Trek Rail advice - First eMTB

[sandyfeet]

Hey guys, looking to purchase my first eMTB and have learnt a lot from the knowledge shared here

I got into riding about 2.5 years ago and love it, getting out 2-3 times per week, weather/family permitting. I have only owned the Polygon Siskiu T7 (140/135) and it has served me well but I am definitely riding it to its limit. The reason I want an eMTB is two-fold - I want to get more laps in on my local trail, and secondly, there is a purpose built MTB area being built 20 minutes away which I would use regularly. It will have designated climbing trails and about 40 kms of built flow trails with a mix of green/blue/black.

I am 192cm, 94kgs and fit for 43 yrs old. I am not particularly savvy or up to date with the latest tech, nor would I be confident in understanding upgrades that would suit my riding, so I don't want a super low spec bike that would require upgrades. I'm the kind of guy that will probably snoop around here to see what the majority are doing to pimp their rides

I have been considering a range of bikes:
- Giant Trance X advanced E+ Elite 2 ($9999AUD)
- Mondraker crafty RR alloy (currently $9999AUD - 23% disc)
- Mondraker crafty R carbon (currently $10999AUD - 24% disc)
- Trek Rail 9 Gen 3 (currently $8499AUD - 23% disc)
- Trek Rail 9.8 GX AXS T-Type Gen 4 (currently $9999AUD - 23% disc)

I considered the levo but there are no discounts atm and I think there a bit overpriced for the spec.

I am currently leaning towards the Trek Rail as I like the reviews regarding the Bosch motor and the bike in general + there is a Trek dealer in town. I am heading in to sit on a few bikes and chat to the guys over the weekend (rentals/loans are not an option).

Does anyone have any advice on either of the Trail bikes above and what to possibly look for when in store? For example:
- Geo of the 9.8 and the extended reach of 517 on the XL.
- Battery size - I think the 625W battery on the 9 would be enough for my riding.
- Weight - I think they are pretty similar?
- Carbon vs alloy

Thanks for any help

 

[sandyfeet]

Short version:

Trek Rail 9 Gen 3 (currently $8499AUD - 23% disc)
Vs
Trek Rail 9.8 GX AXS T-Type Gen 4 (currently $9999AUD - 23% disc)

Which one? why? things to consider that a noob may not have thought of?

Cheers,

 

[west]

Short version:

Trek Rail 9 Gen 3 (currently $8499AUD - 23% disc)
Vs
Trek Rail 9.8 GX AXS T-Type Gen 4 (currently $9999AUD - 23% disc)

Which one? why? things to consider that a noob may not have thought of?

Cheers,

Big differences between these two.
- Alloy vs carbon frame
- Different geometry between Gen 3 and Gen 4
- Alloy has 625WH battery, Carbon has 750WH battery

The specs between the two are much of a much, so you're really paying $1500 more for the bigger battery and carbon frame.

Unless you have had previous bad experiences with carbon, I would 100% go for the 9.8 carbon model purely for the bigger battery. I have a rail 9.8XT and the 750WH for me is perfect for 3-4 hour rides staying in turbo/emtb most of the time. Also highly recommend getting it ride wrapped from new to protect the frame. I did it myself and took around 4-5 hours to do going very slowly and got a near perfect result.

 

[JP-NZ]

Short version:

Trek Rail 9 Gen 3 (currently $8499AUD - 23% disc)
Vs
Trek Rail 9.8 GX AXS T-Type Gen 4 (currently $9999AUD - 23% disc)

Which one? why? things to consider that a noob may not have thought of?

Cheers,

Rail owner here, great bikes. To break it down for what $1500 AUD gets you

Bigger Battery
Carbon Handlebar
Newer AXS T Type gearing
Lighter (but same weight with larger battery)
System Controller in the top tube
Carbon Frame
Longer Geo

The 750wh battery models reach is around 22mm longer for Large to Large in these two bikes. At 192cm I'd say large in a gen 4 would be spot on. Don't go XL is another 25mm longer again

 

[Stihldog]

For me, having a emtb dealer close enough was important. I’m lucky to have three dealers within 5-10km so I have a few good options. (Trek, Specialize, Santa Cruz, Giant.

Motors are getting better each year and the geometry is somewhat changeable with a few upgrades.

Carbon vs Alloy …depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. They’re both good options IMO…but someday, weight might matter.

 

[sandyfeet]

For me, having a emtb dealer close enough was important. I’m lucky to have three dealers within 5-10km so I have a few good options. (Trek, Specialize, Santa Cruz, Giant.

Motors are getting better each year and the geometry is somewhat changeable with a few upgrades.

Carbon vs Alloy …depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. They’re both good options IMO…but someday, weight might matter.

Thanks Stihldog, after much reading, having a store nearby is also top priority for me

 

[sandyfeet]

Had the chance to get in store yesterday, but unfortunately they only had a large in the Rail9Gen3 and a medium in the 9.8. So both obviously not suitable sizing for me. I was hoping to try an XL in the 9 and both L and XL in the 9.8.

I am definitely favouring the 9.8 for the extra $1500 AUD but the guy I was chatting to was almost certain that for my size the XL would be better (6'4" and inseam of 35 inches). So I don't know how to compare these two sizes as best for me. The longer reach (517) and wheelbase (1314) feels like it might be a bit hard to manoeuvre around techy terrain.

I have attached a comparison of L and XL and my T7 as that is what I am familiar with and have not other comparison.

Any thoughts?

 

[JP-NZ]

I’m 5’11” on a medium 9.8 (460 reach) do you know your favoured reach numbers? If not the only way to tell is riding the bikes. Most people size down as I feel (49x reach) would be plenty?

The stack, reach and top tube length are all WAY longer on the XL Rail

 

[sandyfeet]

I’m 5’11” on a medium 9.8 (460 reach) do you know your favoured reach numbers? If not the only way to tell is riding the bikes. Most people size down as I feel (49x reach) would be plenty?

The stack, reach and top tube length are all WAY longer on the XL Rail

Thanks for the reply,

I have only ever ridden my T7 and its impossible to get demo bikes here so I haven't explored a range of different bikes/geo.

According to Trek's sizing you would be a L, so how do you find the M?

My gut feeling says the L will be spot on. The store have also offered to get the other size in if I'm not happy with original choice.

 

[Stihldog]

It took me about a year to find the “sweet-spot” for the type of riding in my area. My medium Rail is likely not suitable as a commuter because I don’t ride paved roads. The trails around here can be technical and sometimes steep.

I originally settled for a M Rail 9.7 and slowly added upgrades and tweaked the geometry to suit my needs.

When I added the Fuel EXE 8 I did the same. When I sit on each bike and close my eyes …I can’t tell the difference, but once you start moving, or throwing the bike around, the difference is apparent. The wheel base is about 1/2” shorter on the fuel and that may add to its agility on the trails.

Another rider, same height as me, now regrets having a L Rail. His solution is to slightly reduce the geometry …but a medium sized bike could have made these tweaks a little easier. His bike would be great as a commuter …but not a techy trail bike.

 

[JP-NZ]

Thanks for the reply,

I have only ever ridden my T7 and its impossible to get demo bikes here so I haven't explored a range of different bikes/geo.

According to Trek's sizing you would be a L, so how do you find the M?

My gut feeling says the L will be spot on. The store have also offered to get the other size in if I'm not happy with original choice.

I think the L would be perfect for you. I don’t pay attention to “recommended sizing” I like 460mm reach so that’s what I went for. My DH bike is 470, but for trail riding and some bike park I’m happy as with the medium.

 

[PJ27]

Thanks for the reply,

I have only ever ridden my T7 and its impossible to get demo bikes here so I haven't explored a range of different bikes/geo.

According to Trek's sizing you would be a L, so how do you find the M?

My gut feeling says the L will be spot on. The store have also offered to get the other size in if I'm not happy with original choice.

Hey Sandyfeet, what size did you decide on? I have the same dilemma, I too am 193cm/35-ish inseam but slightly longer arm span (198cm) v length of legs. I am riding a 2020 Jam2 XL reach 487mm (in specs but label on bike says 480mm??) and feels a little short.....Its hard to get test rides on actual trails.....

 

[PJ27]

With the Trek Rail 9.8 how many spacers and how thick are they in mm under the headset? could you reduce the amount of spacers and then get a higher rise bar to make longer reach? If so what would be the max you could extend the reach? Thank you

 

[sandyfeet]

Hey Sandyfeet, what size did you decide on? I have the same dilemma, I too am 193cm/35-ish inseam but slightly longer arm span (198cm) v length of legs. I am riding a 2020 Jam2 XL reach 487mm (in specs but label on bike says 480mm??) and feels a little short.....Its hard to get test rides on actual trails.....

I have ordered the XL.

Few reasons: My current bike is 500mm reach and it definitely doesn't feel big for me, the 9.8 L is 491. Whilst a few comments from youtube reviews suggested downsizing, generally these riders are way more competent than me and can 'handle/manoeuvre' the bike with more ability. Once I started reading from a lot more riders who were probably at my level, they seemed very confident and happy with the choice of XL - or other appropriate size without downsizing.

I rode the L around a nearby park and felt I had room to extend my arms and when I was standing and leaning around the bike I thought I wouldn't mind the extra wheelbase and stretch on steeper stuff - On my current bike I basically wipe my arse with the back tyre on anything steep for fear of flying over the front.

I get analysis paralysis with anything I do, but at the end of the day, I know I would have a bloody great time on either. The trek store also offer a 30 day return if I am really not comfortable and feel oversized.

 

[sandyfeet]

With the Trek Rail 9.8 how many spacers and how thick are they in mm under the headset? could you reduce the amount of spacers and then get a higher rise bar to make longer reach? If so what would be the max you could extend the reach? Thank you

I'm not sure about the spacers. You could get a longer stem to increase the reach but this will put your weight further forward also. I believe a higher rise bar can work both ways to shorten/lengthen reach depending on the angle it is set at.