I’m gonna have to mullet out my hardtail soon. I put 29er wheels on it last fall and the biggest difference I noticed was rolling speed and momentum. The geo is identical to having 650 at each end other than a different bb height and a bit more trail with the bigger wheels. It’s a Chameleon and I already had the chainstays extended as far as they go. I know I know long rear centre is pretty much unrideable but I make do. And because I’m over forked the seat tube angle is also really awful so I just walk up any slope because I read that I need the saddle in front of my dangles.
There will always be a marketing aspect to what is being sold. It can be hard to discern the bs from reality at times. Or benefits are way overstated. Plus when the reasons for somethings being allegedly better just seem dumb. Niner were telling us the big wheels had a larger contact patch. That’s why big wheels climb better they said. Really? Failed high school physics did we. Could it be that the rear centre is just longer and that’s the primary reason.
As someone pointed out earlier, we don’t all want or need the same things. Like 800 mm bars. Or skinny grips. Or compliant this or that that comes in one flex. Like suspension comes with one spring rate.
I recall when 650 became a thing, the shop guys I trusted said it was really the new 26. Not really much difference between the two except if you wanted a new rim or tire today. Sure you can order something on line or from the shop or keep spares in stock at home but few people like to do that. 650 was often sold then as being the best of both 26 and 29. Right in between eh. Except it wasn’t.
Mullets are being presented now as being better for various reasons. More butt room on bigger drops and landings. OK I’ll buy that. Makes sense. It’s turny-er because it’s smaller. ??? If all you do is put a smaller wheel on, how exactly does that affect turn radius? I’m not saying a mullet isn’t different or better, but it just hasn’t been explained very well or at all by manufacturers.
July 6, 2022, 8:08 a.m. - Andy Eunson
I’m gonna have to mullet out my hardtail soon. I put 29er wheels on it last fall and the biggest difference I noticed was rolling speed and momentum. The geo is identical to having 650 at each end other than a different bb height and a bit more trail with the bigger wheels. It’s a Chameleon and I already had the chainstays extended as far as they go. I know I know long rear centre is pretty much unrideable but I make do. And because I’m over forked the seat tube angle is also really awful so I just walk up any slope because I read that I need the saddle in front of my dangles. There will always be a marketing aspect to what is being sold. It can be hard to discern the bs from reality at times. Or benefits are way overstated. Plus when the reasons for somethings being allegedly better just seem dumb. Niner were telling us the big wheels had a larger contact patch. That’s why big wheels climb better they said. Really? Failed high school physics did we. Could it be that the rear centre is just longer and that’s the primary reason. As someone pointed out earlier, we don’t all want or need the same things. Like 800 mm bars. Or skinny grips. Or compliant this or that that comes in one flex. Like suspension comes with one spring rate. I recall when 650 became a thing, the shop guys I trusted said it was really the new 26. Not really much difference between the two except if you wanted a new rim or tire today. Sure you can order something on line or from the shop or keep spares in stock at home but few people like to do that. 650 was often sold then as being the best of both 26 and 29. Right in between eh. Except it wasn’t. Mullets are being presented now as being better for various reasons. More butt room on bigger drops and landings. OK I’ll buy that. Makes sense. It’s turny-er because it’s smaller. ??? If all you do is put a smaller wheel on, how exactly does that affect turn radius? I’m not saying a mullet isn’t different or better, but it just hasn’t been explained very well or at all by manufacturers.