Well, 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.
Coming off a 29er meant I needed new wheels and fork, and I went with the WTB and X Fusion combo…
The XTR cranks got the single ring treatment in the form of a Revolution Components narrow/wide Enduro with 30 teeth.
Assymetrical/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.
What, 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?
The name that started it all for Turner 20 years ago. And you don’t get welds like that on a carbon bike!
Easton 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.
DW 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.
DT Swiss 142×12 rear axle, awesome CNCing on the dropouts and replaceable brake mount thread inserts in case of hamfistedness.
Zerks grease ports to flush the crap out and keep the journal bearings running smooth forever, a Turner trademark.
Hand 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.
ISCG05 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…
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
Yeah – I’ve found that a 38*36 small gear combo is just fine for most trails in welly, so a 34 should be fine with a 650b
Well, the bike isn’t only going to be ridden in Welly!
Nice. Not too far off the setup of my 5 Spot!
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…
Stunning! So many well thought out features on that frame. Love the BB/lower pivot area.
Turner for life! Crabon Burner plz, then maybe I will get off these outdated 26″ wheels on my Spot…
What’s the weight in Lbs on the build Brett?
It’s just under 13kg as shown without pedals, which is about 28.5lb. The new fork should see it under 28 easily.