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Turner King Khan Full Suspension Fat Bike Flexes into Production

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2015_khan_x01_red_1528

After mentioning to us that he might have something fat up his sleeve at Interbike, it wasn’t long until Turner’s first fat bike made an appearance at the Outerbike demo. Rather than stepping tentatively into a hardtail to test the waters, Turner went with their strong suit – a DW Link equipped full suspension monster. Taking full advantage of the biggest RockShox Bluto available, the King Khan mates a 120mm travel fork with 125mm of travel through the rear linkage.

Utilizing a made in the USA frame, King Khan carries almost all of the features that you’ve come to expect from the rest of the Turner fleet. Through the use of a journal bearing system along with threaded Zerk grease fittings, the suspension system is easily serviced – something that is particularly important on a fat bike. A 44mm head tube allows for the use of a tapered fork, while the rear of the bike uses a 177x12mm thru axle system. Combined with the 100mm threaded bottom bracket, the frame has clearance for 3.8-4″ tires depending on the rim.

Available now through Turner’s site or your local dealer, details on the build kit and geometry are next…

geometry king khan turner

Sold in SM, MD, LG, and XL frame sizes, King Khan fat bikes are currently available as completes only, at least from Turnerbikes.com. Pricing starts at $5,999 for a complete bike in the Raw finish, though powder coated colors are available at no charge if ordered direct from Turner. Due to the rear suspension configuration, the King Khan is 1x only since a front derailleur can’t be mounted to the frame. Sold with a mix of SRAM XX1, X01, and X1 (10x42t cassette and 28t chainring), the Fat Kit build includes a Fox Float CTD Evolution rear shock and Rockshox Bluto Solo Air RL fork. Rear shocks can be upgraded to a Fox CTD Factory Kashima for an additional $150.

Additional build specs include Hope hubs laced to Turnagain FR80 rims and Schwalbe Jumbo Jim 4.0 tires, a Thomson cockpit, and Shimano SLX brakes.

turnerbikes.com

 

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why?
why?
9 years ago

What exactly is the legit use of a full suspension fat bike? Don’t get it…

Matt Disney
Matt Disney
9 years ago

@why? – Downhill snow racing, obviously.

Tim
Tim
9 years ago

Ahhh …I have a spot in my shed for a 60 lb bike….that I can pedal at 3.4 mph…

Adam
Adam
9 years ago

RE: why?

Because it’s fun as hell.

Jan
Jan
9 years ago

Ok, once again, for those who don’t get why fatbikes can benefit from suspension:
a) Damping. Fatbikes without suspension BOUNCE as soon as you go fast.
b) increased travel. The “travel” provided by a fat bike tyre is limited.

As to why you’d ride a fatbike in normal trail conditions and not just snow:
a) ride quality
b) traction in the loose and over rocks and roots
c) not sinking into sand and mud

Literally the only downside is that you’re average speed will be slower. The upsides will make up for it for /many/ people.

dirk
9 years ago

After 2 years of fatbiking switched to a pyga oneten29…. speed is higher, fun is higher and I’m happy.

As soon as I see snow I still regret selling the fatbike

josh
josh
9 years ago

I wonder if the name is inspired by “king Khan and the Shrines” or his other band “The King Khan and BBQ Show”??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDmxHDx0SBQ

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

The fact that this is about twice the price of a Bucksaw should surprise absolutely no-one.

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

Why poo-poo a FS fatbike? Needed, no. But one could argue suspension on any bike isn’t needed. And if you think it is but don’t think it benefits a fatbike, you must limit “acceptable” travel to what, 50mm? Because that is all the suspension a fatbike tire probably provides.
All bike designs are compromises. Choose which fits best. Or choose many.

I’m just glad to see a quality, non-custom, made in US bike.

Why
Why
9 years ago

When is suspension travel ever needed on snow? Sorry but you cant argue a need here. Its a complete want.

Um good luck winning a downhill race on suspensionless bike…so there defintely is a need for it kust not on fat bikes.

Sram will gladly take your money for a blutto though!

Brian
Brian
9 years ago

$6K and you get SLX brakes (I know they’re good, but still…)?

Frank
Frank
9 years ago

my thoughts on FS Fatbike:

– Have no interest in owning one: Heavy, slow, complicated, expensive.

– CANNOT WAIT to ride one. I hope shops in areas with rough terrain are stocking there rental fleets with FS fatties. I’m sure these are tons of fun, in small doses.

priority drinker
priority drinker
9 years ago

Dave Turmer, now that you’re finished messing around with this, please give us Turner lovers what we all want. A true full carbon “all-rounder”. I don’t care if it’s 27.5 or 29. 100mm of travel is nowhere enough. I almost bought a Ripley and a SB6. Please save me!

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

So in reading the comments I’ve learned:
1. It’s only acceptable to ride fat bikes on snow.
2. Riding isn’t about fun but is all about what someone else thinks you should be doing on your bike.
3. Wanting compression and rebound damping is unacceptable if you ride a fatbike.
4. Cyclists aren’t as open minded and as adventuresome as they’d like people to think they are.

Simon
Simon
9 years ago

Psi Squared, you hit the nail on the head. Most of the comments are from those that are clueless.

Obriburns
Obriburns
9 years ago

Having ridden the King Kahn this October at Outerbike, this is hands down one of the most fun bikes I’ve ever ridden. Super efficient (pedaled great) because of the DW suspension, and descended like a demon. So much fun! Best bike I rode at outerbike. Period.

Btw it only weighed about 33lbs.

Fred
Fred
9 years ago

Awesome yet another full sus fat bike. I hope to try one someday! Heck I might consider getting one instead of a enduro bike!

heatwave23
heatwave23
9 years ago

What I have learned from this post… 1/2 of the cyclist on bikerumor can be convinced that just about any bike related idea with a little marketing behind it is a great idea and worth overpaying for.

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

heatwave23,
and the other 1/2 are the holders of the definition of worth, right?

DowningK
DowningK
9 years ago

@Obriburns. How did it corner? Were you confident hitting turns at speed? Does one run the same low tire pressures as you would on a rigid?

heatwave23
heatwave23
9 years ago

Jbikes
obviously 🙂

Obriburns
Obriburns
9 years ago

@DowningK- It corners fantastic! Ridgid fat bikes typically have a little bounce in their step… tire pressure is low like other ridgid bikes. I confirmed this with Gary from Turner bikes at Outerbike. Hitting corners at speed is one of the highlights, like most fat bikes the traction is amazing. But the bounce you get from ridgid bikes is smoothed out with the suspension. So it’s more predictable.

I rode this on a variety of trail conditions, swapping bikes with two other buddies who I was at Outerbike, each of us getting a turn on the bike on a few loops. We were all giggling like school girls from it being so much fun to ride. Out of all the bikes we rode this past year at Outerbike, this is the bike we still talk about.

Holiday
Holiday
9 years ago

to the comments about
“when is suspension travel ever needed in snow?”
do you live in snow country?

I live in Lake Tahoe, and I honestly believe my trails are rougher in winter w/ snow on them then in summer. Snow thoughts, people walk in in on snow shoes, skis, and snowmobiles go in it, that creates frequent bumps that freeze solid.
a full suspension fat bike is way better then rigid, knocking your teeth out. I didn’t get a fat bike until the bluto, and now I may get king khan.
Cheers,
H

Crispy D
Crispy D
6 years ago

Once you go fat you never go back! I am a lifetime Turner owner and have never chose to ride anything else after I got my first Burner. Last year I replaced a 15 year old RFX to a new 27.5 Burner and love it! A good friend talked me into a fat bike after he got a Borealis Crestone, I was too a skeptic of the FB phenomenon, and I decided if I got one I’d get a Khan. Unfortunately by now Dave had stopped making them and the search was on. Long story short, I found an frame, built it and the Khan is hands down the most fun I’ve ever had on two wheels, I haven’t ridden my Burner since I got it! I’ll admit it’s not the lightest bike but with the right gearing it performs just as good if not better than my Burner, I’m not a small guy and not concerned with the weight it just makes me ride harder.

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