[Factory Visit] Turner Suspension Bicycles

//

David Turner has been making full suspension bikes in America since 1994. Based out of Murrieta, California the small company came to fruition when David combined his racing roots and his suspension experience that cultivated at AMP research while working under Horst Leitner. Over the years Turner have established themselves as one of only a very small number of USA made full suspension frames. One of their most well known attribute is their legendary customer service. Recently, David has begun to venture overseas and manufacture his carbon fiber XC race bike in Taiwan. After fruitless searches stateside it became evident that it was just not feasible to make a boutique carbon bike domestically.

Located just 45 minutes from San Diego, we took a quick drive up north to check in and see what’s new at Turner Bikes. We got to cruise around the parking lot on the new “King Kahn” as well as poke around the shop and see some cool relics.



.

_DSC5244

Welcome to Turner. Less than 10 employees and a relatively small space that is chock full of bikes.

_DSC5247

Every Turner you buy comes through this facility and is assembled and hand checked for tolerances by an actual human being in America. Pretty rad, and also pretty rare.

_DSC5246

As soon as you stroll in, you’ll see some history lining the walls…and maybe a little inspiration.

_DSC5243

The “Nitrous”. Geoff Kabush won the Norba National champs on one. Anyone else miss the Norba series?

_DSC5240

One off 4X bike.

_DSC5241

The original DHR. A design that was way ahead of it’s time and is still imitated today to a varying extent.

_DSC5242

The original DW-Link DHR proof of concept sled. The DW Link DHR was the first true “long low and slack” DH bike. It’s safe to say that it was the first production bike that utilized a 63 degree head angle. 4 years later, that’s now still a pretty safe standard in downhill design.

_DSC5206

_DSC5201

_DSC5203

_DSC5199

_DSC5197

Part of the reason Turner has been able to retain such legendary customer service is because they are meticulous about keeping spare parts and rebuild kits handy for “dated” models. If they encounter a warranty issue or a frame that’s “beyond repair”, they don’t hesitate to offer their “Turner-4-Turner” trade in program.

_DSC5189

_DSC5218

_DSC5215

_DSC5216

Full build kits on hand, ready to ship. Aside from the actual fabrication of the frames, EVERYTHING is done here.

_DSC5208

_DSC5207

_DSC5212

_DSC5210

_DSC5209

Remember that we mentioned that all frames are individually checked to ensure that they are perfect? Each bike that passes though their doors is dialed in by hand to ensure proper fitment of rear hubs, brake mounts, seat posts, bottom brackets, headsets and more. For a company that isn’t manufacturing everything in house, it’s refreshing to see that they still retain a great deal of tolerance oversight on what they send to their bike shops and customers.

_DSC5236

_DSC5234

_DSC5235

If you buy a Turner, chances are Bobby put your bike together. He rips, he’s an incredible mechanic and he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. This is his customized Burner.

_DSC5185

_DSC5196

_DSC5192

_DSC5187

_DSC5194

_DSC5188

Speaking of assembly. Oogle over these perfectly welded front and rear triangles. They’re just hanging out and waiting to be someone’s baby.

_DSC5220

_DSC5229

_DSC5222

_DSC5228

_DSC5227

_DSC5223

A couple weeks back we showed you the “King Kahn” … well, we got to cruise around the office on one and snap some detail shots. We hope to see it in production. Aside from the Salsa Bucksaw, there really isn’t much on the market like it.

Thanks to the Turner family for letting us stop in and poke around with a camera. Visit www.turnerbikes.com for more details.

Previous Story

[Video] Lego Bike Action

Next Story

[Interview] Pro Rider Davide Sottocornola On Staying At The Top

Latest from Cover