Powerfly FS 7 or Rail 7

[Another rider]

I've been trying to buy a FS EMTB for the last month or so. First choice was a Haibike ALL MTN 4 but then I was quoted August 2021 for delivery. After that came a Cube Stereo 140 but I'm told the earliest I could expect delivery is January and but even that seemed uncertain. It now seems that I might be able to get a TREK bike - although I'll have to buy from the other end of the country. No bike shop even vaguely local seems to have anything to buy and nothing to try.
It looks like the options (almost) within my budget are the Powerfly FS 7 or Rail 7. Looking at the sizing I think the Powerfly would suit me better and is more of all all-rounder but I'm concerned at the limited travel on the suspension. In a perfect world I would of course try them both but that just doesn't seem to be an option.

 

[Doomanic]

I've had both. The Rail is the better bike by far.

Try Two Wheels in Stourbridge, they have a few Rails in stock.

 

[Another rider]

I've had both. The Rail is the better bike by far.

Try Two Wheels in Stourbridge, they have a few Rails in stock.

Thanks. Sadly it's far too far from me (in Dorset) to visit.

 

[Doomanic]

If you really want one you may have to travel.

 

[Forever Wild]

I've had both. The Rail is the better bike by far.

Try Two Wheels in Stourbridge, they have a few Rails in stock.

What makes the rail better than the Powerfly?

 

[Doomanic]

Better geometry, better motor (my PF had the Gen 2 CX), bigger battery, nicer looks.

The only thing I liked more about the PF was the 27.5 wheels, so I mulleted my Rail and it's better with the smaller rear wheel.

 

[Another rider]

Both now have 4th Gen CX so the motors are identical as are the batteries. But they do clearly have very different geometries and suspension setups.

 

[Hamina]

Better geometry, better motor (my PF had the Gen 2 CX), bigger battery, nicer looks.

The 2021 Powerfly FS 7 has Bosch CX Gen 4 motor and Bosch PowerTube 625 battery.
Powerfly FS7 is at Trek UK site £4,850.00 and Rail 7 £5,000.00.

Powerfly has the RockShox 35 Gold R and it's shit. I think this is clear: Rail 7.

 

[Doomanic]

PF with the Gen 4 is now 120/100 travel so even less comparable with the Rail than the old models that were 150/150 (early) and 160/150 (late) for the LT versions. They still do a PF LT with 150/150 but it's still got the Gen 2 motor and 500 (actually 482Wh) battery.

 

[Philly G]

The 2021 Powerfly is a short travel bike for light trail riding /touring. It's probably fine for what it's designed for, but you're not going to be smashing trails at the bike park on this. You can even get an "Equipped" version that has pannier rack, light system, kickstand, full size mudguards.

New Trek Powerfly FS 2021 – introducing Trek’s brand new tour-oriented allrounder with the new Bosch Performance CX motor

With a brand-new chassis, the latest Bosch motor (4th gen) and 625 Wh battery, the new Trek Powerfly FS 2021 E-Bike wants to be the undisputed all-rounder in Trek’s eBike portfolio. But what can the new version of the American eTourer offer?

ebike-mtb.com

The Rail on the other hand is a proper mountain bike, and as @Hamina says has much better suspension. Looking at the prices too the Rail delivers much more bang for buck.

 

[Forever Wild]

Better geometry, better motor (my PF had the Gen 2 CX), bigger battery, nicer looks.

The only thing I liked more about the PF was the 27.5 wheels, so I mulleted my Rail and it's better with the smaller rear wheel.

My 2020 Powerfly looks like a Rail. My LBS often mistake it for a Rail. I agree with the Gen 2 and 500 wh battery could be improved. I don’t ride long enough to matter to me.

 

[Doomanic]

Yeah, the 2020 PF is much better looking than the 2017...

I ride until there's enough left in the battery to get me back to the car.

 

[Philly G]

Yeah, the 2020 PF is much better looking than the 2017...

View attachment 45129

I ride until there's enough left in the battery to get me back to the car.

Just goes to show how far these bikes have come in 3 years!