At first glance, and knowing Dave Turner’s passion for local manufacturing, the new RFX would appear to be an alloy bike. But look closer and you’ll see he’s pulled out all the stops with the fourth generation long travel bike to make it the ultimate enduro machine.
Built around 160mm of dw-Link travel, the bike gets an adjustable head angle, massive tire clearance and a stiff yet light frame. Turner says that lets it become anything from a lightweight trail bike to a “park slayer”, but it’s the in between spot called enduro that hits its sweet spot…
“Utilizing the dw-link, it climbs similarly to a hard tail but descends almost like our DHR, truly amazing,” said David Turner, founder of Turner Bikes. “It’s got an incredibly stiff frame, weighs in at 27.5 pounds and is an absolutely amazing enduro bike.”
In stock configuration, the bike is designed around a 160mm fork and has a 66º head angle. But, thanks to a new 49/62mm headset size, the bike can go +/-1.5º in half degree increments using an aftermarket kit Turner will sell direct. That means you could run an ultra-slack 64.5º head angle for the really steep trails and bike parks, then set it back to normal for regular trails and races.
The frame is made of Toray hi-mod fibers, and all pivots spin on EnduroMax cartridge bearings just like their DHR downhill bike.
Cable routing is kept external for everything, with stealth dropper seatpost lines entering the seat tube just above the BB. Everything’s held in places with these cable clamps, one of which doubles as a water bottle boss to fit some hydration inside the front triangle.
Underneath is thick polymer bolt-on rock guard. A removable front derailleur mount keeps it tidy
Like the redesigned Burner introduced in April, the RFX gets a lower seat tube and standover. Besides making the bike more maneuverable, it allows for a full 150mm dropper seatpost to be used…and allows shorter riders to use a long travel dropper post while still getting the post low enough to work properly for them.
The split wishbone connecter on the rear triangle keeps things open for 27.5 x 2.4 tires with room for mud.
The rear end keeps the standard 142×12 hub spacing, helping prove Boost really is leaning more toward a 29er standard.
Post mount rear brakes get replaceable threaded inserts.
Frames are on sale now for $2,995 with Rockshox Monarch Debonair shock. Cane Creek Double Barrel shocks and various wheels are available as upgrade kits, as is an FSA headset plus Rockshox Pike fork combo. Complete bikes are also offered with GX, X01 and XX1 SRAM builds or XT and XTR Shimano builds, prices TBD.
