27.5" vs 29" Mullet Wheel Setup... Which is Best?

Last year we made a video testing the basic 29 inch wheelset vs 27 wheelset where I concluded that for enduro and mtb racing, 29 is best and for fun 27 was the one to buy, but since then I've wanted to try the setup known as the mullet, with the smaller 27 inch wheel on the rear and 29 on the front. The theory being the grip on the front and the agility of the smaller wheel on the rear creating the best of both worlds. Let's find out! Enjoy my thoughts on the great mountain bike wheel debate!

[@Mattgillot]

I have a specialized status that comes stock as a mullet setup. Don’t think I will go back to a normal 27.5 setup. Mullets for life!

[@stingsbaseball1]

i have the same bike and am pretty sure its what ill ride for a looooong time to come. love the thing

[@chrisjames1952]

I’ve got same bike and love it

[@carterschichtel9678]

I have the status aswell. After riding my bike and a enduro 29 I would never go full 29. Pretty boring and you hit your sack every time you boost a jump.

[@mtbville]

Sick riding mate 🤩💪

[@grantchandler8294]

Awesome riding again Sam! I think the mullet definitely has a place not really any faster but different handling characteristics. Give it a try in the slack position and see how it goes

[@ashpunting]

Looking good Sam smooth 👌

[@stianjarnass]

Great comparison 👏👏. For me speed isn't an issue. Confidence is priority 🙏. That NS bike looks great 💪

[@melwalshmtb9121]

I have come from multiple 29ers to a mullet now and it suits me so much better. Again, it's all personal preference. My full 27.5 hardtail is great fun though

[@arsehair8105]

awesome upload!

[@SamReynolds26]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mead813]

Sick! I just picked up a NS Eccentric hardtail frame and I was going to mullet it out. Good stuff, thanks Sam!

[@BuckFPV]

Great video. Subbed

[@RichardSmith-ew6ds]

So nice! Do you know it too my stubborn butt 35 years to decide to move from 20” wheels to 24” wheels? I certainly noticed the difference. Increased confidence, speed, and jumping distance. I would have never considered 29” wheels, that’s for sure. But you got the kid in this 53 year old thinking, Sam.

[@SamReynolds26]

Give a mullet a go for sure!

[@michaelbland2038]

Your gifted class riding 👏👍

[@SamReynolds26]

Thanks ✌️

[@ericharris197]

Funny. Been running 2 different size tires on dirt bikes for over 70 years. Glad you finally figured it out.

[@SilverbackOrangutan71]

Marin San Quentin L2 27.5 is all I’ll ever need I’m a smaller frame body type the 29 or mullet I can’t move around as much- granted at 51 and no injuries 🎉

[@SamReynolds26]

Yeah different circumstances require different sizes!

[@user-jr9bf3ji1x]

COOL RACES..27.5 SUPER...!

[@couplefeettravelsPh]

Nice set-up…

[@theveganmamil9289]

I run 27.5 with a bigger tyre on the front 2.5 and 2.3 on the back solves and grip and under steer issues.

[@peeduwee]

Amen to that, I'm running a 2.6 up front and a 2.5 on rhe back on 27.5's

[@csedan510]

​@@peeduwee Are you riding a frame that was designed for MX wheels? I want a Santa Cruz 5010 frame to swap my Plus Size wheels/components on to and was wondering if a high volume front low volume rear would solve the problem.

[@nixxrazor6951]

Science !!!

[@stevenreyes3680]

I’m going to build a hardtail with a 27.5 front and a 26” rear. I’ll just use a shorter travel fork to preserve the geometry. I’m just 5’7 something and like a smaller bike. A smaller back tire is like a dart. You have the drag that helps keep you in a straight line going downhill fast. It’s stable, just not the fastest. And I’m still going plenty fast enough with the 26” X 24” the get scary. Then again it’s a 1000 watt diy ebike.

[@ports660]

What app did you use to measure the degree of the head angle?

[@robfodder5575]

Why didnt you consider the new 28.25" specification ?

[@neilelliston]

Did u change the fork or did 29er fit ok??

[@Marionetax]

In my opinion these trail can’t get the most from a mullet. When riding rock gardens, roots and broken trails you find out how better performs a mullet. Just my opinion 😅

[@SamReynolds26]

I agree, then the difference is even better!

[@turfnsurf]

I just tried a mullet Capra, and that big front wheel felt horrible to me, for bike park use. Really unresponsive. It spoilt what was a perfect bike, in it's full-650b guise.

[@elcamsterino4798]

29"-26" mullet. Ultimate party animal or festival burnout?

[@SilverbackOrangutan71]

That would be bananas

[@SamReynolds26]

Haha could be worth a try actually 😂

[@janeblogs324]

27.5 is barely 10mm larger radius than 26. I don't know why the MTB manufacturers resurrected such a dead size.

[@logang6583]

26 27.5 is where its at

[@khalliddo1385]

How bout doing Full 29er vs Mullet

[@GianDescends]

mullet would still be better tbh i ride a full 29er setup and yeah not really comfortable but it depends on you. now i run a mullet setup i feel very comfortable and FAST CONFIDENT

[@khalliddo1385]

@@GianDescends I've been riding mullet for 2 years upon posting this comment, last weekend I've ridden a full 29er on trail. My take is, I'm a lil more confident on them and they are fast i can let go of my brakes and not worry being ping pong around the rockies, I ride Hardtail btw.

[@dansharpie]

it has to be 26 27.5 mullet

[@SamReynolds26]

That’s a banger for sure!

[@akarkesh5506]

26"

[@SamReynolds26]

still always good

[@22Jeffers]

Now flip the chip for the slacker HA. 😁

[@METEORA_47]

nice bike by theway

[@andrewrivera4029]

Love the 70’s porn music!

[@scopex6257]

Lmao😂😂

[@ichimluca1]

First