The Turner Burner isn’t exactly new to us here at Spoke. After borrowing Dave Turner’s personal bike on his recent trip to Colorado, Spoke’s editor Brett just had to have one and convinced Mr Turner to sell him a frame (you can check it out here). Well they are here now and the one that the Wide Open Distribution boys showed up with was completely decked out in almost 100% product from their impressive stable of brands. In fact, the only two components on this bike that aren’t from Wide Open is the rear derailleur (and shifter) and the rear shock. The rest of this 140mm travel, 650b wheeled, DW-Link-equipped bike was sporting some very sexy and very new bits.
In Brett’s post we broke the bike down for you, but couldn’t resist bringing you a couple more detail shots like this very clean cable routing for the rear mech through the elevated chainstay.
And that old chestnut… The very efficient, firm and much lauded DW Link! The Burner frame, with Fox CTD Kashima rear shock retails for $3350.00
But perhaps the biggest head turner on this bike was the new 650b Marzocchi 350 fork. The 350 uses 35mm stanchions and is for 650B wheels only. It features 160mm travel although it can be changed internally to 140mm. The CR model pictured has compression and a rebound adjustable damper, similar to LR but with damping more suited to trail and (buzzword) riding.
Low speed compression is controlled by the external knob and high speed by the internal shim stack. AER air spring with coil negative spring for simple adjustment.
The lowers feature new graphics and drop more weight without effecting stiffness. All up the new chassis is 200g lighter than the current 55.
You wouldnt be a fork manuafatcurer if you didnt have ‘gold’ somewhere in the line-up and the 350CR’s feature Gold Race stanchions, a new, lighter 15mm axle, that sexy new arch as well as a hollow crown (in tapered steerer only).
The 350CR fork is due early next year, along with the top-of-the-line NCR model. NCR stands for (buzzword) compression & rebound and adds a lockout with blowoff as well as a rebound piston that allows the shims to be changed to a custom setting. The NCR will have nickel-coated stanchions and SKF seals like the 380. On that note, the 35 and 38mm SKF seals will be available aftermarket to fit 55 and 888 forks.
If you look at other sites on the web (heaven forbid) you will be aware that component manufacturers FSA have entered the brake game with two models. We got a chance to check out and ride the Afterburner. Due for early 2015 release, this mineral oil brake features varied front and rear hose sizes to get an even brake feel as well as Shimano-style pads, tool-free reach and stroke adjustment as well as rocker cam actuation for consistent lever feel. The retail is yet yo be set. But after a weekend’s riding, both Conor Macfarlane and Matt Scoles were blown away with the brake’s performance.
Tool free reach adjust and…
…tool free stroke adjustment, although you just have to remove your gloves for this one and luckily for us Kiwis and OE manufactures they are flip flop-able.
Down at the business end they are sporting a two-piece floating rotor slotted into a one-piece caliper.
We’ve seen quite a few narrow/wide 1x setups sporting chainguides this year and the MRP AMG guide (All Mountain Guide) is the perfect guide for 1x users who want a bit more protection and added chain security. Designed to work with 1×10/11 drivetrains used with a Shadow Plus or Type 2 rear derailleur, the AMG guide comes in two sizes (28-32T and 32-38T) and is available available in both ISCG formats. Retail is $189.
The Thomson Elite Dropper post has been around a few months now, we have spent a bit of time on one of these and will feature a review in the upcoming issue of Spoke (due out next week). It features 125mm of travel and comes in either 30.9 or 31.6mm size with a 5mm setback (or set forward if you’re from Aussie). It weighs in at 592 grams, including remote and cable. For a non-slip seat it uses the classic two-bolt clamp assembly from a Thomson Elite post and as you would expect it uses quality internals with Norglide bushes and Motul lubricants. Retail is $659.
Its small, ergonomic lever is… small and ummm, ergonomic.
FSA’s burly house brand Gravity also had a few new items on show, namely the new Gradient stem and bar combo. The bar is new for 2014 and is full carbon and comes in at a decent 740mm wide and features a 15mm rise, a 9×4 Sweep and some nice subtle Gradient branding.
The Gravity Gradient stem is also new for 2014. It’s 3D forged and then CNC machined into 45, 60 or 75mm lengths. It’s a stem, what else do you want to know? Its got six bolts in total?
Well that’s Part 2 from the Wide Open product launch, we still have a bunch more product to show you from Enve, POC, Formula and Marzocchi and will be dropping it over the next days so stay tuned…
