Issue: February 2002, pg. 40
Price: $1995: frame & shock ($4230 as tested)
Purpose: Dual-suspension trailbike
Contact: Turner Suspension Bicycles (909) 693-4881
C Value
C Weight: 26.7 pounds
A Frame design
C Fork performance: Manitou X-Vert Air, 4" travel
B Rear suspension: Fox Vanilla RC, 3.7" travel
B Component selection
B Climbing performance
A Cornering ability
B Descending prowess
Test highlights: Dave Turner is the pioneer of the walking beam, four-bar linkage; the most widely duplicated design to date. The build of the frame is ingenuous and without frills. Riding the XCE is like floating in space. You don't sense that the suspension is moving, although the rear end is hooking harder up climbs and efficiently absorbs irregularities while hammering the flats. There will be no creaking or clanking as you literally glide across arduous singletrack. With a somewhat slack head angle -- 70 degrees -- the Turner behaves predictably instant in the rider's hands. Descending the XCE is a joy -- The Hayes discs and four inches of suspension travel allow the rider to pull ahead down hills.
Best quote: "Turner designed the XCE to give new meaning to the phrase: Ride fast-take chances. It's stable steering and second-generation suspension can handle any scenario a hardcore trail rider might face."
MBA's Bottom line: Trailbikes don't come much better than the Turner XCE. If you are all about trail riding -- if you are searching for a do-anything, go-anywhere mountain bike -- your quest stops at Turner Suspension Bicycles.
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