UK cult-brand Privateer Bikes have just announced plans for their first eMTB! The young brand have unveiled a prototype of the Privateer E-161 equipped with Shimano’s brand new EP8 motor, which takes inspiration from their existing 161 enduro race-bike. We have all the info right here!

Here it is: the first Privateer E-161 prototype, equipped with Shimano’s new EP8 motor!

Designing their own eMTB has always been a goal for Privateer’s design team, so when Shimano approached the young British brand with their EP8 platform, Privateer’s designers went straight to the drawing board. What they created has been shown here for the first time ever! As its name suggests, the Privateer E-161 takes inspiration from its non-motorised racing stablemate (which our sister-magazine ENDURO has thoroughly reviewed) and is designed with going fast in mind.

12 months later, and the first E-161 prototype has hit the trails. With Privateer’s progressive geometry and rider-friendly features combined with Shimano’s new EP8 motor and 630 Wh battery, the E-161 looks set to shred.

The E-161 uses Shimano’s brand new EP8 motor and a 630 Wh battery

Details are scarce at the moment, but we have some info on the prototype’s geometry, as well as a proposed price for the bike. The E-161 utilises the same 64° head angle and 445-515 mm reach figures of the 161, combined with a steep 78.7° seat angle to give an efficient and modern pedalling position.

The E-161 is an electrified version of the brand’s 161 enduro race bike

While no release date has been announced yet, Privateer have confirmed that the E-161 will be available as a full build only (unlike the 161 which is also available as a frame-only platform). The proposed price for the full build is £5,000 which, judging by Privateer’s bang-for-buck spec, should be an attractive deal for hardcore eMTB shredders!

Privateer’s E-161 platform looks promising! Largely inspired by their non-motorised racing bike, the 161, this new E-MTB looks like it has been built from solid foundations. We are big fans of Privateer’s attitude when it comes to speccing well-thought-out components, and are excited to swing a leg over an E-161 soon!


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Words: Photos: Privateer Bikes