Full custom trek rail 9.8 gen 4

[Alex NZ]

Almost full custom trek rail 9.8 gen 4 Gx axs size large.

Upgrades:
Up to 170mm on the fork
Carbon Bontrager elite wheels
Super deluxe ultimate coil 230 x 60
Assegai front and rear
50mm rise bars
One up 210mm dropper (doesn’t quite fit)
Code RSC brakes with 220mm HSC rotors front and rear
Full ride wrap
Xx1 black chain
Shifter upgrade for AXS

And I think that’s it! Absolutely love the bike, feel like it represents the actual potential of the trek rail now, some of the upgrades are based off of the rob rides custom trek rail. Would ideally like to try the ergon emtb saddle and maybe switch back to a longer stem, then can just leave things be!

 

[obiwun]

Almost full custom trek rail 9.8 gen 4 Gx axs size large.

Upgrades:
Up to 170mm on the fork
Carbon Bontrager elite wheels
Super deluxe ultimate coil 230 x 60
Assegai front and rear
50mm rise bars
One up 210mm dropper (doesn’t quite fit)
Code RSC brakes with 220mm HSC rotors front and rear
Full ride wrap
Xx1 black chain
Shifter upgrade for AXS

And I think that’s it! Absolutely love the bike, feel like it represents the actual potential of the trek rail now, some of the upgrades are based off of the rob rides custom trek rail. Would ideally like to try the ergon emtb saddle and maybe switch back to a longer stem, then can just leave things be!

View attachment 136996

This is an awesome build. Lovely. I’m considering the SDU Coil for my Gen 4, are you happy with the shock compared to the SD air that came with it? Do you think 62.5mm stroke would work? Did you consider the Vivid?
Cheers

 

[Alex NZ]

This is an awesome build. Lovely. I’m considering the SDU Coil for my Gen 4, are you happy with the shock compared to the SD air that came with it? Do you think 62.5mm stroke would work? Did you consider the Vivid?
Cheers

It’s significantly better with the coil, I would highly highly recommend! I have 60mm stroke but also in high position which based on robrides trek rail suspension report also gives more travel (balanced the geo after increasing fork travel, which I would also recommend). I don’t think I’d go more because of clearance with the piggyback on the shock… so you could test clearance without a spring on, but I am 50/50 on whether it would fit (also need to consider warranty being void by over stroking). Vivid would be a solid option, but personally I’d still opt for a coil.

 

[obiwun]

It’s significantly better with the coil, I would highly highly recommend! I have 60mm stroke but also in high position which based on robrides trek rail suspension report also gives more travel (balanced the geo after increasing fork travel, which I would also recommend). I don’t think I’d go more because of clearance with the piggyback on the shock… so you could test clearance without a spring on, but I am 50/50 on whether it would fit (also need to consider warranty being void by over stroking). Vivid would be a solid option, but personally I’d still opt for a coil.

Great, thank you for the advice. I think I’ll be doing the SD coil in 230x60 then. I’ve always loved the feel of coil

 

[obiwun]

It’s significantly better with the coil, I would highly highly recommend! I have 60mm stroke but also in high position which based on robrides trek rail suspension report also gives more travel (balanced the geo after increasing fork travel, which I would also recommend). I don’t think I’d go more because of clearance with the piggyback on the shock… so you could test clearance without a spring on, but I am 50/50 on whether it would fit (also need to consider warranty being void by over stroking). Vivid would be a solid option, but personally I’d still opt for a coil.

I forgot to ask, would you mind sharing your spring rate and riding weight? Did you try any other springs? Cheers

 

[Alex NZ]

I forgot to ask, would you mind sharing your spring rate and riding weight? Did you try any other springs? Cheers

Yeah, I’m about 88kg without any gear, I put on a 500 spring and that would be ideal, but running a 550 now to ride a little more aggressive/playful, but never really bottomed out harshly with 500!

 

[PJ27]

Almost full custom trek rail 9.8 gen 4 Gx axs size large.

Upgrades:
Up to 170mm on the fork
Carbon Bontrager elite wheels
Super deluxe ultimate coil 230 x 60
Assegai front and rear
50mm rise bars
One up 210mm dropper (doesn’t quite fit)
Code RSC brakes with 220mm HSC rotors front and rear
Full ride wrap
Xx1 black chain
Shifter upgrade for AXS

And I think that’s it! Absolutely love the bike, feel like it represents the actual potential of the trek rail now, some of the upgrades are based off of the rob rides custom trek rail. Would ideally like to try the ergon emtb saddle and maybe switch back to a longer stem, then can just leave things be!

View attachment 136996

AWESOME, AWESOME Bike Alex. Great upgrades. I am looking at purchasing the same bike in XL. Based on your comments in the XL Frame do you think a 230 x 62.5 coil will fit? I thought that's what Rob did? With the 230x60 how much rear travel does that give you? On the Trek with a relatively low BB even in high are you finding many pedal strikes and/or bottom outs? Did you just have the existing front forks modified to make the 170mm travel? How is the battery rattle. Thank you, I am inspired by your bike

 

[Alex NZ]

AWESOME, AWESOME Bike Alex. Great upgrades. I am looking at purchasing the same bike in XL. Based on your comments in the XL Frame do you think a 230 x 62.5 coil will fit? I thought that's what Rob did? With the 230x60 how much rear travel does that give you? On the Trek with a relatively low BB even in high are you finding many pedal strikes and/or bottom outs? Did you just have the existing front forks modified to make the 170mm travel? How is the battery rattle. Thank you, I am inspired by your bike

Hey PJ,

Thanks for the praise! Must be pretty big to want an XL! I’m 6’3 and am stoked with an extra 10mm on the stem and some high rise bars! The super deluxe coil shock has a pretty pronounced piggyback reservoir, any other shock like ohlins, DVO, Fox, or even EXT will have smaller reservoirs, so should easily be able to do 62.5, especially on XL. Suppose warranty voiding should be considered, so maybe have a plastic clip to slot in if you take it to the shop (to reduce stroke to standard). I saw on the report that I can’t find now, that in the high position the rail seemed to have more travel like 157mm so either 164mm in high position or 156.5mm in low position… assuming everything is correct! Very poppy rear end with how progressive the frame is! Minimal bottom outs and if you get something with hydraulic bottom out, the suspension will likely feel pretty bottomless! and not too many pedal strikes but have been thinking about shorter cranks (more for riding position and performance than pedal strikes). Yeah just added 170mm air spring, honestly charger three damper as is, is already better than 2022 Zeb ultimate, so it’s an amazing fork, super progressive so you can run low air pressure and really have a supple fork! I did have to have my bike warrantied twice, they replaced the base plate where the battery connects, and fitted foam pads on the inside, then they also replaced the connector as there was arcing, and were nice enough to give me a brand new battery in case arcing had impacted the battery as well! Now I’ve had no rattle and no issues, and I think the 2024 models have this well sussed out of factory. Not ideal initially, but the solution works really well I have no rattle!

 

[PJ27]

Hey Alex, thank you for the detail reply and so quick very very ,much appreciated - legend. Thank you. The size is my dilemma, I am 194cm/35ish inch inseam , but have 198cm arm span so longer in the arms. Currently riding a 2020 Jam2 6.8nine which on the spec sheet says 487mm reach and on the frame says 480mm reach - go figure, but I am finding it feels to small. Plus the wheel base is similar and find it on chunky stuff gets a little nervous (but that could be the rider! ha ha!) A test rode in the car park the Trek in XL and it didn't feel too big, but twisty trails are another thing. Its a big purchase and want to get it right. How many spacers come under the headset? If I reduced the spacers then added 50mm rise bars like you, what would the reach go too (without a longer stem, then have that to paly with as well). Thanks again for your help and feedback

 

[Alex NZ]

Hey Alex, thank you for the detail reply and so quick very very ,much appreciated - legend. Thank you. The size is my dilemma, I am 194cm/35ish inch inseam , but have 198cm arm span so longer in the arms. Currently riding a 2020 Jam2 6.8nine which on the spec sheet says 487mm reach and on the frame says 480mm reach - go figure, but I am finding it feels to small. Plus the wheel base is similar and find it on chunky stuff gets a little nervous (but that could be the rider! ha ha!) A test rode in the car park the Trek in XL and it didn't feel too big, but twisty trails are another thing. Its a big purchase and want to get it right. How many spacers come under the headset? If I reduced the spacers then added 50mm rise bars like you, what would the reach go too (without a longer stem, then have that to paly with as well). Thanks again for your help and feedback

Hey, yeah okay fair enough! That’s tricky! I’m usually between L and XL and the trek has a larger large which is amazing, but also a larger XL… where you’d probably fit a standard XL bike like an Orbea wild… you could get a large, slap some 70+mm bars and run less spacers lower down on the steerer and get a longer stem… or you could go for the XL and run a shorter stem! It’s a tough one! Generally reviewers I’ve seen recommend a smaller bike than you’d typically run for e-bikes because weight adds stability, and you’d have to deal with lower bb if you run in low position for slacker headtube angle (though if you also go to 170mm it’ll raise slightly) which would increase stability on the large… it’s hard because it’s not even like you could try a stock large and have it give you a good idea since it’ll need modification… that’s some thoughts, not sure what the right outcome would be! I’ll be interested to see your outcome!

 

[PJ27]

Hey Alex, thank you and my thoughts exactly. I was also considering the Orbea Wild (my mate has one) but just to $$. The Trek at the moment is great value & then customised like yours looks awesome. I have been running through all the same scenarios, and watching checking my RAD numbers and maybe it’s just not a fit just have to see. Thanks again for all your help and feedback. Now go ride and send it!