Rail (750Wh) '22 Rail 7 Gen - Rear wheel suggestions?

[Mattman]

Have about 750 miles on my Rail 7 and just broke my 2nd rear spoke. I have read how the stock wheel are not ideal for a heavy ebike and I want to replace my rear with a solid wheel and hub. Would like to find something that wont break the bank but that is also solid. I keep seeing posts about Hope Fortus Pro 5. Is this a good option? Are there cheaper options that are as good?

Thanks

 

[Philly G]

Yes the Bontrager wheels are weak, only 28 spokes vs 32, and the spokes break easily as you've experienced...I would go for DT Swiss good stong wheels, and their star ratchet freehubs are much stronger than ratchet & pawl systems.

 

[Mattman]

Yes the Bontrager wheels are weak, only 28 spokes vs 32, and the spokes break easily as you've experienced...I would go for DT Swiss good stong wheels, and their star ratchet freehubs are much stronger than ratchet & pawl systems.

Can these be bought complete laced with hub? If so, are there US vendors that sell?

 

[Philly G]

I can't speak for US vendors (I'm in NZ)...but I'd be surprised if there aren't...yes you can buy complete wheels, there's even an eMTB specific set, H1900 Hand-Built Mountain Bike Wheels | DT Swiss

 

[markloch]

I built a set of wheels with White Industries XMR hubs and WTB HTZ i35 rims for my Rail 5. Solid setup.

 

[fasterjason]

Trek will warranty the wheel after breaking spokes a couple times. Have the shop request warranty credit instead of a replacement wheel (what I did the last time I warrantied a Rail rear wheel). If you don't buy a new wheel through the shop you still have some credit for other parts.

 

[Mattman]

Another spoke went yesterday. Looking at the DT Swiss 1900. Which cassette interface for a Rail 7 Gen2 '22: Shimano MTB or Shimano MicroSpline? Also assuming it a Disc IS 6 bolt brake interface?

 

[irie]

I think the cassette is Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51, 12-speed, so it will be Microspline.

6 bolt.

 

[Mattman]

Thx. Just ordered a rear h1900.

 

[Matt van]

I have a cube reaction hybrid that kept breaking spokes that I was fixing then the free hub shat its bearings so I got an Alex rims wheel and 6 weeks in it lost the teeth that the freehub grabs, if they replace it I'll keep it going if not there's a local wheel builder that'll build be a hope hubb'ed rear wheel for under $600 yeah, might just go that if the alex doesn't come back in a week or 2