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So, here's the story. Last fall I built up an epic, so that I could continue riding longer stuff while not hurting my back. Epic proved to be an awesome race bike, but not so much a trail bike (handlebars five inches below saddle....) worthy of going to the mountains with. Climbed great, sprints great, corners on rails, but it's simply a race bike. I needed an everyday bike that makes adventuring fun.
So I got an industry job this spring, and even though pay isn't great, EP buys on bike parts are cool. Given the things yall have said about these bikes, including the fact that I had never even seen a Turner before (living in South Carolina) gave me the lust. Ordered one in May. Can't say I didn't consider a 5.5 (that special smurf blue color is dope) or one of those Ellsworths, but we all know how Turner owners arrive at realizing their true match. It's been a few weeks wait, due to Turner moving facilities and the fact that when their builder was running behind, they decided to bump the XL frames from the order. Anyway, can't complain, as it's not like I've been without a bike to ride. And I'm kinda glad I had to wait awhile. Shows how many of these bikes Turner is selling, which they truly deserve after putting so much time into bringing wonderful bikes to market.
So here it is. XL spot:
Minute 3 fork, King ISO/Mavic 317 wheels, Hope Mono M4 185mm brakes, SRAM X.0/X.9 combo, XTR front, Deus cranks, WTB Rocket V Stealth, Thomson, TruVativ Team Carbon bars, Nokian NBX 2.3 kevlars, 959 pedals, etc.
Component impressions: These brakes rock. Super easy to bleed, which is necessary to shorten the front hose, reroute the rear through the frame, and then add a shimano deore hydraulic hose to the rear, in order to get the length I needed. The shimano hose is a bit smaller diameter, but for the price, I had to give it a try. Just make sure to use the brass crimp ferrule that comes with the shimano hose, rather than the one sized for the HOPE hose. I know the wheels are a bit light, but they're what I had. Two years good so far. If I have issues, I'll go to a bit heavier rim. Hope seatpost clamps rock, cause bronze bushings are smoooooth. Race Face Deus cranks are SHINY (I know, but we didn't have any black ones in stock, and the Atlas wasn't available yet.) I had a bit of trouble installing the BB, as my Pedro's wrench didn't quite fit onto the bearing shells, without a bit of 'encouragement.' These bars are cool. LOTS of sweep. Hopefully their alloy endcaps will defray any damage from mild crashes. 959 pedals have always had a special place in my heart.
Bike impressions: I love the way the rear suspension tracks terrain. I am now convinced that the epic (the only full suspension I've had till now) isn't really a full suspension bike. Crank combo with this frame makes for a super laterally stiff rear end. Standover is a bit tall, but once I get some weight on the pedals, it sags in and makes mounting the saddle a bit easier. Slack headtubes are new to me. Definately a different feel to this bike. Gotta TURN those bars to make it handle. But, when you do, it seems to lean the bike into the turn for you, making cornering fun even when sitting up tall on this beast. I can't really comment on suspension yet, as I realize I have plenty more dialing in before reaching nirvana.
Turner impressions: Casey was ever patient in me switching back and forth from blue to black three times while I awaited the build of my frame. My rear dropouts got bent in shipping. The night I was building it (the night I received the much anticipated frame) I discovered my wheel wouldn't fit into the dropout. I finally realized what had happened. After eight weeks of waiting on the frame, I was quite upset. I called Turner up (they're three hours behind) and they agreed to air ship me a new seatstay unit. No problem, no biggie to them, they just said hey, it happens, we'll make it a priority to take care of it. And incase you haven't noticed, they put ALOT of effort into that seatstay. Milling and welding and whatnot, and they sent me a new one without hesitation. NICE. That was a monday, and I had the new parts on thursday. I went ahead and tried to straighten out the piece, so I could build and ride the bike. Alignment of brakes and driveline was WAY off, but now with new seatstay, everybody is at peace. Customer service gave me the hook-up in a hurry on that one.
As for the unofficial turner customer service reps on this board, thanks for all the advice and entertainment you have given to me in the posts you have given others. Riding this bike is downright fun, and I look forward to my first trip to the mountains, and every trip to the local trails. I look forward to joining the community here, and giving back to others as you all helped me. Hopefully someday, I'll see other people riding in this area with Turners.
End of application for ninja club membership card.
So I got an industry job this spring, and even though pay isn't great, EP buys on bike parts are cool. Given the things yall have said about these bikes, including the fact that I had never even seen a Turner before (living in South Carolina) gave me the lust. Ordered one in May. Can't say I didn't consider a 5.5 (that special smurf blue color is dope) or one of those Ellsworths, but we all know how Turner owners arrive at realizing their true match. It's been a few weeks wait, due to Turner moving facilities and the fact that when their builder was running behind, they decided to bump the XL frames from the order. Anyway, can't complain, as it's not like I've been without a bike to ride. And I'm kinda glad I had to wait awhile. Shows how many of these bikes Turner is selling, which they truly deserve after putting so much time into bringing wonderful bikes to market.
So here it is. XL spot:
Minute 3 fork, King ISO/Mavic 317 wheels, Hope Mono M4 185mm brakes, SRAM X.0/X.9 combo, XTR front, Deus cranks, WTB Rocket V Stealth, Thomson, TruVativ Team Carbon bars, Nokian NBX 2.3 kevlars, 959 pedals, etc.
Component impressions: These brakes rock. Super easy to bleed, which is necessary to shorten the front hose, reroute the rear through the frame, and then add a shimano deore hydraulic hose to the rear, in order to get the length I needed. The shimano hose is a bit smaller diameter, but for the price, I had to give it a try. Just make sure to use the brass crimp ferrule that comes with the shimano hose, rather than the one sized for the HOPE hose. I know the wheels are a bit light, but they're what I had. Two years good so far. If I have issues, I'll go to a bit heavier rim. Hope seatpost clamps rock, cause bronze bushings are smoooooth. Race Face Deus cranks are SHINY (I know, but we didn't have any black ones in stock, and the Atlas wasn't available yet.) I had a bit of trouble installing the BB, as my Pedro's wrench didn't quite fit onto the bearing shells, without a bit of 'encouragement.' These bars are cool. LOTS of sweep. Hopefully their alloy endcaps will defray any damage from mild crashes. 959 pedals have always had a special place in my heart.
Bike impressions: I love the way the rear suspension tracks terrain. I am now convinced that the epic (the only full suspension I've had till now) isn't really a full suspension bike. Crank combo with this frame makes for a super laterally stiff rear end. Standover is a bit tall, but once I get some weight on the pedals, it sags in and makes mounting the saddle a bit easier. Slack headtubes are new to me. Definately a different feel to this bike. Gotta TURN those bars to make it handle. But, when you do, it seems to lean the bike into the turn for you, making cornering fun even when sitting up tall on this beast. I can't really comment on suspension yet, as I realize I have plenty more dialing in before reaching nirvana.
Turner impressions: Casey was ever patient in me switching back and forth from blue to black three times while I awaited the build of my frame. My rear dropouts got bent in shipping. The night I was building it (the night I received the much anticipated frame) I discovered my wheel wouldn't fit into the dropout. I finally realized what had happened. After eight weeks of waiting on the frame, I was quite upset. I called Turner up (they're three hours behind) and they agreed to air ship me a new seatstay unit. No problem, no biggie to them, they just said hey, it happens, we'll make it a priority to take care of it. And incase you haven't noticed, they put ALOT of effort into that seatstay. Milling and welding and whatnot, and they sent me a new one without hesitation. NICE. That was a monday, and I had the new parts on thursday. I went ahead and tried to straighten out the piece, so I could build and ride the bike. Alignment of brakes and driveline was WAY off, but now with new seatstay, everybody is at peace. Customer service gave me the hook-up in a hurry on that one.
As for the unofficial turner customer service reps on this board, thanks for all the advice and entertainment you have given to me in the posts you have given others. Riding this bike is downright fun, and I look forward to my first trip to the mountains, and every trip to the local trails. I look forward to joining the community here, and giving back to others as you all helped me. Hopefully someday, I'll see other people riding in this area with Turners.
End of application for ninja club membership card.
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