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Bike Perfect
Bike Perfect
Lifestyle
Graham Cottingham

Is Privateer's 161 Gen 2 a dependable enduro workhorse that’s ready to race? I took it on an epic month-long Canadian MTB trip with over 67,500m of descending to find out

Privateer 161 Gen 2 pictured side on with a forest backdrop and a Bike Perfect Recommends review badge.

Privateer is a term used to describe a racer competing without the support of a factory team or main sponsor. This usually means the majority of their race season is self-funded, with event entry, travel, equipment, and general expenses all coming out of the rider's pocket. Tight purse strings mean Privateer racers demand a fast race bike that's also affordable and durable enough to last an entire race season.

Privateer Bikes was established to build bikes for this exact remit, with race-ready performance, practical features, and high-spec construction at a competitive price. The original 161 enduro bike did just that and was a massive hit with its extremely progressive geometry, sleek looks, and unmatched value. 

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