[the_eleven]

Looking at the photos, these bikes seem similar.

Anyone ridden both bikes?

I am looking for a fast, stable, all-around FS ride for terrain from Marin to Tahoe....

Currently ride a GF 293.

 

[bigdrunk]

There may not be too many folks who have ridden both bikes at this point. Those who have ridden either bike will chime in about how great either one is.

I have the El Rey and can say its a GREAT bike. I am sure the Sultan is too (its a Turner). Having previously owned a Turner, I would have undoubtedly bought the Sultan if it was available earlier. Since I could get the Ventana 2 months earlier, and I wanted something now, I gave the El Rey a try. Going with the Ventana was a good call.

Random thoughts:

-The rear suspension is the most laterally rigid I have ever ridden. The suspension movement is incredibly smooth through the entire length of its travel. Might I say the best I have ever owned? The frame is burly.

-Geometry is balanced and spot on. Feels great going up or down.

-Fit 'n finish seems a little better on the Ventana than on my Turner. Both are great, but the Ventana is little better.

-The El Rey doesn't have bushings. I love those darn Turner bushings, but I live in San Diego which never really push them to their capabilities.

Intangibles:

-Turner bushings

-Turner offers an annodized finish, Ventana doesn't. Ventana's powder coat colors are cooler.

-Able to go full custom on the Ventana. All fabrication done under Ventanas roof.

-5" travel kit available for the El Rey allows for future "growth".

-Other than the above, their both good, take your pick.

 

[cycljunkie]

What are your thoughts on the Syntace bars? I'm running some on my Leviathan and am quite pleased with them...

 

[bigdrunk]

Love the bars. Super wide, lots of sweep, cheap, and not that heavy for a big aluminum bar. One more bonus: I am always moving parts around on my bikes and have indented two sets of Monkeylites from over torqueing my shifters and brakes. Not an issue with aluminum.

What are your thoughts on the Syntace bars? I'm running some on my Leviathan and am quite pleased with them...

 

[FoShizzle]

dude, your bike is hawt....minus the "break at any time" gravity retarder

 

[LyNx]

29er shootout.

Gues you missed the MTBR 29er shootout that was put up last weekend. They had both of these bikes to ride between several different riders and you can find their opinions here

Looking at the photos, these bikes seem similar.

Anyone ridden both bikes?

I am looking for a fast, stable, all-around FS ride for terrain from Marin to Tahoe....

Currently ride a GF 293.

 

[LyNx]

Be careful Dude.........

.............or you may well join the likes of Aqualholic and get injured and then rescued by a gravity dropper rider. Oh and have to agree thats one sweet looking ride.

dude, your bike is hawt....minus the "break at any time" gravity retarder

 

[bigdrunk]

I picked up the GR just for you! The bike definately looks much cleaner with the Moots post on it.

dude, your bike is hawt....minus the "break at any time" gravity retarder

 

[bigdrunk]

Unfortunately, just about every bike but the Sultan was in the test.

Gues you missed the MTBR 29er shootout that was put up last weekend. They had both of these bikes to ride between several different riders and you can find their opinions here

 

[LyNx]

That's right....

..maybe it was that one of the testers had one or had ridden one or it's that I've read a few reviews of the Sultan of late. I dunno this 29er lust thing really has the head all screwed up now :madman:

Unfortunately, just about every bike but the Sultan was in the test.

 

[FoShizzle]

I picked up the GR just for you! The bike definately looks much cleaner with the Moots post on it.

seriously dude....the bike looks psick! after seeing it i realize that i may want one now for sure. and the gheyness of the Lefty is to die for!

 

[bigdrunk]

I was thinking the RFX was ready to be sent to the glue factory. I've said it in other posts, the El Rey/Lefty combo owns my old 5-Spot/AM1 combo. My biggest complaint is the flurry of questions that I get about the fork and the freakin seatpost.

seriously dude....the bike looks psick! after seeing it i realize that i may want one now for sure. and the gheyness of the Lefty is to die for!

 

[jncarpenter]

I was thinking the RFX was ready to be sent to the glue factory. I've said it in other posts, the El Rey/Lefty combo owns my old 5-Spot/AM1 combo. My biggest complaint is the flurry of questions that I get about the fork and the freakin seatpost.

...I'm with you there. I am seriously (pleasantly) surprised that I actually prefer the Sultan to my RFX in 5" mode. It continues to amaze me just how versatile it is...climbs like a xc bike & descends like a DH! :thumbsup:

 

[the_eleven]

-The El Rey doesn't have bushings. I love those darn Turner bushings, but I live in San Diego which never really push them to their capabilities.

Educate me as to why bushings make a difference. Less maintenance? More rigid frame?

 

[bigdrunk]

Can't speak to rigidity, but Turner bushings will outlast sealed bearings in crappy conditions. No contest. Plus the zirc fittings are a nice touch. I hear about bearings freezing up, rolling rough, etc, but barely ever hear about Turner bushings going bad.

Educate me as to why bushings make a difference. Less maintenance? More rigid frame?

 

[FoShizzle]

Can't speak to rigidity, but Turner bushings will outlast sealed bearings in crappy conditions. No contest. Plus the zirc fittings are a nice touch. I hear about bearings freezing up, rolling rough, etc, but barely ever hear about Turner bushings going bad.

perhaps.....but Ventana bearing setups certainly have my trust 100%

Turner bushing versus Ventana quad bearings....tough call....i think the Ventana overall will be stiffer though (especially given the shorter rockers but no data on file) i would never be able to tell i dont think given my girlish figure

 

[miles e]

i think the Ventana overall will be stiffer though (especially given the shorter rockers but no data on file) i would never be able to tell i dont think given my girlish figure

Or it could be one of those things that doesn't make itself known until you actually ride the bike. Either way your screwed. :lol:

 

[cycljunkie]

I am always moving parts around on my bikes and have indented two sets of Monkeylites from over torqueing my shifters and brakes. Not an issue with aluminum.

LOL! I have two sets of Monkeylites in the same condition... Agreed, love the bars!

 

[Soupboy]

Turner produces a 29er FS reluctantly. Sherwood pumped one out progressively. Sherwood also produces longer travel FS bikes and HT/SS frames for 29er.

Oh yeah, Sherwood also builds his own bikes (read: custom options) and uses a time tested design. Turner is a marketing company and bushings are overrated. I owned a 02 RFX. Beautiful bike...sorry to see DT sell the DNA down the river.

Turner bailed on the Horst - it's only advantage - and is trying to play catch up as a marketing vs. fab shop. My friends "old" Salty was laterally stiffer than my heavier duty RFX (Horst)...period.

Get the Ventana - the owner has a vested interest in your satisfaction.

 

[FoShizzle]

mean people suck