Dave Turner says the upcoming RFX will offer 165mm of rear wheel travel, a slack 66-degree head tube angle and a 3.31kg (7.3lb) target weight when it eventually becomes available in about nine monthsJames Huang
The burly Turner RFX head tube is compatible with multiple steerer sizes and features reinforcing rings at either end plus a down tube gussetJames Huang
Two upright struts reinforce the asymmetrical rear end of the Turner RFXJames Huang
The upcoming Turner RFX uses a through-axle rear end with replaceable dropoutsJames Huang
The 2011 Turner 5.Spot gets a slacker and tapered-compatible head tube, narrower chainstays, updated cable routing and a new ‘burrito’ seat tube gussetJames Huang
The head tube on the 2011 Turner 5.Spot has a straight 44mm internal bore but is compatible with tapered steerers thanks to Cane Creek’s new headsetJames Huang
Turner continue to use Dave Weagle’s excellent dw-link suspension systemJames Huang
While most frame makers use cartridge bearings at the suspension pivots, Dave Turner continues to use composite bushings, saying they can handle more load and are easily serviced with the built-in grease fittingsJames Huang
Dave Turner says the new ‘burrito’ gusset lends a more finished look to the 2011 modelsJames Huang
Chainstays have been narrowed slightly on the 2011 5.Spot to accommodate two-chainring cranksets with tighter stance widthsJames Huang
The rear derailleur housing now passes directly through the rear swingarm strutJames Huang
Post mount rear disc brake tabs on the 2011 5.Spot feature replaceable threadsJames Huang
The popular Turner Flux sticks with 100mm of travel but gets a new ‘burrito’ gusset and tapered-compatible head tubeJames Huang
The 2011 Turner Sultan gets a slacker, tapered-compatible head tubeJames Huang
Cane Creek’s new lower headset size allows a tapered steerer tube to fit into what was once only an 1-1/8 internal-cup head tubeJames Huang
Compared to the old ‘taco’ gusset, the new ‘burrito’ gusset lends a more finished appearance to the 2011 Turner mountain bike framesJames Huang
Turner’s DHR downhill rig features 210mm (8.3in) of rear wheel travel and low, stable geometry aimed at World Cup-style racingJames Huang
Most of the hardware is located low on the Turner DHR for better manoeuverabilityJames Huang
The fully enclosed rear triangle helps keep the back end stiff on the 2011 Turner DHRJames Huang
The widely-spaced seat tube should maintain good rigidity between the front and rear trianglesJames Huang
The 2011 Turner DHR uses a 150x12mm through-axleJames Huang
Turner Bikes say their new RFX all-mountain chassis should finally be ready for release in another eight or nine months after much anticipation and lots of prototype testing – and from the looks of things, it may very well be worth the wait.
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Target specs for the artfully TIG-welded aluminium frame include 165mm of rear wheel travel, a stable-handling 66-degree head tube angle and relatively low 35cm (13.8in) bottom bracket height, tidy 432mm-long (17in) asymmetrical chainstays and a target weight of 3.3kg (7.3lb) with rear shock.
The heavily reinforced head tube will fit a number of different steerer diameters, and the rear end will again use Dave Weagle’s superb dw-link suspension system plus Turner’s trademark composite bushing pivots with integrated grease ports for easy servicing.
Pricing is still to be determined and is expected to be in-line with Turner’s status as a small-volume boutique brand, but it may not be as bad as some have feared. According to Dave Turner: “[It’ll be] more than a 5.Spot but only as much as it has to be.”
Speaking of the 5.Spot, Turner’s versatile trail bike receives several key updates for 2011, including a 44mm-diameter (internal) head tube that’ll accept either straight 1-1/8in or 1-1/8 to 1-1/2in tapered steerers, a slacker 67.7° head tube for improved high-speed stability and a new ‘burrito’ seat tube gusset for a more finished appearance.
