Heart says Rail7, head says Merida e160 700…which way would you go

[Sidkop]

I think my heart really wants the Trek Rail 7, something about the brand, the specs, the motor, etc. My brain says I should consider the Merida e160 700 for about $1,500 AUD cheaper. Not as taken by the design or maybe even the brand, but that price difference is a real difference.

Anyone else have to make a head v heart decision, how did it go? Any regrets

 

[R120]

Well perhaps the biggest factor I would consider is that in the real world you will get more range out of the Bosch system than the Shimano.

 

[Sidkop]

Well perhaps the biggest factor I would consider is that in the real world you will get more range out of the Bosch system than the Shimano.

True - the range, emtb mode and reliability of the Bosch motor is not to be sniffed at

 

[baldiebenty]

Having a Shimano E8000 motor in my Decoy I'd say the Rail, I haven't had an issue with mine BUT it's always in the back of my mind that the Shimano is effectively unserviceable which bothers me. I'd rather have a motor that can be refreshed/rebuilt.

 

[Sidkop]

Having a Shimano E8000 motor in my Decoy I'd say the Rail, I haven't had an issue with mine BUT it's always in the back of my mind that the Shimano is effectively unserviceable which bothers me. I'd rather have a motor that can be refreshed/rebuilt.

I actually had no idea you could service a Bosch and couldn’t service the Shimano. Very interesting.

 

[Mikerb]

its not a heart v head scenario...........its price sensibility or affordability that prevents you going for the Rail so your decision is actually quite easy. Can you afford it not?

 

[Doomanic]

I actually had no idea you could service a Bosch and couldn’t service the Shimano. Very interesting.

@Bearing Man can expand on this.

 

[Bearing Man]

@Bearing Man can expand on this.

Shimano E8000 is perfectly serviceable. Currently 90% of the bearings can be replaced and 2 of the three seals (we are still sourcing these). However, although we still support this motor as much as possible, we no longer service Shimano motors at this time.

 

[Mteam]

Shimano E8000 is perfectly serviceable. Currently 90% of the bearings can be replaced and 2 of the three seals (we are still sourcing these). However, although we still support this motor as much as possible, we no longer service Shimano motors at this time.

So why, if the e8000 is perfectly serviceable, don't you service them?

 

[steve_sordy]

You can do all the analysis you like, take advice, read reviews, look at your bank account. But in the end, you still can't make a decision?

In that case you need a coin toss, plus a bit extra.

Assign a bike to head or tail and toss the coin (no cheating!!)
Look at the result and ask yourself, "am I pleased?"
If not, choose the other one!

 

[Mikerb]

something has changed! I thought the male approach to shopping was...see it...want it...get it!! Whats with all of this indecision??

 

[Doug Stampfer]

I've got a Rail 7 (with lots of upgrades) & just put a deposit down on a E160 700 for the wife (hehehe). They ride differently - the E160 is lighter feeling & turns in quicker, the Rail is more stable & feels heavier but has great handling. The Bosch def is more powerful but that wouldn't change my decision as I only use it as an assist not a motorbike
I didn't notice much difference between the type of riding modes with bosch & shimano & the specs aren't that different. The motor in the 160 is the new EP8 not the 8000.
I have no brand loyalty to anyone but I'm not particuarly taken with Trek as a brand. I like the mullet setup on the E160.
If I had to choose again & they were similar prices I'd flip a coin but that $1500 difference is a lot of money The stock rail 7 is good - it only gets great with better fork & shock. I'd put some of the money into the coil conversion on the Z1 Bomber & ride the 160
There is no bad decision here - they are both great bikes & if it's your first bike you'll love it anyway

 

[steve_sordy]

What you need is a bike that has the "look back factor". When you walk away from it, do you just walk away, or do you look back at it and smile?

You have to look forward to riding your bike. It has to give you joy.

 

[Doug Stampfer]

What you need is a bike that has the "look back factor". When you walk away from it, do you just walk away, or do you look back at it and smile?

You have to look forward to riding your bike. It has to give you joy.

Yes & no -I'd walk away from my Rail after the ride with a warm glow until I looked back & saw its' cringey colour scheme- thats why I had to paint mine- I didn't like looking at it ;-)

 

[Duke]

I don't no what you are doing here. The devil inside you did the decision to go with the Trek. Forget about the angel how's taking care of your wallet.

If you go with prudence you will always ask yourself if it was the right way.

If you are not under preasure with the money go for it and don't ask stupid questions

 

[pmcdonald]

Haha, I was tossing and turning over which of these to get as well, albeit the junior burger versions. My choices were flipped: heart for the playful, natural e160, head for the stable, powerful Rail. I went with the heart. Your heart might be telling you which way to go too. The responses I got were I couldn't go wrong with either choice. Good luck with the decision!

 

[Sidkop]

You can do all the analysis you like, take advice, read reviews, look at your bank account. But in the end, you still can't make a decision?

In that case you need a coin toss, plus a bit extra.

Assign a bike to head or tail and toss the coin (no cheating!!)
Look at the result and ask yourself, "am I pleased?"
If not, choose the other one!

I think this thread is my “Coin Toss”

 

[Sidkop]

I've got a Rail 7 (with lots of upgrades) & just put a deposit down on a E160 700 for the wife (hehehe). They ride differently - the E160 is lighter feeling & turns in quicker, the Rail is more stable & feels heavier but has great handling. The Bosch def is more powerful but that wouldn't change my decision as I only use it as an assist not a motorbike
I didn't notice much difference between the type of riding modes with bosch & shimano & the specs aren't that different. The motor in the 160 is the new EP8 not the 8000.
I have no brand loyalty to anyone but I'm not particularly taken with Trek as a brand. I like the mullet setup on the E160.
If I had to choose again & they were similar prices I'd flip a coin but that $1500 difference is a lot of money The stock rail 7 is good - it only gets great with better fork & shock. I'd put some of the money into the coil conversion on the Z1 Bomber & ride the 160
There is no bad decision here - they are both great bikes & if it's your first bike you'll love it anyway

This is interesting, need to try and hold off until the bikes are in the country and the Availability > Supply. This is one factor for the Merida, a number of the trails near me at rocky, twisty, up and down. I get the feeling that it might suit the Merida better.

 

[Sidkop]

Haha, I was tossing and turning over which of these to get as well, albeit the junior burger versions. My choices were flipped: heart for the playful, natural e160, head for the stable, powerful Rail. I went with the heart. Your heart might be telling you which way to go too. The responses I got were I couldn't go wrong with either choice. Good luck with the decision!

You’re probably right - there’s no bad choice, just difference options

 

[Doug Stampfer]

This is interesting, need to try and hold off until the bikes are in the country and the Availability > Supply. This is one factor for the Merida, a number of the trails near me at rocky, twisty, up and down. I get the feeling that it might suit the Merida better.

Over here in nz ( same distributor) the shops are already selling out with preorders. The lbs wanted 45 meridas they got 25. Delivery date between “December “ and March. I’m not holding my breath for before February. The local tracks here are tight and rooty too and after riding the mullet am getting closer to mulleting the rail.

 

[Sidkop]

Over here in nz ( same distributor) the shops are already selling out with preorders. The lbs wanted 45 meridas they got 25. Delivery date between “December “ and March. I’m not holding my breath for before February. The local tracks here are tight and rooty too and after riding the mullet am getting closer to mulleting the rail.

Does the Rail officially support being ‘Mulleted’ or is that not even relevant? I’m assuming set the flip chip to high to improve the geometery post-mullet?

 

[Steve38]

What you need is a bike that has the "look back factor". When you walk away from it, do you just walk away, or do you look back at it and smile?

You have to look forward to riding your bike. It has to give you joy.

Very true

My bike lives in my lounge room just behind the couch and I often find myself turning around and admiring how good it looks

 

[wildsau2]

the heart will always win. and when time goes by, your head changes multiple times

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Does the Rail officially support being ‘Mulleted’ or is that not even relevant? I’m assuming set the flip chip to high to improve the geometery post-mullet?

There's a few threads in the Trek forum. But yes just flip the chip

 

[Bearing Man]

So why, if the e8000 is perfectly serviceable, don't you service them?

Because there is a high possibility that at some point in its life, the E8000 will develop a software fault that will kill the motor. When we used to service these motors one or two would fail within the next 12 months and as we were the last people to touch the motor and we guarantee our work, we inevitably got the blame. Although this was nothing to do with us, try telling that to someone looking down the barrel of £1,000 for a new motor.
Having to buy someone a new motor wipes out any profit from fixing Shimanos' for the next year!
Hence, now we don't currently service them.

 

[philuk]

heart 100%,

i am biased by owning a rail.

If i was going purley on looks though and money was more free id be looking at santa cruz

 

[Mteam]

Because there is a high possibility that at some point in its life, the E8000 will develop a software fault that will kill the motor. When we used to service these motors one or two would fail within the next 12 months and as we were the last people to touch the motor and we guarantee our work, we inevitably got the blame. Although this was nothing to do with us, try telling that to someone looking down the barrel of £1,000 for a new motor.
Having to buy someone a new motor wipes out any profit from fixing Shimanos' for the next year!
Hence, now we don't currently service them.

ah ok, makes sense - annoying for the e8000 owners though. I understand your position, but wonder why you cant just offer a guarantee on the work/parts you performed/replaced and exclude failures in other areas of the motor. I guess you're the ones dealing with 'the public' though, so you know what works best for you.

Thanks for the response - appreciate it.

 

[philuk]

ah ok, makes sense - annoying for the e8000 owners though. I understand your position, but wonder why you cant just offer a guarantee on the work/parts you performed/replaced and exclude failures in other areas of the motor. I guess you're the ones dealing with 'the public' though, so you know what works best for you.

Thanks for the response - appreciate it.

The issue with this being if your the last to touch it, regardless of what was touched or what the actual fault is, In the eyes of the person who is getting the bad news your to blame.

Its shite, but coming from a motor trade background the amount of people i hear of saying "since you touched my car it now does this" and them being completely different problems is unreal.

Its the un-educated or unwilling to learn and listen that are dangerous!

 

[Arron M]

I had both on my list (along with a few others), I also have no brand allegiance having never owned either brand previously.

I stumped up and went the rail 7. I don’t love (or hate) the look of the bike but the way it rode was perfect for me and my riding (20+ footers, 6ft+ drops to flat, steep stuff, it takes it and begs for more) I do not regret it one bit.

Not to suggest the e160 wouldn’t work well for you, but it’s the rail for me

Also not to confuse you but the Focus jam2 I found to ride quite well too and pricing is close to Merida.

 

[Philly G]

Yes & no -I'd walk away from my Rail after the ride with a warm glow until I looked back & saw its' cringey colour scheme- thats why I had to paint mine- I didn't like looking at it ;-)

And here was me thinking you were testing out the stealth military model