Stumpjumper EVO MULLET: am I wrong?

These Stumpjumpers are ON SALE now, here's a link: jenson.sjv.io/SpecializedStum... (anything purchased from that link will directly help support my videos- thank you!)
Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to www.DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
HUGE thanks to Jenson USA for all their support! Here are a few links to the components mentioned. Start your shopping with any of these links, and not only will it support me, but it’ll help let Jenson USA know that you enjoy my videos: bit.ly/JensonUSA2022JKW
The second (and preferred wheelset) is an Industry Nine 315C carbon wheelset, using Hydra hubs: bit.ly/IndustryNineEnduro315c...
Similar, lower cost I9 wheel option that uses steel spokes: bit.ly/IndustryNineCarbonHydr...
I’m running a rear 27.5x2.4 Aggressor Double Down: bit.ly/MaxxisAggressorDDJKW
A front 29x2.5 Assegai Double Down: bit.ly/MaxxisAssegaiDDJKW
The initial (hardtail and e-MTB style) wheelset is an Industry Nine BC360 combo: bit.ly/IndustryNine355Wheelse...
WTB Vigilante Tough High Grip 29x2.5: bit.ly/WTBVigilante2023tireJKW
WTB Trailboss Tough Fast Rolling 27x2.6: bit.ly/WTBTrailBoss2023jkw
CushCore: bit.ly/CushCore2022jkw
I’m wearing a Fox Dropframe helmet, Fox Union shoes, Ranger pant, Ranger jersey, Ranger jacket, and Flexair pant: bit.ly/FoxMTBApparelJKW
Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page, so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through February 2023:
How to MANUAL: / how-to-manual-my-79363708
Wet weather riding tips: / wet-weather-tips-78055037
How to ride ROUGH corners: / how-to-ride-76582910
50 tips to be a better mountain biker: / 50-tips-to-be-75352100
How to land jumps: / how-to-land-74063598
How to ride steep trails: / how-to-ride-72705363
How to sprint without pedaling: / how-to-sprint-71580461
How to ride flat corners: / how-to-ride-flat-68552084
How to jump found gaps: / 67255256
How to stoppie turn: / 65842496
How to drop: / 64552391
How to LEAN in corners: / how-to-lean-in-63176556
How to Ride Light on the Bike: / how-to-ride-on-61941975
Riding technique differences between hardtails and full suspension: / 60435182
How to rut track: / 59366938
5 tips to make flat trails more fun: / 58058983
5 tips to improve bike control and balance: / 56839920
How to levitate out of corners: / 55607066
Three simple cornering tips: / 54371316
How (and when) to rock roll or drop: / 53126562
Which brake to use when: / which-brake-to-48108425
Different bikes, different riding techniques: / 46925782
How to ride FLAT PEDALS through the ROCKS: / how-to-ride-flat-45662347
How to ride wet roots and steep chutes: / 44507851
How to ride with style: / how-to-ride-with-43349450
How to jump for height vs distance: / 42202183
Common manual questions answered: / 41006264
How to land jumps: / 39928153
My 3 favorite skills drills: / if-i-could-only-38809964
How to manual: / how-to-manual-37684861
Cutty: / 36579859
Manual a berm: / 35496772
How to ride in Sedona: / 34436065
Switchbacks: / 3-ways-to-33345804
Nosewheelie: / 32742504
Bump jump: / 31881231
Trials basics for trail riders: / 31145344
Cornering: / 27981205
Flowing/pumping down the trail: / 27288868
Stoppie through turns: / 26296762
Technical climbing: / 25234847
Boost jumps: / 24161821
Bunnyhop: / 23396959
Utilizing the wheelie on the trail: / 23017910

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to

[@bradsorour4884]

I currently run this setup on my Stumpy Evo. The reason I switched to mullet was to stop buzzing my backside on the back wheel. After an OTB (and fractured elbow) because of my short legs + big wheel size, the mullet has been great. Can’t say I notice a real change to the bike’s performance other than I haven’t buzzed my backside since the switch.

[@MrChadLedford]

At 215lbs the lack of progressivity on the mullet link was awful. Cascade all the way. And the bike didn't have any advantages like you mentioned. I've always been a big fan of 27.5 so that's saying a lot.

[@nickjones5728]

You definitely need to try the Cascade link with the WRP mullet yoke should give you the progression your looking for.

[@mikeyp3694]

At 5'7" I ha been on a V2 Ripmo for about 2 full seasons. Last year I picked up a V4 Bronson designed specifically to be a mullet. After about 3 rides on the Bronson I sold the Ripmo happily. Why? First and foremost at my height...more freedom of movement for my rear end. No tire buzz, could get lower etc. The bike was easier to throw around and I was simply having more fun on trails I am very familiar with. Only real downside which is minor is a bit more ping ponging around of the back end in a really chunky section at speed. Minor inconvenience. Again....I'm a fairly short intermediate+ rider and the well engineered mullet just for whatever reason left me smiling more.

[@romand123]

I have the Stumpy Evo alloy and run it with the mullet link and have tried it as a 29er as well. At 5'8 I find it lets me drop into steep rollers with a bit more butt clearance which is nice. I also find it enters and exits the turns quicker. I'm wondering if your lack luster experience has something to do with the 170mm fork?

[@youngstadan4999]

Mullet for fun jumps messing about, 29 for smashing the miles. Your not used to it put in 100 hours on the mullet and youll be on it like sonic

[@santanalor9771]

Yup, the 27.5 rear wheel caused the crash 😂

[@JacobMathews-ki8gv]

Hey Jeff, I dig your videos. I see you coming at this from the point of a pro Mountain Biker, I come from the motocross world and the mullet set up just feels like home most of the time . I’m sure you get a bit more intuition out of the bike than I do, but there is something about a little less traction in the rear that seems more predictable to me. It seems that when setting up an MTB or a motorcycle or dirt bike, there is no wrong or right, just pic your flavor. (With in reason)

[@75burbguy]

The advantage of a mullet is being able to run a shorter chain stay. Just putting a 27.5 in place of a 29 is not going to make a big difference to any one but the marketing department.

[@DannyridesMTB55]

This is nothing new Jeff Brent Foes has been doing these for about 10 years and as he calls them The Mixer. I have been on his bikes for about 9 years and I just feel that they handle better on the steep stuff and I do not buzz my bum at all. The cool thing about Brent’s bikes is that he designs them to be a Mixer and you are not trying to convert your bike into something Otis not!!

[@jordanohealy1507]

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[@jameszastrow2850]

Great video as always Jeff! I did the mullet experiment on my EVO (using exact same wheel and tire just scaled down for science) and came to the same conclusions you did. I'm back on full 29 and I definitely prefer it that way. The slightly increased ease in cornering wasn't worth the loss of traction and rollover.

[@tinman8888]

As per another comment. The mullet set up with the cascade link and the WRP yoke makes a huge difference to just running the straight specialized mullet link. You get all the suspension benefits and no geo change

[@matthewrroda]

Really appreciate how you clarified what you meant after saying it made the bike more nimble. Always great to hear the specifics of what that term means to the individual

[@petersilie2432]

I went from full-29 to mullet on my FR-Enduro and my Trail-Hardtail as well. On the steep and technical forrest-trails I mostly ride, this setup made me feel so much more at home. On both bikes!

[@fredericbolduc6098]

Thanks for the review! The only thing left to test is the mullet set-up with the WRP yoke and WRP yoke + cascade link.

[@ocho8837]

Came from an outdated 27.5 to this stumpy evo and boy oh boy you have no idea how helpful you’ve been setting my bike up! I think it’s because I like the bike feeling as you predictable and nimble! Thanks for the content Kendal 🎉

[@tttass]

I had a Status 160 (mullet) and have also ridden a stumpy evo 29er. I currently have a Norco sight 29er. Definitely noticed the cornering better with the mullet, but the big wheels can still turn. But more than that, with the 29er I felt the increased rollover when climbing/descending, and the better braking which is ultimately what made me sell the status and get the 29er

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

I've mullet'd all my bikes at this point (except the gravel bike lol) I have a 29 inseam despite being 5'11 so the small wheel helps with butt buzz issues and for me it corners so much better. I have bought a Stumpy Evo LTD (pre-mullet'd from Spesh) can't wait to get some time on it. Been really enjoying the Stumpy series you have been doing!