It's been a long time coming but Privateer has added an e-mountain bike to the roster, joining the likes of the much-loved 141 and 161 platforms. The brand's latest bike combines Shimano's cutting-edge EP801 motor with an enduro-focussed geometry and will operate as a training tool for its enduro racing athletes. 

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The new E161 carries over everything that we've come to expect from Privateer, including confidence-inspiring geometry, big and robust bearings as well as race-ready components. As always from the brand, ease of maintenance has remained a focus of the new e-bike.

2023 privateer e161 front.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Privateer says to have worked closely with its riders in order to carve the E161's geometry in order to offer similar confidence and responsiveness as the 161 while shaping it to suit the extra weight of the Shimano EP801 motor and battery. As such, the seat angle has slackened a little when compared to the 161. As such, it comes in at 78.1-degrees in order to shift weight more over the rear wheel for better traction when climbing. There's then a 64-degree head angle to keep the front wheel planted. As for reach, a P3 (or large) frame gets a 490mm measurement.

There are also size-specific chainstays. This has been included in a bid to maintain a balanced weight bias ratio, meaning that riders should be able to eke out the same performance, regardless of the size of the bike they're running.

As for the suspension kinematic, it's been built to be familiar to those who know the 161 but has been tweaked to suit the extra weight. We're told that the suspension benefits from better small bump sensitivity and that it's more progressive to fend off bottom outs. The anti-rise has been increased for stability under braking and it gets a lower anti-squat figure of 110% at sag to combat pedal bob. 

2023 privateer e161 rocker.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The E161 gets a one-piece rocker, as we saw on the analogue bike which is said to guarantee strength, reliability, and bearing alignment. It's forged then CNC'd. There are then two main bearings with two on the drive size to evenly spread load and boost longevity. Of course, those bearings are oversized.

Moving onto the motor and as mentioned before, this bike runs on Shimano's EP801 which offers 85Nm of torque which is combined with a 630Wh integrated battery. Privateer says that the motor's small size has enabled the bike to retain the handling characteristics of the 161 whilst adding pedal assist.

The bike is built around a full alloy frame which benefits from a 4mm thick anodized bash guard to protect the motor. There's also comprehensive chainstay and seatstay protection for a quieter ride.

There will only be one build featuring a Fox 38 Performance Elite E-Bike+ fork with 170mm of travel and a Fox Float X2 Performance shock with 161mm of travel. The bike uses a Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain and rolls on a pair of Hunt All-Mountain wheels in a mullet setup (29-inch up front, 650b rear). Those are wrapped with a 2.5in Maxxis Assegai at the front and a 2.4 Maxxis Minion DHR II at the rear.

The Privateer E-161 is available for pre-order now and will set you back £6,000.

• www.privateerbikes.com

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