themonkster
Active member
I originally was down for the Rail 7. My LBS couldn't get it until March. I opted for the lower spec Rail 5 as I was itching to get out. To be honest the Matt black and olive is a great combo.
Before picking it up I had the brakes changed to the Shimano MT501/520 as I didn't like the look and the levers of the Tektro.
I also had the dropper lever changed to the One Up lever. Game changer.
I've had the bike fully Shack Wrapped, great as he's only down the road from me.
Converted to tubeless within 10 mins of getting it home and installed the HT Composite pedals as they don't freeze up in winter.
I've never owned a EBike. I've had a quick go on my mates. I didn't really know what to expect. Coming from a Scott Spark 940 this was going to be a different ballgame.
The 5 is equipped with SRAM SX 12 speed. Coming from the GX Eagle on my Scott. The SX lever is plastic but felt precise in the shifting, the same with the dereailluer. Down the line I'll upgrade to the GX. I do prefer the SRAM Eagle black cassettes over the Shimano especially with the matt bike.
I started off with the power off just getting used to how the bike felt. Honestly it felt so natural with the full size chainring, shorter chainstay.
I used my usual 20 odd mile loop as a test for the bike. I've done this many many times on my XC Scott.
Met a couple of mates at our starting point. At this point still hadn't turned it on as it's all downhill.
This is where the fun began for me. The gradient started to kick in. Power on time. ECO mode. Wowwww f@@k me thought someone had put a rocket up my arse. If this is ECO what the hell is TURBO like.
Coasted on ECO for the next couple of miles which is low gradient to the base of Holcombe Hill which is about 700ft from the bottom of the road to the top of the hill.
Still in ECO chatting to my mate who has a Mondraker EBike coasting up to the base of the steep bit. Normally a conversation is out of the way as we're normally blowing out of our arses.
Hill time. Started in ECO then thought I'd knock it up one to TOUR. Unbelievable. Absolutely flew up with a high cadence. Night and day. I can honestly say it's a life changer. On my XC it's a marathon getting up it. Hallucinating as it gets pretty steep. I was still breathing hard without the pain of my legs exploding.
Now for the downhill. Everything fully open. Running about 20psi front and back to test. The acceleration you can get just in ECO is awesome. Absolutely blasted over the rock's and bricks down the trail. The Rockshox 35's felt really plush soaking up all the shit. The tractor tyres flew through the ice and mud with ease.
As you can see from my Strava screenshot. It was a decent Sunday ride out. All this was done mostly between OFF and ECO. I had quick bursts of Turbo and EMTB just messing really.
As this is the lowest spec it comes with the 500Kwh hour battery. I had only used 2 bars with this ride. Personally I thought this was great. I'm a stone heavier than I'd like to be at the moment as well.
I'm glad I went for the Rail 5. It was over a grand cheaper so I can upgrade bits as I go along.
I'm absolutely made up with this bike it's an absolute tool of a machine.
Any questions feel free to ask.
Before picking it up I had the brakes changed to the Shimano MT501/520 as I didn't like the look and the levers of the Tektro.
I also had the dropper lever changed to the One Up lever. Game changer.
I've had the bike fully Shack Wrapped, great as he's only down the road from me.
Converted to tubeless within 10 mins of getting it home and installed the HT Composite pedals as they don't freeze up in winter.
I've never owned a EBike. I've had a quick go on my mates. I didn't really know what to expect. Coming from a Scott Spark 940 this was going to be a different ballgame.
The 5 is equipped with SRAM SX 12 speed. Coming from the GX Eagle on my Scott. The SX lever is plastic but felt precise in the shifting, the same with the dereailluer. Down the line I'll upgrade to the GX. I do prefer the SRAM Eagle black cassettes over the Shimano especially with the matt bike.
I started off with the power off just getting used to how the bike felt. Honestly it felt so natural with the full size chainring, shorter chainstay.
I used my usual 20 odd mile loop as a test for the bike. I've done this many many times on my XC Scott.
Met a couple of mates at our starting point. At this point still hadn't turned it on as it's all downhill.
This is where the fun began for me. The gradient started to kick in. Power on time. ECO mode. Wowwww f@@k me thought someone had put a rocket up my arse. If this is ECO what the hell is TURBO like.
Coasted on ECO for the next couple of miles which is low gradient to the base of Holcombe Hill which is about 700ft from the bottom of the road to the top of the hill.
Still in ECO chatting to my mate who has a Mondraker EBike coasting up to the base of the steep bit. Normally a conversation is out of the way as we're normally blowing out of our arses.
Hill time. Started in ECO then thought I'd knock it up one to TOUR. Unbelievable. Absolutely flew up with a high cadence. Night and day. I can honestly say it's a life changer. On my XC it's a marathon getting up it. Hallucinating as it gets pretty steep. I was still breathing hard without the pain of my legs exploding.
Now for the downhill. Everything fully open. Running about 20psi front and back to test. The acceleration you can get just in ECO is awesome. Absolutely blasted over the rock's and bricks down the trail. The Rockshox 35's felt really plush soaking up all the shit. The tractor tyres flew through the ice and mud with ease.
As you can see from my Strava screenshot. It was a decent Sunday ride out. All this was done mostly between OFF and ECO. I had quick bursts of Turbo and EMTB just messing really.
As this is the lowest spec it comes with the 500Kwh hour battery. I had only used 2 bars with this ride. Personally I thought this was great. I'm a stone heavier than I'd like to be at the moment as well.
I'm glad I went for the Rail 5. It was over a grand cheaper so I can upgrade bits as I go along.
I'm absolutely made up with this bike it's an absolute tool of a machine.
Any questions feel free to ask.
