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So am looking to build up another hardtail. I have almost started building up a Cotic Bfe 27.5 XL frame as a mullet. Then I stopped (as it it isn’t the right way to go, I don’t want to mess up a new frame if I am going to pass it on).
My other hardtail (Pace 627) is awesome, but have gone all out and turned that into a bike packing niche machine. I will probably add some political stickers to it soon, to go with my sandals. My other bike is a big enduro cheat bike, in 29.
I’d like to go mullet, rather than just 27.5 - I am tall and like to ride some of the steep stuff locally, as well as occasional trips away with the HT. I have mullet parts available (used fork, brakes, wheels) so question:
1. Do I just build up my Bfe 27.5 frame? It is new and their latest 27.5 geo. Others have said it works fine as a mullet. Or…
2. Do I change that and get something that is designed as a mullet from the start? I have seen New (current) Cotic Bfe, Pipedream Moxie, new pace 629 etc.
I guess if I go option 2 the geo will be better for what I want.
It all comes down to geometry with hardtails. If you mullet a 27.5 you need to drop the travel by 40mm to keep the BB height and angles the same. If you mullet a 29 you’ll slacken it out by about a degree and drop the BB by about 1/2”. If you mullet the 27.5 and drop the travel by 20mm you’ll slacken it out by about a degree and raise the BB by about 1/3”.
Lots of options, best figured with a spreadsheet if you know what you’re after! That’s how I worked out I wanted a 160mm 29” Moxie and it’s great.
https://www.orangebikes.com/shop/factory/new/2024_switch_hardtail_silver_treasure
Discounted Orange Switch if you are a L or M?
If I scratch my itch for a ti bike any time soon, it will be one of these with a bling build spec. Available in mullet
Defo mullet a 29er. Put short cranks on (165 or 160 even). Make sure the frame has a very steep seat angle (76°+) and a smidge more reach than your usual (reach gets reduced a few mm when mulleting a 29er).
Not quite the same, but I mulleted a 27.5 Soul. It works well, but not without compromises - but ones I can live with. Used a 120mm 29er fork as that's what I had available spare, and it's roughly the right a/c of the max 140mm 27.5 fork. BB is a touch too high but OK, seat tube too slack as it was always too slack. Front nice and high to get behind. Feels great going down, fine going along. Newer Geo on the BeFe probably make it better for it, but not without minor compromise...
I feel like the best mullet hardtail will be the frame designed to be a mullet from the start. A Ti Chilli Dog MX looks perfect to me.
Ut oh. I am going down a dark road of looking at that Chilli Dog. It looks so good…
“Defo mullet a 29er.”
So I haven’t tried a mullet hardtail but having gone 26 to 27.5 to 29 one of the biggest things I’ve noticed as the wheels get bigger is that the bike carries speed so much better, especially as it gets rougher. On smooth trails the bigger rear wheels are less of a benefit as they don’t pump quite as well, and if it’s really steep then although you gain smoothness it’s not so obvious because there’s less weight on the rear.