven't (see my review regarding Crank Brother Mallet C pedals). The Turner will go just about anywhere and handles real smooth. And it has come through every crash often in a lot better shape than me. Yes, it was expensive (I'm a cheapskate at heart), but even if it falls apart tomorrow, I feel I've gotten my money's worth out of it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Stinson
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: January 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs or Wilder
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1795.00
Purchased At:
Sun Bikes, Milpitas
Strengths:
Excellent quality and design. Handles well, pedals as efficiently as a hardtail on steep climbs. Incredibly plush for 4" of travel.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
SC Heckler, Intense Tracer, Haro Werks
Bike Setup:
Fox coil-over Vanilla RC; Psylo SL, Hayes hydraulics, Thomson seatpost and stem, CK headset, Mavic 317's, Shimano XT/XTR, Easton Monkey-lite bar
Bottom Line:
I've got over 2000 miles and 3 years on this bike and there isn't a single complaint. Even though the rear wheel stays active when climbing there is no pedal bob or negative feedback at all. Even without a lock-out in back braking and climbing is perfect. I need to change out the pivot bushings soon as they lose a little grease. Anyway, great bullet proof frame, great paint job and never had a problem with any of the pivots ( and there's a lot of them!)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: April 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Palos
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1995.00
Purchased At:
MTBR classifieds
Strengths:
Strong frame, great climbing, makes me smile on descents...
Weaknesses:
Huh?
Similar Products Used:
Klein hardtail
Bike Setup:
4" Zocchi Z1 MCR, XO r. deraileur, middleburn cranks w/ blackspire superpro rings, ck headset, etc... etc...
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension bike so I really didn't have anything to compare it to besides my Klein. When I got the bike the fork had the 5" springs in it. While this made decents a lot of fun I had a hard time keeping the front end down on some of the climbs. I even did a backwards endo once. After switching to the 4" springs, which the bike was designed for, the bike has handled perfectly. Decents are still as fun but now I can climb like I did with my Klein. I have and will continue to recommend Turners in the future...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bikerx40
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID Date Reviewed: January 31, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hard Guy to Dry Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Private Seller
Strengths:
Stability at high and low-speed, craftsmanship, bushings at pivots, lateral stiffness, powder-coated paint job, polished rear end (don't like the new fr & rr powder coated models), zercs at all the pivots for easy maintenance.
Weaknesses:
None yet. Possibly the use of a proprietary shock stroke of 1.75" (makes finding replacement shocks tougher), but you can always buy some Romic Rockers from Turner to convert allow the use of standard 1.5" stroke shocks.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mtn FS, LTS, Litespeed Hiwassee FS,
Bike Setup:
'02 XCE, Vanilla RC rear shock, Marz Marathon S coil/oil fork, full XT, WTB lazer disc lite hubs, 317 rims, Panaracer Fire XC pros, King headset, WCS Stem, Race Face bars, Avid Mechanical Discs.
Bottom Line:
Craftsmanship of Dave Turner's frames is amazing. I've seen few other companies with the quality that these frames exhibit. I bought my frame lightly used, but the frame looks like new - excellent paint. Many people seemed concerned over the use of bushings, but I would be worried if Turner had bearings! Bearings aren't meant for applications with such a small range of movement, like you find on bicycle suspension pivots. Bearings also don't handle side loads as well as bushings can. The bushing pivots on my frame are all super smooth, and extremely well sealed! I like the fact that there are Zerc fittings at each pivot location for easy maintenance.
Coming off of racier 71.5 degree head angle frames (my Litespeed Full-suspension), I was a little concerned over the 70 degree HA on the XCE. It turns out that the slower head angle works great. The stability during fast descents and low-speed technical single track is amazing. I think that the Turner's slightly steeper seat tube helps compensate, by moving your weight a little farther forward - making steep climbs a breeze.
Bob: My bike has the non-ProPedal Fox Vanilla RC rear shock, and it does have some mild cycling of the suspension as you pedal. I highly doubt that the movement is caused by any chain-tension, but rather the movement caused by my legs/butt moving up and down with each pedal stroke. If the movement were caused by chain-tension, you'd feel the 'kickback' of the suspension while pedaling through slow single-track rock-gardens, etc- which my bike doesn't do. I may consider sending my rear shock to Push Industries for a ProPedal conversion over the winter.
While Turner's frames are far more expensive than a mass-produced frame, this frame is clearly built to last for many years to come. I think that my desire for more travel will cause me to switch frame before this frame ever wears out. Excellent work Turner - consider me a 'Lifer'!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH USA Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Laurel mountain in Pisgah
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At:
Private seller
Strengths:
Strength, quality build and ease of maintenance
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
XTR drivetrain, Avid Disc brakes, '02 X-fly fork, CK ISO hubs w/ Mavic 3.1 rims, Thomson Seatpost and stem
Bottom Line:
After breaking two Truths and receiving the infamous customer service (If it is broke it must be your fault), Turner was my last attempt at a FS ride. I am an aggressive clydesdale rider that enjoyes racing and riding (not necessarily in that order)I wanted a bike to ride epic trails and race occasionally. Turner fits my needs exactly, although similar to the Truth's suspension, the XCE is significantly stiffer(laterally)and feels better climbing (I don't the exact physic equation but it just feels better). I heartily recommend Turner products and will be a customer for life.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C3
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any in Sedona, Jesusita, San Juan
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Helen's in Santa Monica. Thanks Monty
Strengths:
Made for any trail. Solid, inflexible rear triangle. Full-Time Fun.
Weaknesses:
1. Must detach rocker arm from upper shock mounting and lower entire rear triangle to access main pivot grease fitting with a grease gun. There is plenty of room to drill the grease fitting higher for proper direct access. 2. The rear derailleur cable stop is welded too close to the rear dropout, making the shifter cable loop too short to allow for a reduced bend, low friction path to the rear derailleur. 3. Replacable rear derailleur dropout is very soft and requires frequent trailside hand alignment following any rear derailleur contact. Pack a spare dropout for every ride.
Similar Products Used:
1st bike: Fisher Procaliber with original Rock Shox, RS1. 2nd bike: Proflex 853 with RS Mag 21, now with petrified dampers. Rides since 1995: Bontrager Ti with RS Judy and Total Air Kit, Racelite with Manitou FSX, and Singlespeed rigid.
Bike Setup:
I weigh 155lbs and settings account for full 100 oz Camelbak. CCW = clicks clockwise. Fox Float 100RLC 62psi, compression 3 CCW, rebound 5 CCW, blow off 8 CCW. Float RL 125 psi, rebound 8 clicks from fast. Dave's Wheels with King ISO hubs, Velocity rims, Salsa QR's. Bontrager Jones tires 52/55 F 46/50 R 35 psi. Avid disc brakes with Full Metal Jacket cables and XTR levers. Thomson stem and post. WTB Laser V. King headset. Easton MonkeyLite. Raceface Turbine cranks, rings, Ti BB. Eggbeaters. Shimano 8-sp XTR cassette, R derailleur, Rapidfire, 9-sp F derailleur which works but rubs chain.
Bottom Line:
A 27lb neutrally balanced all-terrain trailbike that is at home on any trail. Aside from the misplaced main pivot grease fitting, which is properly positioned on the O2, the XCE is a low-maintenence frame that has developed no bushing play over a year of heavy use. The ride inspires confidence because the suspension keeps the knobbies grounded for excellent traction under heavy braking and the high chain torque produced by low climbing gears. The geometry, balanced suspension travel, and ease of forward-aft mobility sets the rider up for jumping rather than riding drops and apexing corners with much better traction at higher speeds compared to a hardtail.
Bottom line--faster, smoother, safer, and more fun everywhere.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
craig "big red" hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from arizona Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
trail 100
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
rage cycles
Strengths:
the company, they stand behind their product 110%. i bought one in the fall of 1994 and raced it for the next 6 years. ya i broke five of them but never in the same place. dave, always sent out a new frame with the latest shock, ya that's right the latest shock, no charge.
Weaknesses:
some times it took a while to get the new frame.
Similar Products Used:
intense, foes, canajo, titus. what ever i wanted to demo that day.
Bike Setup:
it changed every year but always the best stuff no matter what.
Bottom Line:
i raced this bike in the local circuit. i ride serious rough turrain. i ride hard but don't drop off the big stuff. i'm 6'4" 210 lb, i ride the biggest one they make.
the following is my bottom line:
i have ridden five different high end forks, as well. non of this stuff made a difference this bike kicks ass with any components.
about the bobb, hard tails bobb too, that's your lazy ass stompin and not spinnin.
riding a dual suspension bike is a major committment to get all the bennies out of the suspension. therefor, try putting on the slicks and hit the road to make friends with your buddy bobb, if you can't beat em, join em.
hey you mother chain sucker, it's the rider learn how to shift and where, duh!
dam thiefs got my ride recently. turns out the insurance company will cover it but since 911 insurance companies have tightend up on the number of claims they allow before dropping insurance. try two claims, ya two. therefor i'm shellin out the bucks myself once again. i don't need to go test ride anything. i know what i'm buyin another turnerrrr burnerrrr.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nohang
a
from Laguna Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
stairsteps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
bike company
Strengths:
Amazing lateral stiffness (bushings). Having complete confidence in your bike. Beautiful frame workmanship.
Weaknesses:
This is my only complaint, and it has nothing to do with Turner. The Romic shock "squeaked" from the moment I bought the bike. Bike Company tried to remadie the problem and said it could be a dry seal and to continue to ride it. The problem got worst.---long story short Romic turned around my shock in 2 days! No more problem. Thank you Romic and the fellas at Bike Co.
Similar Products Used:
First time owning full suspention. Test rode Santa Cruz Blur--My 2nd choice
Bike Setup:
18' frame w/ Marzocchi atom 100, romic rear, Tioga 2.3 front/wtb weirwolf 2.2 rear, both with stans no tubes (sweet). Everythin xt but the rear der, xtr. Race face duce stem (90 mm) Avids front and rear, odi lock ons. bout' 31 lbs.
Bottom Line:
I am a trail rider (165lbs), no longer X/C geek. Simply, the XCE has made my riding more enjoyable. This bike just wants to GO! I decend faster than I ever have in my life! The funny thing is, the faster I go, the smoother the bike handles the trail. I ride most of the technical trails in Laguna (Prevously on a hardtail), its just amazing how comfortable I felt transitioning to F/S. I can now enter corners faster and brake later. Climbing with the xce is stable and predictable even on twisty steep single track The romic shock is amazing too! Talk about no bob. Anyway, I won't go on and on about the XCE, If you havent realized it yet, It is the best bike on the market! Like a previous poster, I too was bummed to hear of the New 5 Spot coming out. Now that Ive experianced 4' of travel........I WANT MORE(he says frothing at the mouth)!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Mains
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: March 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
1. Looks better than before. 2. The ride
Weaknesses:
1. Still the long long wait (8 months-- see below)
Bottom Line:
Here’s an update from my post 12/31/02, which is basically the only negative review posted on the XCE to date. Sorry about the length of the post, but a lot has happened. Shortly after I posted the review I quickly got an email from Casey Spangler of Turner offering to help me with the chain suck problem, stating that it was most likely a drive train issue. He was, however, puzzled by my statement that Turner discontinued the XCEs and replaced them with XCE(rear)/O2(front) hybrids because it wasn’t true, and that Turner rarely makes such changes because of inventory issues.
I told Casey that’s what had been explained to me by the place where I got the bike (Wrenchscience.com) and Guy Thompson at Turner (who no longer works there, which explains why I didn’t get a response to the prior email about the chain suck). I showed Casey the email exchanges where I got the impression the XCE was being discontinued, and that was the only reason I ever agreed to the XCE/O2. Casey acknowledged a miscommunication had taken place, and offered me a new pure XCE frame because, based on the emails, that was the frame I wanted. This floored me because I wasn’t even asking for that- I just wanted the chain suck gone. The new frame wasn’t to correct the chain suck issue, but to address the miscommunication. He even worked out a deal with Gravy Wheels in San Anselmo to have the components switched to the new frame at a significant discount. They did a first rate job and, not to drop names or anything, but Gary Fisher was browsing around in their store when I was there.
So I got the bike with the new frame last week, and I’ll just say the XCE feels SO MUCH better than the XCE/O2 combo. It feels better on the climb, which I attribute to lower handlebar placement. It’s not zippy, but feels light and goes in style. Surprisingly it also feels better on the descent (there the XCE/O2 felt pretty good), which I think is due to a slacker head tube. AND it feels better on the flat, which may be purely psychological, but overall feels like a much more balanced bike. Amazing what subtle differences in geometry can do. Although the XCE/O2 functioned basically well, it never had that quality of feeling right, which this one does. This is the kind of bike that I can bond with, that I can name (it already has one, the XCE/O2 never did), that can be the stuff of legend. Now I finally see what all the other posts were talking about. I don’t know what the boys at Turner were smoking when they ever agreed to put an O2 front triangle on an XCE rear.
A few other thoughts for those thinking of buying XCEs, if you still can:
FORKS: Like a couple posters below, I put a Fox Vanilla fork on the bike set to 5” just because I could. You’re better off if you just avoid that experiment. Like the others I quickly had it switched back to 4” and it descends just as well (well, almost) but feels way better on the flat and on the climb.
COLOR: I had a unique opportunity to change the frame color 4 months after getting the bike- don’t bet that you’ll have the same chance. My advice is *don’t* get gloss black. It looks beautiful when you take it home from the shop, but after the first time you ride it on the trail it just looks dirty. It doesn’t wash off with a casual hosing either, and you never get all the dirt off. I went with charcoal metallic blue for the new color, which looks much more interesting, handles getting dirty a lot better, and is really a gorgeous shade. If you have to get black, fine, go with black, you’re still getting a great frame. But if you are at all undecided then go with anything else.
HEADSET: If you’re in the market for a Turner then you are probably also thinking of a Chris King Headset. They come in all sorts of different colors. You’re probably thinking of one that’s black, silver, or the same color as your bike, but take advantage of the range of colors and go with something different. I went with a gold headset with looked decadent with the black frame, and now with the blue it’s the colors of my alma mater. Way cool!
Okay, this may be a record, but it took me EIGHT MONTHS after first placing the order to get the frame I wanted all along. It was a very roundabout process, with added expense, but after riding the new frame for a weekend I’m finally a happy customer. I’m also now a believer in Turner’s commitment to customer satisfaction. As for the chain suck issue, it still happened when the parts were switched to the new frame, and finally stopped when they replaced the granny ring. So I guess I owe Turner an apology for blaming the frame. But I’m glad I complained because otherwise I’d still be riding the XCE/O2 mess.
My crappy rating of the XCE/O2 below still stands. In fact I’d give it a worse score now. But my rating of the pure Turner XCE is…
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City,UT Date Reviewed: January 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
too many to name
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
White Pine Touring
Strengths:
After riding my XCE for several months now, I have yet to find any weakness. I can ride this bike all day on many different type trails and it performs great!!!
Weaknesses:
I am a little bummed that two months after I bought the XCE, Turner announces a five inch ride called the 5 Spot which takes the place of the XCE. Supposedly, it climbs, rides, feels the same but has an extra inch of rear travel. I would like to know If I can change the rockers and shock to have five inches and not change the geometry of my frame.
Similar Products Used:
I still have my RM-6. I have ridden many different bikes.
Bike Setup:
z-1, monkey lite, 517's, hayes discs, Lazer-v, thompson post and stem, Chris King hubs and headset, XTR front and rear, Race Face Next LP's. Sweet!!
Bottom Line:
This still has to be the best all around bike I have ever ridden. I forget what the ride in Jackson, Wy. is called but you practically climb a wall to get to the singletrack and I never dropped a foot. The bike rips on the downhills. Once you get the Fox Vanilla RC dialed in, you stayed glued to your seat while pedaling through bumps and rollers. I'd be interested to ride with a Romic or if available, a Fifth element some day to compare. In response to the person who complained about chain suck, I have yet to have chain suck. I do keep my my drivetrain clean but even when dirty, no problems. Maybe your drivetrain is wearing our allready or alignment is slightly off. I am not a true mechanic, but so far I nor my buddy, who has a Turner, have had no problems. I recommend anyone wanting an all around bike buy an XCE or the new 5 Spot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk Osborn
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapel Hill, NC Date Reviewed: January 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chapel Hill High School
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Franklin Street Cycles
Strengths:
Precision engineering, smoothe, fabulous through the single track, confidence building, just plain great
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Super V -- 1995
Bike Setup:
Turner XCE, Full Shimano 2003 XTR, Shimano Disc Brakes, Fox Vanilla 125 R, Race Face, Monkey Lite, Thompson, Selle Italia Titanium, Michelin, 959's
Bottom Line:
Just the best set up for a 60 year old weekend warrior who wants to stay healthy and unbroken. I have looked and looked for the right bike that was safe. The 70 degree angle of the front fork provides a startling degree of control through the single track. The rear Romic Shock is very forgiving with no noticeable bob (at least to this dilettante) on the climbs. With the expert help of Brian at Franklin Street Cycles and all the other great workers up there, I got this bike put together. It is just the best. The quality of this Turner bike is unmatched. I was just astonished at the difference between the old V-brakes of my Cannondale and the new Shimano Disk brakes. They modulate so well and the control you have over the bike is astounding. Also the Fox fork is unbelieveable when matched against the head shock of my Cannondale. I have watched this board and so appreciate all the contributors reviewing this XCE frame. These contributions lead me to buy it. If you buy it go with yellow! It is beautiful!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Cornelius
a
from Phoenix Date Reviewed: January 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hawes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3700.00
Purchased At:
Rage
Strengths:
Balanced, Capable, Plush, Rock Solid.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Titus Switchblade, GT LTS, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Zoke Marathon Coil 100mm, Avid Mech discs, XT Gruppo, Thompson post and stem, Mavic 519 rims, Onyx hubs, Easton Carbon bar.
Bottom Line:
WOW is the bottom line. Balanced - you are in the pocket all the time. Flick it, steer it, lean it carve it and it responds predictably every time; even at the limits. It downhills very close to a freeride bike and climbs like a billy goat. My bike with coil shocks front and rear weighs in at about 30. You could build it lighter with a skinny wheelset and an air shock up front.
The workmanship on this frame is unsurpassed. It makes other frames look like they came out of a hobbist's garage. Even the paint job is worthy or a Ferrari.
What used to be white knuckle descents on my old GT LTS are a cakewalk on this bike. Part handleing and part Avid disc brakes including a huge 8 inch rotor up front.
Pure joy. All day in the saddle FUN.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Mains
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
1. Sophisticated rear suspension feel 2. Looks great
Weaknesses:
1. CHAINSUCK!!! 2. The long long wait (2 months)
Bike Setup:
XT drive train, cranks, hubs, and front and rear derailler. Mavic x317 wheels. Hayes Hydrualic disks. Fox Vanilla Fork (100 mm). King headset. Shimano 959s. Thomson elite seatpost. Ritchey stem and Race face lowriser bar.
Bottom Line:
I hate to be the one to break the pattern here, and I agree with most of the sentiments below, but I’ve found a serious flaw with the XCE. The suspension is plush with a sophisticated feel, and eats up technical descents as well as any 4” travel bike should. On long flat sections my butt has never had it so good. It smoothes out the rough stuff on mild to moderate climbs, and hooks up well on out-of-the-saddle technical ascents. No bike is designed to handle everything and on the steeper grinds, pretty much anything over 12%, I feel the rear suspension eating up pedaling energy. Even when locked out, with the slack geometry I still sometimes find myself wishing I was on my old steel hardtail which weighs about the same.
But that’s not my beef with the bike, and it may just be me getting used to full suspension. My complaint is the chainsuck issue, which has been noted once below and I understand has happened to at several others.
My XCE might not be the same as yours, if you already have one. In August 2002, Turner changed the XCE design from the traditional XCE front triangle/XCE rear triangle, to an O2 front triangle and XCE rear triangle. That’s the time that I was buying it and they never volunteered that information. My bike shop heard a rumor and had to specifically call Turner to ask them if it was true before I was informed of this. I don’t know if the chainsuck issue has anything to do with this change or not.
So why do I think the frame is responsible at all? Couldn’t it be the componentry? The chainsuck started when the bike was brand new, and my drivetrain, cranks, deraillerus and hubs are XT and chain is SRAM. The poster below with the same problem had XTR components. So I don’t think it’s that. Could it be the way I shift? It’s never happened before except once when my chain was way stretched and granny ring seriously fish hooked, which isn’t the case now. But can a frame cause chainsuck? I don’t know, but I don’t design bikes. One might speculate a misalignment between the derailleur hanger and bottom bracket (each belonging to different frame pieces that weren’t necessarily designed to go together) could torque the chain in a problematic way, but that’s out of my field. All I know is that it’s happening to me, it happened to Shepard, and it has happened to others who have contacted him about it. I sent an email to Turner asking if they knew about the problem but received no reply.
It happens when I downshift from the middle to granny ring. At first it was happening maybe once every other ride, but last time I went out it happened three times. Worse, the chain gets stuck on top of the chainstay, and the only way to get it down is to turn the bike around, shift into the big ring, and hit the rear suspension with my butt. Then it falls back into place, but I’m left wondering why I just spent $2000 for a frame. So I cleaned the chain, and the problem improved but is still there. It seems to be minimized when I downshift in the largest cog.
I would normally have waited longer before posting a review, but I think anyone considering an XCE should be alerted to this possibility. I believe the problem will work out somehow, even if that means cleaning the chain every few rides, and otherwise the bike performs as promised and I really like it. However, if getting chainsuck three times per ride becomes a pattern, then the frame is essentially useless and I’ll be shopping for another. That would be a shame.
If I learn that the chainsuck isn’t the fault of the frame then I’ll be happy to repost a glowing review.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Troy
a
from San Diego Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
It's a secret
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1695.00
Purchased At:
Supergo - Oceanside
Strengths:
Everything - climbing, descending, handling, feel, looks.... quality x 10.
Great bike. You'd think someone would have something negative to say about this bike it's hard to find a flaw. It's a do it all trailbike that is built to last. Weight is 28.25 lbs so it's not a lightweight XC race bike but you can ride it all day and climb all you want without it slowing you down. Descending is a blast and climbing is not a problem at all. Only my legs and lungs keep me slow me down.
I weigh 175 and wanted a bike I could jump/drop, light freeride and do epic 5 hour rides on. This is the one.
Buy the XCE if you want a go anywhere, do anything bike and you don't mind dropping $2K on a frame. Great product from a small company that takes pride in their work.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Super Plush, superb control, superb response, and stiff
Weaknesses:
Well.... maybe the weight, but it didn't bother me much...
Similar Products Used:
Owned couple of hardtails, Raven, Super V, Loco Moto, Ellsworth Truth, Tracer.
Bike Setup:
02 16.5" Frame, Forx RLC Float, 03 FOX Vanilla Rear Shock Easton Mg60 Stem, Chris King headset, Full XTR, Mavic Crossmax UST, Hope Mini, Monkey Lite Riser, Specialized Tubeless at front, Continental at rear, Italian Saddle.. slightly more than 28 lbs.
Bottom Line:
I still own a Tracer and sold my 2002 Truth after a year of riding it. Now that I've tried this beauty for about 80 miles off-road, it absolutely gives me a stiffer feel, cornering better with a lower bottom bracket height, and maneuvering with more confidence. I would think it is a better feel than Tracer when descending and it is just a perfect setting for my frame size. Vanilla Rear Shock is great comfort.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a
from Thousand Oaks,CA Date Reviewed: November 19, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
This bike does everything right!
Weaknesses:
are you kidding?
Similar Products Used:
to many to list!
Bike Setup:
Full XTR with King Headset and wheels and Fox Fork.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike roughly two years ago and have yet to find a flaw in it. I did lots of research before plunking down this kind of change on a frame...and let me tell you I was not disappointed. I talked to Dave for a while about the design and the others out there. This bike is truly amazing. It climbs with the best of them and can handle anything you throw at it on the way back down. I have even used it many times as a freeride bike down Suicide and have kept up with buddies on DH sleds.The bike trully does float over everything. Is there nothing this bike can't do? All i know is that when it finally comes time to replace it, I will gladly put down the money for another Turner.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield, Ca USA Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
everything
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
It is a very solid Ride, better than any other bike I have ridden. Climbs very well, decends even better the best all around bike that there is.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Intense Tracer and Uzzi Sl, Specialized Epic, Cannondale Jekyll, Trek fuel's, Etc, Etc.
Bike Setup:
Fox float RLC, Hope mini disc brakes, Thomson stem and seat post, Sram XO drivetrain, Shimano XT cranks, Mavic cross max Xl Tubeless wheels (excellent), Easton monkeylite carbon bars, Ird headset, Serfas Areia saddle, Egg beater pedals.
Bottom Line:
If you are a trailrider and want the do it all bike this is it, it has no faults it climbs very well and decends even better. Out of all the bikes I have ridden this bike is the sure thing. I used to think that the lightest bike and parts was the way to go but I was wrong. this bike is very smooth on climbs it has minimal bob but not enough to notice while you are climbing and when you go downhill it is like riding on air. it handles and tracts so well alot of that is because of the wheels, the tubeless design rolls very fast the bike and the wheels compliment each other very nicely. I would reccomend this bike to all day thrill seekers who want to have fun. Know all I have to do is get my legs built up to push the extra weight.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shepard Grinker
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Hoodoo Pass, Idaho
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Helens Cycles
Strengths:
This is a great bike. It eats up almost any climb my lungs and legs will get me up. As far as decending, this bike has more to offer then I am willing to take. It handles very smoothly through fast rocky stuff, and can take a three footer with ease. I would recommend this bike to anyone who desires a great all around bike that can afford the price. Buy the way, its is true, with the Fox Vanilla RC shock in the rear, there is minimal pedal bob.
Weaknesses:
Chain Suck! With an XTR drivetrain and hours of tinkering I can not explain it. I have also met two other XCE owners who have complained about the same issue. If the chain is not spotless (cleaned thouroughly before each ride), the drop from middle to granny in a slight incline can cause some "suckage". This may or may not be a Turner issue, but after unloading all that cash you would expect no problems.
Similar Products Used:
This is my first experience on a full suspension bicycle. Call it blind faith and a lot of research.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z1 Freeride (awesome fork and great company), XTR Drivetrain, Chris King/Mavic wheelset, Hope Mini breaks, Thomson seatpost and stem.
Bottom Line:
I highly recommend this product. I have been mountain biking since 1987 and have ridden every material in a hardtail available. I think if you are looking for good full suspension design, very good customer service, and you have the cash, this is one of maybe five designs of this caliber that are out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lee Flenard
a Weekend Warrior
from Marlton,N.J. USA Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002
none....unless your looking for a sub 25lb XC racing bike
Similar Products Used:
Klein hardtail,Santa Cruz Heckler,Cannondale Jekyll,Klein Palamino
Bike Setup:
Psylo XC set for 4.3/4", Thompson stem and post,Avid mechanical XT FD and RD and shifter pods,Raceface cranks and BB XT hubs and Mavic 317 rims....
Bottom Line:
This is the perfect bike for the rider who's main goal is to have fun. This bike does everything well. I' tried to push the bike on some of the downhills and have yet to find its limit. You can just point and go,no need to sweat the smaller obstacles. I could go on forever and I'm sure I will once I have more ride time in. This bike is 28.5 lbs. I come from a 21 lb. hardtail. I can hardly notice the weight difference at all! If you want a fun bike and your not into a lightest bike contest or serious XC racing buy this bike if you don't mind parting with a few extra bucks.....its worth every cent......just look at how long all our reviews are!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Loki
a Downhiller
from The Holy Province of Oregon Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002
$ 1995.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating: