Welcome to Privateer Bikes

We think you are browsing from ?

or

  • UK
  • USA
  • European Union
  • Australia / New Zealand
  • Canada
  • Switzerland
  • Norway
  • Rest of World

Bombproof builds so you can push your limits. Confidence-inspiring bikes that grow with your ambitions.

Privateer Gen 2 under a sheet

Aim: The Fastest Enduro Bike For The Privateer

3 years of development, 500,000 meters of descending, 2 seasons of racing and already race winning, this is Privateer Bikes Gen 2.

3 years of development, 500,000 meters of descending, 2 seasons of racing and already race winning, this is Privateer Bikes Gen 2.

Privateer racer on a podium with the new Gen 2 bike

Joe Connell wins Ard Rock 2023 on a Prototype Gen 2 bike.

The Ultimate Blend of
Geometry, Kinematics, Durability & Serviceability

Fergus Ryan: Professional Enduro Racer and Development Rider

Geometry Highlights:

  • - Size-specific chain stays
  • - Steep seat angles
  • - Flip-chip adjustable rear centre
  • - Flip-chip mullet adjustment
  • - Full insertion seatpost

To maximise confidence Privateer want to provide balanced and stable handling. Building on our size specific chain stays we have now included a rear centre flip chip to allow the rider to adjust the weight distribution.

We also spent time testing rear wheel sizes, discovering that riders had distinct preferences based on the trails they rode or their personal tastes. For the Gen 2 bikes, we've introduced a versatile flip chip feature. This enables riders to easily switch between 27.5” and 29” wheels.

"We are known for having pushed the industry in terms of geometry since we were founded. To best serve the privateer enduro racer, for Gen 2, should we change from horst-link to a different suspension platform?" 

Tom Marchment, Co-Founder Privateer Bikes - Spring 2021 

Dan Hicks: Lead Engineer MEng Mechanical Engineering

Suspension Highlights:

  • - Sensitive off the top 

  • - Plenty of support in the mid stroke 

  • - Ample bottom out resistance 

  • - Stable under braking  

  • - Great balance of pedalling support and grip

We have designed the suspension to be supple at the start of the stroke to minimise fatigue with plenty of linear progression for support in the middle of the stroke and enough bottom out resistance so you can really push on.  

 

We have balanced chassis stability and grip under braking so you can attack the trail with confidence braking as late as you want. A great balance of pedalling support and traction in all gears means the bike is ready to get on the gas when needed.      

“Confidence is everything; if you feel confident, you’ll ride well. For me, that means predictability, consistency and reliability so the bike always responds how you'd expect. We explored options, like high pivot designs, but found the best balance in a Horst layout. By designing the geometry, suspension and manufacturing holistically, I squeezed out every bit of confidence I could. The result of it all is bikes that absolutely rip and I’m excited to see quite how far they can be pushed!” 

Dan Hicks, Engineer MEng Mechanical Engineering - December 2023

“Confidence is everything; if you feel confident, you’ll ride well. For me, that means predictability, consistency and reliability so the bike always responds how you'd expect. We explored options, like high pivot designs, but found the best balance in a Horst layout. By designing the geometry, suspension and manufacturing holistically, I squeezed out every bit of confidence I could. The result of it all is bikes that absolutely rip and I’m excited to see quite how far they can be pushed!” 

Dan Hicks, Engineer MEng Mechanical Engineering

Katy Curd: 4 X World Cup Winner, National Champ and Multiple WC DH Podium Racer

Durability and Serviceability Highlights:

  • - Oversized bearings

  • - Secondary seals on all bearings

  • - Forged one-piece rockers

  • - Single tool hardware 

  • - External cable routing
    - Room for a large bottle and tool on every size
    - Replaceable ISCG mount
    - Extensive frame protectors

Any time you spend working on your bike, you’re not riding – and we’d always rather be riding. We’ve sweated the details to make these bikes as durable and long lasting as we can.  Oversized bearings deal with high forces better and a secondary O-Ring seal on all bearings keeps the grime out. These are pressed into a forged one-piece rocker and a frame that is CNC’d after heat treatment for excellent alignment to give silky suspension and extended bearing life.

We've made working on the bike as easy as possible with external cable routing and have single-sided hardware meaning you can fettle anything on the frame with a single multi-tool. Even with a piggyback shock all frame sizes will fit a large bottle and we’ve put a tool mount under the top tube for those essentials meaning you can ditch the pack.