Who Makes Mullet Bikes? | Brands And Models By Category

Mullet bikes pair a 29-inch front wheel with a 27.5-inch rear. The combo adds rollover and front-end grip up front while keeping a lively rear end for quick direction changes and extra clearance. Riders who want speed on rough tracks and snappier cornering reach for this layout, and makers now offer mixed-wheel builds from trail to full-gas downhill.

Who Makes Mullet Bikes? Major Names Today

The short list starts with the companies that ship mixed-wheel builds from the factory or design frames that convert cleanly. You’ll see the pattern: bigger front wheels for control, smaller rears for agility. Below, the first table gives you a brand-by-brand snapshot with a sample bike to start your search.

Mullet Bike Makers At A Glance

Brand	Category Focus	Sample Mullet Model
Santa Cruz	Trail/Enduro/e-MTB	Bronson MX
Trek	Downhill/Enduro	Session (mullet-ready)
Giant	Enduro	Reign (flip-chip for MX)
Canyon	Trail/Enduro	Spectral (MX options)
YT Industries	Enduro	Capra MX
Nukeproof	Enduro	Giga 297
Norco	Enduro	Range (MX builds)
Specialized	Trail/Enduro	Stumpjumper EVO (MX-capable)
Pivot	Enduro	Firebird (MX setups)
Commencal	Enduro/Downhill	Meta SX/Major DH MX
Orbea	Enduro	Rallon (MX-friendly)
Transition	Trail/Enduro	Patrol MX

You’ll also find mixed-wheel e-MTBs from several of the same players. The layout suits bikes with extra weight from the motor and battery, since the 29-inch front helps hold a line while the smaller rear tucks in on tight turns and steep switchbacks.

What A Mullet Bike Is And Why Riders Pick One

A mixed-wheel bike is simple: 29 up front, 27.5 out back. The front tire’s larger contact patch and rollover benefits keep the bars calm through chunder. The smaller back wheel shortens the rear center feel and gives more room to move behind the saddle. If you ride steep trails, hit bike-park laps, or want a bike that manuals and corners with less effort, the mixed setup answers that brief.

Handling Traits You Can Expect

• Front-end calm: the 29 front traps more grip and smooths square edges.
• Rear-end pop: the 27.5 rear spins up fast and dances through tight trees.
• Steep comfort: extra saddle-to-tire clearance when the dropper is slammed.
• Line choice: stability at speed with easier mid-corner adjustments.

Who Makes Mullet Bikes For Different Riding Styles

Trail And All-Mountain

For daily trail rides with punchy climbs and rough descents, look at bikes like the Santa Cruz Bronson MX and Canyon Spectral mullet builds. Both land in the sweet spot around 140–160 mm of rear travel with forks to match, giving enough bottom-out support for big days without dulling the ride on mellow singletrack.

Enduro And Big-Mountain

If you’re racing or hammering lift-served tracks, reach for the Giant Reign with its flip-chip that supports a 27.5 rear wheel on a 29 front, or a Capra MX from YT. These frames are purpose-built for speed and stability; the mixed layout turns them into corner-happy missiles when the course gets tight.

Downhill

Modern DH frames like the Trek Session encourage mixed builds right out of the box. Brands ship frames with clearance, axle position options, and head-angle ranges that hold geometry when you swap in the smaller rear wheel. The result is high-speed tracking with extra agility for jumps and catch-berms.

e-MTB

Heavier bikes benefit from the same formula. You’ll see mixed wheels on long-travel e-MTBs where extra control up front keeps the bike composed while the rear wheel perks up the ride and helps clear back-end buzz on steep roll-ins.

Factory Mullet Builds Versus Conversions

You have two routes. One: buy a bike that ships mixed from the maker. Two: convert an approved 29er frame by fitting a 27.5 rear and adjusting hardware. Frames with flip-chips, adjustable dropouts, or specific “MX” links make the second option smooth. Many current enduro platforms were designed with this in mind.

Factory Builds

Factory MX bikes arrive with the correct rear triangle length, shock stroke, and chainstay protection. Cable routing and tire clearance are already sorted, and the brand has validated the kinematics. If you want set-and-forget, this is your path.

Smart Conversions

A good conversion keeps bottom bracket height, head angle, and anti-squat in the right window. The common recipe: swap the rear wheel, match tire diameters to maintain ride height, and use the frame’s geo chips or a dedicated link to land the numbers. Riders often upsize rear rubber a touch or pick a higher-volume casing to hold the stance.

Model Notes From Leading Brands

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz lists several MX builds, with the Bronson as the best-known option. It pairs 150 mm of rear travel with a 160 mm fork, and was conceived as a mixed-wheel bike rather than a late conversion.

Trek

Trek’s Session frame highlights size-specific chainstays and an invitation to “run it mullet.” That language is clear: the design expects riders to try the mixed setup on certain tracks and keep full 29s for others.

Giant

The latest Reign uses a flip-chip that lets you choose a 27.5 rear with a 29 front. The feature gives riders more rear-tire clearance and a snappier rear triangle without losing enduro stability when they want full 29s.

Canyon

The Spectral lineup offers mixed-wheel options across frame materials, with a flip-chip to keep the geometry on point. That flexibility makes it a safe bet if you switch between bike-park days and long pedal missions.

Other Players

YT’s Capra MX and Nukeproof’s Giga 297 are popular choices in this space. Norco’s long-travel platforms also appear in mixed builds, and several boutique makers sell MX-ready frames or kits aimed at experienced riders.

Picking The Right Mullet Bike

Start With Terrain

Bike-park laps and enduro stages point to 150–170 mm of rear travel. If your local ride is a mix of punchy climbs and rocky descents, something closer to 140–160 mm stays lively while holding speed when trails get rough.

Fit And Standover

The mixed layout already helps with back-end clearance, which is welcome for shorter riders or anyone who rides steep slabs. Size by reach, not just seat tube. Many modern frames keep seat tubes short so you can pick reach based on handling, then run a long-drop post.

Wheels, Tires, And Inserts

Most riders pick a slightly beefier rear tire and leave the front a bit faster. The rear does more drifts and takes more square hits. Consider inserts if your trails are rocky. The small wheel can ping a rim under hard compressions; an insert adds a small safety net.

Suspension Setup

Expect a touch more rear-weight transfer with the smaller back wheel. Add a click of rebound damping at the rear if the bike kicks on exits, and watch sag to keep the bottom bracket from drifting too low on long, rough runs. A token change up front can steady the bars if you’re pushing into bigger holes.

Warranty And Safety Notes

Only run mixed wheels on frames that allow it. Check the maker’s page for wheel size guidance, flip-chip positions, and maximum tire size. Use the correct rotor size, axle standards, and derailleur capacity. A clean build keeps the bike handling as intended and protects your warranty.

Conversion-Friendly Frames And Quick Notes

Frame	Mullet Ready?	Notes
Trek Session	Yes	Ships 29; frame accepts 27.5 rear with guidance on setup.
Giant Reign	Yes	Flip-chip supports MX; adds rear-tire clearance on steep trails.
Canyon Spectral	Yes	CF via flip-chip; AL offered in both 29 and MX trims.
Santa Cruz Bronson	Factory MX	Purpose-built mixed wheels with 150 mm rear travel.
YT Capra	Factory MX	Enduro platform with long reach and slack head angle.
Nukeproof Giga 297	Factory MX	Long-travel rig aimed at big mountain lines.
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO	MX-capable	Geo adjust and links support mixed wheels on select builds.
Norco Range	MX builds	Enduro frame with geometry tuned for high speed and steep tracks.

Real-World Pros And Trade-Offs

Where Mixed Wheels Shine

Steep chutes, chunky fall-line trails, and jump lines with fast setups. Riders feel calmer hands at speed and easier flicks through quick corners. A smaller rear wheel can also help riders who struggle with tire-to-saddle buzz when the post is fully dropped.

Where Full 29 Still Wins

Long rolling climbs and smoother tracks where every watt counts. The extra rear diameter holds speed and rolls a bit better over small chatter. If your rides are mostly mellow and you pedal for hours, test a full 29 back-to-back to see what clicks.

Who Makes Mullet Bikes For Smaller Riders

Several brands ship MX builds starting at size small. Shorter riders often appreciate the rear clearance and the way a smaller back wheel tucks into tight corners. Check reach numbers and standover; modern frames let many riders size up for stability while keeping post insertion deep.

Shopping Steps That Save Time

1. Pick your travel window. Match it to your trails and the speed you ride.
2. Check maker guidance. Confirm mixed-wheel approval and tire clearance.
3. Plan the wheels. Choose rear rim width and tire volume that hold stance.
4. Dial suspension. Set sag, rebound, and volume so the bike stays composed.
5. Test on your terrain. One lap on home trails tells you more than spec sheets.

Helpful Official Pages

If you want the maker’s own wording on mixed wheels, two clear references stand out. Trek’s Session page tells riders to “run it mullet,” and Giant’s Reign page explains the flip-chip that enables a 27.5 rear on a 29 front. Linking straight to those pages gives you the exact guidance from each brand.

Bottom Line For Buyers

If your rides mix steep descents, rough rock gardens, and tight turns, a mixed-wheel setup adds control without dulling the ride. The simplest route is a factory MX build from a brand you trust. Conversions work when the frame was designed for it, the wheel and tire sizes keep the stance right, and you follow the maker’s setup notes. The question “who makes mullet bikes?” has a wide answer now, and the best pick lines up with your terrain, speed, and fit preferences.

That said, start with a demo if you can. Two identical loops on a full-29 and a mullet tell you everything you need to know. If the mixed bike feels calmer at speed and livelier in the pocket, you’ve found your match.

See brand guidance:
Trek Session mullet setup,
Giant Reign mixed-wheel option.