Oh man, Pinkbike - you guys are cherry picking the very best presenters from all over the globe to join your pinkbike nation. You are going to take over the virtual mtb world, going like this! Whoever your marketing / business tactics manager is, he / she's on fire
Finally I hear words "statistically significant" in a comparison review! Now, what is left is reporting not only average times but also confidence intervals of the experiments. Keep up the good job!
I think he said that he is going to include all the times, so you could calculate the confidence intervals (or bootstrap them if you like) to get some idea of the significance.
I'm 6'5", and I like riding 27.5" wheels. Just like the maneuvreability it gives me. Don't care about the KOM's, just having fun on the trails. Hell yeah climbing is harder, but I dont pretend I care because I'm not going for times. And other people like 29ers and they're right as well. As long as you ride your bike and have fun, that's what matters.
Need a short rider to replicate the test. I'm 5-7 with a 30" inseam, I need all the rear wheel clearance I can get! The advantages of the 29" front wheel are undeniable.
Also 5’7, 30 inseam riding a sb150 size M, you get used to it very easily, unless you’re riding Squamish trails I’d say it’s very easy to get used to it
For sure! I'm 5'3" and have an older Soma Juice 29 SS that is maybe the smoothest bike I've had the pleasure of tossing a leg over. There's always a "but". But, I can't toss it around in the thick of it like a smaller wheeled bike. I did try a lot so from my individual crash testing I've deduced that: Elves, Hobbits, and Dwarves better keep it on moderate terrain, fast and flowy, it works like a dream. Survival skills, not so much for us. I Figured out my preferred wheel sizes. 26 X 27.5+, Rigid or forked. Mini Mullets for the win. PEEECE.
I'm running 27.5 x 2.6 DHF front and Dissector rear. Love this set up. Larger volume tires roll over everything with tons of grip and sort of in between a 29er and "regular" 27.5 tires.
Gmbn would have just foregone all of the science and testing methodology and read off bullet points written by a guy in the office between techno music shots of the bikes going down the hill
I still like gmbn for the tech info they give. Fun guys, chill attitudes. Nothing wrong with them as they don't do too many bike reviews but more pointers. I'm no hater and I'm just glad there are so many outlets in the MTB community nowadays to get differing perspectives and tips. Just don't watch or follow if you're not into what someone/some presents, but there is no reason to be a hater, talk sh*t about something/someone just because you brown nose and ass kiss someone else like you're doing here lol. Much love from Cali! Have a chill day 😁
Ehh pinkbike can be the exact same way. I remember on the recent budget trail bike test they claimed the Marin rift zone was overly damped, sluggish, and not great for climbing. Yet less than a year earlier, with the exact same rift zone the review was the opposite. Not damped enough, very poppy, but not great for descending. I'm convinced people enjoy the reviews based off how much it confirms their prior feelings.
Been running Mullet for the last 2 years, both on hardtail and full sus, both 26/27 and 27/29. The main reason I don't plan on going "regular" is because I love the way the bike turns. It's easier to lean. Also, the smaller rear wheel travels a shorter distance in a turn so it's further inside so it can help rotate the bike in a berm, and I love that, and I adapted my riding style around it. If you do 10 laps the fastest time will be on a full 29 set up, but the thing that matters most is the slab of meat in between the wheels, so the best best setting is the most fun, consistent and confidence inspiring setting for the rider.
I recently switched to the mullet setup about 2 weeks ago to try it out and I am really liking how it feels in the turns. Just like you said. I’m gonna stick with it for a while and see how it goes
The MTB design guys seem to be living inside a bubble of their own making. Have they never noticed what works in the motorcycle industry? Here we have a discussion about a wheel size issue that was long ago decided in the dirt motorcycle world. Suspension designs and frame geometry are becoming closer and closer to the way dirt motorcycles have been for quite some time now. I recently saw Canyon making a big deal out of their "innovative new invention" that is nothing more than a steering dampener, which has been available on motorcycles for decades. As a long time dirt biker and MTBer, all I can say to the MTB designer guys is - wake up! Go attend a supercross or outdoor national and see what actually works in the dirt. All the research and development has already been done, and in many cases, you are just trying to re-invent what has already been done on motorcycles! Sure, there are some differences between bicycles and motorcycles, but other than weight and power, they are quite similar in form and function.
Watch out TH-camrs - see there is room for HONEST and OBJECTIVE reviews. No need to sell your soul to push the latest hype. This is the best comparisons ive ever watched to help one choose A vs B. Solid methodology, strong points and rational conclusion all without the “gotta buy this latest and greatest” BS hype. Thank you - you guys totally rock!!!
Truthfully I don't 'get' mullets. You get the floppy wagon wheel up front and hung up more in the back as mentioned in the vid. Having ridden 29ers for the last season I just went back to 27.5 F/R (Evil Insurgent V3) and am lovin it. I'm about good times, not lap times! ;)
I've got a 27.5 GT fury with a 29" front end. If the forks are at full height the bike definitely flops into corners and feels unstable when sitting and riding on flat ground. However if you point it down some rediculously steep terrain it is awesome. I've lowered the crown's on the forks about 10mm and it's more stable but not as stable as it could be. I definitely notice better steering when going through rock gardens at speed but that's probably the only real useful difference. I can't say I'd recommend buying new forks and front wheel to go mullet but I had a frame and had to get forks anyway. It was a fun and expensive experiment.
Interesting test Seb, and i am releaved to say also agrees completely with our testing. Given that your biggest difference in feel was 29er rear on roots and holes, and we are seeing a lot of shorter world cup dh riders going mullet mainly for clearance reasons (i suspect), how about a test of mullet at maximum travel and 29er with 30mm less rear travel (which would give the same clearance to rider at bottom out)? Could a 170mm 29er dh bike be faster than a 200mm mullet in really holed out rooty terrain?
SOMEONES ASKING THE REAL QUESTIONS! Edit: funny thing is with that exact frame they used there and the numerous adjustments possible, you could probably do that without changing the kinematics too drastically.
I changed from a Bronson full 27.5 to a Altitude 29er and dont want to go back. I can still burp/roost corners like I did on my Bronson, overall I'm faster and hang up less on roots. Whips, 180s and stuff like this works like a charm. and im "only" 181cm/ between 5'11 and 6
27.5 vs mullet vs 29er would have been really interesting. As you have a DH fork you could keep the geometry by dropping the forks through the triple clamps.
Man I had that Ext Storia Shock in my former Nukeproof Mega. I dearly miss this shocking, there is not a single one on the market that can compete with it, even the push elevensix falls behind by a big margin. The Storia feels just right in every situation! Climbing, jumping, rough descending you name it, the Storia gets it done!
Swaped fork and front wheel to a 29er on my 2015 650b stumpy two years ago. Felt and still feel great, rolls over everything. Due to the frame being made for the 29er set up I get similar angles by removing a spacer that is to be used with a 27 inch front wheel. Next bike will be a full 29er though.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the feedback from the new spectral mullet goes , I think the fact it comes with a coil and the 29ers come with a air shock has slowed down the early comparisons because that makes it feel slightly different anyway .
I'm pretty sure that almost no one is picking a mullet because they think it is faster than a full 29er in general, but because they think that it is going to be faster for them, since they are to short to really maneuver the 29er... So you as a tall rider are of course going to be faster on the 29er as it rolls better, while on the other hand I with my 170 cm height am most probably going to be faster on a mullet (faster than myself on a 29er that is).
I always loved the 26" wheeled bikes for smoother terrain/bike parks. But in Southern California, and me being 6'3", no matter what size/geometry I rode I always felt awkward on the bike. Always felt like I was on stilts on top of the bike. I severely disliked 29" bikes and the way they rode before I tested a 2014 Specialized Enduro Expert 29. Went from 2x10 to 1x11 (was not enough range with the 32T up front) but I really enjoyed the fact that in 7 years I dropped a chain once with no guide and the bike is fast and stable compared to any 26" I rode prior. When I was 12 and 5'6" the 26" wheels railed, but after that it was never the same...
Ya, different tracks would have been great for sure. I would have liked a steep and rough track with a lot of corners. This is where I see the mullet smokes both the simple 27.5 and 29er bikes.
I feel like you’re missing the point being clearance to a large degree. For me at 178, 5’10”, and 82, 32” inseam, a difference is felt at 160 mm rear travel. And of course on steep and gnarly enough trails that put you directly over that rear wheel. On trails where, either you don’t make use of all the travel, or your butt is not directly over the rear wheel, I feel a 29er is smoother. So, it has to be quite a steep trail with compressions for the mullet to shine. But that is also a very large part of why I mountain bike!
I went mullet with 26' frame. Put fork and wheel that are 27,5 and now it is definitely better. Probably this is an option to still use a 26 frame that you do not want to discard. Making it mullet is an good upgrade.
IMHO, it all depends on the sort of rides you go for. 29ers are for trails and all-mountain routes. Mullets are for enduro rides. If you are going to ride long bike trips, or you are not into jumping or wearing a full face helmet or maybe you are already in your forties (I am), go for a 29er. It´s comfy, quick and stable. I am a road cyclist myself, and I prefer speed, climbing and covering distance out vs jumping or going downhill. That´s my choice. That´s why I bought a YT Decoy 29er. It´s more versatile. Great for trails and some rocky downhills on occasion. Like an SUV. If you are into enduro riding and you dress up like a motorcyclist on your MTB because you have an aggressive riding syle, maybe in your twenties or thirties, go get a mullet. It´s more like an offroad car. Less efficient, but it will take anything. The good news is there are different bikes for different riding styles. 29ers are for long routes and trails. Mullets are for cornering and jumping around. And let´s be honest: most of us are no professional riders, so we´ll hardly notice the difference anyway. :-)
I mulleted my 26" incher by putting a 27.5" wheel up front. Mostly because it's damn near impossible to find 26" forks these days that aren't DJ forks. As an added bonus, it made feel feel like I'm "with the times" now that mullets are trendy. :-P
@@mumenraider Not much of a difference to be honest. The difference between 559 mm and 584 mm rims only amounts to 12.5 mm higher head tube. I think I noticed a bit more wheel flop. It might be worth underforking a bit if you decide to get a 27.5" fork and wheel.
Only one week with my new SB165 mullet set up…. (160 at the front) manage To Bring same bar height … 0.5 slacker… and honestly I didn’t think it would be so nice difference…. I’m really short so I was preferring smaller wheels…. But upfront the 29er I just help me getting really faster
I like the Mullet set up on my Santa Cruz Bullit. the 27.5 wheel in the rear allows for the chainstays to be shorter on an ebike. The bike handles and corners surprisingly well considering the wheelbase of the bike.
How the do you calculate average time of 49,9 for first track for mullet, when the slowest time of the four runs is only 49,9? See times in video description
This was a great resource to help me design my project. I'm building a mullet from a MONDRAKER Foxy RR SL 27.5 frame. Benefit is the Foxy allows users to change the head angel by a few degs. In effect I shouldnt change the geometry greatly, especially as I'll run the same 150mm fork as the original. Wish me luck!
You start doing blind tests and you'll find that no one has any preference anymore lol. The difference between a 29 and 27.5 is tiny. Mostly comes down to people telling themselves one is better than the other.
I've been lucky enough to experiment with 3 different bikes in different settings: a full 29er, a full 27'5, a factory mullet, and a mulleted 27'er. Here are my conclusions: the factory mullet will always feel better than a mulleted bike, messing up the geometry isn't recommended, it does make the descending better but the climbing is horrible and also flatter terrain (even with geo-adjust headset added). The full 29er is overall slightly faster on bumpy terrain and corners just fine, the mullets to corner more aggressively but that could be a pro or a con, 29er feels more stable and mullets can cut more and make slightly tighter turns but requires a lot of skill. I'm a short rider [1.65m] and I ride rough european enduro trails. These trails tend to be very steep, rocky, rooty, narrow and filled with tight corners with the occasional straight line and average to small jumps. As a racer I would love the bennefits of the 29er, but being so short, that rear wheel gets in my rear way too often and it's sketchy, limiting my range of movement, for some trails it's ok but not for the race tracks, so I ride a factory mullet and I'm very happy with the compromise, it does get hung up sometimes but remember we used to ride 26inch bikes, so nothing that speed and skill can't fix, and that added leg room is very welcome, so I'm very happy with it. If I were a taller person, maybe a 29er would fit me better, but for now, I'm still fast and comfortable with a factory mullet setup:3
for linear movement, both wheels will moves at the same speed no matter what since it attach same bike, for angular velocity , 27.5 will spin faster since it has smaller radius , so i think it depend all how a person feel on their bike with these set up.
Well those results were pretty much exactly what I expected. I never expected the mullet to be faster that a 29er, although I must admit the mullet was a little faster than I expected (I'd anticipated it would fall somewhere in speed between a 27.5 and 29, not right with the 29). I definitely agree that it's the best choice for smaller riders riding trying to avoid tyre buzz, and also agree that if you're on a size Large or bigger (like myself) full 29 is probably still the best choice. That said, if for some inexplicable reason the bike industry decided to standardise wheel size setups (imagine that: the bike industry deciding on a single standard) the mullet would probably be the single best choice, as the extra clearance of a 27.5 rear wheel would be more important for smaller riders than the extra roll-over of a 29 would be for larger riders.
I’m mulling it over whether to get one for my next bike. Would love to test it. I think the primary appeal would be that it would be easier to flick around. Seems good for the consumer whose priority is fun over speed. I’m dying to ride one
rotational forces: while in the air the mullet is more stable at the front and easier to move around out back. Not that I have the skills to test it, but maths says so.
A follow up on the ease of climbing would be good, if there is a significant difference it would make quite a difference to 'enduro' riders, as other than bum clearance it doesn't make much difference in downhill riding
What I'm curious about is a 79er mullet setup, but the back is a 26x3.0 plus bike tire. 26x3.0 diameter comes out to less than 10mm difference of a normal width 27.5 setup. So could the higher profile (particularly with a suitably wide 40mm ID rim) of the 26x3.0 give you some other kind of benefit? Perhaps it'd be better to do something like that on a hardtail bike for extra impact and rider weight overhead.
Yeah, this edit just reinforces my belief that mullets are just not necessary for anything. And like you said, if you are short AF, you shouldn't be on a 29'er anyway. I should also say that I've still got PTSD from the old days when I was riding a Santa Cruz Super 8 with a 26 on front, 24 on back so I'm automatically biased against "mullets".
Revisiting as I consider my next bike. So basically, against the clock, it is a wash. Considering most people are not skilled enough experience whatever small speed difference there is or even truly feel the differene...mullet vs 29er doesn't matter. What does interest me about mullets are the insanely short chainstays that mullet bikes can have for a given wheelbase.
I think it’s not until you’ve ridden a mullet for a while and adapted to get lower, closer to the rear tire and what else the new setup makes possible that you can realized the benefits! If not given time, I guess you’ll just feel the less rollover. Then again, after having adapted, I don’t know if dialing in riding between a 29er and a mullet is automatic, or if you have to take time to dial it in every time. 🤷♂️
Currently building a Mullet, starting with a 27.5 for the shorter rear stays, I don’t see a huge benefit of a Mullet with the rear contact patch in the same place as the 29er. Also I have short legs (30” legs trousers) so I do get ass buzz occasionally despite being 172cm. Will be running the same as original travel front so the 29 will lift the front the same as a 20mm bigger fork which is a common mod on the bike anyway, plus my body length likes a slightly higher front end anyway.
Don't listing to BS marketting.The only reason why I want a 29er Front & 27.5 Rear is to learn how to wheelie. It's is better to go full 29er for balance and for even wheels performance.
Finally someone who rides with their saddle forward and down like me. FYI I want an 80 degree seat-tube angle for steep climbs. Call me crazy if you want.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the flip chips etc will fix some of the geo numbers but your still not running 27.5 chain stay lengths so it isn’t exactly a bike that is designed from a white sheet of paper to be a mullet. I’m 6ft and just tested full 29 again and I simply can’t figure it out but I feel tall and tippy and stay more forward on the bike which then ruins any confidence on steeper chunky stuff which is exactly where I want the 29 front wheel to prevent OTB. Is this a common sensation when going 27.5-29? I’ve been holding out for a mullet to see if it prevents this.
Curious why everyone compares mullets with 29ers and not 27.5s. My bike has 27.5 wheels (2021 Giant Talon 1) but I miss my old bike's 29 wheels/fork so i've been thinking about "mulleting" it. Is there any real difference from this and mulleting a 29er?
Personally I think the “ghetto” mullet set up makes more sense, but only if you have a 29er with a higher bb, or drop the travel in the front by at least 10mm if your on 27.5. The mullet setup for your average person isn’t about faster, but about throwing the rear around more and having fun. Currently in the process of mullet if my raaw Jibb and I’m curious to see how it goes. I’m up traveling to 160 in the front so that would raise my bb height a tad also. When it’s all said and done the bb height should only be about 10mm lower than the stock height.
Data doesn’t lie. But… the bike being used is huge and long. Does the extreme geo of this bike book-end any benefits or cons of wheel size? It would be nice to see the same test with a more typical trail bike.
I think Mullets have potential. They sort of feel like what 29ers were at first. Awkward, and without purpose built frames that highlight their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. If manufacturers (read engineers) get some more freedom to play around with frame geometry for these, I could see them coming into their own over the next few years with more consistent results.
My curiosity with a mullet comes from I have a 29er with terrible geometry that is canted too far forward. So hoping that putting a 27.5 on the back will slack it enough to make it less sketchy on the downhill
I have a 2021 Giant Reign and to me it feels like all my weight is over the front. Rather than buying a new bike, I’m going to Mullet it, in hope that I technically raise the stack height. Would you back this theory?
What about buying a mullet bike but then swapping the front wheel to 27.5 and adding 10mm travel to the front end resulting in the same hta as original. Is mullet better than straight 27?
On my hardtail would 29 be a better climber? Or the mullet that car on the bike. The front feels loose. The bike came stock in small and medium as mullets and larger sizes came 29
When Trek used to make the 69er with 29” front 26” rear there was a horrible feeling that the rear wheel would hook up on obstacles that the front would roll right over. Similarly I once had a Specialized Big Hit with 26” front and 24” rear which was also very bad, but less so because it could run a huge rear tyre
Not sure if I am faster, but its fun tho. Pivot Firebird29 2020, FlipChip->High, Rear: Raceface Atlas 27,5 12x157 (DHR 2.4) Front: RaceFace Atlas 29 15x110, (Shorty 2.5 or DHF depends of situation) as Bikepark Setup Singlespeed (32-16), my Pre-DH bike:D I love it
after riding a 29er for years I switched to mullet.... why... I'm short and what you left out of your video is jumping, manualing, drops, etc. A mullet is much easier to use for this especially if you are shorter and the mullet has a lot less buck on a jump... but I switch back and forth between mullet and full 29er based on the trail and if its more bike park or more XC
What is your height and weight? I'm 5'9" at 140lbs and wondering if moving up to a 29er would take away too much maneuverability. People often forget that a person's weight is a huge factor as a heavier person who has more inertia will be affected less by a bike's weight.
If you could do a Pepsi challenge with wheels, and ride both bikes down a fast track with a blindfold on, apart from crashing, I really don't think you would ever tell the difference.
Great video! I wish you had visited some on when you do have to pedal the amount of torque in watts it takes to start and then move the bike to see if having a 27.5 is worth it on short switchback type rides where you lose lots of momentum and have to pedal back up to speed over and over. Otherwise great video!
I have a question i really need help with, is it possible to change my mullet turbo levo 2022 to a 29er and if so apart from a 29 on the back what else might i need to buy? Many thanks and awesome video as always!
Oh man, Pinkbike - you guys are cherry picking the very best presenters from all over the globe to join your pinkbike nation. You are going to take over the virtual mtb world, going like this!
Whoever your marketing / business tactics manager is, he / she's on fire
Finally I hear words "statistically significant" in a comparison review! Now, what is left is reporting not only average times but also confidence intervals of the experiments. Keep up the good job!
Was going to comment this! Loved this review, felt properly unbiased and straight to the point.
I think he said that he is going to include all the times, so you could calculate the confidence intervals (or bootstrap them if you like) to get some idea of the significance.
Well if you're going all in I'd like to see an ANOVA with at least 30 samples in each category and the associated F test of the variances.
@@steven7650 I mean, it is already a huge step forward from when Levi called a 10/52 cassette to have 20% more range than a 10/50 cassette.
@@grigoryrechistov3040 oof; big oof
I'm 6'5", and I like riding 27.5" wheels. Just like the maneuvreability it gives me. Don't care about the KOM's, just having fun on the trails. Hell yeah climbing is harder, but I dont pretend I care because I'm not going for times.
And other people like 29ers and they're right as well. As long as you ride your bike and have fun, that's what matters.
Need a short rider to replicate the test. I'm 5-7 with a 30" inseam, I need all the rear wheel clearance I can get! The advantages of the 29" front wheel are undeniable.
Also 5’7, 30 inseam riding a sb150 size M, you get used to it very easily, unless you’re riding Squamish trails I’d say it’s very easy to get used to it
Josh johnson
Been riding 26 x 27.5 Mini mullets for a while now and a 69er SS rigid. I'm 5'3" and gotta say... love it.
Im 5'7, but would take a full 29er any day.
For sure! I'm 5'3" and have an older Soma Juice 29 SS that is maybe the smoothest bike I've had the pleasure of tossing a leg over. There's always a "but". But, I can't toss it around in the thick of it like a smaller wheeled bike. I did try a lot so from my individual crash testing I've deduced that: Elves, Hobbits, and Dwarves better keep it on moderate terrain, fast and flowy, it works like a dream. Survival skills, not so much for us. I Figured out my preferred wheel sizes. 26 X 27.5+, Rigid or forked. Mini Mullets for the win. PEEECE.
"Once you've had a chance to MULLET over, let me know why I'm wrong in the comments." Haha brilliant
That line at the end is what earned my like 😂
I can tell why he's wrong. This test was kinda pointless since he wanted top speed? That's not the purpose of a mullet
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess I was commenting on the pun he made... "mullet over" instead of "mull it over"
“All pink bike readers are engineers”
I feel seen..
still a 27.5 front and rear guy. I don’t race, and I’ve found that proper line choice through chunk can keep pace (not beat) with a 29er
From trying many different bikes from friends i noticed that way bigger difference is in geometry, suspension and tire pressures than in wheel size
Im a 27.5 guy all the way
Same.
I'm running 27.5 x 2.6 DHF front and Dissector rear. Love this set up. Larger volume tires roll over everything with tons of grip and sort of in between a 29er and "regular" 27.5 tires.
Gmbn would have just foregone all of the science and testing methodology and read off bullet points written by a guy in the office between techno music shots of the bikes going down the hill
Damn. True sadly
I still like gmbn for the tech info they give. Fun guys, chill attitudes. Nothing wrong with them as they don't do too many bike reviews but more pointers. I'm no hater and I'm just glad there are so many outlets in the MTB community nowadays to get differing perspectives and tips. Just don't watch or follow if you're not into what someone/some presents, but there is no reason to be a hater, talk sh*t about something/someone just because you brown nose and ass kiss someone else like you're doing here lol. Much love from Cali! Have a chill day 😁
@@erod6468 I agree, tech info is the only good thing. Everything else is just marketing click bait.
Ehh pinkbike can be the exact same way. I remember on the recent budget trail bike test they claimed the Marin rift zone was overly damped, sluggish, and not great for climbing. Yet less than a year earlier, with the exact same rift zone the review was the opposite. Not damped enough, very poppy, but not great for descending. I'm convinced people enjoy the reviews based off how much it confirms their prior feelings.
Been running Mullet for the last 2 years, both on hardtail and full sus, both 26/27 and 27/29. The main reason I don't plan on going "regular" is because I love the way the bike turns. It's easier to lean. Also, the smaller rear wheel travels a shorter distance in a turn so it's further inside so it can help rotate the bike in a berm, and I love that, and I adapted my riding style around it. If you do 10 laps the fastest time will be on a full 29 set up, but the thing that matters most is the slab of meat in between the wheels, so the best best setting is the most fun, consistent and confidence inspiring setting for the rider.
I recently switched to the mullet setup about 2 weeks ago to try it out and I am really liking how it feels in the turns. Just like you said. I’m gonna stick with it for a while and see how it goes
I have been waiting for some nerdy Seb videos since he joined Pinkbike.
The MTB design guys seem to be living inside a bubble of their own making. Have they never noticed what works in the motorcycle industry? Here we have a discussion about a wheel size issue that was long ago decided in the dirt motorcycle world. Suspension designs and frame geometry are becoming closer and closer to the way dirt motorcycles have been for quite some time now. I recently saw Canyon making a big deal out of their "innovative new invention" that is nothing more than a steering dampener, which has been available on motorcycles for decades. As a long time dirt biker and MTBer, all I can say to the MTB designer guys is - wake up! Go attend a supercross or outdoor national and see what actually works in the dirt. All the research and development has already been done, and in many cases, you are just trying to re-invent what has already been done on motorcycles! Sure, there are some differences between bicycles and motorcycles, but other than weight and power, they are quite similar in form and function.
Seb does an amazing job with these tests! Love the back to back fork testing he's done as well.
Loved this review, Seb is great! Properly unbiased and transparent
Watch out TH-camrs - see there is room for HONEST and OBJECTIVE reviews. No need to sell your soul to push the latest hype. This is the best comparisons ive ever watched to help one choose A vs B. Solid methodology, strong points and rational conclusion all without the “gotta buy this latest and greatest” BS hype. Thank you - you guys totally rock!!!
Good to see Seb back on youtube. Always find your videos informative.
Truthfully I don't 'get' mullets. You get the floppy wagon wheel up front and hung up more in the back as mentioned in the vid. Having ridden 29ers for the last season I just went back to 27.5 F/R (Evil Insurgent V3) and am lovin it. I'm about good times, not lap times! ;)
Well, that’s ok! If you don’t like mullets, they’re not for the type of riding you do.
I've got a 27.5 GT fury with a 29" front end. If the forks are at full height the bike definitely flops into corners and feels unstable when sitting and riding on flat ground. However if you point it down some rediculously steep terrain it is awesome.
I've lowered the crown's on the forks about 10mm and it's more stable but not as stable as it could be. I definitely notice better steering when going through rock gardens at speed but that's probably the only real useful difference. I can't say I'd recommend buying new forks and front wheel to go mullet but I had a frame and had to get forks anyway. It was a fun and expensive experiment.
Good comment 👍
Interesting test Seb, and i am releaved to say also agrees completely with our testing. Given that your biggest difference in feel was 29er rear on roots and holes, and we are seeing a lot of shorter world cup dh riders going mullet mainly for clearance reasons (i suspect), how about a test of mullet at maximum travel and 29er with 30mm less rear travel (which would give the same clearance to rider at bottom out)? Could a 170mm 29er dh bike be faster than a 200mm mullet in really holed out rooty terrain?
SOMEONES ASKING THE REAL QUESTIONS!
Edit: funny thing is with that exact frame they used there and the numerous adjustments possible, you could probably do that without changing the kinematics too drastically.
‘Mull it over’ 🙄 don’t think we didn’t miss that you cheeky scamp!
Fantastic comparison, love the use of repeat runs and actual statistics.
I changed from a Bronson full 27.5 to a Altitude 29er and dont want to go back. I can still burp/roost corners like I did on my Bronson, overall I'm faster and hang up less on roots. Whips, 180s and stuff like this works like a charm. and im "only" 181cm/ between 5'11 and 6
I've built a few 26/27.5 mullet bikes and they were alot of fun, currently getting ready to build up my first 27.5/29 mullet
@Masta Vibez sold it before I ever got a chance to ride it
27.5 vs mullet vs 29er would have been really interesting. As you have a DH fork you could keep the geometry by dropping the forks through the triple clamps.
That geometron downduro spec looking siick!
Man I had that Ext Storia Shock in my former Nukeproof Mega.
I dearly miss this shocking, there is not a single one on the market that can compete with it, even the push elevensix falls behind by a big margin.
The Storia feels just right in every situation!
Climbing, jumping, rough descending you name it, the Storia gets it done!
Seb was my favourite BikeRadar presenter! Nice job here!
when you thought grim donut returned from the thumbnail 😭😭
Swaped fork and front wheel to a 29er on my 2015 650b stumpy two years ago. Felt and still feel great, rolls over everything. Due to the frame being made for the 29er set up I get similar angles by removing a spacer that is to be used with a 27 inch front wheel. Next bike will be a full 29er though.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the feedback from the new spectral mullet goes ,
I think the fact it comes with a coil and the 29ers come with a air shock has slowed down the early comparisons because that makes it feel slightly different anyway .
As you mentioned the 29er at the back just feels better, its were your weight and power are, the bigger wheel just rolls better
I'm pretty sure that almost no one is picking a mullet because they think it is faster than a full 29er in general, but because they think that it is going to be faster for them, since they are to short to really maneuver the 29er... So you as a tall rider are of course going to be faster on the 29er as it rolls better, while on the other hand I with my 170 cm height am most probably going to be faster on a mullet (faster than myself on a 29er that is).
excellent job pink bike. good substance! as always it is always 95% rider.
Since I changed to my Mullet Bike (Specialized Status 160 29/27.5), I can say that I am not going back to equal sized wheels :)
i have the same bike! i used to have a 29er, but this mullet setup feels way better.
Status is my first bike with a 29 wheel. I want to go straight 29er though even though I haven't tried it.
Still riding on 26s
Yes👀👍🏼
Thanks for letting us know
I always loved the 26" wheeled bikes for smoother terrain/bike parks. But in Southern California, and me being 6'3", no matter what size/geometry I rode I always felt awkward on the bike. Always felt like I was on stilts on top of the bike. I severely disliked 29" bikes and the way they rode before I tested a 2014 Specialized Enduro Expert 29. Went from 2x10 to 1x11 (was not enough range with the 32T up front) but I really enjoyed the fact that in 7 years I dropped a chain once with no guide and the bike is fast and stable compared to any 26" I rode prior.
When I was 12 and 5'6" the 26" wheels railed, but after that it was never the same...
I wonder if a shorter rider would notice more of a difference... Great stuff!
Ya
Of course (would I say).
Superb test format. Would love to see the same test replicated on a longer faster track with jumps etc
Ya me to
Ya, different tracks would have been great for sure.
I would have liked a steep and rough track with a lot of corners. This is where I see the mullet smokes both the simple 27.5 and 29er bikes.
I feel like you’re missing the point being clearance to a large degree.
For me at 178, 5’10”, and 82, 32” inseam, a difference is felt at 160 mm rear travel. And of course on steep and gnarly enough trails that put you directly over that rear wheel.
On trails where, either you don’t make use of all the travel, or your butt is not directly over the rear wheel, I feel a 29er is smoother. So, it has to be quite a steep trail with compressions for the mullet to shine. But that is also a very large part of why I mountain bike!
I went mullet with 26' frame. Put fork and wheel that are 27,5 and now it is definitely better. Probably this is an option to still use a 26 frame that you do not want to discard. Making it mullet is an good upgrade.
IMHO, it all depends on the sort of rides you go for. 29ers are for trails and all-mountain routes. Mullets are for enduro rides.
If you are going to ride long bike trips, or you are not into jumping or wearing a full face helmet or maybe you are already in your forties (I am), go for a 29er. It´s comfy, quick and stable. I am a road cyclist myself, and I prefer speed, climbing and covering distance out vs jumping or going downhill. That´s my choice. That´s why I bought a YT Decoy 29er. It´s more versatile. Great for trails and some rocky downhills on occasion. Like an SUV.
If you are into enduro riding and you dress up like a motorcyclist on your MTB because you have an aggressive riding syle, maybe in your twenties or thirties, go get a mullet. It´s more like an offroad car. Less efficient, but it will take anything.
The good news is there are different bikes for different riding styles. 29ers are for long routes and trails. Mullets are for cornering and jumping around. And let´s be honest: most of us are no professional riders, so we´ll hardly notice the difference anyway. :-)
Hey im 58 and stil jumping.......dont hate.....lol
I mulleted my 26" incher by putting a 27.5" wheel up front. Mostly because it's damn near impossible to find 26" forks these days that aren't DJ forks. As an added bonus, it made feel feel like I'm "with the times" now that mullets are trendy. :-P
Great. I am also thinking to get 27,5 on front how different is the ride compared to 26 on both ?
@@mumenraider Not much of a difference to be honest. The difference between 559 mm and 584 mm rims only amounts to 12.5 mm higher head tube. I think I noticed a bit more wheel flop. It might be worth underforking a bit if you decide to get a 27.5" fork and wheel.
wow you did properly! also a lot of g1 owners switch chainrings when changing set ups
Only one week with my new SB165 mullet set up…. (160 at the front) manage To Bring same bar height … 0.5 slacker… and honestly I didn’t think it would be so nice difference…. I’m really short so I was preferring smaller wheels…. But upfront the 29er I just help me getting really faster
Love Seb. The mythbuster.
29 - all the way✊🏻 - great review - THX
Thanks for explaining the hype in more depth. I've been curious about the "benefits."
I like the Mullet set up on my Santa Cruz Bullit. the 27.5 wheel in the rear allows for the chainstays to be shorter on an ebike. The bike handles and corners surprisingly well considering the wheelbase of the bike.
How the do you calculate average time of 49,9 for first track for mullet, when the slowest time of the four runs is only 49,9? See times in video description
@@Coco_rides_bikes no. Obviously they've changed the video description, as it was wrong before.
@@Tom-15 it didn't change.
This was a great resource to help me design my project. I'm building a mullet from a MONDRAKER Foxy RR SL 27.5 frame. Benefit is the Foxy allows users to change the head angel by a few degs. In effect I shouldnt change the geometry greatly, especially as I'll run the same 150mm fork as the original. Wish me luck!
I for one would like to see the blind test.
how? its very easy to tell if you are buzzing your ass on the tire all the way down
@@madeiradriftin4429 Blindfold or helmet on backwards, test on a Thursday, ready for FridayFails.
You start doing blind tests and you'll find that no one has any preference anymore lol. The difference between a 29 and 27.5 is tiny. Mostly comes down to people telling themselves one is better than the other.
@@dylan-5287 🤣🤣🤣
Seb Stott at it again 👍👍
I've been lucky enough to experiment with 3 different bikes in different settings: a full 29er, a full 27'5, a factory mullet, and a mulleted 27'er. Here are my conclusions: the factory mullet will always feel better than a mulleted bike, messing up the geometry isn't recommended, it does make the descending better but the climbing is horrible and also flatter terrain (even with geo-adjust headset added). The full 29er is overall slightly faster on bumpy terrain and corners just fine, the mullets to corner more aggressively but that could be a pro or a con, 29er feels more stable and mullets can cut more and make slightly tighter turns but requires a lot of skill. I'm a short rider [1.65m] and I ride rough european enduro trails. These trails tend to be very steep, rocky, rooty, narrow and filled with tight corners with the occasional straight line and average to small jumps. As a racer I would love the bennefits of the 29er, but being so short, that rear wheel gets in my rear way too often and it's sketchy, limiting my range of movement, for some trails it's ok but not for the race tracks, so I ride a factory mullet and I'm very happy with the compromise, it does get hung up sometimes but remember we used to ride 26inch bikes, so nothing that speed and skill can't fix, and that added leg room is very welcome, so I'm very happy with it. If I were a taller person, maybe a 29er would fit me better, but for now, I'm still fast and comfortable with a factory mullet setup:3
for linear movement, both wheels will moves at the same speed no matter what since it attach same bike, for angular velocity , 27.5 will spin faster since it has smaller radius , so i think it depend all how a person feel on their bike with these set up.
Well those results were pretty much exactly what I expected. I never expected the mullet to be faster that a 29er, although I must admit the mullet was a little faster than I expected (I'd anticipated it would fall somewhere in speed between a 27.5 and 29, not right with the 29).
I definitely agree that it's the best choice for smaller riders riding trying to avoid tyre buzz, and also agree that if you're on a size Large or bigger (like myself) full 29 is probably still the best choice.
That said, if for some inexplicable reason the bike industry decided to standardise wheel size setups (imagine that: the bike industry deciding on a single standard) the mullet would probably be the single best choice, as the extra clearance of a 27.5 rear wheel would be more important for smaller riders than the extra roll-over of a 29 would be for larger riders.
Mullets aren't only used by short riders. There are benefits and performance gains regardless of the person's height
I buzz my ass from time to time, and I need all the help I can get climbing. Didn't even consider mullet till I buzzed my ass a few times on jumps.
I’m mulling it over whether to get one for my next bike. Would love to test it. I think the primary appeal would be that it would be easier to flick around. Seems good for the consumer whose priority is fun over speed. I’m dying to ride one
rotational forces: while in the air the mullet is more stable at the front and easier to move around out back. Not that I have the skills to test it, but maths says so.
Great video, concise information and well thought out tests. Cheers!
Now test the actual mullet: business in the front, party in the back. 27.5" up front, 29" in the back.
What's the point of that? Why would someone want to have bigger wheel in the rear?
@@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess Because it's so stupid it just might work!
@@stratdax4028 Well it doesn't hurt to try new things, might be interesting indeed
Debate is over. Thank you!
A follow up on the ease of climbing would be good, if there is a significant difference it would make quite a difference to 'enduro' riders, as other than bum clearance it doesn't make much difference in downhill riding
Ya
Agreed, for shorter riders the clearance could be a benefit but for me at 6ft I’ll pass.
Here I am still running 26" front and rear
haha same, i just bought a 26er and so far it’s been great
you're not missing anything
Friendly reminder that Mullets are short in the front, long in the back
Idk why but geometron bikes are some of the coolest looking bikes
Ya
I have canyon neuron
I what it about it being more playfull? in bike parks, jumps those sort of places?
What I'm curious about is a 79er mullet setup, but the back is a 26x3.0 plus bike tire. 26x3.0 diameter comes out to less than 10mm difference of a normal width 27.5 setup. So could the higher profile (particularly with a suitably wide 40mm ID rim) of the 26x3.0 give you some other kind of benefit? Perhaps it'd be better to do something like that on a hardtail bike for extra impact and rider weight overhead.
Yeah, this edit just reinforces my belief that mullets are just not necessary for anything. And like you said, if you are short AF, you shouldn't be on a 29'er anyway. I should also say that I've still got PTSD from the old days when I was riding a Santa Cruz Super 8 with a 26 on front, 24 on back so I'm automatically biased against "mullets".
Revisiting as I consider my next bike. So basically, against the clock, it is a wash. Considering most people are not skilled enough experience whatever small speed difference there is or even truly feel the differene...mullet vs 29er doesn't matter. What does interest me about mullets are the insanely short chainstays that mullet bikes can have for a given wheelbase.
I think it’s not until you’ve ridden a mullet for a while and adapted to get lower, closer to the rear tire and what else the new setup makes possible that you can realized the benefits! If not given time, I guess you’ll just feel the less rollover.
Then again, after having adapted, I don’t know if dialing in riding between a 29er and a mullet is automatic, or if you have to take time to dial it in every time. 🤷♂️
Currently building a Mullet, starting with a 27.5 for the shorter rear stays, I don’t see a huge benefit of a Mullet with the rear contact patch in the same place as the 29er.
Also I have short legs (30” legs trousers) so I do get ass buzz occasionally despite being 172cm. Will be running the same as original travel front so the 29 will lift the front the same as a 20mm bigger fork which is a common mod on the bike anyway, plus my body length likes a slightly higher front end anyway.
Don't listing to BS marketting.The only reason why I want a 29er Front & 27.5 Rear is to learn how to wheelie. It's is better to go full 29er for balance and for even wheels performance.
If the times in the description are typed correctly, the mullet average was faster..
Finally someone who rides with their saddle forward and down like me. FYI I want an 80 degree seat-tube angle for steep climbs. Call me crazy if you want.
Great content and a great watch, excellent work... 👏🤙👌👍
Correct me if I’m wrong but the flip chips etc will fix some of the geo numbers but your still not running 27.5 chain stay lengths so it isn’t exactly a bike that is designed from a white sheet of paper to be a mullet. I’m 6ft and just tested full 29 again and I simply can’t figure it out but I feel tall and tippy and stay more forward on the bike which then ruins any confidence on steeper chunky stuff which is exactly where I want the 29 front wheel to prevent OTB. Is this a common sensation when going 27.5-29? I’ve been holding out for a mullet to see if it prevents this.
I would say its good for riders under 5ft10
Seb Scott used to wright for MBUK and now is with Pinkbike.
Curious why everyone compares mullets with 29ers and not 27.5s. My bike has 27.5 wheels (2021 Giant Talon 1) but I miss my old bike's 29 wheels/fork so i've been thinking about "mulleting" it. Is there any real difference from this and mulleting a 29er?
mullet is for short rider who wants to go fast (i.e bruni) and if your a tall rider 29er would be the best if you want fast (i.e. minnar)
Personally I think the “ghetto” mullet set up makes more sense, but only if you have a 29er with a higher bb, or drop the travel in the front by at least 10mm if your on 27.5. The mullet setup for your average person isn’t about faster, but about throwing the rear around more and having fun. Currently in the process of mullet if my raaw Jibb and I’m curious to see how it goes. I’m up traveling to 160 in the front so that would raise my bb height a tad also. When it’s all said and done the bb height should only be about 10mm lower than the stock height.
Data doesn’t lie. But… the bike being used is huge and long. Does the extreme geo of this bike book-end any benefits or cons of wheel size? It would be nice to see the same test with a more typical trail bike.
How about uphill ? Does the slack geometry keep the front wheel down or does it come up?
I'm a 27.5 front an rear at 6ft1 I just don't like the feel of 29er I've owned mullet and still didn't like the 29er front wheel
You should try 2 29er
I think Mullets have potential. They sort of feel like what 29ers were at first. Awkward, and without purpose built frames that highlight their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
If manufacturers (read engineers) get some more freedom to play around with frame geometry for these, I could see them coming into their own over the next few years with more consistent results.
Yt builds there bikes around a mullet setup for the Capra.
My curiosity with a mullet comes from I have a 29er with terrible geometry that is canted too far forward. So hoping that putting a 27.5 on the back will slack it enough to make it less sketchy on the downhill
This guy is new right? I remember really liking his reviews from his past company like the 10 fork mega test
Yep, been with PinkBike since February.
Couldn't find anything in the comments, but was wondering travel of the fork and the choice of a dual crown on that type of trail?
I have a 2021 Giant Reign and to me it feels like all my weight is over the front. Rather than buying a new bike, I’m going to Mullet it, in hope that I technically raise the stack height. Would you back this theory?
What about buying a mullet bike but then swapping the front wheel to 27.5 and adding 10mm travel to the front end resulting in the same hta as original. Is mullet better than straight 27?
At 5'11" I really enjoy the ride of my Trek Marlin with 27.5 on rear then the 29. I was also able to put s bigger tire on the rear.
But, I am an engineer! And I rode a mullet bike in 2002, 26/24 baby!
27.5 plus is a nice in-between size IMHO.
Best review ever
On my hardtail would 29 be a better climber? Or the mullet that car on the bike. The front feels loose. The bike came stock in small and medium as mullets and larger sizes came 29
When Trek used to make the 69er with 29” front 26” rear there was a horrible feeling that the rear wheel would hook up on obstacles that the front would roll right over. Similarly I once had a Specialized Big Hit with 26” front and 24” rear which was also very bad, but less so because it could run a huge rear tyre
Not sure if I am faster, but its fun tho. Pivot Firebird29 2020, FlipChip->High, Rear: Raceface Atlas 27,5 12x157 (DHR 2.4) Front: RaceFace Atlas 29 15x110, (Shorty 2.5 or DHF depends of situation) as Bikepark Setup Singlespeed (32-16), my Pre-DH bike:D I love it
after riding a 29er for years I switched to mullet.... why... I'm short and what you left out of your video is jumping, manualing, drops, etc. A mullet is much easier to use for this especially if you are shorter and the mullet has a lot less buck on a jump... but I switch back and forth between mullet and full 29er based on the trail and if its more bike park or more XC
What is your height and weight? I'm 5'9" at 140lbs and wondering if moving up to a 29er would take away too much maneuverability. People often forget that a person's weight is a huge factor as a heavier person who has more inertia will be affected less by a bike's weight.
If you could do a Pepsi challenge with wheels, and ride both bikes down a fast track with a blindfold on, apart from crashing, I really don't think you would ever tell the difference.
I need to get some blinkers like a horse so I can see the trail but not which bike I'm riding!
Great video! I wish you had visited some on when you do have to pedal the amount of torque in watts it takes to start and then move the bike to see if having a 27.5 is worth it on short switchback type rides where you lose lots of momentum and have to pedal back up to speed over and over. Otherwise great video!
I have a question i really need help with, is it possible to change my mullet turbo levo 2022 to a 29er and if so apart from a 29 on the back what else might i need to buy? Many thanks and awesome video as always!
Only the Kenevo has room for the 29 in back.
@@Dwyeb73 Thanks for the reply mate, yeah my bike tech informed me of this, sticking with the mullet. Have a great weekend mate.
Having a flipchip in the Bike i Tested it also
Over the Routes a little Bit rougher maybe, but the biggest difference i felt in jumping
Hold up, what about full 27.5!?!