The vertical shock mount and pinpoint pivot placement as well as the continuous seat tube make this bike an easy choice over the SLX. My past favorite, the Intense Uzzi SLX is still a great choice, but the RFX adds some extra “pluses” that can only be found on a Turner. The Bottom Line on the Turner RFXīasically, the 2002 Turner RFX is the finest long-travel trailbike I’ve ridden to date. All drops result in a landing as soft as a pillow. I flew off a perfect erosion-bar jump to a 3-foot drop–easily clearing 10-15 feet–and didn’t feel a thing.
Now, I love even more to go big! Just tonight I found myself carrying more speed than ever through a root and erosion-bar filled trail in American Fork Canyon, UT. I find myself climbing and clearing some sections that were trouble in the past and literally flying through rocky or root-filled trails without even thinking. I can fly through tight singletrack, laying it down in the corners… the RFX has simply outperformed all my expectations. After getting used to the bike, I’ve felt that not to be the case. As a result, I expected the combination of a 170mm travel front fork and the high bottom-bracket to produce a slow and sluggish feel on tight singletrack. Everyone who tried it out mentioned the same thing. On my initial rides, the high bottom-bracket made it feel like I was sitting on top of a high fencepost. WOW! I’ve ridden plenty of full-suspension designs in the past and none of them pedaled so well out of the saddle… especially with 6-inches of plush, cushy travel. To my amazement, when it got too steep for the saddle, I stood up and BAM… the rear wheel actually gripped the ground better and propelled me forward. I quickly dusted my buddy on his Santa Cruz Bullit as I climbed upward.Īs I approached a short, steep section with loose dirt and rocks, I began to wonder if I could stand and power through it. This rear suspension design has proven itself to be solid, stiff and ultra-efficient. I immediately raved to my buddy, “look at this…it doesn’t bob AT ALL!” I was floored that a bike with so much travel could climb with the best of them. My first ride was an easy 30-minute climb and a fast descent. Dressed with a Marzocchi Super T and standard freeride components, this bike just screamed for the next shuttle ride.Īdmittedly, until I took my first ride, I was skeptical of how well it would climb with all that travel and heft.
as spec’d (I haven’t officially weighed it). That said, the bike weighs right about 40 lbs. The frame alone hits the scales at over 8 lbs. He said it would be “the best pedaling big bike you’ll ever ride.” Dave wasn’t kidding!
Prior to buying the RFX, I asked David Turner what he thought this bike would ride like with a 2002 Marzocchi Super T (170mm) up front. The Horst-link design with the vertical shock mount promises an efficient and bob-free suspension design… even with up to 6-inches of active travel. All Turners come with Fox Racing shocks standard and offer a Romic option. The 2002 Turner RFX can be configured with either a 5 or 6-inch rocker and plenty of color combinations to suit your taste. The fabled “Turner wait” is real, but for the RFX, it’s well worth the 6-10 week wait. Naturally, this kind of attention to quality does come with its price–you have to wait. The addition of grease ports at all pivot points eases pivot maintenance and prolongs the natural life of the surprisingly-supple bushings. Turner’s attention to quality is evident with beautiful welds and immaculate paint quality. The famed “Turner Burner” is still heralded as one of the finest full-suspension bikes ever. David Turner has been an innovator in mountain bike suspension design since the suspension craze began over 10 years ago–and continues today. Turner Bicycles is one of the original full-suspension frame manufacturers out there.
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