Joined
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283 Posts
After riding a Flux for almost 14 months and riding the TNT rear for about a month in SO. CAL. alpine and dez. conditions these are my U. P. W. T. 2 cents worth.
Going into this I felt there would be differences in the two, and that there would be positives to both.Well there was, although they are slight and very minor in my opinion, and not really what I thought they would be.
I'm 145 lbs. and was running 140 psi w/4 clicks in on rebound w/a 06 RP3 w/the HL. I started w/this set up on the TNT as well and the bike seemed sluggish so I took all the rebound out but couldn't get it where I wanted it. Having been through this w/my Nitrous already, I pulled the 05 RP3 off of it that Darren has been into and bingo(I don't know what he does but it sure does work), 140 PSI and 1 click in and life is good.
First ride impression was that the HL felt a bit more lively heading out the shop on pavment, but as soon as I started to climb the TNT felt to have better forward acceleration(once again these are slight differences). The HL seems to be a bit plusher on tech. type climbs, but the TNT just seems to have better snap when you stand on it or climb over a water bar or rocky ledge. I will say, although they feel a bit different here, I'm making the exact same climbs and screwing up on they exact same stuff I have been all along w/the Flux. Both bikes have more then enough traction. Also, along w/the better climb feel, the TNT goes through sand better for some reason.
OK, going down. When it comes to the climbs I would take either, but to my big suprise I think my vote goes to the TNT when it comes to going down. Say what you want, but I've been on this bike as long(if not longer)as anyone and have been riding the same trails for ever and thats how I feel. So here it is. First off, the rear feels stiffer, even for my skinny arsse. Crossing ruts and cornering are improved. When braking the HL feels plusher, but the TNT sets in the travel a bit, which I like alot. Although the TNT seems to be deflecting a bit more off stuff in the rear, the lack of weight transfer to the front out weighs this for me. I'm going faster in the rough stuff and braking later into the corners. Even though the rear brake is not as positive, I'm able to use the front harder. I would give the nod to the HL in braking on real steep slow speed stuff for a bit better feel.
I have been riding the TNT alot and going back and forth, trying to make up my mind, and I can't say there is a clear cut winner. For me, I guess I 'll stick w/the TNT just simply because it is and the HL isn't anymore. It may not be for everyone, but the HL wasn't either. Thats the beauty I guess, there are alot of choices and we are all free to make our own. Some have said that the quality w/out compromise means nothing now, but to me it means more. David has built an equal quality bike in both ride and build w/out compromising his self or his company at the expense of someone else. With a decline in morals and ethics this is nice to see for me.
I'll take this time to say thanks to David and everyone at Turner Bikes for making great bikes that have made my riding enjoyment all the better for many a year, and for being the best co., period, in the industry for me to deal w/on all levels, and most of all for becoming great friends along the way. Thanks again David, Greg, and Casey(cowboy up!), and to the newer faces there that I'm sure I'll get to know better as well.
VB
Going into this I felt there would be differences in the two, and that there would be positives to both.Well there was, although they are slight and very minor in my opinion, and not really what I thought they would be.
I'm 145 lbs. and was running 140 psi w/4 clicks in on rebound w/a 06 RP3 w/the HL. I started w/this set up on the TNT as well and the bike seemed sluggish so I took all the rebound out but couldn't get it where I wanted it. Having been through this w/my Nitrous already, I pulled the 05 RP3 off of it that Darren has been into and bingo(I don't know what he does but it sure does work), 140 PSI and 1 click in and life is good.
First ride impression was that the HL felt a bit more lively heading out the shop on pavment, but as soon as I started to climb the TNT felt to have better forward acceleration(once again these are slight differences). The HL seems to be a bit plusher on tech. type climbs, but the TNT just seems to have better snap when you stand on it or climb over a water bar or rocky ledge. I will say, although they feel a bit different here, I'm making the exact same climbs and screwing up on they exact same stuff I have been all along w/the Flux. Both bikes have more then enough traction. Also, along w/the better climb feel, the TNT goes through sand better for some reason.
OK, going down. When it comes to the climbs I would take either, but to my big suprise I think my vote goes to the TNT when it comes to going down. Say what you want, but I've been on this bike as long(if not longer)as anyone and have been riding the same trails for ever and thats how I feel. So here it is. First off, the rear feels stiffer, even for my skinny arsse. Crossing ruts and cornering are improved. When braking the HL feels plusher, but the TNT sets in the travel a bit, which I like alot. Although the TNT seems to be deflecting a bit more off stuff in the rear, the lack of weight transfer to the front out weighs this for me. I'm going faster in the rough stuff and braking later into the corners. Even though the rear brake is not as positive, I'm able to use the front harder. I would give the nod to the HL in braking on real steep slow speed stuff for a bit better feel.
I have been riding the TNT alot and going back and forth, trying to make up my mind, and I can't say there is a clear cut winner. For me, I guess I 'll stick w/the TNT just simply because it is and the HL isn't anymore. It may not be for everyone, but the HL wasn't either. Thats the beauty I guess, there are alot of choices and we are all free to make our own. Some have said that the quality w/out compromise means nothing now, but to me it means more. David has built an equal quality bike in both ride and build w/out compromising his self or his company at the expense of someone else. With a decline in morals and ethics this is nice to see for me.
I'll take this time to say thanks to David and everyone at Turner Bikes for making great bikes that have made my riding enjoyment all the better for many a year, and for being the best co., period, in the industry for me to deal w/on all levels, and most of all for becoming great friends along the way. Thanks again David, Greg, and Casey(cowboy up!), and to the newer faces there that I'm sure I'll get to know better as well.
VB
