Trek Rail upgrades, what have you done?

Gnarlyrider · May 14, 2021

Doomanic said:
Why did you change the hardware? I used the stock hardware on mine.

Yeah, as I was taking it apart I realized I could have used the stock hardware too.

Third-Reef · May 17, 2021

108 tooth free hub upgrade kit. Goes in this week.

Third-Reef · May 17, 2021

The parts

EuanS2 · May 17, 2021

Rail 7 Upgrades so far

Kiox Controller.
Lyrik internals.
170mm air shaft.
Michelin EWilds 2.6.
Rapid drive 108 conversion.
Hope Tech 3 v4/e4 brakes with 220/203 rotors.
Fox Transfer 175 seat post with OneUp leaver.
Ergon saddle and Grips.
OneUp 35mm stem and 35mm rise OneUp carbon bars.
OneUp EDC tools in the stem (2021 version)
Invisiframe.
RRP mudguards.
Custom decals on Fork and wheels.

Some of the most important mods I’ve done are tidying up the cables, stopping them rattling and weather proofing the battery housing and the rear pivot area

Doug Stampfer · May 17, 2021

Remind me what the 108 pawl upgrade is for again?

EuanS2 · May 17, 2021

Doug Stampfer said:
Remind me what the 108 pawl upgrade is for again?

It’s for the rapid drive free hub, 108 points of engagement

Third-Reef · May 17, 2021

It also could be considered a replacement for a bell. You can here it coming. Google Bontrager 108 upgrade

EuanS2 · May 17, 2021

Third-Reef said:
It also could be considered a replacement for a bell. You can here it coming. Google Bontrager 108 upgrade

I don’t find it loud at all, certainly no where near as loud as previous Hope and DT Swiss ratchet hubs

Philly G · May 17, 2021

Doug Stampfer said:
Remind me what the 108 pawl upgrade is for again?

...so instead of 3 pawls, you now have 6, so there is noticeably less free movement before the hub engages

Doug Stampfer · May 17, 2021

Philly G said:
...so instead of 3 pawls, you now have 6, so there is noticeably less free movement before the hub engages

I notice the lag of engaement in the motor, not really in the rear hub. Is it that noticeable? Seems a cheap upgrade anyway.

Philly G · May 17, 2021

Doug Stampfer said:
I notice the lag of engaement in the motor, not really in the rear hub. Is it that noticeable? Seems a cheap upgrade anyway.

It is very noticeable, I would say especially so on an eeb because of the slight lag at the motor. 3 pawls gives 54 points of engagement whereas 6 pawls you have 108. I think from memory this translates to just 3° of freeplay with the 6 pawl upgrade vs 6° with the standard 3 pawls. It doesn't sound like a lot but you'll definitely notice the difference

Busterchops · May 19, 2021

Just ordered the bontrager carbon line pros! Supposedly the fronts are in stock and the rears are 2-4 weeks out. Rears come stock with the 108 hub. Lots of options but but would appreciate some suggestions for tires that match the rims? Mostly riding game trails in the back country of Colorado.

Philly G · May 19, 2021

Busterchops said:
Lots of options but but would appreciate some suggestions for tires that match the rims? Mostly riding game trails in the back country of Colorado.

Everyone has their own preference for tyres, you really have to try a few and see what works best for the terrain you ride. I run Maxxis Assegai front and either Maxxis Dissector or Aggressor rear. Get the heavier Double Down casing, heaps of support even at lower pressures, assuming you're setting up tubeless. The Aggressor is a bit faster rolling and harder wearing than the Dissector, so probably gives you a bit more range, but the Dissector offers better grip on wet roots etc. The Assegai has grip for days and I doubt I'll ever run anything else

Smittylube · May 20, 2021

For those running larger than 200 stock brake rotors, Care to share info of where and what you bought?
I know I can now easily run a larger front since I put on the ZEB, but the rear already has a spacer/ adapter. I am thinking anything that helps braking is a good thing. ( stock rail 7 brakes currently)

Also maybe mention if you had issues with warp or fitment along the way.
Thanks.
Steve

Busterchops · May 20, 2021

Philly G said:
Everyone has their own preference for tyres, you really have to try a few and see what works best for the terrain you ride. I run Maxxis Assegai front and either Maxxis Dissector or Aggressor rear. Get the heavier Double Down casing, heaps of support even at lower pressures, assuming you're setting up tubeless. The Aggressor is a bit faster rolling and harder wearing than the Dissector, so probably gives you a bit more range, but the Dissector offers better grip on wet roots etc. The Assegai has grip for days and I doubt I'll ever run anything else

Thanks I’ll definitely take a look.

GrandesRoues · May 20, 2021

Smittylube said:
For those running larger than 200 stock brake rotors, Care to share info of where and what you bought?
I know I can now easily run a larger front since I put on the ZEB, but the rear already has a spacer/ adapter. I am thinking anything that helps braking is a good thing. ( stock rail 7 brakes currently)

Also maybe mention if you had issues with warp or fitment along the way.
Thanks.
Steve

I use Magura, 220mm front and 200mm rear.
I like the consistency on long (>1000m elevation) alpine downhills. They are a fit finicky to bleed and adjust.

Smittylube · May 20, 2021

Ordered my front 220.

Andyb13 · May 22, 2021

I have a nice set of TRP DHR- EVo brakes waiting to go on my Trek Rail as I don’t like Shimano brakes

zerofunds · May 23, 2021

Stanpipe said:
Smashpot Coil conversion in new Zeb Select+. Can confirm it’s f*<4ing mint!!!!

Hey, which spring did you go for, what's your weight?

Tonybro · May 23, 2021

Andyb13 said:
I have a nice set of TRP DHR- EVo brakes waiting to go on my Trek Rail as I don’t like Shimano brakes

View attachment 62213

Is 'adoy' a new brand of discs rotors? They sure look like Hope ones...

Stray cat · May 23, 2021

New DT Swiss custom wheels and Tannus tubeless insert.I highly recommend. Stock ones aren’t bad ,but huge improvement.

Rostle32 · May 23, 2021

I upgraded my Rail 7 to the 6 pawl engagement, worked a treat (for a while) then freehub ended up sliding outward on the axle for some reason, this then made the pawl location slots elongate, so new freehub required !!! Then the clutch on the rear mech went dicky, when i was pricing the new parts up and the availability, I decided to go 10 speed !
shimano hg freehub,
11-42 shimano cassette,
shimano hg 10 speed chain,
shimano zee shifter,
deore long cage mech,
cheap and dependable, runs like a dream and climbs all my trails no bother and abundant spares! win , win !!!!

Third-Reef · May 26, 2021

Put a leash on my Kiox. After a rough and rocky decent in the desert I got to the bottom and noticed the screen was blank. The Kiox was knocked sideways a little. Popped it back in and all was well. Must have hit it with my knee on one of the switchbacks. Would have been a big deal if had been gone. It could have popped out and bounced down over the cliff and been gone forever.

zerofunds · May 26, 2021

Third-Reef said:
Put a leash on my Kiox. After a rough and rocky decent in the desert I got to the bottom and noticed the screen was blank. The Kiox was knocked sideways a little. Popped it back in and all was well. Must have hit it with my knee on one of the switchbacks. Would have been a big deal if had been gone. It could have popped out and bounced down over the cliff and been gone forever.
View attachment 62486 View attachment 62487

Not sure if it works for you, but all you need is a little counter sunk screw to screw the kiosk to the base plate, I think it's M4 from memory, used in a lot of computers etc

Third-Reef · May 26, 2021

Also installed the 108 tooth freehub upgrade. Super clicky now. Might notice the difference on a technical climb

Third-Reef · May 26, 2021

That is a good idea. i may just screw that puppy on there. Then i don't need to worry a loosing it or having it stolen

EuanS2 · May 26, 2021

upgraded the shock with a MegNeg and put Push ultra low friction seals in the fork... both fork and shock feel much plusher now, hopefully get out to test it tomorrow

Smittylube · May 27, 2021

Stray cat said:
New DT Swiss custom wheels and Tannus tubeless insert.I highly recommend. Stock ones aren’t bad ,but huge improvement.

What do you feel improved with these wheels?

Richiefromboston · May 31, 2021

I have a 2021 trek rail XT Ive already pulled the SLX brakes and replaced with 4 plug XTR brakes and I pulled the XT deralieur for an XTR Also went with race face next 31's on Vault hubs I wanted a 9.9 but had to settle on the XT which is badass on its own pictures to follow this week I had a little prob with the plugs on motor and would like a new harness( I dont NEED it) because I can fix the wires that pulled out of one the plugs, but after all this $$ and effort Id rather replace it The bike is going cross the USA for 4 months with me So I want it bulletproof.