The Turner RFX.

The Turner RFX (click to enlarge).​

Lowdown: Turner RFX 4.0

You may not have heard much from Turner in recent years, but make no mistake, the brand hasn't lost their touch. The new RFX is as capable downhill as it is pointed up, which makes it one of our favorite bikes in the category.

Build: XX1, w/ Stans Team FlowWheel size: 27.5
Best use: Shredding the GnarPrice as tested: $6,534
Frame material: CarbonRating:
5 Flamin' Chili Peppers
5 out of 5
Rear travel: 160mm (6.3")
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Stable at speed, yet still playful
  • Tall front end
  • Geometry is highly customizable
  • Finicky dropper post routing
  • Bottomless feel
  • We don't own one

Review: Turner RFX 4.0

Turner bikes was founded in 1994 and over the next two decades, the brand consistently produced winning designs that have generated an almost cult-like following. However in recent years, for whatever reason, the brand's popularity has decreased in our backyard. Where before you might see a half dozen Burners or 5spots over the course of a weekend, its representation on our local trails Santa Cruz trails has declined. And that's a shame, because the new Turner RFX is one of the best new bikes released this year.

The frame is targeted towards the enduro end of the spectrum with 160mm of travel, and a slack 66 degree head tube angle in its stock configuration, but those numbers don't paint the whole picture. Despite its bomber tendencies, the RFX is also more efficient in and out of the saddle than the several of short travel trail bikes we've recently tested.

Dave Weagle delivers again.

Dave Weagle delivers again (click to enlarge).​

The secret to its pedaling efficiency is the DW-Link suspension system, which controls pedal bob so well that despite a low 13.4" BB, the RFX rarely suffers from pedal strikes.

Big bars, short stem. Dialed.

Big bars, short stem. Dialed (click to enlarge).​

The geometry is also highly configurable. All frames ship with an angleset that allows the head tube angle to be adjusted upto 1 degrees in 0.5 degree increments. Want to slay the gnarliest tracks at the bike park? Set the chips to 65 degrees. Need something more nimble for your local race series? Steepen the fork and in under ten minutes you'll have a long-legged trail bike.

Almost every Monarch shock we've ridden has a tendency to spew oil, yet that has never negatively impacted performance.

Almost every Monarch shock we've ridden has a tendency to spew oil, yet that has never negatively impacted performance (click to enlarge).​

Continue to page 2 for the rest of the review and a full photo gallery »

The RFX ships with three volume reducers installed in the Debonair can and an additional five for fine tuning. While we often find it necessary to fine tune the stock suspension on review bikes with volume spacers, this is one of the few models that felt spot on out of the box. Adding additional volume spacers will make the shock more progressive, while removing them will allow lighter riders to make better use of the travel.

The recommended sag setting for the fork is 20% front, while Dave Turner recommends running 30% out back. The quick rule of thumb is to pump up the rear shock to your your riding weight, then add an additional 30 PSI.

External cable routing may not be as pretty as internal routing, but it's easier to service.

External cable routing may not be as pretty as internal routing, but it's easier to service (click to enlarge).​

Unlike the majority of new bikes, the RFX relies upon external cable routing. It's not as aesthetically pleasing as internal routing, but the execution is fairly clean and it makes the bike much easier to service.

The dropper post routing on the RFX was tricky to setup.

The dropper post routing on the RFX was tricky to setup (click to enlarge).​

Our only nitpick is with the execution of the dropper post routing. The included KS Integra Dropper is cable actuated, so the cable housing needs to be cut for your specific saddle height or you may run into issues with dialing in the correct tension.

With several new ultra wide cassettes coming to market this year, only those with the steepest of backyards still need front derailleurs.

With several new ultra wide cassettes coming to market this year, only those with the steepest of backyards still need front derailleurs (click to enlarge).​

There is a way to mount a front derailleur, but why would you want to? Especially with the release of the new SRAM Eagle drivetrain, with its massive 10-50t spread.


And for those curious, the frame has plenty of clearance for tires upto 2.4" wide.

After riding the RFX in a number of places, we still find it hard to find things to nitpick.

After riding the RFX in a number of places, we still find it hard to find things to nitpick (click to enlarge).​

On the Trail

If you're trying to compare the RFX to other bikes in the category based on ride characteristics, you might find yourself in a quandary. It pedals almost as efficiently as the 150mm travel Ibis HD3, but has the ground-leveling abilities of something like a Santa Cruz Nomad.

The RFX is available in four different sizes.

The RFX is available in four different sizes (click to enlarge).​

The geometry numbers suggest that the top tube is on the conservative end of the longer and slacker trend, but we found the front end felt comfortably long. On the flip side, the rear end felt much shorter than the 17.3" length of the chainstays suggested. While it was obvious due to just how stable the bike felt when pushed on downhill tracks that the chainstays were on the longer end, it was still easy to position the rear wheel accurately, or maneuver in the air.

What was really impressive was no matter how far or hard you hucked the RFX, it refused to bottom out harshly. The term bottomless gets thrown around quite often to describe suspension, but the RFX delivers on this point.

With it's adjustable head angle, the RFX can be configured for weekend trips to the bike park, or for epic days in the saddle.

With it's adjustable head angle, the RFX can be configured for weekend trips to the bike park, or for epic days in the saddle (click to enlarge).​

Despite being plush on the descents, the Turner was also a skilled dancing partner on the climbs. With a tallish front end and slack headtube angle the front was prone to wandering when the terrain got steep, but the suspension was so efficient we always left the shock open. Even in rocky terrain, like that found in Bootleg Canyon, we rarely clipped a pedal.

While the newest Turner may not be backed by a ludicrous marketing budget, its performance is undeniable. In its stock state, it strikes a remarkable balance between pedaling efficiency and EWS bruiser, and our biggest problem with it is that we don't own one.

Our review bike with an XX1 drivetrain retailed for $6,534 USD, completes start at under $5,000.

Our review bike with an XX1 drivetrain retailed for $6,534 USD, completes start at under $5,000 (click to enlarge).​

The best part? This carbon wonder is sort of, kind of, reasonably priced. A complete frame with a SRAM GX drivetrain, Rockshox Lyrik, and a dropper post retails for $4,951 USD.

For more information on the new RFX, visit www.turnerbikes.com.