R. Cunningham

While attending the 2008 Magura Press Launch, in spectacular Sedona, Arizona, I had the chance to get close up and personal with the Turner Nitrous. For those who are not yet familiar with the pro-level limited-travel suspension bike, Google images of Jeff Kabush and see the Nitrous in action--punishing hardtails on their home turf--National short track racing.

Well, considering that the Nitrous is weight-limited to 165 pounds and intended solely for cross-country racing, you may not think it would be all that fun to explore Sedona's E-ticket singletrack network, with its redrock steps, slickrock sections and occasional drops. Well, after two days of play, I'll have to report that Dave Turner's racerboy design is quite capable--in a realm where most riders wouldn't stray too far from the highway with less than a five-inch-travel trailbike.

The Nitrous was set up with SRAM drivetrain components and Magura's latest Durin XC fork (very nice action), Louise carbon brakes and a Magura air shock. It hopped, dropped, jumped and cornered as if it was born in the red rock canyons. Climbing was what you would expect from a racing chassis--rocketship.

So why did I beat the wheels off of a machine that is advertised for cross-country racing only? Well, Turner, for some wacky artistic reason, does not put names on his various models--so I figured that I was riding a trailbike--like a Flux or something--heck, I really didn't care--it was a loaner and I was in Sedona!. When I discovered it was a Nitrous, I thought: "Hey, this bike kicks butt. When I get home, I'll post a short riding impression on the website."

So there it is.

Contact: www.Turnerbikes.com
They only sell frames: $1919 (with a Fox RP23 shock)
Sizes: Sm, Med (ours), Large
Top tube (med) 23.5"
Travel: 3"
Head Angle: 71°
Seat Angle: 73.5°
Chainstay: 16.65"
BB Height: 12.25"