Lahyla Drew Mullet 26×24 review

LAHYLA Drew Mullet 26x24 Kids Full Suspension Mountain Bike

At $4,199 CAD, The Drew Mullet 26x24 is a premium full-suspension mountain bike designed specifically for young riders aged 9 to 12 (135–156 cm tall). With its thoughtful geometry, quality components, and trail-ready suspension performance, this bike is built to turbocharge progression for young shredders.

Performance and Handling

The Mullet 26x24 excels on everything from singletrack to bike park trails. Its four-bar suspension system paired with a full carbon fiber frame ensures a lightweight yet durable ride. The Manitou JUNIT 34 Expert fork (140mm travel) and Mara rear shock (130mm travel) offers adjustable suspension (compression and rebound), accommodating a range of rider weights while quality seals minimize stiction for smoother performance. The rear suspension is particular active for the kids via a higher leverage rate. This is one of the best rear suspension designs/kinematics for kids we have tried.

The mixed wheel setup (26" front, 24" rear) enhances stability and cornering (due to the smaller rear wheel and 420mm Chainstays), while the Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II tires offer exceptional grip. The low bottom bracket (26cm), 64.5 degree head angle, 405mm reach and narrow Q-Factor (155mm) improve stability and ergonomics, making it easier for kids to maneuver technical terrain. Squishing the kids on the next wheel-size up has it drawbacks if they can not maneuver the bike. This mullet set-up splits the difference.

The four bar system does a great job giving a supportive climbing platform and the compression lever let's you firm up the rear shock for fire road climbs.

Youth-Specific Design

Drew’s focus on young riders shines through in details like the short 140mm crank arms, 120mm dropper post, and hydraulic disc brakes with short-reach levers. These features ensure a comfortable fit and easy handling. No problems actuating the dropper for our 10 year old and the 140mm cranks are particular on point as we prefer this to the 150mm+ on competitive brands in this size range. The internal cable routing and downtube/chainstay protectors are a nice touch, while the water bottle mount keeps hydration accessible for the kiddos.

Build Quality and Components

• Drivetrain: SRAM NX 1x11-speed provides shifting. A lighter 11-42 cassette is a good call as a 48-52 rear cog is overkill for a 24 inch wheel. We would probably switch to a GX derailleur once the NX wore out for crisper shifting.

• Brakes: Tektro hydraulic discs with 180mm/160mm rotors provide strong stopping power. Fantastic brakes for the kids that are super reliable.

• Wheels: Tubeless-ready Jalco 25 mm internal width rims with Formula hubs are super durable. Hooks up tubeless with no problems.

• Weight: At 12.5 kg (27.5 lbs), it’s impressively light for a full-suspension kids’ bike this robust in this size range.

• Manitou JUNIT 34 Expert fork (140mm travel): A stout 34 inch chassis fork purpose built for the kids. This is the Expert version of the fork with adjustable air volume, rebound and compression to dial in fork for individual needs. Great initial part of the stroke but it does really ramp up at the end of  its travel (last 25-30%) making it difficult to get full use for lighter and less aggressive kids.

Final Verdict

The Drew Mullet 26x24 is a premium trail machine that aims to eliminate compromises for young riders. Its innovative 26x24 mullet configuration, optimized suspension, and kid-friendly components make it a great choice for parents seeking a bike that grows with their child’s skills. Whether tackling singletrack or bike park laps, this bike delivers confidence, fun, and room to progress.