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Does The DW Link Make For A Fun Bike?

2477 Views 36 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Jerk_Chicken, Dec 12, 2008

NCtrailX

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2008

My local trails are tight and twisty and typically pretty rooty. I tend to try to manual and bunny hop over log crossings, ruts, clusters of roots and other trail obstacles when I can and need a bike that has a playful nature. I don't do any major drops, but like to hop and jump over anything that I can find on the trail - just like to have fun!

I have had a ton of bikes over the years and know that all are not created equally. Want a bike that is easy to jump, hop, manual and flick around. Some suspension designs are better at allowing you to preload the suspension for a bunny hop, while some feel dead when you try to hop em and are hard to get off the ground.

How does the DW link design handle with this in mind? That sort of lively feel when hopping around on the trail is important to me. I've had to rely on propedal on some bikes to resist soaking up my efforts, and guess I could do the same with a DW link bike, but not sure how responsive they are.

1 - 20 of 37 Posts

GreenLightGo

· #2 · Dec 8, 2008

I think my old TNT (all of 2008 old) Sultan is a kick in the pants - all sorts of fun. Don't see any need to "upgrade" to a new DWL. Quite happy with my 'old' technology.

Once you go Turner, you'll never go back.

dtrek4500

· #3 · Dec 8, 2008

Agreed, the dw link design is also a design I thought turner would never go to, oh well times change.

Rb

· #4 · Dec 8, 2008

In short, yes.

1soulrider

· #5 · Dec 8, 2008

Rb said:
In short, yes.

Seconded.

lidarman

· #6 · Dec 8, 2008

Wow...

I thought the rider on the trail made the bike fun...no matter what the bike is.

S-Works

· #7 · Dec 8, 2008

lidarman said:
Wow...

I thought the rider on the trail made the bike fun...no matter what the bike is.

It's a communist plot:skep:

lidarman

· #8 · Dec 8, 2008

S-Works said:
It's a communist plot:skep:

Blame it on Obama!...oh wait,, that is socialist I hear.

NCtrailX

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 8, 2008 (Edited)

Guess it depends on your definition of fun - but in this case my question has to do with flickability as part of the fun factor.

Can you have fun riding any ol' beater bike on a trail? Sure you can - but a responsive bike is more enjoyable to jump, hop, manual, pump and just generally flow on.

No doubt about it - some bikes have a more playful character.

cactuscorn

· #10 · Dec 8, 2008

im a bit of a hopper myself but it doesnt sound like its to the extent of yer fun and games. anyway, the proto dwl spot i rode was a hoot, easy to toss around as needed and lofted the front or back ends individually like a champ. go forth and perspire.

JTBAZ

· #11 · Dec 8, 2008

I have owned Horst link and TNT Spots; and now I own a DW Spot. The Spot handles the rough stuff incredibly well. I have noticed rough sections of trail are smoother to ride through on my DW Spot. The suspension is smooth and plush. You can mash on the pedals and there is no noticeable or very little movement of the rear suspsension. It is incredibly stiff. It also maintains that classic Turner balanced feel. I would recommend it for the type of riding you described - you will not be disappointted.

lidarman

· #12 · Dec 8, 2008

JTBAZ said:
I have owned Horst link and TNT Spots; and now I own a DW Spot. The Spot handles the rough stuff incredibly well. I have noticed rough sections of trail are smoother to ride through on my DW Spot. The suspension is smooth and plush. You can mash on the pedals and there is no noticeable or very little movement of the rear suspsension. It is incredibly stiff. It also maintains that classic Turner balanced feel. I would recommend it for the type of riding you described - you will not be disappointted.

Is it that much better?.....

Or are you saying you were a sucker for the latest hype then? You got drunk on the spiked koolaide?

Oh wait, you would never admit that would you?

I notice rough sections of trail trail on my spot has that classic Turner feel too...wow...about that classic turner feel...it's all about that isn't it? Lots of new pivots for that classic Turner feel...

So classic.

JTBAZ

· #13 · Dec 8, 2008

lidarman said:
Is it that much better?.....

Or are you saying you were a sucker for the latest hype then?

Oh wait, you would never admit that would you?

I like trying new products, designs, etc. Some of it turns out to be hype. I was skeptical of the DW suspension design; but I have been really impressed with the ride quality of the DW 5 Spot.

If you have not ridden the new DW 5 spot give it a test ride.

lidarman

· #14 · Dec 8, 2008

JTBAZ said:
If you have not ridden the new DW 5 spot give it a test ride.

I might...But should I expect a miracle over an already great ride? Did i screw up in getting an old spot?

Was I a sucker?

I hate being duped.

TLL

· #15 · Dec 8, 2008

S-Works said:
It's a communist plot:skep:

In Communist Russia, Trail rides YOU!

JTBAZ

· #16 · Dec 8, 2008

lidarman said:
I might...But should I expect a miracle over an already great ride? Did i screw up in getting an old spot?

I don't think Turner has claimed nor has anyone claimed that the new Turner is a miracle for mountain biking. Both the HL Turners and TNT Turners are great bikes - so I would say you did not screw up in getting an older Turner. However, the DW Spot, in my opinion, is an improvement over both the HL Spot and TNT Spot. It is possible to make a great product even better and I believe Turner has accomplished this with DW Spot.

S-Works

· #17 · Dec 8, 2008 (Edited)

lidarman said:
Is it that much better?.....

Or are you saying you were a sucker for the latest hype then? You got drunk on the spiked koolaide?

Oh wait, you would never admit that would you?

I notice rough sections of trail trail on my spot has that classic Turner feel too...wow...about that classic turner feel...it's all about that isn't it? Lots of new pivots for that classic Turner feel...

So classic.

Lidar, to JTBAZ observations, and your post here. Regardless of any political metaphor that can be drawn. It would appear that if the rider really like the chunky stuff, the DW spot would be less fun as it smooths out the trail better. If the rider doesn't like the chunk so much, than there won't be as big a difference between the TNT and DW spot.

So, I guess it comes down to perspective

Jerk_Chicken

· #18 · Dec 8, 2008

Does The DW Link Make For A Fun Bike?

No, enjoying mountain biking makes the bike fun.

Jerk_Chicken

· #19 · Dec 8, 2008

TLL said:
In Communist Russia, Trail rides YOU!

In Russia, tings so much better...I was nuclear physicist in Rrrrrusia, now I'm cab driver in America!

TLL

· #20 · Dec 8, 2008

Jerk_Chicken said:
In Russia, tings so much better...I was nuclear physicist in Rrrrrusia, now I'm cab driver in America!

1 - 20 of 37 Posts

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