The new Privateer 141 has landed at BikeRadar HQ, sporting external cable routing, a flip chip and a new suspension system.
As the name suggests, the 141 offers 141mm of rear suspension travel, placing it toward the hard-hitting end of the trail bikes category.
Unlike the previous generation, the 141 now features a flip chip in the rear linkage, enabling you to run a 27.5in mullet rear wheel.
Privateer says the 141 offers the best of both worlds, with local enduro race capability mixed with all-day session-ability, but can it deliver on these claims? Let's delve into the details.
Angular top tube
The 141 is constructed from 6061 T6 alloy and, unlike many new mountain bikes, Privateer has gone all out on external cable routing.
Gear, brake and dropper cables run down the centre of the down tube, making it easier to replace cables when you need to.
This is to be applauded or repulsed depending on your opinion on integrated cable routing.
Privateer has developed a new A-L-P (Aligned – Linear – Progression) suspension system for this latest generation of the 141.
Based on a Horst linkage, the new system is said to provide consistent and predictable kinematics thanks to highly customisable anti-rise and anti-squat values.
A forged one-piece rocker sits at the centre of the linkage, with Privateer saying it has spent time precisely machining the bearing seats to ensure perfect bearing alignment for enhanced sensitivity and lifespan.
The British brand has worked alongside Fox to create a custom tune for the rear shock and claims this gives the bike a coil-like feel with a sensitive and supple initial stroke.
A flip chip on the linkage enables you to choose between a 29in or 27.5in rear wheel, with chips on the rear dropouts and a brake mount needing to be flipped to make the change.
Unfortunately, this design isn't SRAM UDH compatible, meaning you won't be able to run the latest Transmission groupsets on the 141.
Still, though, it's not very common to see a mulletable trail bike with this amount of travel.
Privateer specs Enduro Bearings' Enduro Max bearing in the linkage, with the main 42mm bearing using single-sided pivot hardware that features an O-ring to keep the water and debris from ingressing.
The colour-coordinated chainstay and down tube protectors fend off rock strikes and chain slap, and can be replaced once they've seen a thrashing.
There's space for a tool mount and one bottle cage in the rear triangle.
Size-specific geometry
Privateer offers the bike in four sizes – P1, P2, P3 and P4 – ranging from smallest to largest.
The head angle is among the more aggressive in the trail segment, and remains the same as the previous bike at 64.5 degrees.
Size-specific chainstay lengths feature on the rear end. The P1 measures 443mm, while the P4 is 10mm longer at 453mm when using a 29in wheel.
Effective seat tube angles are relatively steep at 78.5 degrees, which should help give the bike a comfortable climbing position.
One-spec or no-spec
Unlike other manufacturers, Privateer offers the 141 in only this one specification, priced at £4,289 / $5,389 / €4,789 – although you can buy the frame separately for £1,889 / $2,389 / €2,089.
A Fox 36 Performance Elite features on the front of the bike, providing 150mm of travel, while a Float X Performance Elite rear shock sits in the frame.
Hayes Dominion A4 brakes are used to bring you to a halt, with Privateer saying they offer great performance, modulation and reliability in an easy-to-maintain package.
SRAM's GX 1x 12 mechanical drivetrain is used to shift gears and OneUp supplies the dropper post and lever.
Sister brand Hunt looks after the wheelset, with the Enduro Wide V2 rolling on a 2.5in Maxxis Assegai on the front and a 2.4in Minion DHR II on the rear.
The cockpit is made up of a Race Face Turbine bar matched to a 40mm Aeffect R stem, with a Privateer Cro-Mo rail saddle finishing off the contact points.
