Trek just dropped the all new Rail. New geometry, new Bosch Smart with 750wh battery and the model I have has some awesome new suspension tech from @srammtb – AirWiz, that wirelessly sends air pressures to your phone, along with TyreWiz for tyre air pressures, all seamlessly linked into the SRAM AXS app. Neat!
I already picked up the bike and have a first look on my channel now.
[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 347045, member: 52″]
“Mullet Ready” eh? Can you compare the rocker on the new bike to your Rail 5? Is that the only adjustment or can you shorten the chainstays too?
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[USER=1]@Rob Rides EMTB[/USER] any chance you can do this please?
[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 347317, member: 52″]
[USER=1]@Rob Rides EMTB[/USER] any chance you can do this please?
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Its just the mino link that you can change. Looking at the geometry chart it shortens the CS a little when you put it into the High position and run the 27.5″ rear:
Chainstay Length – Mino Low – 160 Zeb: 448.0mm
Chainstay Length – Mino High – 160 Zeb: 446.7mm
When I’ve got both bikes out ill see if there’s any visible differences or if they are just running the same kit from last year.
[QUOTE=”Barnicles, post: 347077, member: 11480″]
That’ll be why they’re not doing that then 😂.
Again it’s just my personal opinion. I’ll just wait a bit until they decide to develop a smaller battery and give the new updates to the rest of us.
Its either that or I just buy the 9 as planned…
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Just get the 9 that you’ve pre-ordered and stop getting sucked in by all the sales/publicity b.s., unless you really would like a longer reach. (My medium Rail feels considerably shorter than my medium Jam2 and medium Spectral On 6 despite what the specs say).
Quick ride today. Bike feels really long. Well, it is long: 517mm reach / 1314mm wheelbase with Mino link in Low. Need to play around with a few bits to get it feeling good. But classic Rail feel, in a very good way. Rides great.. Stable, fast. Punchy.
[B][U]Bike Stats:[/U][/B]
Weight: 23.4 KG
Size: XL
Motor: Bosch Smart
Battery: 750Wh
Bosch motor feels the same (very good) and sounds the same. Still the Bosch ‘clunk’ over rough stuff. New controller. Hmmm. It looks and feels kinda cheap. There’s not enough ‘click’ when you change modes. Feels a but mushy with gloves on. Bosch could have done a much better job with this. They need some better industrial design. I’m a bit disappointed with it overall, for a £12.5k bike (that frame / finish looks so good) I think the new remote really sticks out like a sore thumb.
Display is pretty impressive. Very very bright, super smooth and looks premium.
App is OK, easy to change the assist settings, but only on Turbo and Eco. Tour+ and EMTB are still fixed. It auto starts recording your rides and pauses when you stop. But at the moment at the end of the ride it just sits on the Bosch app, can’t export to Strava, even by sending the GPS to a computer Strava rejects it as there’s no timestamps in the GPX. No calorie or workout data, just some basic stuff recorded (distance/ speed / cadence etc). Hopefully Bosch can fix this and at least allow a link to Strava.
Also, I accidentally turned the bike off a couple of times, the lightest press on the ‘on / off’ button will turn it the bike off. Most bikes require a press for a couple of seconds to cycle the power. Not this one, a fraction of a second will turn it on or off. Again, hopefully Bosch can fix this.
Battery life I think will be seriously impressive with this, especially now Trek are using Tour+ mode.
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Thanks for review and update Rob. Personally, the 22’ Rail upgrades are not enough to abort my 20’ Rail 9.7 with many upgrades (170 Zeb. Jade-X coil, better brakes, wheels, tires, dropper, etc). Only thing of interest for me is 750w battery with ability to change ECO power. Updates for me in 22’ looks like a second battery when needed especially since 625w doesn’t cut for me (rides longer than 2hrs at least). Would of been nice to see Rail match travel of Slash at least (170/160) and I don’t care for the added length of 22’ Rail especially with 29 all day.
Good video / review Rob . Bike looks good , but bigger and heavier again . Would be great if they did an extra battery that popped in the bottle holder for long rides .
Your truth is ver my close to my experience. On my second Rail 9.8. Had the 2020, sold it and got the 2021. Loved them both. The new one looks nice, but it’s just too much tech that can go wrong and batteries you have to charge
[QUOTE=”Jimbo Vills, post: 347025, member: 9642″]
Bike looks great. I’m 50/50 on the tech, it’s cool, but really needed? And something else to go wrong??
I am disappointed about the side loading battery tho. I don’t thinks it’s a great design and messes with the lines of the bike.
They didn’t even carry the black through the battery cover like they do on the other side.
Non ocd type of bloke, but that just looks shite imo
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I have had so many issues with the battery design, It has been popping out for a year and has been “fixed” 3 times by the LBS
. After one year it is finally fixed by doing it myself. The new bike looks cool, but I would like to see the issues that come out after people actually start using them in mass,. A lot of cool stuff that you don’t need if you have the 2020 or 2021. I have no appetite to fix another bike I spend 9000 or more on… That said, love my rail, rides great.
[QUOTE=”pragrick, post: 347549, member: 12872″]I have had so many issues with the battery design, It has been popping out for a year and has been “fixed” 3 times by the LBS
. After one year it is finally fixed by doing it myself.
[/QUOTE]
What did you do? On my 2020 the battery has never fallen out but needs adjusting often because the bike starts turning off over rough terrain. The bike shop has now fitted the new clamps and support bar that the later bikes come with.
Some more on it from [USER=8410]@The Loam Wolf[/USER] :
[MEDIA=youtube]6Cn3aSEwhUE[/MEDIA]
[QUOTE=”jgusta, post: 347447, member: 16595″]
Thanks for review and update Rob. Personally, the 22’ Rail upgrades are not enough to abort my 20’ Rail 9.7 with many upgrades (170 Zeb. Jade-X coil, better brakes, wheels, tires, dropper, etc). Only thing of interest for me is 750w battery with ability to change ECO power. Updates for me in 22’ looks like a second battery when needed especially since 625w doesn’t cut for me (rides longer than 2hrs at least). Would of been nice to see Rail match travel of Slash at least (170/160) and I don’t care for the added length of 22’ Rail especially with 29 all day.
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You get through a 625 wh battery in no more than 2 hrs. Hell’s bells.
I’ve had the 2020 9.&, and now the 2021, and never had any problems with the batteries coming loose. Have changed motors under warranty a few times though
I got the green light a while ago, from the boss, for the new 9.9. Yesterday I had the chance to actually touch one as the sales reps paraded it out from the hidden vault. $17,000.00! CDN. I had to look again with my glasses on above my mask. Things became a bit foggy.
First thing I noticed was the colour…nice. Next thing was the controller…not bad. AXS derailer …I got the GX. AXS reverb dropper…mines on order. The wiz and app system seemed excessive. But the larger battery …no thanks.
I have the 2020 Rail 9.7 with a number of upgrades and consumable changes. I’m in the AXS eco system now I guess and Flight Attendant is on my radar. I’m slowly heading towards the price of a new-decked-out 9.8 Rail with these bank-busting upgrades.
I’ve only seen 5% left on my battery once and even then I knew gravity could take me home. 625w seems to be enough for me but not for my neighbour (30lbs heavier) with the exact same bike.
I like the new Kiox and control though. Some way, soon I hope, a hack or upgrade will let me add it to my existing 2020 9.7.1.2.3.4 etc…Rail. Can’t hold my breath for to long. ?
Edit: $17,999.99 and a free Covid shot.
[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 347565, member: 52″]
What did you do? On my 2020 the battery has never fallen out but needs adjusting often because the bike starts turning off over rough terrain. The bike shop has now fitted the new clamps and support bar that the later bikes come with.
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I bought the parts that I higlighted in Pink and changed them (diagram below, all items with letters, not numbers). I followed the Service manual, it was step by step… Sad, the LBS could not get the parts from the distributor, so I bought them myself from multiple sources and countries (around 75 euro). I have a claim in with my LBS and they will give me the parts under warrenty if the distributor ever comes up with them. They claim is in as if I have not yet fixed it. The solution worked great, really, I tried to get it to pop out, and it will not. Before, it was always having an issue…….
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”Parts-Fix-battery-rail-2020-2021.jpeg”]74872[/ATTACH]
Now I see the Trek Rail 2022 and think… no way, I just spent a year fixing these problems, why start again. Almost everytime a new model with new technology comes out it take a year or two to fix the serious porblems…… The more electronics they put in the cooler, but also much more can go wrong…. Just want to ride my bike without hassles now 🙂
I’ve currently got a SC Bullit XT coil and love it but can’t hide the fact that the motor just isn’t as strong as the Bosh, the 22 Trek 9.8 XT would be what I have been considering swapping to as the spec etc is similar the extra length also is a plus for me as I’m alway inbetween large and XL…….
I like the red smoke colour but not sure it’s as cool as my lavender SC
[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 347565, member: 52″]
What did you do? On my 2020 the battery has never fallen out but needs adjusting often because the bike starts turning off over rough terrain. The bike shop has now fitted the new clamps and support bar that the later bikes come with.
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Sadly this isn’t a fix (battery alignment plate strip) as mine cut out the other day on rocky trail even with two tension straps on. RIB is no bueno I say.
Never had a problems with the battery on my Rail. When new though it had a little play and rattle so i packed around the battery with used V2 motorbike visor cleaning sponges, worked a treat.
[QUOTE=”Bomble, post: 347816, member: 1765″]
Never had a problems with the battery on my Rail. When new though it had a little play and rattle so i packed around the battery with used V2 motorbike visor cleaning sponges, worked a treat.
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that sounds like a problem though 😂
Anyone have any idea on delivery dates for these in the UK?
I wonder about the IP rating of the bike given the way the battery fits into the frame. How good is the seal down near the motor where it appears the contacts are? Any water ingress there will be a problem.
Couple of changes for me. I’ve ordered a 35mm stem (the stock is 45mm) and I don’t like the stock tyres so much, so a DHRII and Shorty will go on the front whilst the weather is so wet and muddy in my local area for the time being.
[QUOTE=”BushLevo, post: 347842, member: 6352″]
I wonder about the IP rating of the bike given the way the battery fits into the frame. How good is the seal down near the motor where it appears the contacts are? Any water ingress there will be a problem.
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I’ve never had any issue with water ingress on my own rail. Although some mud can seep in slightly under the battery its never been too much of an issue. Here’s the new battery after a soaking wet ride:
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Bit OCD on my part but now it’s getting wet and gritty up here in the Peak I just run a strip of insulation tape down the bottom edge of the battery cover over the gap between it and the frame. Keeps all the crap out and on my red and dark grey bike it is hardly noticeable. This keeps most of the rubbish out.
I’m pretty keen on a 9.8 XT. Does anybody know if the gap between the chainring and chain stay has changed at all?
I don’t want to buy a another carbon bike only to have this happen again after the first decent ride on it. And yes everything was tight and as it should be.
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[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 347565, member: 52″]
What did you do? On my 2020 the battery has never fallen out but needs adjusting often because the bike starts turning off over rough terrain. The bike shop has now fitted the new clamps and support bar that the later bikes come with.
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=”pragrick, post: 347549, member: 12872″]
I have had so many issues with the battery design, It has been popping out for a year and has been “fixed” 3 times by the LBS
. After one year it is finally fixed by doing it myself. The new bike looks cool, but I would like to see the issues that come our after people actually start using them in mass,. A lot of cool stuff that you don’t need if you have the 2020 or 2021. I have no appetite to fix another bike I spend 9000 or more on… That said, love my rail, rides great.
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 347565, member: 52″]
What did you do? On my 2020 the battery has never fallen out but needs adjusting often because the bike starts turning off over rough terrain. The bike shop has now fitted the new clamps and support bar that the later bikes come with.
[/QUOTE]
I replaced all of the items that I highlighted in pink. Followed the service manual, step by step….. I really tried to get it to pop out again and it is solid now… No issues so far. Finally
[QUOTE=”Nato, post: 348143, member: 7508″]
I’m pretty keen on a 9.8 XT. Does anybody know if the gap between the chainring and chain stay has changed at all?
I don’t want to buy a another carbon bike only to have this happen again after the first decent ride on it. And yes everything was tight and as it should be.
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My 2020 9.8 looked exactly like that. It was a GX though. I now have the 9.8 XT, and it doesn’t have a single mark from the chainring. I have 1000km on my 2021. Looks like they changed something
Today I installed a 35mm stem and prefer this over the 45mm on the XL bike. Handling wise the new Rail feels like more of an enduro sled than my Rail 625. With the longer wheelbase and longer front centre its noticeably more stable but requires a bit more effort to get over the front for grip. But still, its a Rail, and handling and performance is very very good.
I can also feel the weight of the longer battery over the front. Surprisingly, the SE5 and SE6 tyres feel quite good today, despite the first ride thoughts! Although I’ve been cautiously riding it because its so muddy and wet out still.
The bike weight almost gram for gram the same as my Rail 625 at 23.4 KG, but the weight distribution is different. Not worse or better. It bunnyhops easier for example, but harder to lift the front.
The 750Wh really is the killer feature here in terms of differences between 625 and 750 rails… (along with the excellent performance from the Bosch motor). The fact that EMTB Mode can be used for hours without a noticeable drop in power / punch is brilliant.
I’m actually getting used to the feel of the new Bosch controller. I don’t like the aesthetics, but using it (even on dark rides) is getting easy. I suspect after a good 5-10 rides it’ll feel good with no noticeable issues.
[QUOTE=”jgusta, post: 347717, member: 16595″]
May be the fix for keeping battery from falling out but not from power cutting out on rough terrain due to battery jostling about. LBS got this plate for me and installed and sadly it didn’t correct power cut out at times. I personally believe the weight of the battery in frame like that with tolerances for removal (RIB) act like a jackhammer on the lower connecting plate, pushing it down a bit under load, thus continually recreating extra play up top, thus the jostling and cut out. Continual cycle. I am going to see if LBS can pull up the lower plate to snug things in then I will use tension straps to try to keep battery in place while riding so doesnt clang about
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I never had the battery drop issue but the power cut plagued me even after Trek (corporate retail store) did the RIB adjustment a couple times, until one of their techs told me what he does: drop the motor cover, loosen the lower battery bracket (the torx on the underside of the downtube) and then use a long hex wrench or something similar to apply pressure to the backside of the lower bracket, through the opened ‘engine compartment’, and tightening the torx while applying pressure. He offered to do it but didn’t have my bike with me and I wanted to fiddle with it myself. I did the RIB procedure first (upper bracket wasn’t quite right). Too much pressure and it’s tough to get the battery out, so test battery removal. I did this with the bike flipped over. Not a single power-cut issue since.
[QUOTE=”markloch, post: 348349, member: 17918″]
until one of their techs told me what he does:
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That’s what my LBS does as well. Be warned, it’s not a permanent fix.
[QUOTE=”Doomanic, post: 348350, member: 52″]
That’s what my LBS does as well. Be warned, it’s not a permanent fix.
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As you note there’s the jackhammer effect on the lower brack so I suspect over time I’ll have to do it again. So far so good over the same trails I’d been riding all along, about 400 miles over 20-30 rides where previously it would have occurred 3 out of 4 rides. Fingers crossed 🙂
I have been checking with a lot of Trek dealers in Norway to order a 2022 9.8 or 9.9 but it looks like the best delivery time I can get is best case September 2022, is it the same else where?
[QUOTE=”Highway, post: 349835, member: 3055″]
I have been checking with a lot of Trek dealers in Norway to order a 2022 9.8 or 9.9 but it looks like the best delivery time I can get is best case September 2022, is it the same else where?
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I spoke to a Trek dealer in Melbourne Australia today about a 9.8 XT and they said July 2022 for delivery.
Can anyone post a picture of the 2022 Smart motor non-drive side without the bottom cover. I would like to see the motor connector positioning has it changed at all compared to 2020/2021 models. And, has the bottom protection cover changed in any way, meaning does water get in there to the connectors as easy as on 2020/2021 models ?
My 2020 Rail 7 motor lasted for 3800km and now is at the dealer waiting for a warranty replacement… Water ingress, probably via the bottom bracket bearings.
I just wonder has Bosch done anything on the 2022 motor for these moisture issues on the connectors and via the bottom bracket bearings ?
Jerma.
[QUOTE=”Highway, post: 349835, member: 3055″]
I have been checking with a lot of Trek dealers in Norway to order a 2022 9.8 or 9.9 but it looks like the best delivery time I can get is best case September 2022, is it the same else where?
[/QUOTE]
Placed an order on November 1st in Los Angeles for a 2022 9.8 Rail GX AXS with an expected delivery date of mid-December 2021.
[QUOTE=”Rob Rides EMTB, post: 347012, member: 1″]
[MEDIA=youtube]xYSBqZo8SKs[/MEDIA]
Trek just dropped the all new Rail. New geometry, new Bosch Smart with 750wh battery and the model I have has some awesome new suspension tech from @srammtb – AirWiz, that wirelessly sends air pressures to your phone, along with TyreWiz for tyre air pressures, all seamlessly linked into the SRAM AXS app. Neat!
I already picked up the bike and have a first look on my channel now
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Well done Rob.
Can the new bosch system be installed on a 2021 rail?
[QUOTE=”Richiefromboston, post: 351568, member: 16425″]
Can the new bosch system be installed on a 2021 rail?
[/QUOTE]
No.
[QUOTE=”DLP, post: 350701, member: 21179″]
Placed an order on November 1st in Los Angeles for a 2022 9.8 Rail GX AXS with an expected delivery date of mid-December 2021.
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get extra AXS batteries as my dropper battery has died 5 times in 5 months, its a bummer.
[QUOTE=”Richiefromboston, post: 351771, member: 16425″]
get extra AXS batteries as my dropper battery has died 5 times in 5 months, its a bummer.
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That just means you’ve more batteries to forget to charge…:unsure::(
I’ve heard Blazing Bikes are getting the 22 models mid December. If you want one tell ‘em Rob sent ya they might do a cheeky deal!
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looks really good just wish they would paint the battery cover to match the other side
hurts my ocd lol
[QUOTE=”monty1991, post: 352417, member: 21216″]
looks really good just wish they would paint the battery cover to match the other side
hurts my ocd lol
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I don’t have ocd but it still bothers me. Must send you into meltdown 🤪
[QUOTE=”Jimbo Vills, post: 352419, member: 9642″]
I don’t have ocd but it still bothers me. Must send you into meltdown 🤪
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I honestly didn’t even notice until you mentioned it here!
[QUOTE=”Rob Rides EMTB, post: 352422, member: 1″]
I honestly didn’t even notice until you mentioned it here!
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Hey Rob, are you planning on doing a full review on the Rail? Also would be great to hear your thoughts on the Rail and the Yeti E160-E and where your money would go…
[QUOTE=”Rob Rides EMTB, post: 352422, member: 1″]
I honestly didn’t even notice until you mentioned it here!
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ah man it’s annoyed me since I’ve seen the new 9.8 and 9.9. it’s really bad in the bright colours
[QUOTE=”pragrick, post: 347651, member: 12872″]
Now I see the Trek Rail 2022 and think… no way, I just spent a year fixing these problems, why start again. Almost everytime a new model with new technology comes out it take a year or two to fix the serious porblems…… The more electronics they put in the cooler, but also much more can go wrong…. Just want to ride my bike without hassles now 🙂
[/QUOTE]
I never had an issue with the battery. With the battery out I aligned and centered the top mount so key was centered. Then I installed the battery & flipped the bike over. With the bike upside down, I loosened the lower mount and battery/lower mount slides up closer to the top mount then I tightened lower mount.. First time I did it, the connections were too close and battery wouldn’t release (could be perfect if you don’t remove battery). Repeated the steps again but this time stuck a 2mm allen key in the gap between the leading edge of the battery cover and the frame, then tightened the lower mount again and tight fit and battery released perfectly. No drooped batteries, never any power issues, 1500 miles and battery has never fallen out in the rockiest terrain I can find in Northern California.
[QUOTE=”Bremsbacke, post: 355842, member: 21423″]
Hello, I own a Rail 9.9 from 21 since a few days. Due to permanent heavy rain all day long it did not ride it so far.
I reply to this post because here is mentioned the Tour+ Mode. I have read a lot before and I‘m wondering that it is not the emtb lite mode. Are both exactly the same?
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No. EMTB lite never gave full assist. Tour+ goes from Eco to Turbo. It’s a very efficient mode and on flats uses more of a mode similar to Eco, but still gives full motor turbo punch upon more leg power input.
[QUOTE=”Rob Rides EMTB, post: 355846, member: 1″]
No. EMTB lite never gave full assist. Tour+ goes from Eco to Turbo. It’s a very efficient mode and on flats uses more of a mode similar to Eco, but still gives full motor turbo punch upon more leg power input.
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Ok but I understood (because it is written in German forums) that Trek has emtb lite (assistance from Eco to Sport Mode) and Tour+ is i.e. for Cube and other brands with Bosch. And Moustache calls it Magic Tour…
If I own a Trek, can I get Tour+ as well? Emtb lite would be better for me. Unfortunately the „old“ Kiox does display only Tour
The new 2022 Treks have Tour+ so I believe that eMTB Lite was an interim solution for the Rail.
here’s the new Bosch Flow app that shows the modes. And it also says Tour+ on the display when you select it.
Finally used all the battery on a ride yesterday.
Bike had with a Maxxis Shorty V2 MaxxGrip. 88KG Riding Weight.
95% eMTB mode 5% Turbo.
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