REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

New DW frame decision: Flux, Spot or Sultan

3170 Views 53 Replies 28 Participants Last post by singletrack monkey, Jul 26, 2009

cobym2

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2009

I've got spousal clearance to get a new frame, and I think its time to go Turner DW. Woohoo!!:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

The current stable: (a) TNT RFX, built heavy, (b) hardtail steel XC bike and (c) Surly KM singlespeed 29er (rigid). Ride time is split pretty evenly between the RFX and the hardtail voodoo. The KM is currently seeing little action due to rockier trails and a hurting back. When I get the new bike, it will replace one of the hardtails.

The intended New bike: xc trailbike, lighter and more pedal friendly than the RFX, but still comfortable. I'm looking for something that can alternate with the RFX for aggressive trailriding and occasional fun xc races. I'm sold on the DW technology. The problem is... which iteration to get.

From test rides and research, here's what I've found:

Spot Pros - THE aggressive trailbike, dialed a notch lower in gnarl factor than the RFX, but seems to be an incredible pedaller.
Spot Cons - Closely related to the RFX. I dont need an RFX replacement, at least not yet.

Flux Pros - XC racer. Speedy. Snappy. I have never had a 4 inch xc bike. And on some mellower trails with lots of climbing, I usually wish I had one.
Flux Cons - I tend to bash things.:madman: Will the flux take my punishment?

Sultan Pros - I'm also a 29er rigid hardtail rider and I like how the big wheel just rolls over bad stuff. Maybe its time to get a full sus 29er, and in that group the Sultan is a top choice.
Sultan Cons - I tend to bash things. I have not tried a DW sultan. :skep:

I'm going absolutely nutty on what to do.

If i had the cash, I'd easily get all three.
What say you?

1 - 20 of 54 Posts

emrs0414

· #2 · Jul 1, 2009

YO!! get the SPOT - believe me...

scottryana

· #3 · Jul 1, 2009

How tall are you? If you are over 6' I would probably go with the Sultan. I was in a similiar situation and ended up going with a Flux, that I over forked and put a little heavier then XC race wheelset on. Since you already have an RFX, I would really look at the Flux, and REALLY look at the Sultan if you are a tall guy, it seems to fit your needs really well.

Ryan.

JTBAZ

· #4 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

I own a DW Spot and DW Flux and I have saddle time in the DW Sultan. I am 6'. You indicated

"The intended New bike: xc trailbike, lighter and more pedal friendly than the RFX, but still comfortable. I'm looking for something that can alternate with the RFX for aggressive trailriding and occasional fun xc races. I'm sold on the DW technology"

Based on this statement I would lean towards the Spot. You can build it up at between 27 and 28 pounds with a FOX Float 32 140. It will not be as burly as the RFX, but it will be able to handle alot of technical terrain. The DW Spot is a very efficient pedaling bike so it would be fine for the occassional race.

If your main objective was XC racing/24 hour racing I would have recommended the Flux. However, I do not think the Flux would be as good for aggressive trail riding.

The Sultan might be an alternative to the Spot if you like 29ers; but of the three DWs, the Sultan is my least favorite. It is plush, but I thought it was very slow in the corners and I did not like the overall feel of the bike - but it may be just me.

The DW 5 Spot will allow for aggressive trail riding but will be well suited for the occassional XC/endurance race.

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kidsuma

· #5 · Jul 1, 2009

I ride the Sultan....with an RFX in the house I would leave the Spot. If you want big wheel then its the Sultan, if you want small then its the Flux....easy! I havnt ridden the Flux but I hear very good things from those who have....they all bought one after demo time.....demo all 3...take your time!

SSINGA

· #6 · Jul 2, 2009

IMO the DW Sultan can be ridden (and rides very similarly to the 5.5 Spot). It is an excellent trail bike especially on rough trails. Mine is built for bashing stuff and it is 30lbs.

Cornflake

· #7 · Jul 2, 2009

Sultan

Easy. Next question??

yogiprophet

· #8 · Jul 2, 2009

You're asking a lot of a single bike that it can race and still be a stand in for the RFX.
Forgetting about racing for now. I would get the Spot if you are into more jumps and drops...the Sultan if you are looking to bomb through loads of rocks.
Of course, unless you are 6'4" or over, the Flux would be better suited for racing, but you could race any of these bikes if you are just in it for the fun. I have the XXL Sultan and it is easily the faster on the downhills of any 140mm 26" bike I have ridden...no comparo! and quicker in the turns too.

cobym2

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 2, 2009

Thanks for the replies everyone! But it seems that my decision hasn't gotten any easier.

Additional info, I'm 5'8", race occasionally and only for fun. In a typical week, I'll ride a mild 15-20km xc route with lots of climbing on weekdays (usually on my hardtail). On weekends a day long epic with anything from loong climbs, short bonafide downhills, and all kinds of trails (horse trails, jeep trails, goat trails, river beds). Few/rare jumps and drops (Yes, I need to improve air skills). But lots of rocks and very technical descents. I'd rather have strength and reliability than lightness, I guess, especially when stuck out in the middle of nowhere. I usually take the RFX.

Hmm, after saying that, I think I'm leaning towards the spot and/or the sultan.

cobym2

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 2, 2009

emrs0414 said:
YO!! get the SPOT - believe me...

Hey, I heard you got chased by a bear. :eekster:
Anyway, I'll talk to you when I've decided, Mr. Purveyor of DW Stoke. :thumbsup:

kidsuma

· #11 · Jul 2, 2009

Sultan

sdcadbiker

· #12 · Jul 2, 2009

If you race: Flux.
If you ride rough trails: Spot
If you are 6+ft tall and ride rough trails: Sultan

FYI I'm a 6'1" racer with a 34" inseam and I ride a large Flux; prolly should have got an XL but WTF...

You'll be happy with any of them...

Don't skimp on the build; if you buy a kickass frame then get kickass parts too!

xtr444

· #13 · Jul 3, 2009

Hi Cobym, If you are going to retain the TNT RFX with the heavy build, then the 4" Flux is ideal for your stable. You will have one Turner bike for the gnarly stuff (Licao) and another for the fast light trail/road combo (Maarat) or pure road rides (Sierra Madre Hotel). You can also race the 4 incher... Of course this is just my personal opinion.

renoirbud

· #14 · Jul 4, 2009

If your hard on stuff, you will be hard on 29" wheels. I have a Spot and love it. All my other bikes need to be sold.

Jaybo

· #15 · Jul 4, 2009

Get a Giant

You get the whole darn bike for the price of the Spot frame. Plus, the Maestro suspension is as good or better then the old and tired DW Link design.

Jaybo

AK Chris

· #16 · Jul 4, 2009

cobym2 said:
Few/rare jumps and drops (Yes, I need to improve air skills). But lots of rocks and very technical descents. I'd rather have strength and reliability than lightness, I guess, especially when stuck out in the middle of nowhere.

that statement knocks the flux out IMHO. So if you're down to spot vs. sultan you have a tough choice. For me the spot has been the ultimate do it all ride for years and the DW has really raised the bar - this will continue to be my ride of choice for years to come. I'm really jonesing for a sultan as well, but I already have so much 26" stuff the move will be painful ($$$$$$).

kosmo

· #17 · Jul 5, 2009

1. Sultan.

2. Flux with Talas or other travel-adjust fork -- bike reportedly rides great with 120 up front.

3. Spot. IMO, the DW Spot will severely "crossover" with your RFX.

Can't go wrong with any of them, really.

sdcadbiker

· #18 · Jul 5, 2009

Ha!
What a cool decision to have to make! I went Flux for the same reason as AK Chris (too many $$ invested in cool 26" parts) and I race XC, but any of the bikes you mention will make you very happy. Provided that you don't skimp on the build....

TIGMAN

· #19 · Jul 5, 2009

renoirbud said:
If your hard on stuff, you will be hard on 29" wheels. I have a Spot and love it. All my other bikes need to be sold.

I dunno.........it seems that 29er wheels component selection is much improved and of course built by a skilled wheelbuilder ! Not sayin that 26 inch wheels can't be built stronger still but I'm bettin the difference isn't as much as it used to be ! TIG.

BBW

· #20 · Jul 5, 2009

The only conntribution I can give you is that I did a 95 mile endurance race in my DW spot and it was so much easy because of plushness and it is as sturdy as it can be...
Spot is a good choice.... I think 29ers are not so good for climbing (slow uphills) if you do that a lot
You will enjoy either way you go:thumbsup:

1 - 20 of 54 Posts

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