Experience of Rail 5 from exisiting owners

[Sidkop]

I'm looking at the Trek 5 Rail 2022 model and was looking for some advice from existing Trek owners, specifically around the front fork and dodgy paint work. Everything else looks good (or can upgrade easily) but would really appreciate existing owners and comments around the good and the bad?

 

[Batch]

Hi Sid, I have a 2021 5 so won't be massively different imo. To date I love it, yes fork could be better but will ride it until it breaks. Would recommend a frame wrap to protect the paint, I just went for the key areas, downtube, top tube and rear stays, other than that it is going to get scratched no matter how good the paintwork, so learn to live and embrace the scars it is going to pick up, if being ridden as intended?!

The wheels set is not great and this is the only thing I have swapped out to date! Went with Hope Fortus 30/Pro4 Hubs/Eddy Current F&R and am pretty pleased so far. Not ridden the Eddys in full wet yet, but hear they are not great, but are surely a big step up from the flimsy Bontragers that come as standard?

Other than that just enjoy the machine for what it is.......grin inducing fun times weapon!

 

[slomtbr]

I swapped the (terrible) tires and went tubeless before it left the shop.
The wheels aren't great, but I'll ride them until they break.
Slowing the rebound on the fork at least make it useable until I replace it.
I haven't done it, but frame wrap or even good clear tape on vulnerable areas is a good idea.
It's a really good bike!

 

[aviserated]

I have a Rail 5 and the only problem I have had is a worn out chain and smallest cog wore out after 1000 miles. Chain would skip in 12th gear. I have since replaced cassette and chain to correct problem. I no longer use wet lubes on chain. I now use the hot wax method to lube chain...no chain skipping so far. The Rail5 is the best buy imo. You can upgrade parts for a minor improvement on trail. Yes I did say small minor improvement. Many upgrades are not worth the high cost.

 

[aviserated]

I upgraded the fork to the Zeb Ultimate, but I cannot feel much difference. I think the coolest upgrade is the wireless Sram AXS derailleur, but even this is hardly worth the extra $500.00 cost. Shifting is lots easier though.

 

[aviserated]

I also upgraded to Spank Vibracore wheels, but the factory wheels were more than adequate for my conservative riding style. Factory hub is also much quieter than Spank's racheting hub. Spank is easier to service.

 

[aviserated]

The magic happens when you climb steep hills. It is simply amazing how quickly bike accelerates up hills. You must lean forward to prevent bike flipping backwards. Bike is cool as hell.

 

[philuk]

Only thing i have done to mine is change out the tyres that came with it. and gone tubeless! So far the rest of it seems to work pretty fine and im a big lad! My first proper change will be the brakes because if im honest they are just shocking!

 

[Batch]

Only thing i have done to mine is change out the tyres that came with it. and gone tubeless! So far the rest of it seems to work pretty fine and im a big lad! My first proper change will be the brakes because if im honest they are just shocking!

I am pleasantly surprised with the brakes but then I was coming from Hayes hydraulics which I last used about 15yrs ago so things have porb moved on a bit?! Although they are one of the upgrade items I am pondering as in the past I had Hope brakes on an old hardtail and loved em!

 

[philuk]

I am pleasantly surprised with the brakes but then I was coming from Hayes hydraulics which I last used about 15yrs ago so things have porb moved on a bit?! Although they are one of the upgrade items I am pondering as in the past I had Hope brakes on an old hardtail and loved em!

I have had some brown trouser moments! I imagine if i weighed 4 stone less they might be alright!

I put some uberbikes pads in and they were 100% better but still nowhere near as good as the standard brakes my mates rail 7 came with.

I think ill be upgrading to Magura MT7 in the future!

 

[Batch]

I have had some brown trouser moments! I imagine if i weighed 4 stone less they might be alright!

I put some uberbikes pads in and they were 100% better but still nowhere near as good as the standard brakes my mates rail 7 came with.

I think ill be upgrading to Magura MT7 in the future!

LOL sounds like you are describing me Phil!!!
Yeah I have a set of Ubers ready to thrown on, so good to know they make a difference.....did you get the Blue set?
Maguras are also on the ponder list, but a lot of the lad I rode with back in eth day form LBS have all gone Shimano and swear by them......another one to ponder.......well pondering is all you can do at the mo anyway cos you can't get hold of bugger all!!

 

[philuk]

LOL sounds like you are describing me Phil!!!
Yeah I have a set of Ubers ready to thrown on, so good to know they make a difference.....did you get the Blue set?
Maguras are also on the ponder list, but a lot of the lad I rode with back in eth day form LBS have all gone Shimano and swear by them......another one to ponder.......well pondering is all you can do at the mo anyway cos you can't get hold of bugger all!!

Ha yea thats it! Yes i got the ebike specific uberbikes pads. I shafted my standard pads in 3 rides but i think that was due to poor alignment.

The rail 7 has shimano and im as you say alot of people are swearing by them as upgrades so i keep peeking at pinkbike to see if anyone is selling some from a rail 7 if they are upgrading.

I got offered some Shimano that were brand new from a mates bike as he always goes straight to hope but i just didnt have the readies at the time!

 

[Batch]

Ha yea thats it! Yes i got the ebike specific uberbikes pads. I shafted my standard pads in 3 rides but i think that was due to poor alignment.

The rail 7 has shimano and im as you say alot of people are swearing by them as upgrades so i keep peeking at pinkbike to see if anyone is selling some from a rail 7 if they are upgrading.

I got offered some Shimano that were brand new from a mates bike as he always goes straight to hope but i just didnt have the readies at the time!

Thats the trouble fella, having the cash available......Mrs is hemorrhaging our money on a new kitchen quicker than I can bloody earn it! Upgrade Eeb parts are right down the list or priority at present.......gutted!

 

[aviserated]

My 2021 Rail5 came with Tektro brakes and I see no reason to change, because the Tektro brakes stop really well.

Costly upgrades are just ways to personalize your ride and make it look cooler...such as the Zeb fork.

 

[RustyMojo]

My 2021 Rail5 came with Tektro brakes and I see no reason to change, because the Tektro brakes stop really well.

Costly upgrades are just ways to personalize your ride and make it look cooler...such as the Zeb fork.

Hmm I disagree, they have functional benefits also! Significant ones! The standard 35 fork, in my opinion will hold the bike back. You just have to ride a bike with a stiffer, better dampened fork to nice how much faster and controlled the ride feels. Same with brakes, having confidence in you braking is absolutely fundamental to your confidence on the bike. Albeit I can’t comment on the quality of the tektros as I haven’t used mine yet.

 

[aviserated]

The Zeb does feel a little more planted on ruff trails, but I hardly ride ruff high jump trails. The Zeb is of course stronger, beefier and heavier.

 

[markloch]

if you have the money in hand buy a 7 or 9 else get the 5 and upgrade as you go

 

[RustyMojo]

I’m about to purchase a pair of Zebs for my 5. I’ll be switching brakes from my manual bike over which are XT 8120’s. I found the tektro brakes a little hard work on some of the stuff I ride. Great modulation, but lacking the grunt. I didn’t find the rear shock too bad. It did blow through its travel fairly easily, but was OK. I will run a Megneg upgrade kit on it first before looking at changing as that seems a nice cheap solution. I would switch to coil, which I have enjoyed on my previous manual bikes (not my ibis) but I believe the rail is quite linear, so may not be the best option…not so sold on progressive springs just yet. More research needed on my part