see above ;)

Hi everyone, so on my original video of the E161 I did have this in the description “DISCLAIMER and TRANSPARENCY: Andi Sykes was the tech editor for Singletrack Magazine before joining The Rider Firm, where he works with both HUNT MTB and Privateer to promote their UK-engineered products. This video is not intended as a review and simply outlines the specifications and design highlights of the E161.”

I forgot to add that to the riding video but have added it now, sorry about that.

Neither is a review, I’m just giving the details of the bike and I made the video in my free time because I like making videos (just as I did while at STW) no other reason, I actually much prefer the car stuff now to be honest.

The green grass is Photoshop magic :D

Cheers :D

A quick spin on the E161 in my latest video, plus I reveal a new prototype trail/enduro bike :D

Yup, my current midlife crisis is an Alfa 156 GTA Sportwagon 😂 And also giving YouTube a go again ✌️ 

Hi everyone! Been a while but I’m back at the YouTube. Just posted up a detailed look at the new Privateer E161 here:

But if an eeb isn’t your thing can I tempt you all with some retro car content? :D

Cheers

Mine have just arrived too! OE forks by the looks as they don’t come boxed (that doesn’t bother me) gloss black finish with matt black stickers 😍

Will fit them tonight and will probably have a pair of 140mm travel Fox 34 for sale by next week.

I have a Honda Stepwagon RG 2008 model and it has been fantastic. I was pretty lucky as I happened upon the rare 4×4 model with rear heating, remote starting etc so it’s great in the winter (and it doesn’t get stuck in fields at the EWS). 8 seats, electric sliding doors. Great for our family of 5 and been perfect for carrying a couple of bikes about too. I do occasionally wish for something slightly bigger but then again the overall small size of it makes it super easy to drive and park (better turning circle than my Abarth and Focus ST had).
I looked at the Elgrand and from what I remember the floor is a bit higher in them, but they are overall much more luxurious.
FYI paid £3500 for mine and it hasn’t wanted for anything, probably get the same for it when I come to sell it.

I bought a 13 speed one the other week which I’ll be testing 😂

I’m in a similar situation.

Sold a Panda 100 to @Rich_s which I really regret and went to an Abarth which was ok, but the one I had wasn’t the best. Recently sold a 2.5 Focus ST which was really comfy and handled really well, but a little on the wide side for really narrow lanes and truly crap in the car park.

Currently considering an EP3, FN2 or Clio RS 197, however I may also pick up another Panda 100 as they can be found pretty cheap. Also thought about a Twingo 133 or a Mito Cloverleaf.

@jam-bo took my Atlas to Llandegla yesterday 👍👍

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXbuvQkl5oO/

@jam-bo nice! I took mine to Llandegla a few months ago, super fun trying to keep up with MTB riders on the rough stuff. Should easily be able to keep up now with the dropper and fork 😂 but still useable for long-distance and exploring. Quite fancy giving bike packing a go in the summer too.

@yak if you like tyres, then you might be interested I’m testing a bunch of mud tyres as we speak. For my own channel of course 😉

@jam-bo good choice on the Focus Atlas. Mine has become more of a MTB though since that review. I’ve changed the wheels, running different tyres, added a dropper (which you prob saw in the review) and I’ve got a suspension fork on it. Such a great bike.

@footflaps Mate, it has probably been the best £1600 I’ve spent on a bike, its great to get out at lunch for an hour though I do need some mudguards for it now.

My vote goes for the Rise

It has steel seatstays still 😁

Morning guys, I actually rode this prototype a couple of weeks back after riding the Rocket Mullet. It was only an hour or so riding locally to Cotic, but we plan to get out on a longer ride soon. Rides just like a Cotic, only it’s faster uphill 👍👍

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW2slmRschL/

@nickc oh!! Thanks for the plug mate👍

Oh, I was just and M&S and was thinking of stocking up on cake 😂

@scc999 thanks mate, I’m sure you’ll see me pop up in a few places 😉

@tomhoward no cake everyone is either on holiday or at home with Covid so I managed to sneak out quietly 😂

Oh might as well give my Instagram a plug while I’m at it 😂

https://www.instagram.com/andisykes/

Hi guys, today is my last day at Singletrack. I just wanted to say thank you to you all and to keep an eye out for me on the trails 👍👍 Cheers

I had a YT Izzo for around 15 months and really enjoyed it. Very fast bike. Efficient on the climbs and surprisingly good downhill. I have since replaced it with a Santa Cruz Tallboy though, which I feel isn’t quite as efficient on the climbs but is much more capable downhill. I’ve never ridden the Giant so can’t comment how it would compare. I know that Ross really like the Spur when he reviewed it too.

Any questions about the Izzo feel free to ask. If you do get one though the first thing I would do is to ditch the Sram lockout for something else.

@claudie thank you, but I’m sure you’ll see me about 😉

@brakestoomuch thanks mate 👍👍

@footflaps haha, nope! It was (still is) up to me what I ride and test, which is why there is a gravel bike test in the upcoming mag😂 I do quite enjoy a gravel ride when I’m not riding ‘proper’ bikes 😂

@andybrad 😂😂

@Rubber_Buccaneer At this moment I have no plans to do anything except for riding my bike ✌️ While leaving STW has been on my mind for a while, the decision was quite sudden so I have nothing in place at this time. I can say that I WONT be getting a proper job though 😂 If anyone ever wants to ride in the Peaks give me a shout 🎉

Thanks guys, it has been an interesting 5 years. Now to plan for the future 👍

Robot Bikes are still around, they are called Atherton now.

You have just won comments for today 😂

https://unicwear.com/en/

Custom, they’ll even take the Únic logos off if you want.

@daferg still running Smoke and Darts? or are you a Scratch and Sniff man?

@charliehobbs most modern gravel bikes are suspension corrected 😁

@grahamt1980 what about a Grip 2 36? I’ve not tried an Öhlins yet, but Ross has and today were both on the phone singing the praises of the new Fox stuff.

@danposs86 done 👍

YT Izzo – I bought one as I liked it so much. Very capable but stock might be an issue.

Cotic Flare Max – Amazing bike. I rode it with Cy on my local trails and it was incredible. Rear suspension handles bigger stuff a bit better than the Izzo.

SC Tallboy – I just sold my Izzo and have replaced it with a Tallboy. Not ridden it yet (waiting for brake parts). Bought it as it’s meant to be a blast DH and I already have a big travel bike.

Spur – Ross rated the Spur when he reviewed it last year.

Orange Stage Evo – not ridden the 29er myself but the 27.5in version is awesome. Very playful climbs well and handles chunky terrain well too. Just don’t like the bottle position.

@dangeoubrain The Panda has a much longer roof than the 500, and the spoiler on the Abarth gets in the way if I want to use the rear window.

I second Panda 100hp. Fun and super cheap to run. I have one with a full MOT that I might sell simply because it’s sat not doing anything. Looking at around £2200 if you’re interested ;)

I bought one, and my brother has one on order.

I’m 178cm and ride the large. Bought the Pro Race model. It’s a fast and fun bike that is very capable. I ride all the rough, rock, fast trails near to where I live and it handles amazingly, not as fast as the Meta (obvs) but surprisingly capable. Lockout is a great feature, but I changed my lever to a Bontrager Droplock as the SRAM version is made of cheese. I’ve swapped the front tyre to a Magic Mary and will need to swap the rear soon as it doesn’t offer much braking traction in the mud, still it’s a great tyre to keep for the summer.

First, ride out on my the Izzo was 67Km around the Peaks. Cut Gate, some off-piste around Ladybower and Doctors Gate and it was amazing. Been riding it almost every day on my local (see Tommy C Hype on YT to get an idea of our local tracks) and I’ve also been to Cannock on it. Superfast on the hardpacked trail centre stuff, but I soon got bored of the official tracks and went off-piste hunting where it was, again, amazing.

If you have pretty good riding skills the Izzo will handle a lot more than you would expect, if you’re after something fast and fun it ticks those boxes too. However, if you need a bit of squish to help out on the more challenging terrain a carbon Jeffsy is worth a look (if you can find one).

If you have any questions let me know.

I do plan to write a full review for STW soon once I’ve done the Decoy, this secret bike, the Last Tarvo etc….

Just double-checking the info that SRAM sent us in the PR and what we have posted is correct based on that PR. The specs listed in the story are direct from the PR and state:

Zeb Ulitmate: offset: 38mm (27.5″), 44mm (27.5″, 29″)

Zeb Select + :offset: 38mm (27.5″), 44mm (27.5″, 29″)

Zeb Select : offset: 38mm (27.5″), 44mm (27.5″, 29″)

Zeb R (both models): offset: 44mm (27.5″, 29″)

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/meet-the-all-new-rockshox-zeb-family/

We will be in touch with SRAM to get to the bottom of this.