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Submitted by
Mark Selto
a Cross Country Rider
from Crested Butte
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Too many | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Boulder Cycle Sport | | Strengths: | Super stiff on climbs, stable and responsive on the downs. Light. The perfect bike for what I do: Rugged XC, lots of long road climbs leading to technical descents as well as buffed singletrack w/ tight bank turns (Hartman Rocks). | | Weaknesses: | I had a 140mm fork at first and the bike didn't feel quite right. Now I have the recommended 100mm and it feels more natural but I miss the travel. Also, I still feel like I could have found a comparable frame for less $$. | | Similar Products Used: | Only other FS I've ridden much is a Specialized Enduro. It was sweet but not as tight as the Turner. | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100 RLC
SRAM X.O shifters and rear derailieur
XT brakes, front derailieur, pedals
DT Swiss hubs, Mavic rims, Continental Mountain King tires
other cool stuff | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you ride hard up and down and want a bike that can keep up (and help you get to the next level). It is pretty expensive though. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AL GO
a Racer
from Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | canadian wild & fast trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle lessard | | Strengths: | level of performance,pedaling efficiency and reliability.Strong bike he can go down as fast as some 6 inches bike. Stay straight on downhill rockygarden. Fill very secure for a 4 inches bike, Bushing are great for maintenance here in canada. | | Weaknesses: | maybe overbuilt for people under 175 lbs.No 18 inches frame | | Similar Products Used: | kona kingkakipu,rockymountain.titus,santacruz,spécialized | | Bike Setup: | F100x terralogic,sram xo,thompson,Dave Thomas dreamwheel set, avid brake maxxis tires ,the best reliable parts | | Bottom Line: | Very well design, strong construction, good angle, More of a trail bike then a racer. A lighther racer under 150lbs should go with nitrus for racing.I build my very light and it climb so well in technical section because i think the horst link is the reason ,with the maxxis ignitor (25psi) why the backend stay glue to the ground.The acceleration i get with this bike is very impressive (the rearshox tune-up is very important)if you want to use the fullaction suspension designThe bike is very stable ,for a 4 inches, on bumpytrail,fell very secure.If you want a bike for a lot of year and performance go TURNER with a wheelset of Dave Thomas(speeddream)that the way to trail to heaven. happy trails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris weiss
a Weekend Warrior
from new orleans, la, usa
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | comite, baton rouge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Liberty Bikes, NC | | Strengths: | smooooooth ride, hugs the terrain on ascents, super stable on descents, excellent support, transferable warranty for reasle. | | Weaknesses: | due to the more relaxed angles, I hit my crank on obstacles that I could previously clear with no problem. Out of the saddle efforts up hill induce a lot of bob. also, after 6 months, the frame cracked in half at the seat tube weld for the Horst link. Expensive new, but when compared to mass-produced frames (trek, specialized, etc.) well worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | 1st dulie setup, was on a Klein Attitude Comp (HARD hardtail) | | Bike Setup: | Turner Flux w/Fox RP3, King headset, Fox F100 RLC, 970 XTR Shifters/Crank, 952 XTR V-Brakes/Levers/Derailleurs, Speedplay Frog pedals, Thomson post/stem, WLB RocketV SLT saddle, Easton Monkey Lite hi-rise bar, Ergon grips, XT cassette (11-32), Mavic Crossmax SL, IRC tires + tubes | | Bottom Line: | My lower back has gotten stiffer with time :( and I needed relief. I first put a Thudbuster on my hardtail, and that helped, but not too much. I then found an '05 Horst flux in Asheville, and with the discounted price, I went for it. Totally worth it. The weaknesses I list required me to change my riding style, so once adapted, really minimal issues now. I accept that my cranks will hit object every now and then, and that when sitting down for an ascent, the rear tracks amazingly (I had to learn to love the nose of my saddle). On descents, you really see how the geometry/suspension shines. XC wise, I've raced a few times, and have felt at no disadvantage weight-wise. I cracked the frame two weekend ago, and Turner was going to 3-day a new front triangle and swing arms to me, so I'd only be out of service 4 days. I sent the frame to them on their penny with UPS coming to my house for pickup, as I would rather them deal with all of the torque specifications for assembly. I'm psyched about my new frame and color, and thank Turner for their great support. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary White
a Cross Country Rider
from Chenoa, IL McLean County
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Comlara Park in Hudson, IL | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Richards Bikes in Palos, IL | | Strengths: | Great ride, light, efficient, no bobbing. Love the frame. | | Weaknesses: | After a year of riding I first broke the rocker arms, which through Richards Bikes and Turner was replaced with an upgraded and beefier version within 5 days. A few weeks later I broke the seat tube just above the bottom bracket. In which I just received the replacement frame from Turner thanks to Richard's Bikes. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kikapu and Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax SL wheels, Marzocchi XC 600 fork, Hayes Hydros, Shimano XT drivetrain including the crankset. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, a little pricey, but you'll love it just the same. Fantastic customer service and warranty replacement.
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Submitted by
john ford
a Cross Country Rider
from alhambra, ca usa
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | el preito | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | RBikes.com | | Strengths: | super light and super stiff - excellent shock - | | Weaknesses: | none so far. | | Bottom Line: | an excellent ride. I could not be happier with the quality and feel of the turner. a great choice for anyone looking for something with 4 inch travel. I have taken it on tracks that most would want a 5 or 6 inch travel, and it's handled it no problem. the fact that it's so freakishly light is icing on the cake. and for those shopping - I got it through RBIkes.com and they were great - very helpful, very quick shipping. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Bennett
a Cross Country Rider
from Corte Madera, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | RBikes.com | | Strengths: | The Turner Flux is as smooth as butter. It glides across the rolling terrain with ease, climbs like a goat and decends effortlessly. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspensin bike. | | Bike Setup: | Turner Flux, Fox FX 100mm fork, Fox RP23 shock, TruVativ Stylo Team Carbon crankset, SRAM X-Gen and SRAM XO derailleurs, Avid Juicy 7 disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | RBikes.com rocks! Mike and Adam set me up - second to none. The Turner Flux is a thing of beauty and well worth the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Fisher
a Cross Country Rider
from Watford, Hertfordshire
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Red Route - Cannock Chase | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Polished silver frame, looks awesome and so very fit for purpose, good cock pit, simple and uncluttered, suspension & only 4 inches f&rear | | Weaknesses: | bottom bracket & sus' compressed leads to scraping of the pedals. Thus far. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT2. Pace RC 300 HT. | | Bike Setup: | 19-15" FRAME (large) 24.2" TOPTUBE
FOX RLC -07 CROSSMAX SL UST WHEELS, XTR CRANKS AND DUAL CONTROL DISC BRAKES/SHIFTERS, XT DERAILERS. CHRIS KING HEADSET. THOMPSON STEM 90MM AND THOMPSON POST.
FOX FLOAT R -07 REAR SHOCK. PANARACER XC FIRE 2.1"TYRES, SDG BEL AIR SADDLE | | Bottom Line: | Not spent too many hours on the Flux so far, but glad I bought a Large as I'm finding it a great fit. After these comments I'll follow up at a future date.
Took her to Cannock Chase 1hr after buying her. These bikes can be very expensive, above and beyond say the Ellsworth Truth which is similar and had a fine FIRST ride. I was surprised when my L foot involuntarily was forced to clip out of the left Candy pedal in a L corner. Seems if the suspension is compressed and you’re banked over-ish, the bottom bracket is very low. I hit my pedals 2x more over the next 45 mins too. That’s my only rear criticism thus far.
She takes a little more input to turn “v” my HT Pace, but she’s very smooth, easy to handle, the suspension’s 3x settings seem good, the front forks I set up have forgotten about them already, likewise the rear which I put some more air into and I am finding my local Whippen Dale Woods route is a veritable speed-fest! Downhills especially are a joy and not a moment is wasted on thinking about how to approach the hills or what happens at the bottom. I simply ply-on down and into corners at greater speed than ever before. The climbing position is very different to the Pace, and bizarrely, by stomach muscles ache after 2x fast 1hr blats in the woods. It’s a non technical route and so I’ve not really tested the climbing ability of the rear shock / links / seated pedaling position. But it all bodes very well indeed. Roll on the Peak District!
She should be an easier steed to ride long distances, & I’m thinking marathons and 12hr races and the like here, especially over rough terrain as my knees will get a rest from the pounding the ali’ HT can dish certainly out!
Plus, everyone wants a ride!
These are relatively rare beasts here-abouts, so that pleases me & she really looks the part too. Now all I need to do is ride like I mean it!
p.s. I have been riding 20 months. I've been bitten by the bug and after the VT2, I wanted something faster. The Pace saw me do various races including the SPAM '07 & May '07's Merida in the Lakes (full distance). I was one of the 2 riders in the 26 “v” 29 bike shoot out for MBR magazine in the July ’07 edition.
Tim
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Submitted by
Zack Geyer
a Racer
from Green Bay, WI, US
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Slickrock Cycles | | Strengths: | I am used to racing hardtails and when i rode this bike as a rental in Moab I absolutely loved it. Great on flats and and tricky or fast downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Not a great climber but then agian i am used to superlight hardtales built for xc racing. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher Big Sur, GT zaskar pro, Trek elite 9.8, and gary fisher tassara | | Bike Setup: | Full sram x9 I just rented and rode it. No tricking it out. Im guessing it was mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | Great for flat trail riding without steep or long climbs. Pretty sweet ride. But if you are used to climbing with a light bike this is definately not for you | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TOM AITKEN
a Cross Country Rider
from GLASGOW-SCOTLAND
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Forest of Ae- Southern Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat tread bikes-Aviemore Scotland | | Strengths: | Excellent suspension action-if you set it up right. Build quality.Weight(if thats youre thing). Sublime handling(if specced correctly).
| | Weaknesses: | God awful decals on a frame this expensive-take note Mr Turner. Perhaps he could lazer etch future models? | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575, Santa Cruz Blur and Orange sub 5 | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, Mavic/Hope wheelset, Hope shiny bits(red and bblue mix-circa 1995!!) and race face deus for headset, bar and seatpost. Thompson XC4 stem and magura louise FR discs. | | Bottom Line: | Dont try and set this bike up as a mega lightweight racer if thats not what you use it for. This is a long feeling bike to ride, so if you want it to handle like a great trail bike then whack on a wee stubby stem, wide bars and get your forks on at full travel.
I initially had it set up very XC orientated and I was really disappointed by the handling, slow steering, hard to manouvre over slow obstacles. After I made a few changes the bike came alive.
Its kinda weird, just pedal as fast as you can and hang on for dear life-the bike almost does the rest. It climbs great if you stay in the saddle(loads of grip) and on twisty singletrack it is also fabulous-just set the damn thing up a wee bit more hardcore than you would have thought. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Redhawk Bicycles Temecula | | Strengths: | Great handling, climbs like a goat, fast, looks incredible. Every time I ride it, it gets faster and faster with responsive control that I still cannot believe. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | Turner Flux, Juicy 7 Brakes, Fox FL100, Mavic Cross Max SL wheels, Kenda Tires plus more. I still have a few more items to upgrade that came from my old Trek. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! Buy it now and never look back. I bought it from Redhawk Bicycles in Temecula at a great price. Those guys know their stuff and really took the time to help me set up the bike to be my dream bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Phillips Ranch, CA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Top of the World&Fullerton Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Strengths: | Smooth ride w/ good active suspension, minimal to no bobbing during climbs, descends well, fast on flats, accelerates well, handles well w/ predictable steering. Good top tube clearance. Easy maintenance for pivots. Good Fox RP3 shock. Light frame 5.6 lbs (medium).
| | Weaknesses: | Head tube decal/badge about to fall off. Frame only comes in two standard colors: polished and burnt orange. I had my frame custom painted blue for only 50 bucks more and 200 hundred bucks off MSRP of the frame - Thanks, Bike Company.
Frame could be better w/ increase lateral stiffness. | | Similar Products Used: | GT ID XC 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Next carbon riser bar, FSA 140 stem, King headset, Fox 100R fork, WTB Laser V ti saddle, Race Face Dues Cranks, Crank Brother Candy SL pedals, FSA SLK carbon seatpost, Shimano XT duel control brakes/shifters, Shimano XT Disc brakes, Shimano XTR Wheelset, Maxxis Larsen Tires.
Bike Weight = 26 pounds (size medium) | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for XC single track. No mechanical problems at all. Fast, comfortable, reliable, well built. A keeper. No ebay auction for this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Syllamo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Climbing. Cornering. | | Weaknesses: | gouged decals on first ride. | | Similar Products Used: | giant trance 1, Santa cruz superlight | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100RL, RP3, crossmax sl, king HS, flat carbon, avid juicy, vertical pro UST 2.3 front, irc UST 2.1 rear, Race face deus stem and cranks, Thompson seat post, Sella Italia saddle (ouch). 300 miles so far, weight 145, rear shock 105lbs, front 65lbs. Total 26.6lbs | | Bottom Line: | I have been on many fs rigs and this one is a sweet ride. Just coming off a giant trance 1, this thing has great bottom bracket clearance, opposing what the last reviewer stated. I went through more than my fair share of chain rings. pedals and even cranks in a matter of a year on the giant(even though I liked the ride). The flux gives me no problem clearing moderate terrain. Many familiar rocks I used to wince at, the flux clears brilliantly. It tracks on tight single track better than I could have ever hoped for, but this could be due to running a 2.3 on the front. I have been very pleased with the bike and very little if any bobbing in the suspesion. This thing accelerates like a hardtail, but the rear end seems a little stiffer than previous rides, Although it seems small bump compliance is better than my previous trance (strange!). It takes a long time to dial in a bike and I hate people posting reviews on anything less than a hundread miles, but I still feel like I could improve the ride on this bike. It definetely has a longer wheel base than some other bikes in it's class. You'll notice this when lofting the front wheel (It's a little harder). This could also be why it tracks so much better and you can rail corners on this puppy.
THE CONCLUSION: This bike will not be going on ebay this year. I have had none of the noise complaints of the previous reviewer, but I know from many years of experience, this can be a problem with any bike and can be very frustrating. I can't say this is the fastest bike you'll ever ride, but it will be one of the best climbers and truley awesome on tight singletrack. I usaully get a new frame anually, but I see a lot of potential with this bike and it's a keeper. If you got the cash give it a try. The one bike I haven't ridden yet is a racer X, but it'll Just have to wait till I trash the green monster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Mission Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Strengths: | Build quality, suspension design, efficiency, climbing. | | Weaknesses: | As noted, Fox RP-3 has a narrow sweet spot, turn initiation can be slow until you get used to it | | Bike Setup: | SRAM XO, Race Face Dues XC Crank, Juciy 7 discs, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I'm really enjoying this bike. I've read the many great reviews below, and a couple of lesser reviews. I felt the need to repond. Overall, this is a fantastic bike, and the build quality and durability of this thing is amazing. I will say that the reviewer below that talked about slow steering performance has a bit of a point, but I've come to learn something about that. I liken this bike to a pair of high performance skis- if you get aggressive with it, push it, and go fast, it is very rewarding and performs excellently. If you relax and sit back on it, it can be a little harder to control. So if you want to move fast and be an active and aggressive participant in the process, this thing is great!
As for climbing performance, I have been amazed. It climbs better than my previous hardtail- especially in technical situations. Dave Turner believes in fully active suspension (just like Ellsworth- same basic suspension design), but it is not "energy-robbing." It tracks and digs beautifully. I have had no problems with "excess" bobbing, and I'm a 6'3, 230lb guy.
Overall, big praise from me, but take some time to get used to the ride and get aggressive with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | any (il)legal singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | excellent craftsmanship and service (not that I plan on using it, but a $600 no-fault replacement is a great backup plan) | | Weaknesses: | umm... didn't come with a free keg of beer? | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | 100mm '05 minute 2:00, xtr, hayes carbon, mavic crossmax sl w/ Stans | | Bottom Line: | At first, I actually was somewhat underwhelmed when I started riding my Flux. I did notice that the bike was awesome at tracking up (or down) 6-12" roots, rocks, etc. However, I felt that the bike was washing out (front and/or rear) in turns that I had been taking on my old bike at higher speeds.
After a few more rides, adjusting my position, and increasing the pressure in the rear shock, the climbing improved even more on the very steep ramps, but I still was having issues with anything that wasn't in a straight line. I decided to see what it felt like to sag a little deeper into the fork, and WOW - everything just went to "11" (for you Spinal Tap fans). Could be partly due to the slight angle change with the front end being 5mm lower (and even lower in braking/cornering), along with letting the fork do a little more work. Who cares, it simply worked.
I immediately noticed the front end hooking up a ton more, slowspeed switchback turns becoming much easier and smoother, tight technical "holy crap I never cleared that before" sections are now all doable, and I have attained full suspension nirvana.
When the bike/rider are dialed in, it simply rocks. I have yet to find the cahones to take the corners to the limit, and it is amazingly comfortable over 2-4" obstacles. I'm all set for my next 6-7 hour epic ride at Tahoe.
I ride a lot in loose rocks, so the ability to balance the suspension and not wash out is critical. The suspension now does exactly what I expect, and holds a line without drifting. The bike not only handles straight line hits, it tracks great in the corners, WHEN PROPERLY SET UP. Anyone (like the people below) who whines about their bike after the first ride needs to take a pill, and adjust their suspension controls and position FIRST.
I have been riding/racing mountain bikes since '85, so I'm no rookie or poser. I may average uphill, but I will put the screws into almost anyone in technical riding and downhills. This is important because I know how a great bike feels, and how a crappy rider or poor position can make any bike ride like $hit. I was pleased but not thrilled at first, but now know the sheer joy of Turner Flux climbing, descending, cornering, and comfort.
Super light (25 lbs all in for my size Large), super comfortable, tremendously good climbing, stellar descending, and quite the looker too. Get a Flux, and take your riding to 11. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BTO
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | monarch crest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Redstone Cyclery | | Strengths: | This really is a "do it all" bike. It excels at climbing, carving singletrack, and is confidence inspiring on the descents | | Weaknesses: | I am hard pressed to think of any. The rear shock (RP3) needs to be set up carefully and has a narrow sweet spot. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz, Classic Merlin, 2 other Turners. | | Bike Setup: | Cross Country- Fox 100 RLT, XTR, Magura Martas, Dave's Speed Dream Wheels with King and Stan's Olympic. Weight ~24-25 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | This is my third Turner, so it's fair to say I am biased towards the design and amazing customer support. Still, this is my all-time favorite bike. It is perfect for Colorado Singletrack, and the occasional Moab trip. The bike has no bob while climbing, even when the RP3 is set at the plushest setting. It steers itself around tight switchbacks, and the tracking of the rear wheel provides excellent traction on the rough climbs. It is a confidence inspiring ride at fast singletrack. Steering feels like carving on a good set of all-mountain skis. The long wheelbase lends stability while the head angles lets it dive into corners. My confidence in the rough descents has increased due to the predictability of this bike. There is no suspension stiffening while breaking. The rear wheel tracks perfectly in washboard breaking situations, and the Martas give excellent modulation. Turner's bushing system provides a smooth and trouble free experience without the hassel of buying new bearings each year. It is important to set up the rear shock carefully. I have mine set up with 9-10 mm sag, and ride in the plushest setting. I purchased my bike at Redstone Cyclery and got a great price and service from Dave. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | * Turner reputation
* Solid "feel"
* Well built
| | Weaknesses: | * Very deliberate steering
* Too much pedal bob (and yes, I do have the shock set up correctly for my riding style/weight)
* Unresponsive | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR (2002 & 2004 models), Giant NRS, Canondale Prophet, others | | Bottom Line: | First off, since most people want to know that the person reviewing isn't some "fresh off the boat" newb, I've been riding for over 6 years, and average about 3,000 trail miles annually so I know my bikes.
That said, I know I'm in the minority when it comes to this ride but, I have to be honest so that's what I'm going to be.
I have this bike as a loaner due to the fact that I'm having a component issue with my "real" bike ('04 Stumpy Pro built the way I like it) but have had the opportunity to put about 50 miles (so far) on it over all types of terrain and, I can honestly say, I've never appreciated my Stumpjumper more than I do when riding this thing.
The first thing I noticed with this bike is that is has quite a long wheel-base as the back tire extends much farther into my roof rack than does the tire on my regular bike. A longer wheel-base is supposed to assist in creating a more stable bike and, while it does "feel" very solid as you're riding it, it also feels very slow to respond when manuevering.
On the climbs, I quickly realized that Turner's suspension system has quite a bit of pedal bob. This is something that's almost completely foreign to me as my Stumpy is almost completely devoid of said bob when in the ProPedal setting (or locked out). Since I'm an "up and down" rider (meaning I like to stand as well as sit on the climbs) I really felt like I was being robbed of a lot of power on my pedal strokes as I pushed up anything with a decent grade. Even when sitting, I could still feel about an inch worth of movement even when I had the RP3 shock set up to be stiff.
While the climbing wasn't great, it was on the descents that I really learned how little I like this bike.
The first descent I rode is a semi-technical, two mile, singletrack section of trail with plenty of rocks, small drops and ruts to keep you busy. I ride it all the time and love it. On the Flux however, I couldn't wait to be done with the ride just so I could get off the stupid thing.
Where my Stumpy is normally ultra responsive through tight, technical sections, the Flux was painfully slow. While the rear wheel tracked very well, it did so with an amount of lag that I have literally never experienced before on any bike I've ever ridden.
The next ride I did was a long 9 mile, out-and-back, fire road climb and descent (all up one way, all down on the way back). I figured that, since the bike was slow going down technical trail, it would be solid descending fire road; I was wrong.
The fire road descent only proved to amplify the crappy steering. Every time I'd make a move around a corner or an obstacle, I felt like I was just on the edge of losing control due to the lag. Once the thing got moving, it seemed to move quickly but, any time I wanted to do anything agile, I just felt like there was no way the bike would be able to handle it so I wound up slowing way down below my normal speed to add some control.
As well as the steering being slow, I was also wholly unimpressed with the suspension design on the descents as it just didn't seem to have the same trail hugging suspension as my Stumpy.
All in all, I simply did not like this bike. It's well built, well maintained, has great componentry and is even slightly lighter than my regular bike but, for me, it just sucked.
Again, I realize I'm in the minority here but, I figure potential buyers should hear a view from the other side.
3 torched poos for overall since it's not horribl and 2 for value since there are other, cheaper bikes out there that, in my opinion, perform better. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Nielsen
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey City, NJ
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ringwood (NJ), Frederick Watershed (MD), White Ranch (CO), Sourdough (CO), Porcupine Rim (UT) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1195.00 | | Purchased At: | 'no fault' crash replacement for broken Stinger | | Strengths: | Geometry, bushing pivots w/grease ports, custom-tuned Fox RP3 ProPedal shock, attention to detail, "no fault" crash replacement guarantee | | Weaknesses: | One water bottle mount - I would have put one under the down tube. | | Similar Products Used: | 1985 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Yeti Ultimate, 1992 Yeti ARC, 1995 Yeti ARC AS, 1999 Turner Stinger, 2003 Specialized S-Works Epic/FSR | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Flux w/ TNT geometry (not Horst link)- Polished size MED, 2004 Fox F100X fork, 2006 Crossmax SL wheels, Nokian NBX 2.3 tubed tires, XTR SGS RD, XTR FD, Dura Ace 9spd thumb shifters bar mounted with Paul's Components mounts, XTR Ti 9spd Cassette 11-32, SRAM PC-991 chain, Avid Flak Jacket deraileur cables/housing system, 2006 Hope Mini Mono discs w/ 160 mm 'floating' alloy rotors, Easton Monkey Lite SL bar, Easton MG60 stem 100mm, Chris King headset, Oury grips, Selle Italia SLR Carbon saddle, Control Tech Carbon/Ti post 400mm, CarbonLORD carbon cranks, XTR BB 113mm, Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals - 24.2 lbs | | Bottom Line: | Some Background:
I have been mountain biking for over 20 years - sometimes racing, always riding, as well as working in a shop for 7 years. I purchased the frame directly from Turner, and built it up from parts in my workshop.
The '06 Flux is my second Turner - In 2003, I broke my 1999 Stinger after almost 5000 miles, and at the time, Turner unfortunately was not making any XC friendly frames - they had discontinued the Stinger and the (predecessor to the Flux) O2, instead focusing on longer travel/free ride-leaning (heavy) designs like the Burner, RFX, and the then brand-new 5 Spot. Fortunately (in my opinion), the moronic DH craze has since abated, and they are again producing some killer XC frames like the Nitrous and the Flux.
When I began looking for a replacement for the S-Works Epic that replaced the broken Stinger in '03, I put a Nitrous on back order for several months, but the more I thought about it, the more a Flux appealed to me with its beefier design, longer travel, and longer cockpit - all for less than a pound in additional weight. Truth be told, the fact that it came in polished silver was what put me over the edge.
Details:
Every aspect of the Flux, indeed Turners in general, scream attention to detail. The welds are immaculate, the cable routing is well thought out, the disc brake tabs are perfectly faced and aligned, the custom ProPedal tuning on the Fox RP3 shock is stellar, and every last ounce of unnecessary metal has been cleanly machined out, the head tube and BB were cleanly faced, and of course, the rear deraileur hanger is replaceable. The best detail is that the Flux does not use bearings in the 4 bar linkage - bearing which over time become subject to slop and wear. Across the board, Dave Turner has opted for much more difficult to manufacture tighter tolerance bushings with grease ports on every single pivot.
Performance:
This frame is perfectly matched for a 100mm single crown fork - I'm running the Fox F100X terra-logic which combined with the stiffer ProPedal setting on the rear Fox RP3 allows the frame to climb with almost hard-tail like performance. Versus the Epic, I've found that a fully active ProPedal setup allows the bike to accelerate better up and over obstacles than a semi-static 'Brain'-type lockout. Most suprisingly, the 4' travel frame springs up and over obstacles on slow speed technical climbs where the S-Works bogged down.
As for descending, the ultra-roomy cockpit, relaxed seat tube and longish seat stays create a ultra plush and stable back-steering effect that inspires a confidence at speed that my S-Works lacked. This, despite a chainring-saving 12.5" high BB clearance which in most designs creates a higher center of gravity that reduces stability at speed.
Setup:
Admittedly, I've parted out my Flux with some pretty exotic carbon and Ti stuff, but none of it sacrificing durability in the cause of reducing weight - in fact, if I could find a tire that performed half as well as the Nokian NBX 2.3's, I could reduce the overall weight to right at 23lbs - certainly very light for a dual suspension disc brake rig. As is, I'll take the NBX's and the weight penalty and keep the performance.
Parting Shot:
I'd like to directly address the poorly written and semi-negative review below as well as the poster's very childish commentary on the kind of people that he feels buy Turners. Out of curiosity, after reading his post, I sought out and rode the Raleigh to which he referred. For the record, the 32 lb Phase 2 is a B/B- stock bike that's a good starter dual suspension for a beginner/intermediate rider who doesn't mind pushing up hills, but certainly nowhere in the same league as the Turner.
I'm a firm believer that the product review function of MTBR (to which I have been contributing since 1997) is for people to share opinions and experiences for products that they actually own and use, not a forum for talking trash about products that they have some sort of agenda against.
These malcontents need to leave the reviewing to people who a) actually own the product and b) have the vocabulary to intelligently comment on the experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kosmo
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gold Bar to Portal | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Mtn. High Cyclery | | Strengths: | Geometry, build quality, and suspension design combine to make a great ride. | | Weaknesses: | To nit pic...the stickers are a little fragile. | | Similar Products Used: | Owned, Trek Fuel 100, Trek Liquid 30, Yeti 575; Ridden, Ellsworth Truth and Id, SC Blur..... | | Bike Setup: | Marta SL's, RS Reba, SRAM triggers and drive train, Stan's Olympics w/ DT 240s from Mike Garcia.......24.7 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | For xc riding you'll be hard pressed to find a better mix of handling, stiffness, acceleration, light weight and climbing ability.
This is a fantastic trail bike that will make you faster and able to clean stuff you never could. Its light, but after a year of hard riding, its as tight as the day I built it up.
For the first time in 5 years I will not be looking for a new frame this spring. This ones a keeper. If your trying out new rigs, put a Turner on your short list. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Bush
a Cross Country Rider
from Meridian, MS
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oak Mtn, AL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1625.00 | | Purchased At: | Heart and Sole - Meridian, MS | | Strengths: | Build quality/ welds, weight, new burnt orange ano color w/ ano alum swingarm, amazingly well balanced, grease fittings for bushings (bushings ARE better)and the feeling I got when I first rode it. Also, customer service at Turner. | | Weaknesses: | Price, but you get what you pay for and it was definitely worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 hardtail w/ a Cane Creek Thud Buster, Santa Cruz SL, Blur, Trek top fuel, old school Cannondales and even Bridgestone back in the day | | Bike Setup: | Dave's Speed Dream Wheels w/ Chris King ISO disc hubs, XT M760 cranks, Thomson stem/ seatpost, king headset, WTB seat, Race Face flat alloy bar, XTR triggers w/ standard rise XTR rear derailleur, Hutchinson Python airlite tires, Candy SL pedals, Zoke Marathon XC | | Bottom Line: | I was in dream land when I rode this bike the first time and every time since. This is the first full suspension bike that I've owned and before I got this built up, I thought that I would keep my trusty, well equipped Trek 8000. I am sorry to break the news to the Trek now that she is going to go, parted out and forgotten, as the Turner Flux ride is just that good. I think the design with the high-tolerance bushings gives the rear triangle such stiffness, it really did feel as stiff as my hard-tail, but with the amazing shock absorbing quality of the RP3. It turns boulders into pebbles, big roots into toothpicks and greatly gives confidence in the traction for climbing and control during downhill runs. I really do think the suspension helps considerably for climbing. I do not feel any brake jack or pedal bob - you have got to test ride one of these before you get anything else.
I had the bike Built up by Chris at my local bike shop, Heart and Sole, of Meridian, MS, and the owenr Butch gave me a great deal on the 2006 frame. Even though I worked at a bike shop assembling bikes as a teen for 2 years, I still paid to have Chris build up 2 bikes for me, as he has attention to detail that most mechanics never come to realize in their lifetime and builds every bike as if it were for himself. THANKS Chris and Butch at HEART AND SOLE !!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything... | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Strengths: | well I guess it climbs ok, interesting grometry, cool looking | | Weaknesses: | bobs more/doesn't climb as well as my raleigh phase 2 which I got for half the price ($2200). kinda dissappointed. turner=major letdown :( | | Similar Products Used: | raleigh phase 2 | | Bike Setup: | sram x.0, fox talas, mavic crossmax xl | | Bottom Line: | good for the kinda guy who wants to waste money on a frame that cost almost as much as a good bike (raleigh phase 2) with the exact same suspension design and geometry. good if you have money to burn. if you're really looking for value, there's none here! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis
a Cross Country Rider
from México
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | the long and winding off-road... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Rbikes | | Strengths: | Suspension feels firm under power, excellent construction, welds,tubes , Made in USA ,bushings with zerks should be an industry standard.
| | Weaknesses: | Decals , and maybe very long wheelbase . | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper and Enduro FSR , Intense Tracer, Intense Spider, Titus M.L. and Truth . | | Bike Setup: | Fox RLT 100, Sram/Truvativ drivetrain ,Avid Juicy 7 , Thomson ,Dt´s 240 hubs w/Mavic 717/Kenda Nevegal tires | | Bottom Line: | First of all, the place where I bought the bike is excellent , all the staff in Richard´s Bikes are the best, the attention , knowledgment ,customer care is amazing, five flamin stars for Mike.
Now the bike ,The Flux just rocks on the uphills ,it beats the pants off the other bikes that I owned ,climbs like a goat, and accelerates really fast, rides and handles well, stable descender ,Horst link rear end ,yes it does make a difference,the balance of this bike is just about perfect , after owning different bikes from other brands this Turner Flux is a keeper ,nothing compares to the Turner Flux.
Thanks Turner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Coldass
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1795.00 | | Strengths: | Very well made overall. Smooth rear travel. No major "quirks" in building up the frame - perfect allignment (including the disk tabs). Great angles for trail riding and XC/Marathon racing. Tight rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Head tube badge has lifted on one side. One disk guide on the top tube has been welded too low to fit anything but a tiny zip tie - other one is fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Tracer, Specialized S-Works Epic, Specialized S-Works FSR, Santa Cruz Superlight, hardtails, an old Trek Y, and test rides on Ellsworth Truths, Maverick, NRS, Yeti ASR SL, Yeti 575 and many more. | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100X, XO rear d, X-Gen front d, FSA K-force riser bars, FSA 110mm 90deg 115 OS stem, XT crankset, Velocity Zivno tubeless wheelset, Magura Marta SL's, Maxxis Larsen TT tires, Race Face XY seatpost, Fizik Gobi seat. | | Bottom Line: | The best riding trail bike I have ever owned or ridden.
Reminds me of my old Tracer with a better BB height, balance and angles. It is way better made than both the Epic S-Works and FSA S-Works I owned - bushes are way better, the rear triangle makes the Specializes look like noodles. More care in the finish also. The higher BB height over these is great.
Coming off a Santa Cruz Supelight it feels plush and like it has more than the 4 inches of travel of the SC. No more brake jack. The SC SL might be a better pure XC racer - but not as forgiving as the Flux (my Coldass is happy).
The Flux rides like its on rails and has improved my riding already. I have a few issues with the Fox F100X to resolve (I think an RLT might be better for this bike), but this may be simply a balance between front and rear air, threshold and rebound -I haven't nailed this yet and Turner didn't provide any setup tips for thr RP3 (just the standard Fox RP3 manual).
The Superlight was lighter - I can notice the weight gain on climbs. I intend to upgrade to a lighter wheelset and tires to compensate.
Turners customer services and communications has been amazing - AMAZING.
So an active yet compliant rear suspension - very tight and well made. A good balance of weight v. balance. Will suit epic rides, endurance racing - and just having fun on the bike! I think it will last a long time as well.
Thanks Turner for what could be the perfect trail bike come part-time racer for me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Mission
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere in Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1795.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company, where else? | | Strengths: | Pedaling, the ability to be able to build up at around 26-28 pound range. Handles like a trailbike downhill, and able to handle a five inch fork. | | Weaknesses: | Variance in colors would be cool, comes in silver only, price, public perception of new linkage. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner 5-spot, currently my other bike, Intense 5.5,Tracer, Santa Cruz Blur, (demo)Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | SRAM XO, Shimano XT Easton Carbon, Fox float X 130 with trail tune, King, King, King, wherever I can. | | Bottom Line: | The difference between the new linkage and the old linkage on the FLUX is NONE. What I mean is that I cannot tell the difference between the two in the way that they function. In fact I personally feel that having a pivot on the upper linkage and having the chainstays solid provides a very stable pedaling platform, and man this bike pedals, and tracks like you would not believe. This is a long ride machine as it is incredibly comfortable, light and fast. The real strength of this bike is the fact that it decends almost as good as a 5 spot. Turner frame design with its lower center of gravity is so far superior to every other brand of bike. Dave hit the nail on the head with the flux, as it pedals and climbs exceptional and can decend like a full blown trail bike. This is the way to go for epic trail or x-country riders that want to push the envelope on the decent. AWESOME | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 1795.00
