Opinions – New Turner 5 Spot with DW link or Tracer VPP

I recently bought a new yeti and blOO*y hate it, way to flexy for my big bones – totaly gutted….

Anyway..am now considering getting another Turner – the new 5 spot?
What are your opinions of this bike, the reviews suggest it is great but it would be nice to see what actual owners think.

Cheers
shiny ❓

Not sure there are that many in the UK yet, so you might be better off asking on the Turner forum on MTBR… but I’d not hesitate if my 5-Spot went pop and I had the cash.

Thought about the Tracer amongst other things before I picked up the new Spot, but having got the Spot (first ride last weekend) I am very happy with it-I don’t think you’ll have a problem with a flexy back end, it is very stiff. The bike climbs well, and descends even better – running mine with a TALAS 36, and it suits the bike very well indeed. Definitely check out MTBR Turner forum, plenty of nice builds on there.

goldfinger how does it run with the forks at 160mm?

which yeti have
you got?

If you are looking at spending 2k on a frame there are lots of options, if you’re after a 5 spot and you live down south get into Mountain Trax, near Swinley, they have a demo 5 spot. Personally I think it is ugly but the ride is meant to be good.

If I were spending that sort of money I’d have a good look at one of these.

http://www.balfa.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=174

With the same shock (Fox) it works out cheaper and if you look to have a Curnutt they are about the same price.

I have test ridden both of the bikes as i was unsure. I currently have a 5.5. I wasn’t that impressed with the Tracer it has to be said, I can’t put my finger on it exactly, it just didn’t feel right. Not sure its an improvement on the 5.5.
On the other hand i was impressed with the Turner, it certainly is a step on in terms of ride and performance from my 5.5.
I ordered a Turner, from my LBS and it will be here in the next week or so. (I had to pick the colour and size that wasn’t in stock)

I have a 2009 575 carbon but cannot test a turner in the uk or here where i currently live in malaysia as the ‘do not do’ test bikes here, although bikes here are way cheaper. Good to hear the views, as usual they all slightly conflict with each other.
I could also consider a foes, 5.5 any santa cruz, ellsworth etc but those are the two that suit what i want more.

keep the opinions coming
cheers
shiny

i’d buy the intense, just because its so bloody good looking!

Leaving aside geomnetry and ride differences, I’d go for the Turner simply because of the superb customer back up. It really is *that* good. There’s actually very little need to deal with a UK importer as Turner USA seem to be able to get bits to you in ~ 3 days.

Oh, and full journal bearings with grease ports rock in UK conditions. 🙂

I went for the new Titus El Guapo. Not in the UK yey, but you have to admit its pretty sexy……El Guapo

really stiff rear end and a Horst link.

Very excited to honest, can wait

I_Ache – the 36 fits the bike really well. At 160 on descents the bike feels super stable and planted. You certainly don’t feel it is too much fork for the bike, in fact, the bike I demo’ed at MountainTrax has 140mm float on it and I much prefer the 36. Wound down to 130mm it is just right for the singeltrack. As I say, a lot of folk are building this bike up with 160 mm fork, and it has been designed to take it (or as DT put it, so he didn’t have sleepless nights about folk that wanted to run a longer fork on the Spot). BTW, I was looking for something to replace my Nomad, and I would say this bike is at least as capable.

If you’re thinking about a Tracer, also look at the SC Blur LT2 which is basically the same bike, although the Tracer looks nicer and has the adjustable rear travel thing

I bought a new Spot and love it. Just sold my 6-Pack frame as I couldn’t see it ever getting used again! I’m running Z1 Lights which have the same a-c height as something like the 36 and is great, but also tested with the new Revs @ 140mm and also very good.
I’ve not ridden the Tracer, but in my experience the DW is the best susp design out there, having ridden and owned quite a few Horst / 4-Bar designs, and an Ibis Mojo, and tested quite a few VPP bikes, admitedly not 2nd gen though.

Hey agree with u on the Yeti really didnt like my 08.Check out the latest MBA as they have tested the new Tracer as a light xc bike and also built up for heavy duty work and they really like it.I sold my 575 and got a Chumba XCL and really rate it,worth a look,peddles really well and fantastic technical handler

sorry but a turner without a horst link looks wrong. 🙁

hicksville – Member

sorry but a turner without a horst link looks wrong. [:(]

So you didn’t like the last generation either then, because they weren’t Horst Link bikes either…

I have had the new tracer for a couple of months now and I think it is the best bike I have ever owned, I have also owned a Blur XC and LT also a turner 5 spot and a flux (it was sperb) but the Tracer just feels invincable. I’m sure that the new Turners and the Santa Cruz bike are also great but the Tracer just feels so stif and the travel feels never ending. I’ve got mine set up with 140mm of travel which steepens the head angle with a zero stack headset, only a little though and I only really noticed it on the really steep switchbacks on the Glentress black route but apart from that the bike flew through everything, I may put a normal cup on the bottom of the headset to slacken things a little but to be honest its probably my skill level more than anything. Its a fantastic bike you will not be dissapointed.

Auric…what saddle are you using ? I presume it’s dark brown …rather liked the look of it

Kaiser, unfortunately it is just the North Downs light – it is just a plain old black SDG Bel-Air RL.

have just bought an yeti but haven’t had chance to ride it in anger yet, where are you getting flex seems pretty well built. As a big boned rider interested to know what problems you’ve had.

I had heard it was worth getting DT quick release axle as they can help stiffen things up

all the flex is in the back end and particularly under breaking, it is my first and last experience with a carbon rear – just feels strange and hard to say exactly, it may be to do with the suspension as have come from a nicolai helius cc and a 5 spot.

Looks great though and clearances are good but…..cannot love it….

Am really looking to see if i can get on an intense or new spot…

cheers
shiny

I just tried out a new Tracer in my local woods and it was fun, but not something I’d want to drop £2k on. If you’re getting flex through your Yeti you’ll get flex from the Tracer, it was one of the things that really surprised me about the ride.

The Foes XCT5 is a fantastic bike and the FXR is also well worth considering if you want something with a bit more travel (like a Tracer).

Still not had the chance to ride the DW link 5 Spot but the previous version was fantastic and this new one is supposed to be better so…

Have a look at the Chumba XCL as already mentioned. Chumba claim their bikes to be laterally stiffer than most bikes on the market. It also has a Horst link rear end and built to a very high standard. I know they don’t currently have very much UK coverage, and are not the flavour of the month but they are a proven company in the States, and the bikes come with a great heritage and race proven quality.

Check out their bikes over on MTBR and see what US users have to say.

Intense and Turner demo day at GT May 2/3 if anyone’s interested in trying them.

Intense and Turner demo day at GT May 2/3 if anyone’s interested in trying them

Ooooh must remember that.

Who sells Turners in Scotchland?

Wheelbase have some demo turners I think and they’ve got some nice trails like Garburn Pass nearby.

i haven’t read all of this thread but if the yeti was too flexi you want one of these…

Craig McMartins in Shawlands can get Turner and Intense. I believe Turner are are expanding their dealer network big style this year.