After a brief hiatus, Turner Bicycles has brought back the much-liked Flux nameplate. This time, however, it's no longer a 100mm travel, 26in-wheeled full-suspension race bike but a more versatile 120mm travel machine built around 27.5in (650b) wheels. The good news for potential customers is that it will be available this July for around US$2,350/£1895 for a frame plus shock.
Dave Turner says that he's been riding 27.5in hoops almost since Kirk Pacenti resurrected the wheel size back in 2007. So, in his opinion, it was natural for the Flux to eventually follow the 140mm travel Turner Burner down that path.
According to Turner, the difference in rolling characteristics versus 26in wheels isn't as dramatic as with 29er wheels, but he says it's definitely something he notices on rockier terrain – and that he also receives reports of faster lap times from test riders.
Despite the boost in both wheel size and travel, Turner says the new Flux is about 115g (0.25lb) lighter than the previous version, which would put the bare frame and shock at about 2.55kg (5.63lb) – heavier than comparable carbon frames but still very respectable for a high-end aluminum chassis that also happens to be built in Portland, Oregon, by Zen Bicycle Fabrication.
Turner's first ever kinked top tube
Some of the weight savings come from a move to hydroformed tubing, including the first-for-Turner kinked top tube. Though it stands in stark contrast to the company's straight tubes and hallmark welded-on brace, Turner says this configuration is lighter while still providing the standover height and strength he wanted.
Geometry is impressively contemporary, with a 68-degree head tube angle, 73-degree seat tube angle, and very low 325mm (12.8in) bottom bracket height that should make for a confidently stable feel through corners. While it seems dangerously low, Turner says the DW-Link rear end tends to sit a little higher than other configurations, and therefore mimics the dynamic height of bikes that have taller bottom bracket dimensions on paper.
Other Turner staples return intact, however, including that DW-Link rear suspension design, machined upper and lower suspension links, and built-in grease ports for easy servicing of the IGUS composite bushings used throughout.
Also as before, the tidy cable routing runs along the bottom of the top tube and down tube via removable clamps. There's also a 44mm-diameter head tube for tapered or straight steerers, chunky 142x12mm thru-axle rear dropouts, and a traditional threaded bottom bracket shell.
The new Flux will be available in July as a bare frame plus shock, for around US$2,350/£1895, or with a complete Shimano XT and Stan's NoTubes build kit for US$5,200/£3890 (exact pricing tbc). Other options include Shimano XTR, SRAM X0, and SRAM XX1, all of which will be offered with an optional ENVE Composites carbon wheel upgrade.
For more information see www.turnerbikes.com.