Note: These are not reviews but are simple ride impressions based on the demo tech set-up. All bikes were ridden on the same 15 minute loop to keep things even-steven. I focused this Demo Day event on 130mm-ish 29er Trail bikes from smaller companies and added one ringer from one of the big guys in the biz.
gg
The next bike up on the test course was the Turner Sultan, a stated 125mm rear travel trail bike made right here in the US of A, and one that has been refined a bit since I rode the DW version when it first debuted. From the Turner website:
With twenty nine inch wheels and 125mm of travel, the Sultan is already marking the benchmark for distinction. Then the Sultan gained the dw-link and now with a number of other refinements it has been honed to perfection. Finally a 29er that lives up to promises of not only pedaling efficiency and travel plushness but with a fine-tuned trail geometry that will inspire talent. Forget the twitchy unforgiving handling of other 29ers since the Sultan is redefining the expectations of its class.
Bold words, indeed. Will it show out on this short ride impression over the moonscape of Dirt Demo? The XL Sultan rolled out onto the paved road and immediately impressed me. It felt very snappy and responsive to pedaling input and just rolled out like an XC bike. Nice! The impression of a stiff frame lasted on the standing paved section and no amount of grabbing, wiggling, twisting or pedaling showed any real weakness here. This is a stoutly built ride.
A 69.5* HT angle was one of the recent changes to the frame and the bike felt very stable in the first few deep roll ins and drops of Bootleg. The DW link rear sus felt firmer than the ICT Ellsworth did and as an XC guy, I very much liked the responsive pedaling in or out of the saddle. Down through the heavier chunk and rock drops of trail #3, the DW link Sultan was steady and rock solid. When I was just cruising the swoopies it did take a high amount of effort to get it to turn…lots of shoulder english. I suspect the slightly out of date 18.2″ chain stays here…not sure, but most likely. However, the DW link does not allow much room for tucking that all in there, at least it appears that way to me.
The DW link Sultan is a fine pedaling, firmer riding, very solid bike from Turner and seems like a great choice for bigger riders as well as those looking for a solid trail bike that still pedals like an XC scooter. I cannot help to think that the end result of shaving just a little bit off the back end would not make it even better.
So the Tallboy LTc is still number 1 in this category?
No the Cube was, but its link has gone ?????????
http://twentynineinches.com/2012/09/15/cube-stereo-shpc-140-29er-final-review/
@Rob, well that was probably a victim of the site crash of 2012. We will work on getting those back once we get past iBike. Sorry.
gg
I purchased a turner sultan in August and have logged 12 rides over a good variety of Pennsylvania’s traditional trails full of rocks and roots. Being that this is my first step up to a 29er, you would think that I would agree with this write-up, but I do not. THE SULTAN IS VERY MANUVERABLE on tight technical terrain, and climbs really well. The DW link rear-suspension is absolutely amazing. You leave the rear shock FULL OPEN 100% of the time, and let the DW link mitigate bobbing on climbs, and it does amazingly well. THIS BIKE IS ROCK SOLID, AND HANDLES REALLY WELL. THERE IS NOT ONE THING I CANT DO ON THIS BIKE THAT I CAN DO ON MY STUMPJUMPER FSR…THE SULTAN ROCKS!!!!I have found no faults yet. I set it up with the e13 1×10 drivetrain and it is amazing. The geometry of this bike with the DW link make it a cant miss purchase.
By the way, as a follow-up….I am 5’10″ 156lbs and purchased a LARGE frame which fits me absolutely perfectly. I am not sure what the comment is that this bike is best for large riders??? I dont get it. I now the long chain stays may make it a bit tougher than a 26er to huck the bike over large rocks and log piles, but the ground clearance (especially with the 1×10 34t front ring) way make up for that. So, again, I disagree with the author’s write-up…the Sultan is a truly versital 29er over all types of terrain, no issues at all with tight technical stuff. It handles great.
@Like2bike…You misunderstood. I said the Sultan was a “great choice for bigger riders…” due to the very stout chassis. That is not the same as the way you misquoted it.
As far as the slightly slow handling, keep in mind that I was riding 5 bikes nearly back to back on the same course so I could compare accordingly. This is not my “first step up to a 29er”.
I also left the rear suspension full open all the time and had nothing but good to say about the DW link.
You need to de-select the caps lock key and go re-read my impressions (not a review).
Then go enjoy a great bike that could, IMO, be a bit better.
gg
gg, I am with you. I was not ripping your impressions…and did not mean to come accross that way.. I just wanted to express how happy I am with the performance of the Sultan, and how suprisingly well I think it handles. I understand that you are riding so many bikes and doing your best to provide the best possible feedback…and the reason I frequent your site is just that, you guys do a really good job. Sorry about the mis-understanding….and keep up the good work. Your articles and feedback is very well respected from everyone that I know that rides here in Western Pennsylvania.
I think longer chainstays are a tiny part of how manoeuvrable a bike is. Again not someone on his first 29er…
LTc is good, but too steep up front for gnarly ripping…
Hey Granny
Glad you liked the Sultan and your impressions are right on, this is a big mountain bike in travel and capabilities. I hate to use the ‘all mountain’ trendy term, but it just may apply here. I designed the Sultan to be a rough terrain roller and have tested different chainstay lengths over the years on different models and what I have found is that shorter stays take away more than they add in this type of bike/terrain I am targeting. Although I must admit that dropping a thumbs breadth in chainstay length helps traction when one stands up, shifts up and puts the hammer down racer style, the extra length helps keep the front weighted and tracking when one is struggling for enough power and grunting out a line choice thru the rough. Certainly not a bike for everyone looking for a 29r, but a choice none the less.
David Turner
@David Turner…thanks so much for chiming in. I did very much like the bike. Well done! I would not hesitate to ride that anywhere that a real trail bike is called for and I agree that the longer back center brings with it some stability and balance that can be a benefit in fast, rough trails. But, reviewers being what we are, we have to pick at nits. I only noticed it when the terrain was slower and tighter and certainly not when I was running fast through the uglies.
Thanks for making a solid choice for 29er trail riders everywhere.
gg
Hi, nice write up and i do agree with you. I have owned a Sultan before and now im riding a Tallboy LTc.
Both bike these bikes are similar to me and about the head angle, i just slacken the LTc to suit my more aggressive riding style when i was on the Sultan and its all good. Cant understand why some people have to comment on the bike rather than their riding skills and technique? Dont blame the frame, its usually the rider that has the problem. This is what i found after riding so many bikes from so many brands.
And another problem is the build up that does not make sense or lack of knowledge.
But as far as weight wise and stiffness, the Tallboy LTc has both aces! But still i would buy a Turner frame anytime if they decided to make a Carbon Sultan!
I had been riding my new Sultan for the last 2 months.
My take on the longer chainstays:
I started looking for a new 29 frame because I wanted a fully active rear end while braking. But that is not what made me fall in love with this DW frame.
This is the scenario and has both happened twice while night riding chunky on kitty litter single track climbs. I caught up to the guy in front who spunout flicking softballs size riverrock and had to get off by the peak. I was able to dodge the rocks with the front but the rear tracked right over slipped an inch or so then regained traction and motored on by him=) I am all about the extra chainstay. I could never do that with my old frame. Same fork drivertrain/wheels/tires straight frame swap except for DBair. Kudos to Dave Turner, he made a great frame for advertures. Especially for trails you have never seen before.
@Skinny-Ed…Great feedback. A long rear center is great for at least three things…really tall, big people cause they tend to have a lot of body weight up high and back towards the rear wheel, for seated climbing (as you discovered), and for going fast DH through rough terrain.
It gets a bit less than great when you are on a smaller dance floor and you want to jitterbug.
My first trip to Moab was back in the late 80s for the Fat Tire Festival. I had a Schwinn Paramountain frame set with crazy long chain stays (for a 26er) and if I had traction…and Moab has a lot of that on the slickrock…I could sit on the tip of the saddle and climb anything I could keep pedaling on. That bike with the steep seat tube angle, steep head tube angle and long wheelbase was a really good climbing bike IF, IF you were sitting down.
If I could go out and buy one FS 29er for jeffj, our Clydesdale rider, it would be a Turner Sultan.
gg
GG-
No worries=) I kinda felt obligated. I’ve always respected the reviews here. Even though reviews are mainly objective. But it is difficult sometimes because every demo ride has different different part specs. And I demoed a lot before the Sultan. Shoot, 2-5 psi can make or break a specific tires potential let alone a wheelset. I figured I had to say something because I did reuse everything but the rear shock so this was about as fair as it gets.
After about 6 mos of demoing this and that I started to get frustrated with so many options. Sultan was actually last on the list. Why u ask? Lame reason……..my boss had one and I wanted something different LOL. So now I have a raw finish and his is black.
So don’t give up, so many options also means there is the right bike for you, don’t settle. And so many options help keep twentynineinches reviews flowing.
Cheers