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Mullet Compatible Full-Suspension Framesets — Top 5 Options in Canada for 2025 | Expert Guide to Traction-First Geometry

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Mullet compatible full-suspension framesets are purpose-built bicycle platforms designed to accept mixed wheel setups (typically 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear). These frames combine tailored geometry, increased rear clearance, and modern axle standards to optimize traction, rollover ability, and agility on varied terrain. In Canada’s diverse riding environments — from the steep, technical descents of British Columbia to rock- and root-strewn Quebec trails and the fast, loamy singletrack of Ontario — mullet frames appeal to riders who want the high-speed stability and obstacle-smoothing benefits of a larger front wheel without sacrificing the playful, flickable rear-end character of a smaller wheel. Consumers choose mullet-capable frames for improved confidence on steep sections, more predictable front-end bite in wet or loose conditions, and the ability to fine-tune handling by changing wheel size, tire choice, and geometry settings (flip-chips, headset cups, and shock tunes). The following top five options reflect current Canadian availability, dealer support, and real-world suitability for 2025 riding conditions.

Quick Menu

1. Best All-Round Mullet Frame

2. Best Balanced Mullet Frame

3. Best High-Performance Mullet Frame

4. Best Trail-to-Enduro Mullet Frame

5. Best Value Boutique Mullet Frame

1
BEST ALL-ROUND MULLET FRAME

Norco Range C Frame

Norco
🏠 Local Product

The Norco Range C frame is a proven market leader for mullet-compatible full-suspension framesets thanks to its refined long-travel geometry and user-friendly adjustability that make it race-ready out of the box. Compared with boutique carbon offerings in this list it tends to deliver similar durability and suspension performance at a more accessible price, giving riders a strong technical platform without the premium boutique markup. Its wide dealer network and parts support in North America also make it a financially sensible choice for riders who value service and resale over niche exclusivity.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Burly descents

  • Plush traction

  • Burly descents

  • Plush traction

Review Summary

87%

"Riders praise the Norco Range C frame for its descending confidence, adjustable geometry and bombproof build, making it a go-to for aggressive enduro use. Some long-term users note it feels heavier than carbon alternatives and can need occasional hardware retorques after heavy use."

  • Rock-grin attitude

  • Carbon frameset with aggressive long-travel geometry tailored for mixed 29" front / 27.5" rear (mullet) setups

  • Rock-grin attitude

  • Carbon frameset with aggressive long-travel geometry tailored for mixed 29" front / 27.5" rear (mullet) setups

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

The Norco Range C frame is a proven market leader for mullet-compatible full-suspension framesets thanks to its refined long-travel geometry and user-friendly adjustability that make it race-ready out of the box. Compared with boutique carbon offerings in this list it tends to deliver similar durability and suspension performance at a more accessible price, giving riders a strong technical platform without the premium boutique markup. Its wide dealer network and parts support in North America also make it a financially sensible choice for riders who value service and resale over niche exclusivity.

  • Burly descents

  • Plush traction

  • Rock-grin attitude

  • Carbon frameset with aggressive long-travel geometry tailored for mixed 29" front / 27.5" rear (mullet) setups

  • Designed for enduro-level impact with modern reach, slack head angle and metric rear shock compatibility

  • Burly descents

  • Plush traction

  • Rock-grin attitude

  • Carbon frameset with aggressive long-travel geometry tailored for mixed 29" front / 27.5" rear (mullet) setups

  • Designed for enduro-level impact with modern reach, slack head angle and metric rear shock compatibility

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$2,700-3,200 CAD

2
BEST BALANCED MULLET FRAME

Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame

Rocky Mountain
🏠 Local Product

The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon frame stakes its claim as a market-leading, tech-forward option for mullet-compatible full-suspension builds with a focus on chassis stiffness and on-trail adjustability tailored to aggressive all-mountain riding. Compared with the Norco and Devinci frames it leans more into precision handling and tunable geometry, while its established North American distribution and parts ecosystem give it a strong resale and support advantage over smaller boutique brands. Riders who want a high-performance carbon platform with robust after-sales support will find the Altitude balances performance and long-term value.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Trail all-rounder

  • Geometry wizardry

  • Trail all-rounder

  • Geometry wizardry

Review Summary

91%

"The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon frame is consistently lauded for its efficient pedaling, versatile geometry (Ride-9) and balanced climb/descend performance across long rides. Buyers commonly praise its fit-and-finish and ride quality, with occasional gripes about premium price and needing careful shock tune for best performance."

  • Climb-friendly punch

  • Carbon chassis with an adjustable geometry system to fine-tune mullet handling and fit

  • Climb-friendly punch

  • Carbon chassis with an adjustable geometry system to fine-tune mullet handling and fit

Skill Development & Mastery

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon frame stakes its claim as a market-leading, tech-forward option for mullet-compatible full-suspension builds with a focus on chassis stiffness and on-trail adjustability tailored to aggressive all-mountain riding. Compared with the Norco and Devinci frames it leans more into precision handling and tunable geometry, while its established North American distribution and parts ecosystem give it a strong resale and support advantage over smaller boutique brands. Riders who want a high-performance carbon platform with robust after-sales support will find the Altitude balances performance and long-term value.

  • Trail all-rounder

  • Geometry wizardry

  • Climb-friendly punch

  • Carbon chassis with an adjustable geometry system to fine-tune mullet handling and fit

  • Explicitly compatible with 29" front / 27.5" rear wheel mixes and a range of fork travel options

  • Trail all-rounder

  • Geometry wizardry

  • Climb-friendly punch

  • Carbon chassis with an adjustable geometry system to fine-tune mullet handling and fit

  • Explicitly compatible with 29" front / 27.5" rear wheel mixes and a range of fork travel options

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$2,400-3,000 CAD

3
BEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE MULLET FRAME

Devinci Spartan Carbon Frame

Devinci
🏠 Local Product

The Devinci Spartan Carbon frame is a best-in-class option for riders seeking a mullet-capable, enduro-focused platform that emphasizes proven suspension kinematics and braking stability. Its heritage suspension layout delivers predictable pedaling and strong traction compared with some lighter, more trail-oriented frames on this list, and Devinci often positions the Spartan competitively on price versus boutique carbon rivals while still offering race-proven performance. For riders prioritizing suspension feel and an efficient pedaling-to-descend balance, the Spartan is a technically sensible middle ground.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Enduro missile

  • Pedal-efficient snap

  • Enduro missile

  • Pedal-efficient snap

Review Summary

85%

"Devinci's Spartan Carbon frame wins users over with aggressive descending capability, predictable handling and a relatively light, stiff chassis suited to enduro racing. Some owners report it requires precise shock setup and can feel twitchy if not sized/tuned correctly, and a few mention the price is high for perceived value."

  • Rock-scout grin

  • Race-oriented carbon frame engineered for aggressive enduro riding with mullet wheel compatibility

  • Rock-scout grin

  • Race-oriented carbon frame engineered for aggressive enduro riding with mullet wheel compatibility

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

The Devinci Spartan Carbon frame is a best-in-class option for riders seeking a mullet-capable, enduro-focused platform that emphasizes proven suspension kinematics and braking stability. Its heritage suspension layout delivers predictable pedaling and strong traction compared with some lighter, more trail-oriented frames on this list, and Devinci often positions the Spartan competitively on price versus boutique carbon rivals while still offering race-proven performance. For riders prioritizing suspension feel and an efficient pedaling-to-descend balance, the Spartan is a technically sensible middle ground.

  • Enduro missile

  • Pedal-efficient snap

  • Rock-scout grin

  • Race-oriented carbon frame engineered for aggressive enduro riding with mullet wheel compatibility

  • Progressive suspension layout and stiff carbon layup for stable high-speed tracking and poppy cornering

  • Enduro missile

  • Pedal-efficient snap

  • Rock-scout grin

  • Race-oriented carbon frame engineered for aggressive enduro riding with mullet wheel compatibility

  • Progressive suspension layout and stiff carbon layup for stable high-speed tracking and poppy cornering

Order Now

$2,800-3,400 CAD

4
BEST TRAIL-TO-ENDURO MULLET FRAME

Forbidden Dreadnought Frame

Forbidden
🏠 Local Product

The Forbidden Dreadnought frame occupies the premium end of the mullet-compatible full-suspension market, built around aggressive geometry and a high-performance carbon layup that targets riders after maximum composure in steep, technical terrain. Compared to the more mainstream Norco or Rocky Mountain offerings it is a more niche, higher-cost proposition, but those extra dollars buy boutique-level kinematics and a tailored ride character that serious gravity riders will appreciate. In short, it trades broad dealer support and lower entry cost for a top-tier, purpose-built package.

4.7
★★★★☆
  • Gravity-hungry beast

  • Tanklike stability

  • Gravity-hungry beast

  • Tanklike stability

Review Summary

92%

"The Forbidden Dreadnought frame is widely regarded as a best-in-class, confidence-inspiring enduro platform with superb stability, modern geometry and high-quality construction. The main negatives in long-term reviews are the steep price, limited availability/aftercare in some regions, and that it's heavier than some rival carbon frames."

  • Rowdy grin

  • Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations

  • Rowdy grin

  • Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Forbidden Dreadnought frame occupies the premium end of the mullet-compatible full-suspension market, built around aggressive geometry and a high-performance carbon layup that targets riders after maximum composure in steep, technical terrain. Compared to the more mainstream Norco or Rocky Mountain offerings it is a more niche, higher-cost proposition, but those extra dollars buy boutique-level kinematics and a tailored ride character that serious gravity riders will appreciate. In short, it trades broad dealer support and lower entry cost for a top-tier, purpose-built package.

  • Gravity-hungry beast

  • Tanklike stability

  • Rowdy grin

  • Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations

  • Long-travel orientation with room for big tyres and modern chainstay/seat tube proportions for mullet setups

  • Gravity-hungry beast

  • Tanklike stability

  • Rowdy grin

  • Confidence-inspiring carbon frame geometry built to handle 29" front / 27.5" rear configurations

  • Long-travel orientation with room for big tyres and modern chainstay/seat tube proportions for mullet setups

Order Now

$2,000-2,800 CAD

5
BEST VALUE BOUTIQUE MULLET FRAME

We Are One Arrival 170 Frame

We Are One

The We Are One Arrival 170 frame is positioned as a value-oriented mullet-compatible full-suspension frameset that brings modern geometry and durable construction to riders who want high-spec handling without boutique pricing. Unlike the premium Forbidden or the big-brand dealer networks of Norco and Rocky Mountain, the Arrival 170 competes by offering a straightforward, well-engineered platform at a lower cost, making it an attractive option for riders building a capable mullet rig on a tighter budget. Its smaller-company scale means less dealer footprint but strong direct-to-rider value and component compatibility.

4.2
★★★★☆
  • Mullet-native joy

  • Slack-y composure

  • Mullet-native joy

  • Slack-y composure

Review Summary

82%

"We Are One's Arrival 170 frame is praised for delivering strong value: robust design, thoughtful linkage and mullet compatibility that performs well on aggressive trails. Long-term users note some trade-offs in weight, occasional finish/fit-and-finish issues, and more limited dealer/support network compared with larger brands."

  • Playful popability

  • Lightweight, versatile frameset aimed at aggressive trail/enduro riders offering mullet compatibility

  • Playful popability

  • Lightweight, versatile frameset aimed at aggressive trail/enduro riders offering mullet compatibility

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The We Are One Arrival 170 frame is positioned as a value-oriented mullet-compatible full-suspension frameset that brings modern geometry and durable construction to riders who want high-spec handling without boutique pricing. Unlike the premium Forbidden or the big-brand dealer networks of Norco and Rocky Mountain, the Arrival 170 competes by offering a straightforward, well-engineered platform at a lower cost, making it an attractive option for riders building a capable mullet rig on a tighter budget. Its smaller-company scale means less dealer footprint but strong direct-to-rider value and component compatibility.

  • Mullet-native joy

  • Slack-y composure

  • Playful popability

  • Lightweight, versatile frameset aimed at aggressive trail/enduro riders offering mullet compatibility

  • Designed around ~170mm travel with adaptable wheel size options and internal cable routing

  • Mullet-native joy

  • Slack-y composure

  • Playful popability

  • Lightweight, versatile frameset aimed at aggressive trail/enduro riders offering mullet compatibility

  • Designed around ~170mm travel with adaptable wheel size options and internal cable routing

Order Now

$1,500-2,100 CAD

What the Research and Testing Say About Mullet Setups

Research in bicycle dynamics, manufacturer lab testing, and rider telemetry have identified consistent mechanical benefits when combining a larger front wheel with a smaller rear wheel. The effects are primarily due to changes in rollover geometry, contact patch behavior, and rotational inertia distribution. While no single study dictates rider preference, controlled lab evaluations and field test programs show measurable differences that translate to on-trail advantages for many riders.

Rollover and obstacle clearance: Larger front wheel diameter reduces the effective angle of attack on obstacles, improving rollover performance and allowing the tire to bridge roots and rocks more smoothly.

Front traction and stability: A larger front contact patch and increased gyroscopic stability improve steering precision and confidence, particularly in high-speed descents and loose conditions.

Rear agility and acceleration: A smaller rear wheel lowers chainstay length and rotational inertia at the rear, which can make direction changes faster and accelerate more responsively out of tight turns.

Suspension kinematics and weight balance: Frames designed for mullet setups account for altered axle-to-crown lengths and wheelbase changes, preserving intended leverage curves and anti-squat characteristics when fitted with mixed wheels.

Real-world testing: Rider telemetry and A/B field tests run by manufacturers and independent reviewers consistently report improved descending confidence and retained maneuverability when a mullet setup is paired with a frameset engineered to accept it.

In Canada’s varied trail systems, a well-designed mullet compatible full-suspension frameset can be a practical, confidence-boosting choice for aggressive trail and enduro riders. The five frames highlighted here — Norco Range C Frame, Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame, Devinci Spartan Carbon Frame, Forbidden Dreadnought Frame, and We Are One Arrival 170 Frame — each bring distinct geometry choices, suspension platforms, and build flexibility for mixed-wheel setups. For most Canadian riders seeking the best balance of adaptability, local support, and all-condition performance, the Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame stands out as the most broadly useful pick on this list. We hope you found what you were looking for; use the site search or filters to refine by travel, material, axle standard, or regional dealer availability to expand or narrow your options.

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