help: turner 5-spot frame size

[pwpatton]

Help,

does anyone in the cities have a med and/or a large turner 5 spot I could stand over and sit on. I want to buy a 5-spot this year but would really like to at least stand over and sit on one before I buy.

[Tex]

I have a 2005 5 spot in large. Sure, you could try it out for size.

[soupboy]

...the Jamis? If you'r comfortable on that, pick the 5S size with the closest EffTT length. My guess is that you'll be looking at a medium.

Email Dirk - he's got a medium 5S.

Sean

Help,

does anyone in the cities have a med and/or a large turner 5 spot I could stand over and sit on. I want to buy a 5-spot this year but would really like to at least stand over and sit on one before I buy.

[pwpatton]

Good call sean, I'll give dirk a call.

I liked the large jamis' except the top tube height on the large was way out of proportion compared to all the others. The other sizes had about 1" different in top tube height between them (from center of bb to top of top tube). The med and large had 2.5" difference. That made for a pretty crappy standover height for my size even though their geom publication indicated it would be ok for my size. But you're right, the medium has been good for me and is easy to throw around. I've always ridden large on my other bikes (around 19") so that's why I'm confused on what would be best for me.

[soupboy]

...don't get too caught up in ST sizing (what you refer to as TT height) though. This is especially true on many FS designs that have dramatically sloped TT that are braced with a small bar from near the top of the ST (like my Turner).

Eff TT is the first and most important place to start.

Sean

Good call sean, I'll give dirk a call.

I liked the large jamis' except the top tube height on the large was way out of proportion compared to all the others. The other sizes had about 1" different in top tube height between them (from center of bb to top of top tube). The med and large had 2.5" difference. That made for a pretty crappy standover height for my size even though their geom publication indicated it would be ok for my size. But you're right, the medium has been good for me and is easy to throw around. I've always ridden large on my other bikes (around 19") so that's why I'm confused on what would be best for me.

[Kosk]

I agree wtih Sean, ST length (& SO) is not as important as effTT. I'm a lanky 6' and bounce between M and L a lot (18"-21"). Really depends on the make.

I just built up a FR bike and went with a L (18.5") because of TT. As a result the standover is almost nil for me, but a medium would have been too short for my upper body in the TT.

Although minimal standover can be really painful when you get in trouble/bail, too short of a TT is going to be painful (uncomfortable) all the time. For me, I'd rather take my chances on the occasional bail, than be uncomfortable during every ride.

[pwpatton]

I completely agree. I had a gary fisher and it was the best fitting bike I had. I have a Giant NRS and I always feel crampt on it. That is the main reason I tend to err on the side of a large because of TT length. But the turner seems to have a longer TT length than others in it's class. So I'm thinking a Med might be just fine. I don't want 0 clearance in standover however. If I can get at least 1.5" of standover clearance that would be good.

However isn't there also the handling charictaristics to think about. A smaller bike will be less stable but more manueverable and a larger bike vice versa. Do you think that that is a significant consideration?

Thanks,
Phillip

...don't get too caught up in ST sizing (what you refer to as TT height) though. This is especially true on many FS designs that have dramatically sloped TT that are braced with a small bar from near the top of the ST (like my Turner).

Eff TT is the first and most important place to start.

Sean

[Buck]

I completely agree. I had a gary fisher and it was the best fitting bike I had. I have a Giant NRS and I always feel crampt on it. That is the main reason I tend to err on the side of a large because of TT length. But the turner seems to have a longer TT length than others in it's class. So I'm thinking a Med might be just fine. I don't want 0 clearance in standover however. If I can get at least 1.5" of standover clearance that would be good.

However isn't there also the handling charictaristics to think about. A smaller bike will be less stable but more manueverable and a larger bike vice versa. Do you think that that is a significant consideration?

Thanks,
Phillip

Aaaah, yes there are charaterstics...DH,FR,DJ,DS bikes tend to have a tighter cockpit with wider bars to allow for easier control, and manuevarbility both on the ground and in the air. While XC bikes tend to stretch out a little in the cockpit to make you more efficient. So really decide what you want to do with the bike and that should help you cater the build to what you want, if you are going to use it as a Trail bike I would build it with the idea of being more upright in a nuetral position...luckily the Turner 5 spot is a very versitle frame!!!!

L8R
Buck

[Tex]

I agree wtih Sean, ST length (& SO) is not as important as effTT. I'm a lanky 6' and bounce between M and L a lot (18"-21"). Really depends on the make.

I just built up a FR bike and went with a L (18.5") because of TT. As a result the standover is almost nil for me, but a medium would have been too short for my upper body in the TT.

Although minimal standover can be really painful when you get in trouble/bail, too short of a TT is going to be painful (uncomfortable) all the time. For me, I'd rather take my chances on the occasional bail, than be uncomfortable during every ride.
I'm in the same boat. I could have bought the medium or the large in the Turner. But I just went off the specs on Turner's website, and the large was really close to my old Large Giant AC bike. With the new 5 spot frame I also bought a new (an 04 model) Marzocchi Z1 FR1, which due to Marzocchi's long axle to crown height, shot the top tube right up into my crotch. Now I have no standover room, I feel like a little kid standing over his big brother's bike. If I have to make an emergency exit from the seat, I hope that the suspension is plenty plush :shocked: However, when I'm in the saddle (where it really matters) the bike feels perfect.
I just finished building it last week, so I've only ridden it around my neighborhood once, but it felt great.

[pwpatton]

With the dropped top tube on the turner either size would really probably be fine. The jamis I ride now most closely matches the med turner but I could get an even longer top tube by going with the large. It's tough to make a decision when you can't ride the bike for a month or so :)

[Kosk]

How tall are you?

I am 6', about a 32" inseam, long arms, and chose a Large frame over the medium for my bike:
efTT: M = 22.4 vs L = 23.9

I'm running a 60mm stem and it turns out the L was a good choice for me. I'd have been banging my knees on the bars with the M. The large puts my body in a good upright FR position, definately not XCish at all.

On the 5Spot you're looking at:
effTT M = 23.0 L = 23.9

Not as extreme a difference, but if you are anything near 6' like me, I would recommend the L. You'd have to rock a longer stem to get an XC feel. Anything on the shorter side will feel more Trail/FR-ish. A medium would be pretty short in the cockpit.

If your more like average 5'10", then a med would probably be fine. I don't know, I'm just trying to give you something to go off based on the 23.9" effTT of my bike and my size, hope it helps.

[pwpatton]

I'm just about 6' tall but I have proportionately shorter legs compared to my torso. So short legs, long body means I like a long top tube but larger bikes provide very little standover height. In an XC bike I would definately go large but a medium trail bike with a longer top tube does sound attractive due to the handling aspect of it and since that it won't be my only bike it doesn't have to act as my XC bike too.

So, lots of good info guys. Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice. I think I need to ride a couple turners and see what feels best.

[Buck]

What kinda build are you putting on it??? I would look at a Zocchi in the 5" range, that'd be sweet for that bike, I think they make a Z1 with ETA...That'll get you up alittle in that upright position w/o compromising the climbing eff. then get like a shorty stem on some 1.5" riser bars...oooo, that'd be sweet on some Deemax wheels w/ Truvativ cranks and BB, on kenda slicks....assorted other parts to finish it off...:cool:...oooo, sic!!!!!!!!!!!!

L8R
Buck

[pwpatton]

I'm initially just gonna transfer the parts from my jamis to it.

manitou minute 2:00, truvativ holzfeller and isis gigapipe dh bb, avid juicy brakes, mavic x321 rims on xt hubs, truvativ xc riser bars 45mm rise. xt shifters and derailleurs. I'd like to eventually upgrade to a more plush fork like a marzochi or fox and get some crossmax XL wheels but the frame price will hold me off for a bit. Maybe I could sell the jamis frame for enough to upgrade the fork :shocked: I would definately go to a shorter stem first thing. I'm using a 120mm on my jamis.

What kinda build are you putting on it??? I would look at a Zocchi in the 5" range, that'd be sweet for that bike, I think they make a Z1 with ETA...That'll get you up alittle in that upright position w/o compromising the climbing eff. then get like a shorty stem on some 1.5" riser bars...oooo, that'd be sweet on some Deemax wheels w/ Truvativ cranks and BB, on kenda slicks....assorted other parts to finish it off...:cool:...oooo, sic!!!!!!!!!!!!

L8R
Buck

[Buck]

Wow...That'll be a nice build to start with!!! If you come to Steeple I wanna see this bike!!!!!!!!!!!
L8R
Buck

[Tex]

What kinda build are you putting on it??? I would look at a Zocchi in the 5" range, that'd be sweet for that bike, I think they make a Z1 with ETA...That'll get you up alittle in that upright position w/o compromising the climbing eff. then get like a shorty stem on some 1.5" riser bars...oooo, that'd be sweet on some Deemax wheels w/ Truvativ cranks and BB, on kenda slicks....assorted other parts to finish it off...:cool:...oooo, sic!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you're talking! Zocchi w/5" travel and ETA...check, Shorter Stem...check, 1 inch riser bars...check, Deemax wheels...nope, sorry I wont ride anything that I didn't build myself, Truvativ cranks...darn it, I missed that one too. I opted for the Raceface route. But here she is before I even had a chance to fasten the zip ties down.

<TABLE class=alt1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/843MyBaby.jpg (http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=993&sort=1&cat=500)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself;)

[Buck]

Hahaha, Damn, I'm good at making custom build kits!!! :D Yeah I ride only wheels that I built myself. Nice Ride!!! :cool:

L8R
Buck

[Ish]

Eric - have you joined the nija clan yet? That build is sweet! can't wait to see it in person.


Phillip - Do you really want crossmax wheels? If things go south it will cost a ton to get them fixed from what I hear. How about some 819's laced to Kings to add some nice bling to the ride? Broken spokes are then very cheap to replace.

[nigel]

Eric - have you joined the nija clan yet? That build is sweet! can't wait to see it in person.


Phillip - Do you really want crossmax wheels? If things go south it will cost a ton to get them fixed from what I hear. How about some 819's laced to Kings to add some nice bling to the ride? Broken spokes are then very cheap to replace.

You break an X-Max go to Freewheel or County....nuff said they'll take care of ya!

[soupboy]

...with those brake line mounts? Just not fastened down? Mine just thread through on my RFX. Very clean.

Sean

Now you're talking! Zocchi w/5" travel and ETA...check, Shorter Stem...check, 1 inch riser bars...check, Deemax wheels...nope, sorry I wont ride anything that I didn't build myself, Truvativ cranks...darn it, I missed that one too. I opted for the Raceface route. But here she is before I even had a chance to fasten the zip ties down.

<table class="alt1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/843MyBaby.jpg (http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=993&sort=1&cat=500)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself;)

[Tex]

You break an X-Max go to Freewheel or County....nuff said they'll take care of ya! They'll take care of you for about a year from the date of purchase, after that you pay out the nose.

One of my riding buddies pulled a spoke through the rim on his older x-maxes, so he had to buy a new rim, cost about $120. About three months later, we're riding out at the farm and he spins his freehub body inside the hub. It just destroyed it, in all my years of riding and wrenching, I've never seen one go like that. Cost to replace, about $200, and I don't believe that included labor.

Needless to say, I'm pretty sure he's now a hand built wheel convert as well.

[Tex]

...with those brake line mounts? Just not fastened down? Mine just thread through on my RFX. Very clean. I guess not anymore, mine has a sort of half rounded "mount", with a small hole under it for a zip tie to pass through. I suppose to handle all the different diameter brake lines people are using now. Which is fine with me, because the zocchi fork has a little brake line guide that is too narrow for the brake lines on my Hope brakes.

[Buck]

I guess not anymore, mine has a sort of half rounded "mount", with a small hole under it for a zip tie to pass through. I suppose to handle all the different diameter brake lines people are using now. Which is fine with me, because the zocchi fork has a little brake line guide that is too narrow for the brake lines on my Hope brakes.

Speaking of builds my parents are fixing all my broken parts for my b-day so when I can ride again I can grab the bike and go....new BB braket, pedals and best of all braided brake lines...mmmmm drooool :cool:

L8R
Buck