I've owned 2 turners , installed 3 needle bearing kits and ridden a ripmo . I've also cycled a ripmo's suspension without a shock. Even the drag from one bushing is noticable. Ibis stated that bushing drag was an " issue " with the Ripmo. Any arguments that are pro pushing are marketing to explain why a frame that's 2500 plus is using parts that cost cents instead of dollars. The only bearings I've replaced are in a 8 year old bike that was stored out side, my Turner needed bushings twice in a year , I loved that bike...