See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Turner Here!

After I returned the Turner Sultan, I had to wait around a bit to get the very popular 5 Spot out for a test ride. As we all know Dave Turner revamped his entire bike line to use the DW Link suspension system. You can refer to my Turner Sultan post for more on the DW Link. I had ridden one of the TNT versions of the 5 Spot, so I was at least somewhat familiar with the 5 Spot’s characteristics. I took the 5 Spot up onto the lower portion of the West Leg trail. It has some pretty gnarly sections that really put a bike to a great test of its steering, braking and suspension. The 5 Spot showed an almost telepathic sense of steering, it went right where you told it to go. The 5 Spot has the typical Turner neutral feel and the rock solid read end. Can you say you have a stout rear end? On a few spots when climbing or descending the rear end liked to kick out from under me, but the bike did stay planted. The 5 Spot nicely took the mini ledges and rock ramps on the trail, and it flowed nicely along the tight singletrack. Like most Turners the 5 Spot is a big beefy frame so inherently it’s a bit heavy and on some climbs you could feel the additional weight. That extra beef does give it a tad more stiffness when hauling downhill at a fast clip.

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See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Pivot Cycles Here!

I am a bit addicted to the wonders of the big wheeled 29ers and the DW Link suspension, so I was looking forward to trying out the Pivot 429. Last year at the dirt demo I felt that Pivot had some issues with their rear suspension, but I was told that their issues have since been resolved.

Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love

Geez, I have the Robert Palmer video stuck in my head now. The lipsticked women with the pale skin, heavy makeup, dark hair and seductive expression make me laugh. Yes they are playing the instruments, NOT. Anyway, I digress.

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See all the latest 2009 Bikes and Products from Turner Here!

Dave Turner teamed up with Dave Weagle of the DW Link fame and revamped his entire bike line for 2009 using the DW Link suspension system. I was very excited to try out this bike because I have been riding a DW Link Ibis Mojo for over 2 years I happen to think that the DW Link is one of the finest suspension systems currently on the market. The DW Link suspension has great anti-squat, little pedal feedback and exceptional traction. I love 29er’s and especially one with a DW Link suspension so it was time to demo the Turner Sultan.

And Harry doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make the scene
He’s got a daytime job he’s doing alright
He can play honky tonk just like anything
Saving it up for Friday night
With the Sultans with the Sultans of Swing

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