Tell me why I don't want a Bronson Mullet

[One (+) Sentence]

Garen's take:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zebFOJnrdTE

Bikers Edge always does a pretty good job with their reviews too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhRixfq1Ioo&t=247s

Can't beat testing bikes in the upper reaches of the Cottonwoods...

[EWG]

Well then, that was an illuminating test ride. Had the 27.5 shadowcat and the 29 switchblade with two of us that are the same size and about the same weight. We kept trading back and forth. 27.5 cat felt like home, very controllable, comfortable, predictable, quick, and ...

... I think it's time for a 29er. Dammit. It's less whippable, but it just rolls over stuff better. Makes the trail less technical. Allows me to stay seated on things that I normally have to stand to climb over. Makes big drops feel smaller. Feels less fun, but faster and more capable. And by the end of the ride I started to feel like it was also able to be whipped and moved in the air, so I think I'll get used to it and start being able to body it around. Started to get really fun by the end. I didn't like the feeling of the front wheel wanted to flop over (slacker head tube I think, longer wheelbase) but stopped feeling that by the end. I think the tradeoffs are worth it. Either way, I'm gonna try it.

So now I'm looking at a Switchblade, Hightower or Intense Primer. All of those are around 150/140 bikes. People are trying to talk me into less travel - it's try, most of what I ride could be done with something like a 5010 or a 429. I do like nasty rocky fast downhills tough, and despite those only being 5% of what I ride I'm afraid to give the travel up.

Finally, I'm making the decision that any of those bikes from SC, Pivot or Intense are going to be reasonably similar if they are in the same travel range. They are all good bikes. So I'm not going to gnash my teeth about which one is "better". Might just pick by price.

Ok, talk me into or out of stuff. What do I have right or wrong?

[toast2266]

So now I'm looking at a Switchblade, Hightower or Intense Primer. All of those are around 150/140 bikes. People are trying to talk me into less travel - it's try, most of what I ride could be done with something like a 5010 or a 429. I do like nasty rocky fast downhills tough, and despite those only being 5% of what I ride I'm afraid to give the travel up.

Get a sentinel. It's better on fast, rough descents than any of the bikes you've mentioned. It pedals worse, but it's lighter than a switchblade. And a new sentinel is on the horizon, so deals on the old one will be easy to come by, and the old / current one is still a great bike.

Short travel bikes are for people who ride smooth trails. Yes, you *can* ride rough trails on a shorter travel bike, but it's slower and less fun. Nothing wrong with short travel, but if you like nasty rocky fast downhills, don't let the smooth trail people talk you into getting the wrong bike.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[jackstraw]

Short travel bikes are for people who ride smooth trails. Yes, you *can* ride rough trails on a shorter travel bike, but it's slower and less fun. Nothing wrong with short travel, but if you like nasty rocky fast downhills, don't let the smooth trail people talk you into getting the wrong bike.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Yeah, depends what you really want. Efficient and faster up or more solid down.
I run a Blur tr 120 - 115 rear and the Bronson 160 - 150 on the same trails. Bronson is way more safe and fun on the downs and just overall a more fun bike for me. But the Blur is great for longer rides and capable of all the tech descents, but just not as fast or as safe feeling.

[Flounder]

When I replaced my Bronson (early model, not mullet) I thought for sure I wanted a Switchblade. Demoed one and it was fun, as you said it rolls over everything. A week later I hit the Ibis demo and grabbed a ripmo. Holy hell that bike put a smile on my face, rolled over everything and was more playful than the switchblade. Even with the badly tuned SRAM group set I knew it’s what I wanted. 3 years later and still loving it. Might be worth checking one out.

[rideit]

Well then, that was an illuminating test ride. Had the 27.5 shadowcat and the 29 switchblade with two of us that are the same size and about the same weight. We kept trading back and forth. 27.5 cat felt like home, very controllable, comfortable, predictable, quick, and ...

... I think it's time for a 29er. Dammit. It's less whippable, but it just rolls over stuff better. Makes the trail less technical. Allows me to stay seated on things that I normally have to stand to climb over. Makes big drops feel smaller. Feels less fun, but faster and more capable. And by the end of the ride I started to feel like it was also able to be whipped and moved in the air, so I think I'll get used to it and start being able to body it around. Started to get really fun by the end. I didn't like the feeling of the front wheel wanted to flop over (slacker head tube I think, longer wheelbase) but stopped feeling that by the end. I think the tradeoffs are worth it. Either way, I'm gonna try it.

So now I'm looking at a Switchblade, Hightower or Intense Primer. All of those are around 150/140 bikes. People are trying to talk me into less travel - it's try, most of what I ride could be done with something like a 5010 or a 429. I do like nasty rocky fast downhills tough, and despite those only being 5% of what I ride I'm afraid to give the travel up.

Finally, I'm making the decision that any of those bikes from SC, Pivot or Intense are going to be reasonably similar if they are in the same travel range. They are all good bikes. So I'm not going to gnash my teeth about which one is "better". Might just pick by price.

Ok, talk me into or out of stuff. What do I have right or wrong?

Have you demo’d any Mullets? I’m a believer. (For now, with our current geo trends).

[rideit]

Well then, that was an illuminating test ride. Had the 27.5 shadowcat and the 29 switchblade with two of us that are the same size and about the same weight. We kept trading back and forth. 27.5 cat felt like home, very controllable, comfortable, predictable, quick, and ...

... I think it's time for a 29er. Dammit. It's less whippable, but it just rolls over stuff better. Makes the trail less technical. Allows me to stay seated on things that I normally have to stand to climb over. Makes big drops feel smaller. Feels less fun, but faster and more capable. And by the end of the ride I started to feel like it was also able to be whipped and moved in the air, so I think I'll get used to it and start being able to body it around. Started to get really fun by the end. I didn't like the feeling of the front wheel wanted to flop over (slacker head tube I think, longer wheelbase) but stopped feeling that by the end. I think the tradeoffs are worth it. Either way, I'm gonna try it.

So now I'm looking at a Switchblade, Hightower or Intense Primer. All of those are around 150/140 bikes. People are trying to talk me into less travel - it's try, most of what I ride could be done with something like a 5010 or a 429. I do like nasty rocky fast downhills tough, and despite those only being 5% of what I ride I'm afraid to give the travel up.

Finally, I'm making the decision that any of those bikes from SC, Pivot or Intense are going to be reasonably similar if they are in the same travel range. They are all good bikes. So I'm not going to gnash my teeth about which one is "better". Might just pick by price.

Ok, talk me into or out of stuff. What do I have right or wrong?

Have you demo’d any Mullets? I’m a believer. (For now, with our current geo trends).

[EWG]

Have you demo’d any Mullets? I’m a believer. (For now, with our current geo trends).

I haven't tried MX yet. Local shop owner is pretty anti mullet - says he's sold 5 bronson mullets and 3 of them have come back to be traded in toward something else. FWIW, which is probably not much.

In theory I'm picking up a 2022 Switchblade XO in mint, low use shape later this afternoon. Don't love that it's white, but like that it's the older geo so slightly steeper head tube and slightly shorter wheelbase, which I like. Also, nice price so if I don't fall in love I'll just sell it and move on. Which would probably be to a Bronson...

[jackstraw]

I haven't tried MX yet. Local shop owner is pretty anti mullet - says he's sold 5 bronson mullets and 3 of them have come back to be traded in toward something else. FWIW, which is probably not much.

...

That is interesting. I don't know one person with a newish mullet that doesn't love it, but clearly didn't fit their riding style or flat? trails.

And for a shop owner...that's just kinda weird man [emoji16].

[XXX-er]

I found my 2018 yeti 29x29 was harder to get around corners while my SC mullet was way easier/ way more nimble / way more fun, still thats a sample size of 1

[Jack Burton]

IMO you do want a Bronson MX

I built up a v4 Bronson this year, my first MX and i love it for the downhill and it's fine going up. lot's of long days on it looking for fun descending, linkage is still quiet. Was on 2020 nomad and expected to miss it but the 29r closed/overtook the suspension gap up front. I love the bike for days with fun descents. For me it pedals like a big bike and takes motivation to hammer in a more xc style trail but that doesn't seem to be your target, have fun :-)!

[SchralphMacchio]

I haven't tried MX yet. Local shop owner is pretty anti mullet - says he's sold 5 bronson mullets and 3 of them have come back to be traded in toward something else. FWIW, which is probably not much.

In theory I'm picking up a 2022 Switchblade XO in mint, low use shape later this afternoon. Don't love that it's white, but like that it's the older geo so slightly steeper head tube and slightly shorter wheelbase, which I like. Also, nice price so if I don't fall in love I'll just sell it and move on. Which would probably be to a Bronson...

Did you close the deal on that Switchblade? First ride yet?

We got my wife a brand new Bronson 4.1 CC XO AXS last month, as our shop was able to give us advance sale pricing before the new one dropped, he even admitted to us this was likely to happen and why he could do that pricing ($900 below MAP at the time). She demoed a Hightower C S and really liked it. She used to also ride my bike a lot - it's a Gen 1 Bronson. When she got back onto my bike after the HT demo, she said she liked how it was more agile than the HT but she noticed how she was more tentative rolling over stuff with mine than with the Hightower. She also didn't jive very well with the Smuggler, so the Bronson was the most sensible choice given that feedback. She loves it. Went with CC XO AXS build to keep the total build weight of the Bronson closer to the HT, and get access to the LSC and HSC adjustments on the SDU to get that thing feeling extra push off the top. I haven't ridden her bike much yet (we use the same size frame), except doing flow trails with our 3 year old sitting on the top tube, so not pushing it at all, but its way better than my bike in every way except for the brakes (I don't like SRAM brakes).

On the mullet thing, Andeh will talk about this but there are bad mullets and good mullets. The CS length and ratio to front center is a big deal. I did not like the Patrol MX because it felt really unbalanced, wanted to wheelie when climbing up switchbacks, rear wheel took its own line in poor traction conditions and didn't follow the front. I haven't ridden hard on my wife's mullet but it does feel better in my limited testing.

best thing about a bronson is that they are durable as fuck and still fun 5+ years later. I'm on a gen 3 2019 version, 27.5. It's been so fun and reliable, added a new shock and cascade link last summer and it was a great little update.

How is this for reliable: over 8 years on my Gen 1 Bronson!!! -2 degree Works angleset to get it closer to a newer Bronson, replaced original Pike RCT3 with a 160mm 36 Grip2 (thanks zlatham!), replaced original 2-pot XT with 4-pot XT, swapped original Monarch RT3 with a custom shim tuned Monarch+ RC3 and RWC needle bearing at the rocker link, running Sped Precision Maul TR carbon wheelset, original X01 shifter with new XX1 derailler and Garbaruk 10-46 cassette ... have only done 1 frame bearing swap despite multiple headset and BB bearing swaps over the years. My plan is to hit 10 years and then go to a Smuggler or a competitor (5010? High Pivot Optic? Etc).

[EWG]

Yeah I thought it was super weird for a shop owner to dismiss mullets too. I’m still pretty interested in them.

Got the switchblade and now have it kinda set up for me. No rides yet. Dialing in sus settings today and then a 4 day riding trip in WY for the long weekend. Really excited to see how it feels once I’m a day or two in. Maiden voyage this afternoon. Let’s go!

[Flounder]

Congrats. Enjoy the switchblade, it’s a fun bike.

[mildbill.]

replaced original Pike RCT3 with a 160mm 36 Grip2 (thanks zlatham!), replaced original 2-pot XT with 4-pot XT, swapped original Monarch RT3 with a custom shim tuned Monarch+ RC3 and RWC needle bearing at the rocker link, running Sped Precision Maul TR carbon wheelset, original X01 shifter with new XX1 derailler and Garbaruk 10-46 cassette

I am currently half-scanning this thread while on a call (for no good reason - zero interest in bronsons or mullets) - got to this list of shenanigans and immediately could guess who wrote this post without seeing the author.

[SchralphMacchio]

But I didn’t even say which tires I’m running [emoji2957][emoji2957][emoji2957][emoji2957]

[mcski]

The red ones?

[jackstraw]

Congrats. Enjoy the switchblade, it’s a fun bike.

[emoji106] seconded!

MTN biking is just fun. Cannot go wrong

[mildbill.]

But I didn’t even say which tires I’m running [emoji2957][emoji2957][emoji2957][emoji2957]

More importantly the rim width those tires are mounted on.

[XXX-er]

I haven't tried MX yet. Local shop owner is pretty anti mullet - says he's sold 5 bronson mullets and 3 of them have come back to be traded in toward something else. FWIW, which is probably not much.

..

I think this ^^ is wierd?

did the people bring their mullet back because they didnt like them on their own or because the owner is anti mullet ?

Is he anti mullet cuz people brought them back or cuz he personaly doesn't like mullets all of which transfers to the buyer ?

who cares as long as they sell, I also remember when people couldn't ride 29"ers or modern geometry but I think they got over it ??

[rideit]

Yeah I thought it was super weird for a shop owner to dismiss mullets too. I’m still pretty interested in them.

Got the switchblade and now have it kinda set up for me. No rides yet. Dialing in sus settings today and then a 4 day riding trip in WY for the long weekend. Really excited to see how it feels once I’m a day or two in. Maiden voyage this afternoon. Let’s go!

Are you coming up here?

[SJG]

good riding friend of mine is on a Orbea Rallon MX, says it's the best bike he's ridden (and he's ridden a lot).

[raisingarizona13]

Get a sentinel. It's better on fast, rough descents than any of the bikes you've mentioned. It pedals worse, but it's lighter than a switchblade. And a new sentinel is on the horizon, so deals on the old one will be easy to come by, and the old / current one is still a great bike.

Short travel bikes are for people who ride smooth trails. Yes, you *can* ride rough trails on a shorter travel bike, but it's slower and less fun. Nothing wrong with short travel, but if you like nasty rocky fast downhills, don't let the smooth trail people talk you into getting the wrong bike.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

2nd on the Sentinal. Fuggin love my Sentinal. Short travel bikes are sick on machine built flow trails so for a place like Bentonville or any other "down country" destinations yeah, but for everything else? Nah.

[EWG]

Are you coming up here?

Didn't get all the way up to you. South WY.

Switchblade treated me very, very well. No complaints. Well, besides the scratch on the Kashima stanchion in the first hours of the first day. That sucked.

But the bike was great. More on that when I have a bit more time.