The popular Turner 5 Spot has gone through more changes than the leader in a short-oval NASCAR race. There was the Horst Link 5 Spot that first made us fall in love with this model way back in 2003. There was the next incarnation of the 5 Spot without the Horst Link that Turner never cut loose to the wrecking crew for a test. Hmmm. And now, the Turner brain trust has come up with a totally revamped 5 Spot incorporating the dw-link rear suspension.
WHO IS IT MADE FOR?
The Turner 5 Spot pretty much defined the trailbike category when it was introduced in 2003, and the 2009 version carries the mission forward. This bike is intended for the rider who thinks of two-hour rides as “short.” This rider wants enough travel to tackle gnarly terrain, but not so much that it makes getting to the top of the mountain a miserable experience. It is a versatile bike for the experienced rider who only wants one mountain bike and expects it to do it all.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The 5 Spot starts with a conventional aluminum frame construction that reflects years of trailbike design experience. The top tube has an exaggerated slope to give our medium-sized 5 Spot more standover clearance than most small-sized frames. The seat tube gets a support bracket to that sloping top tube for added strength.
Turner has licensed the dw-link rear suspension, versions of which are found on bikes from Ibis and Pivot mountain bikes. Turner’s take on the dw-link system incorporates bushings at the main pivots (instead of bearings) and, proving just how versatile the dw-link can be, bears little resemblance to the Ibis and Pivot applications of the system.
WHICH COMPONENTS STANDOUT?
The 5 Spot uses a custom-valved Fox Float RP23 air shock fitted with an optional high-volume air canister (a shock that barely squeezes into the tight frame triangle). Zerk fittings (grease fittings) are designed into four locations to make bushing lubrication easier.
Our particular build included a Cane Creek 110 headset that looked as pretty as, dare we say, anything that comes out of Chris King’s workshop. The Formula R1 brakes’ minimalistic levers and integrated reservoir are beautiful. The industry-standard Thomson seatpost held a WTB Devo Team saddle in place. Finally, wrapping your hand around the ODI lock-on grips is all you need to do to understand why these are the most copied grips out there.
HOW DOES IT PERFORM?
We started out with 20 percent sag in the rear suspension, but don’t shy away from running the 5 Spot with more sag. The dw-link allows you to get away with more sag without a performance deduction (we’ll explain more during the ride).
Our Fox fork had the TALAS feature (Travel Adjust Linier Air Spring), but the blue knob didn’t get much use. We found ourselves running 20 percent sag and leaving the fork to its full travel of 5.5 inches.
Moving out: The 5 Spot, with an Easton EA90 100-millimeter, 10-degree-rise stem and low-rise Monkey Lite XC bar, feels shorter than the 23.5 effective top tube measurement reflects. The 5 Spot rider sits in a comfortable upright position with a weight bias that feels slightly forward of center.
We can tell you right now, save a few bucks and build your 5 Spot using a Fox Float shock without the P23 feature (the three-stage pedaling platform). Why? It is not needed. The dw-link refuses to let pedaling influence the suspension. Hammering, in or out of the saddle, big gear or spinning, you will find a firm pedaling base, even with the ProPedal totally off.
This isn’t a cross-country race bike, but if you are having a good day, go for it. The 5 Spot hauls when you get out of the saddle, choose a big gear and throw it from side to side. The low top tube makes this maneuver even more fun, and our expensive build kept the bike’s weight low. This is one sporty trailbike.
Cornering: We fondly remember a handling trait from the 5 Spot we tested six years ago that we hoped was still part of the 5 Spot today. To our delight, it is still there. What are we talking about? It is that signature Turner trait of high-speed counter steering (made famous by very expensive Italian road race motorcycles). Entering a high-speed corner, the rider makes the slightest input to the handlebar, pushing the inside grip away from the turn’s apex. The bike then leans into the corner with authority and control. All bikes have this trait (it’s physics), but few are as well defined as the 5 Spot. Add a great Mavic wheelset and our shootout-winning Kenda Nevegal tires and you’ve heightened the cornering experience.
Climbing: The rear suspension again shines on the climbs, as it doesn’t subject the rider to any unwanted movement while still handling the chore of smoothing the trail. You stay planted in the saddle while climbing on the 5 Spot. Standing seems to move your weight too far forward. Turner designed the 5 Spot for epic-length rides, and those work out best when the rider isn’t forced to continually move around. Stay put, conserve, and move forward.
Descending: The 5 Spot’s rear suspension delivers small-bump compliance, firm mid-stroke performance and then a very progressive big-hit cushion at the end of travel. It doesn’t feel like the shock is fitted with a high-volume air canister because of the firm mid-stroke, and most riders will find that a blessing. The braking performance of the Formula brakes is backed up with a rear suspension that remains active and doesn’t rise. Speaking of the brakes, the pads contacting the discs make the coolest sound. We found the brakes’ performance to be strong and consistent, and the levers offer plenty of modulation. The 5 Spot does make a racket when navigating rough downhills due to chain/stay contact.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
The rear derailleur cable takes an annoying route through a cable guide welded to the outside of the swingarm. We rubbed our leg on it from time to time. It is too bad the cable couldn’t run inside, under or through the swingarm. We would tape rubber or foam over the offending area for long-term use.
This bike doesn’t need the Fox Float shock with all the adjustable ProPedal options, and you will be happy ever after with a 5.5-inch travel fork (instead of opting for the travel adjustable fork).
The Formula brake levers, reservoirs and clamps look fragile, and while we didn’t experience any problems, we didn’t crash during our testing. They are minimalistic and might not be the hot ticket for deep woods exploration.
Finally, we’d trade in the cross-country-racing-firm WTB Devo Team saddle for a more comfortable and slightly heavier WTB Rocket V saddle. The Rocket V just can’t be beat for its combination of comfort and performance.
BUYING ADVICE
The bike that helped define the category moves forward to refine and expand the most important segment of mountain biking. This is a trailbike that handles fantastic, pedals without the need for tricky suspension components, and offers the kind of overall riding experience that begs the rider to add another hour to any adventure. o
TURNER 5 SPOT
Price $6199 ($2495 frame and shock)
Country of origin USA
Weight 26.8 pounds
Hotline (951) 677-1711
Frame tested 17"
Bottom bracket height 13.75"
Chainstay length 17"
Top tube length 23.5"
Head tube angle 69°
Seat tube angle 73°
Standover height 28.5"
Wheelbase 43.5"
Suspension travel (front) 5.5"
Suspension travel (rear) 5.5"
Frame material Aluminum
Fork Fox 32F RLC with 15QR
Shock Fox Float RP23
Rims Mavic Crossmax ST
Tires Kenda Nevegal (2.35/2.1)
Hubs Mavic CrossMax ST
Brakes Formula R1
Crankset Shimano XTR
Handlebar Easton Monkey Lite XC (26.5" wide)
Shifters Shimano XTR trigger
Rear derailleur Shimano XTR
Chainrings Shimano XTR (44/32/22)
Cassette Shimano (11-34)
Pedals Weighed with Crankbrother Eggbeater