161 Complete Bike (SLX-XT) Gen 1
The Experts' View
- Tech Overview
- Build Spec
- Build Rationale
- Geometry/Sizing
- Specs & FAQs
- Reviews
The Purpose
Developed with Top 20 EWS rider Matt Stuttard and the Enduro World Series in mind - The 161 features progressive geometry to descend as fast as possible, whilst reducing fatigue with a low effort climbing position. By reducing upper body stress on steep transitions, readiness and speed will increase during the timed stages.
Over the course of 18 months the 161 was developed with Alastair Beckett, of Redburn Design, who has already designed EWS race winning bikes. Mixing our passion and ideas with Ali’s experience, the recipe for a rider focused bike was created.
Whilst working closely with Matt to ensure it's everything he needs to race at the highest level, he provided us with incredibly useful feedback; ranging from geometry to small (but important) details such as cable routing to clear race plates.
Key Features
Suspension
Comes as standard with Rockshox's SuperDeluxe Ultimate Air designed for the latest hard-hitting enduro and trail bikes, featuring the ride tuning abilities of an air spring with both compression and rebound adjustment allowing riders to easily dial in a podium-worthy ride.
- New Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Highly tunable DebonAir™ spring offers a coil-like consistent feel throughout the travel
- Separate and independent open and threshold pistons tuned exactly for your ride
- Low Speed Compression adjustment allowing fine tuning of compression needs from the base tune
| Frame | 6066-T6. 161mm Travel. |
| Fork | 2021 Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate 170mm. RC2. 42mm offset. Boxxer Red. |
| Shock | Rockshox SuperDeluxe Ultimate. M/L Tune |
| Headset | ZS44/ZS56 sealed cartridge bearings |
| Handlebar | RaceFace Atlas. 820x20. 35mm Clamp. Stealth Black |
| Stem | RaceFace Aeffect R. 40mm. 35mm Clamp |
| Grips | Fabric Funguy |
| Saddle | Fabric Scoop Elite. Radius. Black |
| Seatpost | OneUp V2 Dropper. 180mm |
| Brakes | Magura MT5 |
| Rotors | Magura Storm HC. 203mm front/180mm rear |
| Shifter | Shimano XT M8100 12speed. |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SLX M7100. 12 Speed |
| Cassette | Shimano SLX M7100. 10-51. 12 Speed. |
| Chain | Shimano M7100. 12 Speed |
| Crankset | Shimano SLX M7100. 170mm. 32 tooth chainring |
| Wheels | HUNT Enduro Wide V2. 33mm internal. 6069-T6 Rim. PSR Triple Butted spokes. |
| Front Tyre | Schwable Magic Mary. 2.35. Addix Soft. Snakeskin |
| Rear Tyre | Schwable Hans Dampf. 2.35. Addix Soft. Supergravity |
As a rider you’ll spend a lot of your time in the saddle, inching ever closer to the summit and the start of the next trail, so you want somewhere supportive yet comfortable to sit. Touch points like saddles and grips are incredibly personal so finding the elusive ‘one size fits all’ is nigh on impossible, yet Fabric comes close.
The Scoop’s three-piece construction bonds a waterproof microfibre straight onto a flexible base, allowing for the use of a softer foam – not only comfortable, but super easy to clean and extremely durable. Funguy grips combine the vibration damping of a mushroom grip with the control of a micro-hex pattern and the grip of a soft compound rubber, leaving you to focus on the trail ahead.
OneUp get the need for long travel/short insertion and are obsessed with shaving every last millimetre to create the shortest stack height and shortest overall length of any dropper. The ability to shim down the travel by 10 or 20mm means we can confidently fit longer posts knowing riders can get their saddle where they need it.
Combine this with an innovative ergonomic remote and unsurpassed reliability (if something does go wrong its easily serviced at home) means the One Up V2 Dropper is truly in a class of its own.
Simply put, Matt Stuttard rode these throughout the 2019 EWS season and raved to us, so we knew there was only one choice when it came to choosing tyres.
If Matt’s opinion isn’t enough, Michelin’s Wild Enduro range has been widely praised by the media, with Off Road.cc calling them “one of the best hard-riding enduro tyres on the market”.
Taking the overall win in both the men’s and women’s EWS means you can be assured the Lyrik RC2 is built to handle the toughest conditions and hold onto every critical line. SKF seals and Maxima Plush damping fluids work together to “reduce friction, silence noise and provide unmatched fork performance sun up to sun down”.
Marketing claims aside, the Lyrik RC2 has taken multiple Best in Category wins, 5 out of 5 reviews & Editor’s choice awards.
When you’re flying down a steep section, the last thing on your mind should be if your brakes are going to stop you - Magura’s MT5 offer heaps of controllable power. Enduro Mag goes as far to say “braking torque and deceleration were brutal – but rich in German precision. Wet or dry, the Maguras hauled down speed quickly, and were nothing but reliable.”
Combining 17mm twin pistons, with 2mm thick Storm HC rotors (203mm/180mm), provides huge amounts of power but also stability and improved heat dissipation ready for any alpine descent.
Having produced freewheels for nearly 100 years, Shimano’s drivetrain reliability is indisputable. Known for taking their time to perfect a product, in SLX they created a versatile, durable yet smooth-shifting system.
Using SLX where it was practical, as no-one likes replacing expensive mechs when you crash, we prioritised the shifting experience by upgrading to an XT shifter. Compared to its sibling, XT offers a proven multi-shift function, allowing you to shift down two gears at once when the trail takes an unexpected turn and to avoid missing any key shifts, it also features rubberised thumb pads.
| Wheel size | (P1) 27.5" (P2-4) 29” |
| Max Tyre size | 27.5"/29”x2.6 |
| Headset Upper Cup | ZS44 |
| Headset Lower Cup | ZS56 |
| Suspension fork travel | 170mm |
| Fork Offset | (P1) 37mm (P2-P4) 42/44mm |
| Rear Shock Size | 205x65. M/L Tune |
| Upper shock mount | Trunnion |
| Lower shock mount | 8x30mm |
| Bearings | 4x6900-2RS, 4x6800-2RS & 5x6002-2RS |
| Seat Post | 31.6 |
| Seat Clamp | 34.9 |
| Max Post Insertion | P1 - 230mm P2 - 250mm P3 - 280mm P4 - 300mm |
| Bottom Bracket | 73mm Threaded |
| Max chainring size | Boost/3mm offset 32 tooth |
| Chainline | 52mm. Minimum 168mm Q-Factor |
| Rear rotor mount | Direct 180mm Post Mount |
| Rear Spacing | Boost 148mm |
| Axle Size | 178mm x M12*P1.5. Thread length 12.5mm |
| Approx Frame Weight |
P1 - 3.7kg/8.15lbs* (Without shock, axle, etc.) |
| Torque Specs | Upper Shock mount - 10 Nm Lower Shock Mount - 8 Nm Upper Main Pivot - 12 Nm Lower Main Pivot - 12 Nm Seatstay/Rocker Pivot - 10 Nm Dropout Pivot - 10 Nm |
Coil too?
The frame is designed to run great either a coil or air shock.
Does it fit a water bottle?
Yes! We'd recommend up to a 500ml bottle in a side load cage
Can I set the bike up mullet? (29" Front and 27.5" Rear?)
No, we do not recommend this set up as it will make the bottom bracket too low and slacken both the head and seat angles.
Can I run Plus Size?
The 161 was not intended to run plus, but can clear a 27.5x2.8 tyre. This will lower the bottom bracket height slightly.
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EDITOR'S CHOICE 2019 |
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RIDE TEST REVIEW |
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RIDE REVIEW |
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FIRST LOOK |
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FIRST LOOK |
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RIDE REVIEW"The 161 isn’t just durable and race-ready, it’s a joy to ride" |
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RIDE REVIEW"This is not just a great enduro bike for the money, it’s a great enduro bike full stop." |
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FIRST LOOK |