Rail battery fell out while riding!

[DJParkes]

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?

My battery fell out also. Trek Rail 7. It was on a gravel road in the Hoosier National Forest. I was running around 13 mph on a slight washboard downhill portion of the road. Trek replaced the battery cover under warranty. The battery still functions fine. LBS also adjusted lock latch so it has better engagement to battery when locked. I still use a velcro strap. I don't trust the latch mechanism.

 

[BigMark]

Mine fell out as well, they are replacing the battery cover under warranty and readjusted. It's actually great as I ordered a new extra battery and the side plate and mounting kit are seperate. I keep a bungee around it just in case though, it was a long walk uphill to retrieve it.

 

[SAF]

had the battery fall out of my 2021 rail 9 today only 3 days old and third ride(half way around 2nd lap of Davies Creek trails) ,,hadn't had battery out yet, damage to battery cover and some scratches to seat tube and chain stay as it bounced !!

 

[Gazzaaitken]

Happened to mine as well, now all fixed under warranty

 

[Forever Wild]

Common Trek problem. Similar battery issues on my wife’s 2020 Powerfly 9.7 LT.

 

[jeroen]

had the battery fall out of my 2021 rail 9 today only 3 days old and third ride(half way around 2nd lap of Davies Creek trails) ,,hadn't had battery out yet, damage to battery cover and some scratches to seat tube and chain stay as it bounced !!

Thanks SAF for the warning, then I'll keep an eye on that it is properly closed and the lid does not open more / wiggle etc.

Good luck with getting it fixed; seems Trek is doing a decent job about it though.

 

[ddbros]

Since you've been posting, I've started putting a 1"x 3" piece of 3M Clear Bra from the cover to the frame at the top to be safe. It doesn't even show and the stuff is tough. I just replace it when I pull the battery out. Good peace of mind.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Clear bra? Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh. even at age 57 there's still some Beavis and Butthead in me.

 

[jeroen]

Clear bra? Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh. even at age 57 there's still some Beavis and Butthead in me.

Ah yes.....

don't worry, while B&B has been forgotten by Gen Whatever, it still goes strong in many folks hearts.

For that matter, totally offtopic, but.... definitely check out Rick & Morty...

 

[ddbros]

Well played Old Goat

 

[Shadi922]

Love my bike but a little pissed off, I bought my 2020 Trek Rail 9.7 Gloss Purple Phaze new from Trek on 8/10. Yesterday my battery fell out and scratched the paint and carbon. At first, I thought it was my fault, then it happened 5 more times. I know this not my fault especially after reading this thread. It's weird because after the first couple of times the battery fell out I bounced the bike up and down and the battery would not fall out, after a couple of mins of normal riding(flat paved road no bumps) the battery would just fall out. I dropped my bike off at a local Trek Store, he stated he would contact Trek and see what he can do under warranty. My bike was in mint condition and now my battery cover is all scratched up, I spent a lot of money on this bike and have believed for a long time Trek is a great company, I hope I am right and they make things right. How has the warranty been for you guys, did they cover the work? Did they replace the cover with an exact painted one? Did they give you a hard time? What was done to correct the issue?

 

[BigMark]

I got a new cover under warranty without much fuss.

 

[Shadi922]

Happened to mine as well, now all fixed under warranty

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Did they replace the battery cover with the correct painted one, did they give you a hard time?

 

[Shadi922]

I got a new cover under warranty without much fuss.

Good to know. How did they fix the issue, what was the problem?

 

[BigMark]

The locking mechanism was misaligned, it was a quick fix.

 

[Gazzaaitken]

Did they replace the battery cover with the correct painted one, did they give you a hard time?

No issues at all, replaced with the correct colour all through warranty very easy process with the bike shop.

Lock issues are fixed now, but run with a velcro strap, just to make sure

 

[Shadi922]

No issues at all, replaced with the correct colour all through warranty very easy process with the bike shop.

Lock issues are fixed now, but run with a velcro strap, just to make sure

Thanks for the info, was freaking out, feel much better.

 

[Shadi922]

How long did it take for Trek to file a warranty and complete the repair? Its been almost 2 weeks and I am still waiting to hear back from my LBS. I checked with them last Friday and they stated waiting to hear back from Trek.

 

[Doomanic]

The warranty claim on my Powerfly frame was started on a Monday, agreed on the Tuesday and completed on the Wednesday. That was pre-Covid though and my LBS is excellent.

 

[Shadi922]

The warranty claim on my Powerfly frame was started on a Monday, agreed on the Tuesday and completed on the Wednesday. That was pre-Covid though and my LBS is excellent.

Looks like you got lucky, Im hoping they call me this week and let me know its done. I live in Illinois not much time left to ride.

 

[Mike a769]

Super bummed Rail 7 51 miles and battery flies out :[

 

[Shadi922]

Super bummed Rail 7 51 miles and battery flies out :[

Yeah, it really sucks, I love the bike but really shitty.

 

[illazilla]

Your LBS should be addressing the misalignment issue on the front end of the sale, it's a known issue. We check the lock alignment on each one we build or service. This should be part of the bike build checks the shop does when receiving and assembling the new bike. At the shop I am at, we check every bolt and fitting for proper torque and adjustment. You really can't count on the 4 year old taiwan kids assembling them to do things right.

 

[Mike a769]

Your LBS should be addressing the misalignment issue on the front end of the sale, it's a known issue. We check the lock alignment on each one we build or service. This should be part of the bike build checks the shop does when receiving and assembling the new bike. At the shop I am at, we check every bolt and fitting for proper torque and adjustment. You really can't count on the 4 year old taiwan kids assembling them to do things right.

Ok !
Confidence in LBS Restored!
Replacement cover and brackets Warrantied
Rippin in up!

 

[Tony.OK]

Haven't had battery fall out but just after finishing my 1st enduro event noticed the bottom of my batt was moving a little, took batt out to find the 2 allen bolts in the bottom batt mount were nearly fully unwound ?
Something to keep an eye on in future.

 

[MOTO13]

Someone mentioned it, but I also use clear Gorilla tape on my battery cover. It's incredibly strong and since it's clear, almost unnoticeable. I have never had a battery issue of any kind, but it's darn cheap insurance.

 

[enCrypt]

This is a little worrying, a 2021 Trek Rail 5 is on my shortlist as my first EMTB. Don't suppose many people have got a 2021 yet, does it still happen on these too?

 

[jeroen]

@enCrypt: no problems yet on my 2021 Rail 9 (which is the same frame, engine etc) and have done quite some bouncy rides on it

 

[Ushtang]

This is a little worrying, a 2021 Trek Rail 5 is on my shortlist as my first EMTB. Don't suppose many people have got a 2021 yet, does it still happen on these too?

I have a 2021 Trek Rail 5 and I've managed 157 miles and no issues with battery so far. However re-did the battery alignment when I first got the bike just in case.

 

[enCrypt]

Thanks All,
I've just ordered a 2021 Rail 5 on Saturday in the superb Purple Flip / Black. Its only coming with the 500Wh battery but I can always upgrade later if required... (will get it mid December apparently as my local dealer thought ahead and ordered some ages ago, so they're near the top of the list )
I asked them about the flying batteries and he said they'd only seen one instance of it locally but said they'd make sure it was all good before the bike leaves the shop, then check the alignment again once I'd covered a few miles.