Some questions. Riding without battery. DHX2 2021 fitment etc

Supernils

Member
Jul 17, 2020
35
6
Norway
Hello humans! I have some questions, as my Rail 7 (L) is showing up in a couple of days.

Here they are:

1. Is it possible to ride without the battery, and just use a spare battery cover?

2. Has anyone tried the bike with a 170mm fork? I'm thinking of going 170 in front and 230x60 behind, or 230x62,5 if possible. If I put the mino link in the high position, I'm figuring that the geometry will stay more or less the same. So... I have seen pictures here of a 230x60 fitted unto a large frame. But Fox has changed the position of the piggyback on the 2021, so I'm wondering if it'll be possible.

This is, by the way, my first ebike. Coming from a Yeti SB150.
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
You could ride without the battery, but why would you want to? Spare covers are available, but it won't be cheap! And not something your LBS will have. The idea of the spare cover is so you can have a spare battery at the ready, not as a cover when there's no battery.
 

Supernils

Member
Jul 17, 2020
35
6
Norway
Two reasons for riding whitout battery. Or three.
1. If I am traveling by plane and can't bring the battery.
2. If I am to participate in an enduro contest.
3. If I am trying to beat someone on strava.

So the cover doesn't need a battery to attach to the frame...!?
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
20200721_095620.jpg
20200721_095604.jpg
Two reasons for riding whitout battery. Or three.
1. If I am traveling by plane and can't bring the battery.
2. If I am to participate in an enduro contest.
3. If I am trying to beat someone on strava.

So the cover doesn't need a battery to attach to the frame...!?
no, battery not required. The parts that latch into the frame are just end caps that screw to the battery and to the cover plate . Don't know if the caps come with the cover, separate part numbers. Have a look at the parts diagrams pinned at the top of the Trek forum ?
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
Although now I think about it, i would say the battery does provide some structural rigidity to the whole assembly. The cover probably won't latch in as firmly without it. But you could hold it in tight using straps
 

GrandesRoues

Member
Jul 26, 2019
176
89
Alpes Françaises
Hello humans! I have some questions, as my Rail 7 (L) is showing up in a couple of days.

Here they are:

1. Is it possible to ride without the battery, and just use a spare battery cover?

2. Has anyone tried the bike with a 170mm fork? I'm thinking of going 170 in front and 230x60 behind, or 230x62,5 if possible. If I put the mino link in the high position, I'm figuring that the geometry will stay more or less the same. So... I have seen pictures here of a 230x60 fitted unto a large frame. But Fox has changed the position of the piggyback on the 2021, so I'm wondering if it'll be possible.

This is, by the way, my first ebike. Coming from a Yeti SB150.

2021 Trek rail 9.9 comme stock with a 170mm fork.
 

Supernils

Member
Jul 17, 2020
35
6
Norway
I only have the battery. But understand that I need an extra cover, and a 500w-spacer. And a lot of other stuff obviously. Is there some kind of kit that's possible to order from somewhere?
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
I only have the battery. But understand that I need an extra cover, and a 500w-spacer. And a lot of other stuff obviously. Is there some kind of kit that's possible to order from somewhere?
I think you would need to order that through your bike shop or contact Trek directly. As you say, you will need the cover, the spacer, and the two end caps. It may be sold as a kit? You could also get all the part numbers from the parts diagram and do a web search, see what comes up.
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
I only have the battery. But understand that I need an extra cover, and a 500w-spacer. And a lot of other stuff obviously. Is there some kind of kit that's possible to order from somewhere?
Hey, just wondering if you've had any luck sourcing the parts you need for your spare battery? I had a quick look around online myself but couldn't find anything
 

Supernils

Member
Jul 17, 2020
35
6
Norway
I haven't contacted my LBS yet.

But I have swapped the air side of the fork to 170mm (2021-version). The fork feels quite different.
 

Supernils

Member
Jul 17, 2020
35
6
Norway
Have only tried it one time, on some mellow trails, so it'sto early to conclude, but I would say yeah, it feels quite plush. But it seems to stay high in the travel. I actually rode down some steep stuff that I didn't think I'd ever do. You know, the stuff when it's not possible to stop.

I'll give an report in some days. Gonna have 3 days with a lot of riding now.
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
Have only tried it one time, on some mellow trails, so it'sto early to conclude, but I would say yeah, it feels quite plush. But it seems to stay high in the travel. I actually rode down some steep stuff that I didn't think I'd ever do. You know, the stuff when it's not possible to stop.

I'll give an report in some days. Gonna have 3 days with a lot of riding now.
Cool, enjoy your rides! ?
 

Supernils

Member
Jul 17, 2020
35
6
Norway
I promised to post some thoughts after upgrading to the 170mm 2021 air spring. I'm not sure I'm able to tell the difference since i "up'ed" the travel to 170mm at the same time. I lowered the bars with one spacer, and it clearly stays higher in it's travel.

But... I also have swapped out the motion control damper to the newest charger rc2.1. And boy, that was quite a difference! It's simply noticably better in every way, it has more traction, comfort and control. Prior to this upgrade I started to doubt the bike, as I felt that I lacked the confidence I had with my last bike. Now it's possible to charge hard again.

Now it's time to experiment with the rear end. I will probably get hold of a slightly used DHX2 (2020). I just need to find out what kind of hardware I need.
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
I promised to post some thoughts after upgrading to the 170mm 2021 air spring. I'm not sure I'm able to tell the difference since i "up'ed" the travel to 170mm at the same time. I lowered the bars with one spacer, and it clearly stays higher in it's travel.

But... I also have swapped out the motion control damper to the newest charger rc2.1. And boy, that was quite a difference! It's simply noticably better in every way, it has more traction, comfort and control. Prior to this upgrade I started to doubt the bike, as I felt that I lacked the confidence I had with my last bike. Now it's possible to charge hard again.

Now it's time to experiment with the rear end. I will probably get hold of a slightly used DHX2 (2020). I just need to find out what kind of hardware I need.
Good to know your thoughts on the fork upgrades! Sounds like it's the way forward for me as well, not loving the fork as standard
 

Doomanic

🛠️Wrecker🛠️
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 21, 2018
8,702
10,347
UK
I just need to find out what kind of hardware I need.
I used the original hardware when I fitted the DVO Jade X to my medium Rail 7. Needed modifying slightly as the DVO shock bushes are wider than the OE Rockshox.
 

Dano78

Member
Dec 3, 2019
162
35
Uk
Hello humans! I have some questions, as my Rail 7 (L) is showing up in a couple of days.

Here they are:

1. Is it possible to ride without the battery, and just use a spare battery cover?

2. Has anyone tried the bike with a 170mm fork? I'm thinking of going 170 in front and 230x60 behind, or 230x62,5 if possible. If I put the mino link in the high position, I'm figuring that the geometry will stay more or less the same. So... I have seen pictures here of a 230x60 fitted unto a large frame. But Fox has changed the position of the piggyback on the 2021, so I'm wondering if it'll be possible.

This is, by the way, my first ebike. Coming from a Yeti SB150.
Which 2021 fox shock are you talking about please
 

zaykay

Member
Dec 3, 2019
93
79
Finland
I have been testing longer air shafts in many other bikes before and feel that stock 160mm is the perfect size for Rail. It’s rather slack and stable bike stock and longer fork will increase the wandering behaviour on uphills and makes it lazy in downhill corners. Especially if the bike has coil shock. I rode the Rollercoaster on Hafjell bikepark in Norway this summer without any issues so the Rail has unbelievable capability with 160mm travel fork.
My experience is with Charger 2.1 RC2 damper
 

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