Rail battery fell out while riding!

[Sofaboy73]

On last nights ride my battery pretty much ejected it’s self while riding along some gravel track. I was going fairly quickly so needless to say it’s made a mess of the battery cover plate, but more worryingly it’s dented the battery it’s self.

now the battery was definitely fitted properly (i double check ahead of every ride), and this was about a Half way into my ride not right at the start as you would expect had it of been fitted properly.

Managed to refit the battery and cable tie it in for security, but can’t see any damage to the locking mechanism so no idea what happened.

is this a known thing or fault on the rails - batteries self ejecting?

 

[Dano78]

I've seen a u tuber reviewing his trek rail and I'm sure he mentioned this happened to his brothers rail while out riding , I'm pricing up a rail at the moment but might wait for the 2021 bikes and see if this problem has been resolved, I'm been told they might be out next month

 

[Sofaboy73]

I've seen a u tuber reviewing his trek rail and I'm sure he mentioned this happened to his brothers rail while out riding , I'm pricing up a rail at the moment but might wait for the 2021 bikes and see if this problem has been resolved, I'm been told they might be out next month

yeh, I saw that you tube video whilst having a search last night, but couldn’t find anything else other than a few people reporting batteries rattling. Thought I ask on here before speaking to the bike shop. I’ve only had the bike 4 weeks so I’m hoping treks warranty is as good as people say

 

[Dano78]

yeh, I saw that you tube video whilst having a search last night, but couldn’t find anything else other than a few people reporting batteries rattling. Thought I ask on here before speaking to the bike shop. I’ve only had the bike 4 weeks so I’m hoping treks warranty is as good as people say

I'm sure it will be mate I'd be interested to see what the problem is and if theres a fix for it , which model do you have?

 

[RedTed]

On last nights ride my battery pretty much ejected it’s self while riding along some gravel track. I was going fairly quickly so needless to say it’s made a mess of the battery cover plate, but more worryingly it’s dented the battery it’s self.

now the battery was definitely fitted properly (i double check ahead of every ride), and this was about a Half way into my ride not right at the start as you would expect had it of been fitted properly.

Managed to refit the battery and cable tie it in for security, but can’t see any damage to the locking mechanism so no idea what happened.

is this a known thing or fault on the rails - batteries self ejecting?

Ouch! If the battery compartment is damaged contact Trek, I most definitely would not try charging! When I first got mine (FS7 though, not a Rail) the battery compartment latch was tight and in the end wouldn't lock. Took it to a LBS and it was a combination of the internal cables interfering (one was routed over another creating a high spot) and poor latch adjustment. Got it sorted and no issues since, seems a very firm latching mechanism once engaged.

 

[Sofaboy73]

I'm sure it will be mate I'd be interested to see what the problem is and if theres a fix for it , which model do you have?

it’s a Rail 9. Great bike other than this issue. There must be something wrong with the locking mechanism as now trying to remove the battery is not as simple as it was (turn the key and partially pops open normally) and you have to pull it out

 

[Tooks]

Have any of the batteries/cells swollen or puffed up?

 

[Sofaboy73]

Have any of the batteries/cells swollen or puffed up?

Not opened the casing up so can’t tell. As the face plate took the majority of the damage and the damage to the battery housing itself was slight, I decided to do a monitored test charge in the garden yesterday. All went well, no heat build up while charging or any other signs of issues so think it could be ok?

on a related note, bike shop think it’s a clear warranty issue but hadn’t heard of people losing batteries before

 

[Tooks]

Not opened the casing up so can’t tell. As the face plate took the majority of the damage and the damage to the battery housing itself was slight, I decided to do a monitored test charge in the garden yesterday. All went well, no heat build up while charging or any other signs of issues so think it could be ok?

on a related note, bike shop think it’s a clear warranty issue but hadn’t heard of people losing batteries before

It should be ok then, as long as there are no dents or dinks to the cells themselves.

The reason I asked about whether any cells had puffed up is because I was wondering if that was what was causing the tight fit now, but it sounds like the case being damaged is causing that.

 

[Sofaboy73]

It should be ok then, as long as there are no dents or dinks to the cells themselves.

The reason I asked about whether any cells had puffed up is because I was wondering if that was what was causing the tight fit now, but it sounds like the case being damaged is causing that.

I think the tight fit now is a fault with the locking and release mechanism For the power tube in the bike, and it was this that caused the initial problem

 

[Branny21]

I dont have any experience with the battery falling out however my friend got a 9.9 and he said his battery fell out a few times

 

[protowheeler]

The actual black metal battery casing is a sealed thing from Bosch. Don't open it lest your warranty truly vanish!

 

[zaykay]

My bike did exactly the same and is now on dealer for warranty repair. They replace the battery lock and few other parts + battery cover. Luckily battery survived.

 

[urastus]

I have been pro active and wrapped something like gorilla tape around the frame and battery cover. I don't know if it is an issue with my model bike. I also put some rubber padding on inside of the cover, about an inch square, to give the battery mounts some more support. The padding is located beneath where the tapes are.

 

[Sofaboy73]

My bike did exactly the same and is now on dealer for warranty repair. They replace the battery lock and few other parts + battery cover. Luckily battery survived.

sounds like a known fault then and good to hear they are picking it up under warranty with no issues. i', still waiting to hear form my LBS

I have been pro active and wrapped something like gorilla tape around the frame and battery cover. I don't know if it is an issue with my model bike. I also put some rubber padding on inside of the cover, about an inch square, to give the battery mounts some more support. The padding is located beneath where the tapes are.

take my battery off the bike for charging so taping wouldn't work, have bought an adjustable velcro strap as an extra security measure. not ideal on such an expensive bike but better than it falling out again once it's fixed!

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Boy, that would annoy me no end. Those batteries insert from the side, correct? My shimano battery goes in underneath which I hate because that means it's always covered with mud. Why oh why didn't they design it to go in from the top!? What's the downside, no pun intended?

 

[cjwally]

This happened to me as well unfortunately on my Rail 9.7. Super bummed as the battery is pretty scuffed up. Hoping that they will replace the cover. Going into dealer for warranty.

Has this happened to anyone with AL frames?

 

[Doomanic]

Is this only happening to carbon framed bikes?

 

[Sofaboy73]

Is this only happening to carbon framed bikes?

no, happened on my rail 9 - aluminium frame.

looks like a known fault as shop where i bought bike form forwarded me a retailer bulletin PDF from Trek about re-alignment of RIB batteries in down tube and locking mechanisms, although this was for the Powerfly rater than the rail.

looking at mine i'm not sure this is the issue, but not done the re-alignment process as yet (just using a strap to ensure the battery stay in). trek have also sent me a new battery face plate which i'll fit at the weekend

 

[OldGoatMTB]

This happened to me as well unfortunately on my Rail 9.7. Super bummed as the battery is pretty scuffed up. Hoping that they will replace the cover. Going into dealer for warranty.

Has this happened to anyone with AL frames? View attachment 33120

Looks mostly like mud. How'd it look after you cleaned it up?

 

[Sofaboy73]

battery alignment PDF from trek i mentioned attached in case anyone else is having similar issues

 

[ronianash]

battery alignment PDF from trek i mentioned attached in case anyone else is having similar issues

can you use this for the Rail as well??

 

[Jimbo Vills]

My bike did exactly the same and is now on dealer for warranty repair. They replace the battery lock and few other parts + battery cover. Luckily battery survived.

why is that lucky!? Sorry if falling out is a common problem and occurred on my bike, I’d want the battery replaced regardless.

I love the treks but the side fitting battery just looks like a week point imo and was the reason I decided against them

 

[Sofaboy73]

can you use this for the Rail as well??

yeh, it’s what they sent me to do on my rail and the the fittings an connectors look the same

 

[Pastvne]

This happened to me as well unfortunately on my Rail 9.7. Super bummed as the battery is pretty scuffed up. Hoping that they will replace the cover. Going into dealer for warranty.

Has this happened to anyone with AL frames? View attachment 33120

6/21 Happened to me on Alu Rail 7.

 

[Pastvne]

Is this only happening to carbon framed bikes?

6/21 Happened to me on Alu Rail 7. Gravel track, high speed after 2hours on technical climbs with no issue.

 

[Pastvne]

Is this only happening to carbon framed bikes?

6/21/2020 happened to me on Alu Rail 7

 

[RickBullotta]

Cheap insurance is a couple of velcro straps. I had to do that on my KTM eMTB to stop rattling.

 

[Pastvne]

Cheap insurance is a couple of velcro straps. I had to do that on my KTM eMTB to stop rattling.

Agreed. Now that I know it is a possibility.

 

[Bellefield]

Happened to my wife's Trek Powerfly, thanks for the info re service instructions