Is Buying an Older Trek Rail Gen 3 a Good Idea for Restarting My eBike Journey?

[rooftiler1]

I'm in the market for a new eBike after a less-than-great experience with another brand that boasted the largest battery capacity on the market.

Choosing my next bike has been a bit of a challenge. I'm not ready to venture into the Amflow brand just yet—it feels like early days for them, and it's also beyond my budget at the moment.

Last year, I rented a Trek Rail Gen 3 and was genuinely impressed by its performance. Despite having a 625Wh battery, I managed to cover 22 miles with 2,671 ft of elevation gain, and still had two bars of energy left—even after plenty of boosting towards the end.

The new Trek Rail models are appealing, but their updated geometry seems like it might leave me either cramped or overstretched. This got me thinking—could I still find a good deal on a new Gen 3 model? It seems there are still some around in bike shops at decent prices.

I'm eager to get back on an eBike, but am I crazy for considering a new (older) model to kickstart my eBike adventures again?

What are your thoughts?

 

[Weeksy]

sounds like an excellent logic

 

[steve_sordy]

Nothing wrong with a brand-new model from yesteryear. They were highly rated then.
But if you are considering a used version, then keep your eyes wide open.
Yes, there are some genuine bikes out there, but even they can fail a week after you have bought it.

 

[rooftiler1]

Nothing wrong with a brand-new model from yesteryear. They were highly rated then.
But if you are considering a used version, then keep your eyes wide open.
Yes, there are some genuine bikes out there, but even they can fail a week after you have bought it.

yes agreed - i won't be buying a second hand one. Has to be new, especially with it being an eBike.

 

[Stihldog]

You can play with the geometry on most eMTB’s. Stem length , bar angle, seat position etc Your LBS can help you out unordered to make a sale.

For example; Trek changed my dropper from a 150mm to a 170mm for no charge.

 

[Zed.]

I'm in the market for a new eBike after a less-than-great experience with another brand that boasted the largest battery capacity on the market.

think I know that feeling

was riding a gen3 Trek Rail5 before and am back on the rail currently

the rail is a good bike, sorta dated slightly as an old design (think Spech Levo) but still capable

I run the Rail with a longer-stroke rear damper (65mm compared to the standard 57.5mm) and 180mm forks (160mm standard) and ride Bpw mostly - its great fun

Rich.

 

[Renton_Yorkshire]

I'm in the market for a new eBike after a less-than-great experience with another brand that boasted the largest battery capacity on the market.

Choosing my next bike has been a bit of a challenge. I'm not ready to venture into the Amflow brand just yet—it feels like early days for them, and it's also beyond my budget at the moment.

Last year, I rented a Trek Rail Gen 3 and was genuinely impressed by its performance. Despite having a 625Wh battery, I managed to cover 22 miles with 2,671 ft of elevation gain, and still had two bars of energy left—even after plenty of boosting towards the end.

The new Trek Rail models are appealing, but their updated geometry seems like it might leave me either cramped or overstretched. This got me thinking—could I still find a good deal on a new Gen 3 model? It seems there are still some around in bike shops at decent prices.

I'm eager to get back on an eBike, but am I crazy for considering a new (older) model to kickstart my eBike adventures again?

What are your thoughts?

I got a Rail 7 Gen 3 for £3.6k new back in September, great deal as was coming to the end of the year / run. (Not sure I'd have stretched to the typical cost of one 12 months earlier!). I bet you can likely find them cheaper than that now, dependant on size / availability.

As @steve_sordy says, nothing wrong with a brand new example from a previous year. In fact I've not bought a brand new "current" bike, in a very long while to be fair. Nobody but you knows when you bought it, and to be honest, ride what makes you happy

 

[irie]

My January 2022 Rail 5 has now done over 4,000 miles without any issues other than destroying a rear wheel which was rebuilt under warranty. Has been extensively modified but did buy the cheapest so could customise it. Alloy bikes can take a lot of abuse.

To be fair, Bosch motor was serviced by eBike Motor Centre in October 2024 (but only because it was sensible to do so).

Edit: October 2024

 

[rooftiler1]

I got a Rail 7 Gen 3 for £3.6k new back in September, great deal as was coming to the end of the year / run. (Not sure I'd have stretched to the typical cost of one 12 months earlier!). I bet you can likely find them cheaper than that now, dependant on size / availability.

As @steve_sordy says, nothing wrong with a brand new example from a previous year. In fact I've not bought a brand new "current" bike, in a very long while to be fair. Nobody but you knows when you bought it, and to be honest, ride what makes you happy

Wow sounds like you got a good deal, the cheapest I could find one for is £3800.

 

[irie]

Wow sounds like you got a good deal, the cheapest I could find one for is £3800.

£3,800 is an amazingly good deal.

 

[Renton_Yorkshire]

Blazing Bikes currently advertising a small at £3.3k, which is where I got mine

Trek 2024 Rail 7 Gen 3

Trek 2024 Rail 7 Gen 3 DARK PRISMATIC £3395.00

www.blazingbikes.co.uk

 

[rooftiler1]

Blazing Bikes currently advertising a small at £3.3k, which is where I got mine

Trek 2024 Rail 7 Gen 3

Trek 2024 Rail 7 Gen 3 DARK PRISMATIC £3395.00

www.blazingbikes.co.uk

thanks for the info - I'm a 'Large'.

 

[JP-NZ]

Keep in mind the latest 24 gen 3 have the latest Bosch smart system etc so its really only the older geo and smaller battery that is the difference. As a few people have said the older geo is better for a lot of people anyway

 

[rooftiler1]

Keep in mind the latest 24 gen 3 have the latest Bosch smart system etc so its really only the older geo and smaller battery that is the difference. As a few people have said the older geo is better for a lot of people anyway

Oh right do you mean there are two variants of the Gen 3, a 2023 and a 2024?
The advert i was looking at said the bike had the smart system you can connect the app to.

 

[JP-NZ]

Oh right do you mean there are two variants of the Gen 3, a 2023 and a 2024?
The advert i was looking at said the bike had the smart system you can connect the app to.

When Trek says Gen 3 and Gen 4 they are referring to Geometry. MY is obviously what they state.

I know they made a 2023 Rail 5 and 7 I'm unsure on 2024s. The point is the 5 and 7 have the latest tech, pay no attention thinking the Gen 3 or 4 is older, its purely GEO

 

[aunelundberg]

I'm in the market for a new eBike after a less-than-great experience with another brand that boasted the largest battery capacity on the market.

Choosing my next bike has been a bit of a challenge. I'm not ready to venture into the Amflow brand just yet—it feels like early days for them, and it's also beyond my budget at the moment.

Last year, I rented a Trek Rail Gen 3 and was genuinely impressed by its performance. Despite having a 625Wh battery, I managed to cover 22 miles with 2,671 ft of elevation gain, and still had two bars of energy left—even after plenty of boosting towards the end.

The new Trek Rail models are appealing, but their updated geometry seems like it might leave me either cramped or overstretched. This got me thinking—could I still find a good deal on a new Gen 3 model? It seems there are still some around in bike shops at decent prices.

I'm eager to get back on an eBike, but am I crazy for considering a new (older) model to kickstart my eBike adventures again?

What are your thoughts?

I have tried a lot of different e-bikes. Some of them are maybe better i spesific contitions, but the rail is overall the most easy ride, fun and steady bike for me as an intermediate rider. From some bikes it is a huge difference. Like from being clumsy, to almost feel like a pro, just by switching bike.

 

[Raili’s People]

Oh right do you mean there are two variants of the Gen 3, a 2023 and a 2024?
The advert i was looking at said the bike had the smart system you can connect the app to.

Rail 8 is the top alloy model of 2024 with some worse, some better components than the top model of 2023, Rail 9. I have the latter, paid 5ke for it and been really happy with it. Smaller 625wh battery is better for me as it’s lighter, they had the bigger 750wh with carbon only as it’s too heavy. For my trails I rather have the older, more trail oriented geo than a carbon Geo 4 or Rail+. So alloys are Gen 3 and carbons Gen 4, they kept making the older geo for alloy only.

 

[novaboy6]

I'm in the market for a new eBike after a less-than-great experience with another brand that boasted the largest battery capacity on the market.

Choosing my next bike has been a bit of a challenge. I'm not ready to venture into the Amflow brand just yet—it feels like early days for them, and it's also beyond my budget at the moment.

Last year, I rented a Trek Rail Gen 3 and was genuinely impressed by its performance. Despite having a 625Wh battery, I managed to cover 22 miles with 2,671 ft of elevation gain, and still had two bars of energy left—even after plenty of boosting towards the end.

The new Trek Rail models are appealing, but their updated geometry seems like it might leave me either cramped or overstretched. This got me thinking—could I still find a good deal on a new Gen 3 model? It seems there are still some around in bike shops at decent prices.

I'm eager to get back on an eBike, but am I crazy for considering a new (older) model to kickstart my eBike adventures again?

What are your thoughts?

What ever one you buy just be sure it’s the new Bosch smart system. That way your bout outdated before you start.

 

[Stihldog]

A few weeks ago I sent my 2020 Bosch CX motor to CycloChrome Quebec for a service or rebuild. Slightly less than 20K kms with no issues. I had suddenly heard a strange noise and decided that this was likely the end. Turns out it was a loose castle nut. Oh well …the motor was due for a service anyway.

The technician emailed me (8) pictures of the exposed motor. Replaced a few bearings, no water ingress, bearing seal kit was not necessary. Gave me a reasonable estimate for service and will send it back to me.

I have a few other Bosch riders who are waiting for the results. (I guess I’m the test monkey ).

If the service and price works out, they can expect to receive more …including the spare one on my shelf.

 

[sjturner2112]

I did that exact thing. It's been Awesome. I will eventually replace the fork and the brakes. I have already replaced the bars, grips, pedals, cranks. It only comes with the 500, so will probably get the booster, or a 600-625 battery. But it has been awesome, the geo agrees with me on a 450 mm reach medium (long arms, short legs). I went with 150mm cranks to help avoid the pedal strikes. Gen 4 smart bosch is great, the gen 5 has no power advantages (engineering for gen 5 was for noise, reliability, and then responsiveness with a bunch of new sensors).

 

[ValActionT 750]

A few weeks ago I sent my 2020 Bosch CX motor to CycloChrome Quebec for a service or rebuild. Slightly less than 20K kms with no issues. I had suddenly heard a strange noise and decided that this was likely the end. Turns out it was a loose castle nut. Oh well …the motor was due for a service anyway.

The technician emailed me (8) pictures of the exposed motor. Replaced a few bearings, no water ingress, bearing seal kit was not necessary.

Seems like the CX motors are as good as I’ve read. My 2024 The Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Actionteam has the big 700wh battery and I couldn’t be happier. Especially when you say “again”! Shes a bit porky but pretty stable esp when bounding up rocky hills. Bottom line you get what you pay for (most cases).