Turner RFX
The Turner RFX was meant to be a do it all mountain bike which could take me on the long haul rides as well as take on big hits with its long travel. After riding it for the better half of 6 months I can finally give a proper review of the bike after being through varying types of terrain. I have riding this bike on everything from XC trails, to all mountain single tracks, to technical drops as well as a full on downhill courses local and overseas.

The Frame
The size of the frame is a medium and it fits me perfectly. The weight comes in at 7.2lbs which is a bit hefty for some trail riders but this is not just a trail bike, it’s a trail bike that was built for the hard stuff with 6.4 inches of travel. It’s more aggressive all mountain and light freeride kind of riding which would suit most of the trails in the region where a full on downhill bike would just be an overkill if you’re not competing.

The geometry of the bike is built slightly slack for some downhill confidence and is more robust in its tubing to take the hard knocks and big hits. This does not take away from its climbing ability and the bike does not feel very sluggish in tight single tracks. The four bar linkage rear suspension platform works very well with the DHX Air 5.0 and though a lighter version of the RP23 would do great for climbers, the DHX Air has posed no problems for me while climbing. The rear wheel tracks very well throughout its axel path and provides a lot of traction while climbing as well as cornering.

When it comes to the downs the bike is stable and handles remarkably well eating up what ever the trail can dish out. I have gone through tight technical downhills together with drops and the feeling is plush and controlled. The bike really inspires a lot of confidence and the rider always feels like he is in total control throughout the ride. So much of this confidence is transferred to the rider that I feel that I have gained a lot more time on my downhills and my cornering has improved drastically. I cannot emphasize this point enough and the downs are what this bike is really made for. I’m currently using it to do 5 foot drops and the landings are smooth giving the rider maximum control and not twitching all over the place. Fast flowly single tracks are a joy to ride with the compact geometry a real plus when you need to throw the bike from side to side around the trail.

Components
I am running a FOX Fork Talas 36RC2 which has been really plush over most terrain although like the DHX Air the tuning and adjusting has been a really big pain and it has taken me a better part of 2 months to get this fully dialed but it was so worth it. The fork just takes in everything along the trail together with the rear DHX Air it’s a perfect match. Rear travel is smooth plush and I have gotten the full travel throughout the whole range of its 6.4 inches.

The wheelset is a DT Swiss EX 5.1s’ laced with Chris King Hubs and Kenda Nevegals with 2.35 front and 2.1 rear tires to wrap it up. I have converted the wheelset to tubless with Stan’s no Tube and despite some leaking at first the wheelset is holding up great now. The tires are really grippy to the point that I find it hard to get the rear wheel to step out when I need it to. The drive train is XTR with Sram XO shifters and Rear d going a fantastic jobs of confident shifts whenever I need it to.

My only disappointment are the Hope M4 brakes which have displayed massive brake fade on long downhills and you have to go with the works (goodridge cables, new pads, re-bleeding every now and then) to get it working on the dot most of the time. These will make way for Formula brakes when the actually do come in.

Overall
I built the bike with big hits in mind and the focus was mainly on enjoying the downhill part of the trails. The bike comes in at 32lbs with pedals and I think this is a perfect weight for hardcore all mountain riding. This bike was made to go downhills and take on the big stuff. It is not a nimble as purpose built trail bikes in the 28lbs region and the climbing does suffer a bit due to its burly make and weight that does weigh the bike down at times. If climbing is just to get you to the top so that you can bomb down and not have any apprehensions should the trail get hairy, then this bike is for you. I thoroughly enjoy it, despite getting left behind on the long haul climbs but don’t get me wrong, this beast climbs a lot better than some of my friends so-called trail bikes. Cornering is second to none with big bumps and drops not a problem and like I have mentioned time and time again it really inspires loads of confidence the minute you get on the saddle and the going gets tough. I love my bike!

FRAME: Turner RFX (Custom Gold Leaf Sticker)
FORK: Fox Talas 36 RC2
HEADSET: Chris King Headset
WHEELSET: Chris King ISO Disc Hub Front 20mm Thru Axel, Std Rear Hub, DT Revolution Spokes, DT Swiss EX5.1d with Stan’s No Tube Tubless kit
TIRES: Kenda Nevegal (Front) 2.6″ x 2.35″, (Rear) 2.6″ x 2.1″
DERAILLEURS: SRAM XO (20th Anniversary Edition Carbon Cage) Rear, XTR Front Derailleur
SHIFTERS: SRAM XO
CHAIN: SRAM Hollow Pin
COGSET: SRAM PG-990
CRANKSET: Shimano XTR, 175mm w/ E.13 Bash Guard
BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano XTR Intergrated BB
PEDALS: Crank Brothers Acid
BRAKESET: Hope Mono M4 (To be Upgraded Formula)
HANDLEBAR: Easton CNT Monkey Lite DH
STEM: Thompson 4x 70mm x 0d x 31.8mm
GRIPS: Spank Chocolate Gold Grips
SEATPOST: Thompson 27.2mm x 350mm
SADDLE: Fizik Gobi

-WayneP-