UPDATE (Day 2):

I rode the Sultan on the gnarlier West Leg trail on a suggestion from Turner to really test the 29er suspension abilities. Actually, the rubber slider on the RP23 shock got close to falling off after my ride, so I think got the Sultan’s travel maxed out!

Dave Turner told me that he only shrunk the top tube by 1/4 inch, but it sure seemed more cramped to me than that. I might try a longer stem for myself, since I am a bit old school X Country brained and like a long top tube.

The Sultan did an exceptional job on the nasty rocky terrain on the trail. The big wheels rode over things and the suspension softened up anything that was left over. There was one spot where your weight gets you tossed over the front end and the bike sort of had a brain fart and couldn’t handle it. A few other bikes such as the 5 Spot and a 96er had no issues there. The more solid rocky terrain also suited the tires so my complaint from the previous day about traction issues with the tries was not a concern.

The extra suspension that the Sultan has over the other typical 29er FS (120 vs 100) really was sweet, and it was nice to have that softness. I still think the bike has a cramped cockpit? The Sultan does very well over nasty technical terrain, It’s neutral, has a stiff rear end, and although it’s a bit heavy and clumsy sometimes it climbs and obviously descends well. For some reason though it doesn’t bring the fun out of me? Perhaps a longer term test might help?

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

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