burner-2635

burner-2635Well, not really a first look; after riding a Turner Burner for a couple of weeks on a Singletrack Colorado tour recently, talking to Dave Turner and getting a feel for the vibe of the company and its loyal riders, I decided that it was the bike for me and promptly got a frame on the way. I’d been riding a few other pretty sweet 650b wheeled bikes before and after, but felt right at home on the Burner straight away.burner-2639Coming off a 29er meant I needed new wheels and fork, and I went with the WTB and X Fusion combo…

burner-2641The XTR cranks got the single ring treatment in the form of a Revolution Components narrow/wide Enduro with 30 teeth.

burner-2642Assymetrical/elevated chainstays are another Turner trademark, keeps the swingarm stiff and looks pretty rad. The derailleur housing makes its way through a hole in the swingarm strut to keep it direct.

burner-2643What, no clutch? Yep, we’ll see how that pans out, I’ve read reports of no clutch mechs with narrow-wide rings run on hardtails not dropping chains, so it’ll be an interesting field test for this set up. Otherwise, a clutch mech or a top guide will get the nod… whattaya reckon?

burner-2644The name that started it all for Turner 20 years ago. And you don’t get welds like that on a carbon bike!

burner-2646Easton Haven cockpit, 55mm stem, 711mm carbon bar. Turner’s 44 headtube uses a Cane Creek Forty ZeroStack top cup and 44XX lower bearing. XTR Trail brakes made it over from my previous bike.

burner-2647DW Link suspension helped with my decision… climbs super firm, descends super plush. Fox Float CTD shock with the Kashima upgrade adds to the smoothness. No internal cable routing, standard BB shell, nice and clean and easy to work on.burner-2649

DT Swiss 142×12 rear axle, awesome CNCing on the dropouts and replaceable brake mount thread inserts in case of hamfistedness.

burner-2651Zerks grease ports to flush the crap out and keep the journal bearings running smooth forever, a Turner trademark.

burner-2652Hand welded in Portland, Oregon by Zen Bicycle Fabrication… another decision influencer. The frame is anodized, not painted, and the graphics lazer etched. Hard as nails.

burner-2654ISCG05 tabs are there if you want to run a guide, or if you prefer a derailleur there are the necessary cable stops as well.

There’ll be a full review in Issue 55 out February, and if you want one give Wide Open a call…

0 Responses

  1. Jolly good old fella – I think you might be undergunned with a 30t – with your awesome leg power , I see a 32 t in your future – looks sweet

  2. I’d be interested to hear how that works out for you – my neighbour has had one for a few months and loves it. I’m feeling a ‘want’ coming on…

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