Been riding mullet on what was originally a 27.5 hardtail and I love it. It did affect climbing, but its descending is nothing but miles of smiles. I find it a bit more confident on the steep stuff and makes it a bit more capable in tech. I did it as a test to see how I would like it and almost a year later I have no plans to go back to normal.
I owned a gen6 slash and just couldn’t get over how noisy the bike is. So much clanking and clunking from the rear end. Your video just solidified that it’s a trek thing
@@K1ngJame5-mtb yes, my friend Zach complains a bit about the noise of the high-pivot design. I think they make after market parts that will help 🤷🏼♂️
This was cool! I really liked hearing Zach's thoughts without knowing the times. It seems that most (if not all) World Cup DH's are on mixed setups these days so your times make sense. For me though, it's full 29 all day long as it is simply the fastest for my long pedally type desert rides.
29er makes sense on a hardtail. You need all the rollover help to get due to not having any rear suspension. Not only does it help the rear get over obstacles better on a full 29er, it also helps take the edge off all the tiny little rocks and imperfections on the trail that transfers straight over to the rider and causes fatigue.
Another quick comment spec that I think may have been missed. A 27.5 wheel puts the rear axle physically lower than a 29 wheel can. I know geo adjusts but it can only adjust BB height. My thoughts are the 27.5 places the rear pivot lower thus more higher pivot
It’s nice to have choices. I personally run mullet(mixed) straight 29 and straight 27.5 plus on my Esker Hayduke.(hardtail) I love having choices and messing around with different set ups with different tire options. If you’re not a “set it and forget it “ and like wrenching your bikes like I do. Buy and swap your wheel sizes. Btw, your channel is great, so funny, plus great information.
@@hardmtnbiker thanks for the feedback. I’m currently looking at the Privateer 141 Gen2 which has adjustable geo and will let me test way more options like this.
@@LawrenceMacMacster no interest in trying that but the straight 27.5 on my wide rims with 2.6 and 2.8” tires is great on loose corner trails and popping off features.
I must do too much riding and not enough RUclips I missed the part when you got a slash! 😮 Oh ok, thanks Zak 😂 With careful tire choice the final outer dimensions of both tires sizes can be very close... 🤣🤘
@@LawrenceMacMacster Yeah, BIG thanks to Zach for letting us test his Slash. Amazing bike. I specifically chose to run the same tires on both wheels to make sure tire size or type wasn’t effecting results.
The only thing that might skew the results on the faster side is that he had never ridden the bike as a 29er before the test. Comfortably can play a lot into speed. That said, ride whatever setup brings you the most joy!
@@JaredHoff you’re doing great. For the average rider a few seconds won’t really make a difference unless in a race. I say whichever setup you are having the most fun with is the setup you should use
Bought the same trek slash gen6 bike 2 month ago. I Keep riding mullet in stock config with some little upgrades. The best bike i ever ride. Flying down like satan. And funny thing why people feel the slow speed on it. Mullet is slower only when you go uphill. Same with me, was much faster uphill on slash 8 gen 5 and fuel ex 8. Good video 👍
@@cberg9480 Yes, I’m currently working on getting a Privateer 141 Gen2 that has adjustable geometry and will allow me to do a lot more tests like this.
So I actually have this bike now and it’s pretty rad. I have it both in a 27.5 and a 29 rear set up I’d like to see the same test after your buddy rides at 29 or for a couple months I feel that rolls faster as a 20 Niner. I feel that it hangs up less as a 20 Niner but I do feel that the overall long wheelbase of the gen 6 corners better with the 27.5
@@LevsRagasa 😂 thanks man. We saw 3 different kids at the bike park with Mullet haircuts and I almost thought about asking them to do the “mullet guy” parts… lol
@@thexshop In theory a smaller wheel should accelerate faster and maneuver better on tight technical switchbacks during climbs. However, 29” wheel provides better rolling efficiency over rough terrain, making it easier to maintain momentum on climbs. The increased contact patch can also offer better traction, which is crucial for climbing.
When you said tech, I was expecting at least some steeper step downs, rocks, roots to see how his ars hanging over the rear and how the bottom bracket (if at all) is closer to objects or not. Same with jumps? 'funner' was mentioned and 'moving around' on 27.5 but none was shown or discussed. Personally, I tried only 1 mullet bike (in bikepark Serfaus on red runs like Super Natural) and really, really disliked it on rough roots with step downs as clearance was noticeable smaller and touching stuff with BB is just scary when you are tipping forward a lot already. Did I see it right, the tech trail was marked Black?
@@SergejGrabun it’s difficult sometimes showing how steep and tech a trail is on GoPro, but I’ll do better next time. I had a lot of footage and this one took a really long time to edit. I should have included more riding clips. Gets difficult sometimes with a fulltime job, balancing husband/dad duties, and completing these videos on the side. But I’ll do better next time. I get what you’re saying 👍 Thanks for the feedback
@@323johnnybravo marzocchi is similar to a Fox Performance model fork. Although, Zach upgraded to a GRIP 2 damper, so it’s basically like a Fox 36 Performance Elite.
Been riding mullet on what was originally a 27.5 hardtail and I love it. It did affect climbing, but its descending is nothing but miles of smiles. I find it a bit more confident on the steep stuff and makes it a bit more capable in tech. I did it as a test to see how I would like it and almost a year later I have no plans to go back to normal.
@@PuffinPass nice 👍 I agree that it’s miles of smiles.
Glad to see you got some trek back in the vids! I just picked up a slash 9 and I’m loving the mullet !
@@ctrlplay7867 nice 👍
I owned a gen6 slash and just couldn’t get over how noisy the bike is. So much clanking and clunking from the rear end. Your video just solidified that it’s a trek thing
@@K1ngJame5-mtb yes, my friend Zach complains a bit about the noise of the high-pivot design. I think they make after market parts that will help 🤷🏼♂️
This was cool! I really liked hearing Zach's thoughts without knowing the times. It seems that most (if not all) World Cup DH's are on mixed setups these days so your times make sense. For me though, it's full 29 all day long as it is simply the fastest for my long pedally type desert rides.
@@ThunderStruckMTB thanks for the feedback man. I’m back to full 29” on my Polygon N9.
29er makes sense on a hardtail. You need all the rollover help to get due to not having any rear suspension. Not only does it help the rear get over obstacles better on a full 29er, it also helps take the edge off all the tiny little rocks and imperfections on the trail that transfers straight over to the rider and causes fatigue.
Another quick comment spec that I think may have been missed. A 27.5 wheel puts the rear axle physically lower than a 29 wheel can. I know geo adjusts but it can only adjust BB height. My thoughts are the 27.5 places the rear pivot lower thus more higher pivot
It’s nice to have choices. I personally run mullet(mixed) straight 29 and straight 27.5 plus on my Esker Hayduke.(hardtail) I love having choices and messing around with different set ups with different tire options. If you’re not a “set it and forget it “ and like wrenching your bikes like I do. Buy and swap your wheel sizes. Btw, your channel is great, so funny, plus great information.
Eh I even tried the inverted mullet. It turns in very well in tight spots; annnd that's about the only advantage 😂
@@hardmtnbiker thanks for the feedback. I’m currently looking at the Privateer 141 Gen2 which has adjustable geo and will let me test way more options like this.
@@LawrenceMacMacster no interest in trying that but the straight 27.5 on my wide rims with 2.6 and 2.8” tires is great on loose corner trails and popping off features.
A snake bite at Mt Bachelor? No surprise there😅
@@N8SecondRide for sure 👍 always have to increase my PSI when I ride there
I must do too much riding and not enough RUclips I missed the part when you got a slash! 😮
Oh ok, thanks Zak 😂
With careful tire choice the final outer dimensions of both tires sizes can be very close...
🤣🤘
@@LawrenceMacMacster Yeah, BIG thanks to Zach for letting us test his Slash. Amazing bike.
I specifically chose to run the same tires on both wheels to make sure tire size or type wasn’t effecting results.
The only thing that might skew the results on the faster side is that he had never ridden the bike as a 29er before the test. Comfortably can play a lot into speed. That said, ride whatever setup brings you the most joy!
@@tracymcmanus550 for sure. I’ll work on making tests like this even better and more precise in future videos.
@@JaredHoff you’re doing great. For the average rider a few seconds won’t really make a difference unless in a race. I say whichever setup you are having the most fun with is the setup you should use
@@tracymcmanus550 for sure 👍
Bought the same trek slash gen6 bike 2 month ago. I Keep riding mullet in stock config with some little upgrades. The best bike i ever ride. Flying down like satan. And funny thing why people feel the slow speed on it. Mullet is slower only when you go uphill. Same with me, was much faster uphill on slash 8 gen 5 and fuel ex 8. Good video 👍
@@GRUNKboi thanks man 👍
Your non follically challenged twin has been making many appearances lately.
@@jf8534 😂 yes, he has.
Can go do a mullet v 29 climbing challenge? I have a Bronson and I wonder if I would have been better off with a fully 29
@@cberg9480 Yes, I’m currently working on getting a Privateer 141 Gen2 that has adjustable geometry and will allow me to do a lot more tests like this.
@@JaredHoff love it
So I actually have this bike now and it’s pretty rad. I have it both in a 27.5 and a 29 rear set up
I’d like to see the same test after your buddy rides at 29 or for a couple months I feel that rolls faster as a 20 Niner. I feel that it hangs up less as a 20 Niner but I do feel that the overall long wheelbase of the gen 6 corners better with the 27.5
@@themiddleagemasher8108 thanks for that info. Zach is planning on buying a set of 29” wheels and maybe we can do a follow up video.
Still on full 27.5 , can’t be bothered to change as I like it
@@littledevilchris666 nice 👍
I ride 27.5 in the front and 26 in the back and it's great
@@ego1945 nice 👍
Just dump the wig hair bro, the Genius Lex Luthor look is awesome 😅 keep up the great videos and keep shredding 💪
@@LevsRagasa 😂 thanks man. We saw 3 different kids at the bike park with Mullet haircuts and I almost thought about asking them to do the “mullet guy” parts… lol
Do you think it's easier to pedal uphill on 27.5 than a 29er with the same drive train setup?
@@thexshop In theory a smaller wheel should accelerate faster and maneuver better on tight technical switchbacks during climbs. However, 29” wheel provides better rolling efficiency over rough terrain, making it easier to maintain momentum on climbs. The increased contact patch can also offer better traction, which is crucial for climbing.
When you said tech, I was expecting at least some steeper step downs, rocks, roots to see how his ars hanging over the rear and how the bottom bracket (if at all) is closer to objects or not. Same with jumps? 'funner' was mentioned and 'moving around' on 27.5 but none was shown or discussed.
Personally, I tried only 1 mullet bike (in bikepark Serfaus on red runs like Super Natural) and really, really disliked it on rough roots with step downs as clearance was noticeable smaller and touching stuff with BB is just scary when you are tipping forward a lot already.
Did I see it right, the tech trail was marked Black?
@@SergejGrabun it’s difficult sometimes showing how steep and tech a trail is on GoPro, but I’ll do better next time. I had a lot of footage and this one took a really long time to edit. I should have included more riding clips.
Gets difficult sometimes with a fulltime job, balancing husband/dad duties, and completing these videos on the side. But I’ll do better next time. I get what you’re saying 👍 Thanks for the feedback
Hey how do you like that Marzocchi fork ? Iv only ever run lyrik and pike but I am looking for a budget option right now
@@323johnnybravo marzocchi is similar to a Fox Performance model fork. Although, Zach upgraded to a GRIP 2 damper, so it’s basically like a Fox 36 Performance Elite.
Can't rotate tires front to rear with mixed wheel
@@kenetics1344 that’s true! A definite CON to mullet setups
You with a mullet and no eyebrows is very unsettling 🫤🤣
@@owenmore5675 wait, I have no eyebrows 🤦🏼♂️ 😂 UGH. I’ll have to work on camera lighting so I don’t look hairless 😬
@@JaredHoff 🤣