You are correct, the Fox and Marzocchi (I assume) coil shocks are 65mm stroke and can be shimmed in 2.5mm increments down to 57.5mm. The shims are easy to install as two semi-circles. They are sold individually, so you need two shims to reduce the stroke by 2.5mm. For example if you buy a 65mm...
About seven posts above gauteplass states the CR coil doesn't fit a large aluminum Rail even with stock 57.5mm stroke.
You will need to source a shock with a short piggyback reservoir. I installed a DHX2 on my 9.8 that will also fit my Rail 7.
I have been backpacking a stihl 250 in an old LL Bean bag for about 10 years. I carry it bar upright with a liter of pre-mix, half liter of bar lube, saw chaps, stilhl helmet, hand saw and spare chain, wedges, tools, etc, with weight of about 25lbs.
Our local club designated several of us as...
My general advice came in two parts. The subjective part being my preference for more travel on a bike that is ridden on unpaved trails (my "riding conditions").
The other part is objective and concerns the intrinsic deficiency of the debon air spring, which doesn't equalize between the...
Rock shox debon air is notorious for losing travel due to not equalizing. The revised debon air was an improvement but still loses static travel. Adding 10mm of travel helps with the deficiency.
I feel the HT angle on the original rail is too steep, and again the extra 10mm helps. The...
You are correct, original Rail Al and C frame geometry are almost identical except standover I believe. The size on both is a little off, e.g. a large is closer to a medium, and geo is older with slacker ST and steeper HT. I would not say it sucks but it's not neo-geo.
Either bike you get you...
Gen 3 and Gen 4 Rail 9.8 are both Bosch Gen 4 smart system, the difference being the controller and remote. Gen 2 Trek Rail use the older, intellectually challenged Bosch Gen 4 system. The difference being the PCB, controller/remote, and motor connectors, including the battery and charging port.
Wife and I volunteered at Snowshoe '19/'21/'23, and we are sad to see it go. I think it will be a long time if it comes back to Snowshoe since Placid has a long-term contract. Plus the riders don't really like Snowshoe.
Worlds in Andorra sounds awesome, I would love to go back there.
The large carbon can accommodate the 62.5mm stroke. If somebody else doesn't respond with first hand knowledge on the Al frame then I say you have to check with zero pressure in the shock. Are you buying a 60mm and removing shims? If you buy a 62.5mm you should buy a pair of shims just in case...
Which large? The front triangle on the aluminum large (625w battery) is smaller than the carbon large (750w batery). You could install with 62.5mm stroke and check clearance with valve core removed, and install another pair of shims to reduce to 60mm if needed.
You might be right. I have the feeling the Fox website listing for 979-01-091 is incorrect.
Edit: I called Fox and the listing was incorrect on their website. They are fixing the description and search results.
I have three seal kits coming in from QBP tomorrow, and I plan to install on two motors from 2020, and one from 2021.
I also need to order one for the Gen 3 motor for a friend. Anyone changed the seals on that motor?
I agree with you, I checked those sites and did not see it. That site doesn't list the product code.
This is the site I use. It lists 979-01-091 as metric trunnion mount but shows it as clevis mount?
https://pro.ridefox.com/products/979-01-091
The RS thru shaft shocks used trunnion mounts on both ends (for shaft clearance at the bottom), and RS super deluxe ultimate (non-thru shaft) are trunnion mounted only at the top with the rocker. I have not seen thru shaft spec'd on Rails for almost a year, the 2022 models made a running change...
I have ridden 170mm on the front of my Rail for the past 3.5 years, I highly recommend it.
I installed a Fox DHX2 (550lb spring) on my large Rail 9.8XT, stroke was reduced to 62.5mm (mino link high position) to be safe on clearance and reduce pedal strikes (along with 155mm cranks).
I also...
I have had issues with the pentalobe bolts that fix the mounting plates to the case loosening after 1500 miles on my older Rail 7 motors. I applied thread locker upon reassembly. I have noticed that the Bosch smart system motors have replaced the pentalobe bolts with torx-plus for the mounting...
Last couple Rails I have built I have found the o-ring in the NIP box, and no thread locker on the left-hand lockring. If you do it yourself, the rear wheel and chain need to be on the bike. I place a little grease on the output shaft splines, use medium thread locker on lockring and torque...
Those are nice suspension upgrades. I installed a fox 38 factory 170mm and DHX2 with 62.5mm stroke paired with 155mm helix cranks. Like you said, it feels amazing.