Merciless bike park shredding, crashes during risky stunts or careless handling in everyday shuttle use - the ravages of time are taking their toll on enduro bikes. Who wants to spend huge sums of money on a bike? Not me. So it's a good thing that there are models like these: Enduros without fancy rear suspension systems or stylish carbon chassis and, above all, at prices far below the level of a small car - enduro bikes like the Privateer 161 and the Haro Greer Alloy 1.
The duel at a glance
- Price: 3499 Euro (RRP)
- Field of application: Enduro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Spring travel: 170 mm front / 160 mm rear
- Wheel size: Mullet setup
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 17.4 kg in size L (BIKE measured value)
- Weight of wheels: 5873 g
- Acceleration impellers: 4441 kg x cm² (BIKE measured value)
- Guarantee: 6 years
- Special features: Tubeless tyres ex works
- Price: 3289 Euro (RRP)
- Area of application: Enduro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Suspension travel: 170 mm front / 160 mm rear
- Wheel size: 29-inch
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 19.9 kg in size L (BIKE measurement)
- Weight of wheels: 5952 g
- Acceleration wheels: 4903 kg x cm² (BIKE measured value)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Special features: external cable routing, tubeless tyres ex works
- >> Click here for the detailed review of the Privateer 161 test
Enduro duel: laboratory values and equipment
In terms of price, the two rivals are on a par. Well, almost, because the 161 from mail-order company Privateer regularly costs 4489 euros. Just in time for our duel, however, the British have reduced the price of their carefree enduro bike to 3289 euros - right in the same league as the 3499 euro Haro. If you take a look at the key data, the two bikes share the same frame material, suspension travel and unfortunately also the total weight. In concrete terms, this means that both the Haro and the Privateer are made entirely of aluminium, both models feature 170 mm forks and the rear triangle squeezes 160 millimetres of travel out of the shock.
Due to the robust frame construction, paired with fat enduro tyres and mid-range components, both bikes suffer from excess weight - especially the Privateer. With XXL bearings on the rear triangle and a massive, forged rocker link, the 161 weighs a massive 17.9 kilos. This means big minus points for both candidates in the lab evaluation. On the other hand, the Privateer collects plenty of equipment points with its first-class Fox suspension, good workmanship and several flipchips. The Haro loses out here, because apart from the top suspension fork, you won't find any technical delicacies on the Greer.
Haro vs. Privateer in a practical check
During our practical test in Finale Ligure, the mail-order bike from the UK further extended its lead. Thanks to the modern geometry with a long reach and super steep seat angle, the Privateer climbs slightly better off-road than its challenger with more moderate geo values. However, the rear triangle of the 161 doesn't bob quite as eagerly as that of the Haro when pedalling. The downhill classification also goes to the Brits. Here, the 161 holds all the trump cards with its extremely smooth geometry and successful suspension. With its wonderfully playful handling, the compact Greer can only secure a points victory in the playfulness category.
The test results in points
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
The Privateer is the more mature enduro bike. The first-class chassis and well thought-out details offer great added value. However, if you appreciate enduro bikes for more than just their baller attitude, Haro is the more fun companion.
Max Fuchs
Editor
