Maybe you’ve noticed recently that the Burner is no longer listed on Turner’s website. As one of my first questions for Dave Turner, the answer was that once the new carbon RFX was introduced, it was simply more popular than the Burner. More than just out selling the Burner, the success of the RFX v4.0 provides insight into the future of Turner bikes.
One of the legendary brands of the industry, Turner Bikes have been around since 1994. That original Burner set a precedent for quality, American made aluminum frames. Perhaps it’s fitting that the Burner v3.1 may be one of the last American made aluminum Turners ever made…
Speaking with DT, it was clear that the move away from domestically produced aluminum wasn’t an easy call to make. Ultimately, it seems to boil down to more people that like the idea of U.S. built aluminum frames than there are people that were actually buying them. The success of the RFX is proof that Turners are in demand – just more so in carbon than aluminum it would seem. It’s hard to argue with a bike like the RFX that has more travel than the Burner but is lighter weight. The market has spoken, and the cost of US made aluminum is just too close to the cost of carbon fiber for most consumers to justify.
After the closing of Zen Fabrications recently who was building the aluminum Turners along with the fact that raw aluminum materials were becoming harder to get at that level, the decision was made to reposition Turner with a new focus on performance carbon frame. DT mentioned that he still though aluminum could be a viable frame material for Turner Bikes, but at a more competitive price point which ultimately would mean producing them over seas along with their carbon bikes.
Which brings us to the new Flux. Filling in for the previous aluminum trail bike, the new Flux will be based around 120mm of rear and 130mm of front travel. Still utilizing the DW Link suspension system, the Flux carbon will take a lot of muscular styling cues from the new RFX. This particular bike is a pilot sample so a few finishing details will change for production, but the frame is mostly there.
DT says this Flux is aimed at the same customer, someone looking for a light weight, capable trail machine without a ton of travel. The geometry will be a bit refined with shorter chain stays and a slacker head tube angle but the same BB height.
Since this bike will be designed around 27.5″ tires and not Plus or 29″, there will not be a Boost rear end. DT points out that they sell mostly frames, so the use of a 142x12mm axle allows customers who already have a fortune invested in wheels to keep using them.
Like the RFX, cable routing is kept external with the exception of a stealth dropper routing, with their No More Zip Ties clamp on cable guides. Other details include a tapered head tube, PF30 bottom bracket, and replaceable threads on the post mount disc tabs. Eventually the Flux will hit the market some time this summer in the matte white finish shown here with pricing TBD.
