Bikepacking mullet bikes are here – the new Kona Unity is the shred-ready adventure bike we'd been waiting for

Kona has officially unveiled its new "Unity" model, a dedicated bikepacking machine featuring a 29-inch front wheel paired with a 27.5-inch rear wheel – a configuration now commonly dubbed a "mullet" setup. Described by the brand as a "shred-ready adventure bike," the Unity is designed to blend off-road capability with load-carrying capacity, aiming to capture a segment of the burgeoning bikepacking market.

This introduction of a purpose-built mullet bikepacking rig from a mainstream manufacturer like Kona signifies the maturation of a trend previously confined largely to custom builds or niche brands. The 29/27.5-inch wheel combination offers the rollover benefits of a larger front wheel with the nimbler handling and potentially greater tire clearance of a smaller rear, a balance increasingly sought by riders tackling technical terrain with gear. It reflects a clear industry response to the growing demand for adventure-oriented cycling.

While the "mullet" moniker might induce an eye-roll from some, Kona's move solidifies this once-experimental setup as a legitimate design choice for serious off-road touring. It's less a revolution, more an astute observation of what riders are already doing.