- Welcome back to "The Matchup",
the series where we take two similar looking bikes
to the untrained eye, but in fact, if we go deeper,
we can tell the differences between the two
and help you when purchasing your next bike.
- Exactly, and today we have two Canyon spectral.
One, the full blow and 29er, and the other the Mullet ,
or the Mullet, if you will, Jason.
(vibrant music)
- Now I do have to say that this is not a review.
We actually have one of those and I'll link it down
in the description below.
Today, it's more of an overview.
- Exactly. And these bikes might not be the exact
bikes that you're looking at, but what we'll cover
off applies to many 29er vs Mullet comparisons.
- So we have two Canyon spectrals,
now canyon places both of these bikes firmly
in their trail category.
And they have very similar angles,
but slightly different intended purposes.
- When it comes to the Mullet, Canyon
say the intended purpose is business in the front,
party in the back.
So with similar kinematics, travel and angles
to the other 29 inch and 27 and a half inch spectrals
in the range, they're quite similar.
Canyon goes on to say that the Mullet
boosts agility when compared to the 29er range
because of the shorter change days
and the smaller real wheel.
Now they also, this is balance with increased confidence
because of that bigger 29er wheel up front.
So what that means to me is that the big 29er wheel
up front allows a little bit more traction has
that higher rotational mass
and will roll faster while at the back.
You're kind of able to wag the tail a little better.
So suit someone who wants to play around and is happy
sacrifice the all
out speed that you'll get from the 29er.
- Now, moving over to the 29er canyon says this bike tops
the charts for grip and stability
as well as all out speed and efficiency.
So to me, sounds like Canyon's gearing this bike
for someone who wants to go really fast
and keep things relatively straight on the trail.
- So now we've covered off
Canyon's intended use of these two bikes.
Let's start simple.
What's the same about them, Jason?
- Well, Tom, they both have a full carbon frame
that can fit a 600 milliliter water bottle
along with 160 millimeter forks and 150 millimeters
of travel in the back, as well as a smattering of parts
you'd expect on a modern day trail bike.
- Yet we're talking shaman one by 12 drive chain
shaman's XT four pot breaks
as well as canyons own adjustable travel, drop a post.
And you know
they've both got the Maxus bur rubber on there as well.
- And one more thing
they also both use a four bar suspension layout.
So we've chatted similarities, let's chat differences.
And the elephant in the room here.
Obviously your bike has a mixed wheel size.
My bike has the same wheels, Tom
how have they gone and done it?
- Yeah, it's pretty cool.
Jay. So can have taken the front triangle
from the 29 spectral paired that with the 27
and a half inch rear triangle from the 27
a half spectral and mole, but all seriousness.
That's what that means is
that they've got a bike platform that allows for a variety
of uses and riders across the whole spectral range.
- Totally. And one of those uses out on trail, you know
with the mullet, see dropping the bottom bracket
which provides the rider a lower center
of gravity while they're riding.
- Now, the other obvious difference is the coil
versus air shock and canyons say they spec they're won
and only mullet spectrum with a slightly shred spec
at tips of scales on the 29 are the mullet coming in
at 33.42 while the 29 is 31.5.
- Now, while we're talking numbers, let's go deep
on geometry and see what numbers give these bikes
the planted and poppy adjectives.
So often used to describe 29 ERs and mullets.
Now for argument's sake
let's pretend both these bikes are largest.
The mullet, no surprise.
There has a shorter rear end of 432 millimeters compared
to the 20 Niner at 437 millimeters.
Now that difference should in theory
make the bike a little easier to toss around in the corners
get sideways in the air
while the 20 Niner should track better
in a straight line at high speeds also to on
and I know the people out there want it.
The mullet should be easier to manual.
- Oh yeah.
Now I've only briefly mentioned the angles of these bikes.
Jason, they're the same for head tube
and seat tube on both of these bikes.
So 64 degrees on the front
for the head tube and 76 on the seat tube.
Now these are both adjustable
by a flip chip by half a degree.
And that flip chip will also do drop
or raise the bottom bracket by eight mil.
The moving on models, the mullet is simple.
There's just one, the canyon collective edition coming in
at 4 8, 9, 9 us.
- Well, on the other hand, Tom
the 29 has a variety of options starting at $28.99
for the aluminum version, and going all the way up to
7500 dollars US for the baller canyon 29 CFR,
which is actually 300 grams lighter thanks to a
different carbon layout. So, plenty of options to
meet any budget or riding style.
If you're the type of rider who loves to manual,
get sideways in the air, and throw a few jivs in the
car park, then canyon says they've designed the mullet
for you. However, if you value all out speed, traction,
and maybe you're even racing a couple races a year, then
canyon has designed the 29er with you in mind.
- Beauty, thanks for that Jace and thank you for watching
along at home. Let us know in the comments if you're
more of a straight up guts 29er rider, or whether you
prefer a glass of warm mullet. So make sure you're
subscribed for more videos coming out soon.
Cheers again for watching.