After a call for a training bike from the brands’ EWS rider, Matt Stuttard, Privateer has teased the E-161, an enduro e-bike with some seriously progressive geometry and Shimano’s new EP8 drive unit.

The E-161 borrows a lot from its analogue sibling, the 161. It gets the same 64° head angle, 445-515mm reach and the 78.7° seat tube angle but it’s built around Shimano’s new EP8 motor.

The new motor is designed to reduce drag by 38% and with a new clutch mechanism, allows for a smoother cut off when pedalling over 25km/h. It also offers more torque. Our Jon has managed to swing a leg over the new motor, here’s what he thinks.

2021 privateer e161 motor.jpg
2021 privateer e161 motor (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Privateer has opted for Shimano’s long-lasting 630wh battery to keep you looping those descents.

The bike also comes with its own app. Dubbed E-Tube, the app allows the rider to adjust the way to EP8 motor behaves, should you want more or less power. 

2021 privateer e161 cockpit.jpg
2021 privateer e161 cockpit (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2021 privateer e161 buttons.jpg
2021 privateer e161 buttons (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The brand is aiming for a £5,000 price point and the bike will come as a full build only.

Unfortunately, a release date isn’t yet known, however, we can expect a date and more details to come to light in the coming months.

For now, though, we can only appreciate how rad the E-161 looks.

2021 privateer e161 rear.jpg
2021 privateer e161 rear (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2021 privateer e161 3q.jpg
2021 privateer e161 3q (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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