trek rail motor armour

An evolution not a revolution | Trek refines the Rail for 2022

The Trek Rail was first launched in 2020 as a successor to the Powerfly LT. Basically designed to be an electrified Slash, with 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, it was one of the first bikes we saw equipped with Bosch’s 4th gen motor.

For 2022 the top-spec models get an update, with the 9.9, 9.8 and Project One builds seeing refined geometry, Bosch’s latest Smart e-Bike suite and some never before seen electronic ‘Wiz’ardry.

• Trek Rail 2021 Review | A powerful, long travel e-MTB with ALL of the confidence
• Trek Slash Review | The all-new Slash is the iron fist in a velvet glove q
• First Ride Review | The New 2020 Trek Rail 9.8 Is Trek’s Best E-MTB Yet

2022 Trek Rail Overview

This update is only coming for the top-end models of the Rail, with the 9.7 and below continuing in their current form . The bike is still based around 150mm of rear travel, a 160mm fork and comes stock with 29in wheels.

The frame also sees the Knock Block 2.0 headset with an expanded 72-degree steering radius.  Should you dislike the abrupt steering stop, you can remove the steering limiter, and Trek has ensured the fork crown will clear the top tube.

Also carried through is the RIB battery mount. Here the battery integrates almost seamlessly into the downtube but can be removed from the bike with the turn of a key, and there is even a carry handle.

Rail Geometry

Following on from the new Slash that launched last year, the Rail has been brought more in line with its analogue enduro stablemate.The overall changes to geometry are not a full ground-up rebuild, they are more subtle.

Starting at the reach, the 2022 frame is an average of 19mm longer than its predecessor across the size range. The reasoning for this is twofold; added stability, and to create extra space for the larger 750wh battery. The seat angle has steepened by 2-degrees, the head angle is 0.3-degrees slacker, and the stack height has increased by 7mm.

Trek has brought through its Mino-link flip-chip, and the figures above are all in the high position. When you flip the chip, the BB drops by 5mm, slackening the head angle to 64.2-degrees, and the seat angle to 76.7-degrees.

Trek should have renamed its Mino-link flip-chip the ‘Mullet’ link because swapping it into the high position makes the bike compatible, with a 27.5in rear wheel. This of course also has an effect on the geometry, bringing the headtube angle to 63.9-degrees and the seat angle to 76.4-degrees.

The new Rail won’t be sold as a mullet, but the frame has been designed to accommodate the smaller wheel if you so please.

Bosch Smart System

The new Rail is one of the first bikes equipped with Bosch’s updated Performance CX Smart suite. This was an incremental update to the Gen4 drive system, that added Bluetooth connectivity to the components that give the motor directions, and saw a new eBike Flow app to make it all work.

Through the app, you will be able to run over the air firmware updates, customise assist modes, and it give you reminders about service intervals.

The Performance CX Smart System motor is largely unchanged from its ‘dumb’ sibling, however, all the ancillary parts received a much needed revamp. There’s the new 750Wh Powertube battery, the LED Remote, and the full-colour Kiox display.

You can read more about Bosch’s new Performance CX Smart System here.

Launching along with Rail is RockShox’s new AirWiz. This electronic pressure gauge measures the air pressure in your shock and fork, and flashes a red or green light depending if the reading matches what you’ve set in the SRAM AXS app. AirWiz does not offer the auto damping you get with Flight Attendant , nor does it offer tuning suggestions like ShockWiz, it’s purely a diagnostic tool.

The AirWiz sensors are integrated into the RockShox Zeb fork and custom Super Deluxe, which is also brought across from the Slash. This specially built rear shock sees Trek’s Thru-Shaft damper, and also receives the offset rebound adjuster complete with the numbered dial

The other new Wiz that’s launching alongside the Rail, is the Bontrager Line 30 carbon wheel with an integrated TyreWiz. Previously these tyre pressure sensors have only been integrated into the Zipp 3ZERO MOTO.

Initially, we were quick to turn our noses up at the thought of more batteries to look after, especially in the name of tracking parameters experienced riders don’t need constant reminders to check. However, for newer riders, or for shops setting people up, the AirWiz especially, will make life so much easier. There is only a sliver of the market dropping the cost of a used Toyota Camry on a new bike that doesn’t know how to set sag, but those folks are out there, and this will help them ride better. For the rest of us and beginner riders with a modest budget, it’s also likely to trickle down at some point.

Anything else we should know?

We’ve seen a few e-MTB’s adopt the 1.8in tapered steerer (gasp!), and the Rail is the latest to jump on board with this new standard, promising to make the front end more stout and help the tubes blend better aesthetically.  New standards are always annoying, but for a 23kg e-MTB, it makes sense to use the widest possible tubing to prevent unwanted flex, especially given the type of riding for which this bike is designed. Also getting fatter is the seat tube, which like the Slash, has moved to a 34.9mm internal diameter.

Inside the front triangle, the sizes M, L and XL have room for a water bottle, but the size S frame will only take the Bontrager Voda 15 (444ml) bottle. Worse, if you’re a small rider who wants the AirWiz rear shock, you’d better have a backpack because the sensor takes up that prime real estate.

2022 Trek Rail pricing and spec

As we mentioned at the top, this update only applies to the 9.9, 9.8 and Project One models of the Rail. The remainder of the range has the same frame, and standard Bosch Performance CX e-Bike kit.

Given these are the most Gucci builds Trek offers it should come as no surprise pricing starts at $12,299.99 AUD for the 9.8 and $15,999.99 AUD for the 9.9. There is a jump from XT to XTR in drivetrain components between the models, but the main difference is whether or not it’s Wiz equipped. Read on for the full spec.

Trek Rail 9.8 XT

• Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame, 1.8″ lower head tube, Removable Integrated Battery (RIB), Knock Block 2.0, guided internal routing, 34.9mm seat tube, magnesium rocker link, Motor Armor, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 12mm thru axle, 150mm travel
• e-Bike system | Bosch Performance Line CX for smart system, 250 watt, 85 Nm w/ Bosch PowerTube 750
• Fork | RockShox ZEB Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, eMTB optimized crown, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
• Rear Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3, DebonAir spring, Thru Shaft 3-position damper, 230×57.5mm
• Drivetrain | Shimano XT M8100, 12 speed
• Brakes | Shimano XT M8120 4-piston hydraulic disc
• Crankset | E*thirteen E*spec Plus, 34T, 165mm length
• Handlebar | Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 780mm width
• Stem | Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, Knock Block, Blendr compatible, 0 degree, 45mm length
• Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp
• Dropper | Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, MaxFlow, 34.9mm, S – 100mm, M – 150mm, L – 170mm, XL – 200mm
• Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width
• Cassette | Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12 speed
• Tyres | Front: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″
• Wheelset | Bontrager Line Comp 30
• Weight | 23.4kg
• Price | $12,299.99 AUD

Trek Rail 9.9 XTR

• Fork | RockShox ZEB Ultimate with AirWiz, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC2 damper, 160mm travel
• Rear Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3 with AirWiz, DebonAir spring, Thru Shaft 3-position damper, 230×57.5mm
• Drivetrain | Shimano XTR M9100, 12 speed
• Brakes | Shimano XTR M9120 4-piston hydraulic disc
• Crankset | E*thirteen E*spec Race carbon, 34T, 165mm length
• Cassette | Shimano XTR M9101, 10-51, 12 speed
• Wheelset | Bontrager Line Pro 30 w/ TyreWiz
• Weight | 22.77kg
• Price | $15,999.99 AUD
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2021 eMTB SHOOTOUT

Trek rail 9.9 review.

Photos by Dusten Ryen Video by Brian Niles/Treeline Cinematics

After the Trek Rail took the top spot in our 2020 eMTB shootout, we had high expectations of the refreshed 2021Trek Rail 9.9. Much of the bike is familiar, which isn’t a bad thing since the 2020 model blew us away. That said, things move fast in the eMTB world so will the 2021 model refresh have what it takes to hold its own against a stacked field of completely re-designed competitors ? We threw everything the Utah desert had at the Rail to see if it could defend the top spot.

THE LAB The Trek Rail 9.9 is built around a full OCLV carbon frame, which is wrapped around the Bosch Performance Line CX motor and battery system. OCLV carbon is a proprietary process that Trek has developed to minimize voids within their layup. Protecting the carbon are molded elastomeric armor bits on both the down tube and chainstays. We would like to see a slightly more durable clear coat on the paint however, so be prepared to buy a clear frame protectant sticker wrap to keep this beautifully cherry and raw carbon bike looking good.

Geometry is unchanged from last year, which is perfect since the existing bike was right in the Goldilox zone. A high/low adjustable chip is integrated into the rear linkage to allow riders to lower the bottom bracket and slack out the head tube angle. We rode the bike mostly in the low setting, which gives a 64.5-degree head tube, 75-degree seat tube, 465mm reach, 448mm chainstay and a 630mm stack height. The Trek Rail is more than the sum of the measurements though, and for that reason we love this bike on a wide variety of terrain.

Something we have to mention as it has plagued multiple Trek test bikes we’ve ridden is hardware coming loose. Once again we had some loosening from the rear axle, almost daily until we put some thread locker on, and other hardware in the Mino-Link and rockers have come loose. We hope that Trek can start using some stronger thread locker because we’ve definitely had a ride ruined from parts falling out.

Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor and battery system with Kiox display is a solid way to go, and while one tester had an issue knocking the screen off with his knees, we’ve never seen anyone else have this issue. The motor puts out 85nm of torque in both eMTB and Turbo mode, which is an increase from 75nm last year. The increased torque gives the rider instant power in all scenarios and cadence speeds. Coupled with a 625wh battery, this motor is leading the competition in both sustainted peak power and longevity. We ran several other batteries dry while the Bosch still had more than 30% on the meter. This drivetrain absolutely has its distinct advantages.

With the $10,499 price tag, you get an impressive component spec, and rightfully so. The build includes a RockShox ZEB Ultimate 160mm fork and a Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3 rear shock sporting 150mm of travel. While we think the Fox 38 may have the slight edge in performance, the RockShox Ultimate stuff is very comparable, especially with all the time and effort Trek and RockShox put in to fine tune their ThruShaft technology. Drivetrain duties are handled by 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle with SRAM Code RSCs brakes and a 200mm front rotor and 180mm rear. The cockpit, dropper and wheels are all Bontrager. The 780mm wide bars are OCLV carbon with 35mm rise and feel as good as any non-OEM part. The wheels are a carbon masterpiece, blending compliance and strength and we’re huge fans of Bontrager’s new and improved wheels.

THE DIRT To describe the climbing performance of the Trek Rail 9.9, simply insert any positive descriptor you can think of and press go. Thanks to the torque of the Bosch system, geometry and Trek’s supple suspension design, we were all reaching for the Rail on challenging climbs. The motor seems to churn out endless power at even the lowest cadence, but not enough to constantly raise the front tire or break traction. The long wheelbase is balanced out by the chainstay length and 64.5-degree head tube keep it from being too cumbersome on the super tight stuff.

Seating position feels neutral and standing efforts have enough room, although we wouldn’t mind a couple more milimeters of reach to get us closer to 475mm. But if you’re looking to impress your friends or win a free burrito from the crew, simply put it in Turbo and your only limits are skill and gravity. After several battery draining days on the rest of the bikes, the Trek Rail still managed to have a battery bar remaining. The Kiox display screen is the best in the Bosch lineup, and is tucked neatly behind the stem on the top tube.

The charging port is well covered with a flip down door that is paint matched to the body and we never had any issues with the battery or cable rattle we experienced with several other eMTBs this year. A big benefit of the Rail is an integrated aluminum skid plate covering the bottom bracket and motor. We are finding that skid plates are an essential item with low hanging motors, and the Rail’s is definitely a very stout version and resisted breaking, unlike several other bikes we tested. The motor casing does have a few deep gouges in it from sharp rock impacts, but it’s still working just fine.

The Trek Rail 9.9’s total package is pretty dialed. The new rear shock tune with RT3 technology is just about perfect, with enough support in the mid travel to always allow for a big drop or jump, while still maintaining ground tracing sensitivity off the top. We’ve had a bit of trouble with RockShox rear shocks spitting oil after some time and it seems that this one is keeping oil inside rather than making our bike dirty, which we appreciate. Overall we really liked how the shock blended sensitivity with the ability to keep up with big, harsh hits at speed.

Many of our testers noticed the Trek Rail kept up with many bikes in the Enduro category of our eMTB Shootout. It’s a bike that really likes going fast and the Zeb up front makes a huge difference in confidence. While we did knock the travel ring off the rear shock several times, none of us could tell we were bottoming as the ramp up is both supportive and progressive. The stiff frame and fork allow for laser-like accuracy in line choice and the Bontrager wheels are flexible enough to hold side hill options with ease.

Off big, slow speed drops, the Trek Rail needs a little extra effort to get the long wheelbase balanced. The front end feels a tad heavy when trying to keep it up off those slow drops out of corners. The low bottom bracket and taller stack give the feeling of riding in the bike rather than on it, and provide the confidence to tackle whatever. We rarely find bikes that flick through switchbacks just as well as they hold tight inside turns, but the Rail does exactly that. Whether you like to scandi turn into big berms or just get off the brakes and rail the corner, the snappy rear end, supple suspension and capable geometry make it happen.

We cannot end without discussing the dark matte grey and gloss candy red carbon. It is both understated and refined at the same time. In darker light, the carbon weave pops through the paint, but in full sun, the red pops and impressed us all. This is one good looking machine, but sadly after a ride in the mud with our knee pads rubbing against the frame, some serious haze has developed. While the bike looks like a masterpiece new, and we love it, the clear coat needs to be a little more durable.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Price: $10,499.99 Weight: 51.3 lbs Website: Trek.com

SPECIFICATIONS

CHASSIS Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, 150mm Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate | 160mm Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3

ELECTRONICS Motor: Bosch Performance CX | 250 W, 85 Nm Battery: Bosch PowerTube | 625Wh Display: Bosch Kiox with Anti-theft solution

COCKPIT Brakes: SRAM Code RSC | 200mm Shifter: SRAM X01 Eagle, 12 speed Headset: Knock Block Integrated Handlebar: Bontrager Line Pro | 780mm, 27.5mm rise Stem: Bontrager Line Pro | 45mm Saddle: Bontrager Arvada Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite | 170mm

WHEELS Wheels: Bontrager Line Elite 30 Front tire: Schwalbe Magic Mary 29 x 2.6″ Rear tire: Schwalbe Big Betty 29 x 2.6″

DRIVETRAIN Cranks: E*thirteen E*spec Race carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: SRAM XG-1295 Eagle, 10-52, 12 speed Derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12 speed

Best all around eMTB Fast! Composed yet playful Subdued color way that still impresses Climbs anything Battery life and torque delivery

We don’t, hardware/axle comes loose would love a 472-475mm reach needs more durable clear coat, the 2021 emtb shootout was sponsored by, leave a comment | win free stuff.

Want to win some free schwag? Leave a comment and vote up the most thoughtful comments and each month we’ll pick a winner. The person with the smartest and most helpful replies will earn some sweet new gear. Join the Pack and get the latest news and read the latest reviews on the top  mountain  and  electric mountain bikes .

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Trek Rail 5

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Matte Trek Black/Miami Green, Crimson/Lithium Grey

Size / SM (high, low), MD (high, low), LG (high, low), XL (high, low)

Weight / 52 lb 10.3 oz (23,880 g)

At a glance

- Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system

- ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension system

- Geometry adjustable via Mino Link flip chip in rear rocker link pivot

- Straight Shot frame design with Knock Block steerer stop

- Control Freak internal cable routing

- Weight given for MD frame with tubes

- Includes Bosch compact 2A (100-240V) charger

Where To Buy

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum, magnesium rocker link, Motor Armor, molded chainstay protection
• Fork RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, oversized crown for e-MTB, 44mm offset, Maxle Stealth axle, 160mm
• Shock RockShox Deluxe Select+, 230mm x 57.5mm
• Motor Bosch Performance CX, magnesium motor body, 250W, 85 Nm max torque
• Battery Bosch PowerTube 500, integrated, removable, 500 Wh
• Hubs Bontrager , alloy, sealed bearings, 15x110mm Boost front, 12x148mm Boost rear with MICRO SPLINE driver
• Wheels Alexrims MD35, tubeless ready, 32 hole, 35mm width
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager XR4 Comp, wire bead, 30 TPI, 29" x 2.6"
• Chain 447mm, 448mm, Upper slider, e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 34 tooth, Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed
• Crank e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 165mm length
• Bottom Bracket 344mm (29mm drop), 339mm (35mm drop)
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, long cage
• Shifters Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed
• Brakeset Shimano MT420, 4-piston, Shimano RT76 6-bolt 203mm rotors, Shimano MT4100
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 750mm width, 15mm rise, 31.8mm clamp diameter
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width
• Seatpost TranzX JD-YSP18 dropper, 31.6mm, Single bolt, 36.4mm, 31.6mm, Single bolt, 36.4mm Drop: 100mm (SM) 130mm (MD/LG/XL)
• Stem Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 50mm length, 0° rise, 31.8mm bar clamp, Knock Block compatible
• Grips Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on
• Headset Trek Knock Block integrated, 58° radius, cartridge bearings

Q: How much is a 2022 Trek Rail 5?

A 2022 Trek Rail 5 is typically priced around $5,600 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2022 Trek Rail 5?

The 2022 Trek Rail 5 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2022 Trek Rail 5 weigh?

A 2022 Trek Rail 5 weights 52 lb 10.3 oz (23,880 g).

Q: What size wheels does the 2022 Trek Rail 5 have?

The 2022 Trek Rail 5 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2022 Trek Rail 5 should I get?

Bought a Rail 5 and loving it so far. Not much info available as far as chain length ( for ordering a spare) Also I can’t find anything about the wheel/ tire being tubeless or if it’s running a tube. LBS wasn’t much help. Wheels say tubeless ready, does this mean they are taped already? How much can I safely raise the dropper seat? Looked at the pdf files available but they didn’t seem to have the answers I was looking for.

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2023 Trek Rail 5 Gen 2

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension enduro e-bike with upper mid-range components.

Manufacturer Price

Rail 5 Gen 2

In Stock: MD, LG, & XL

For This Bike

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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A few years have gone by since the last Rail review. Lots has changed since then. Pete reviews the Trek Rail 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type Gen 4.

Read Review

Jun 2023 · Alex Evans

Trek’s Rail is claimed to be enduro-descent ready and uses Bosch’s powerful Performance Line CX motor

Great geometry provides stability

Cornering control excellent

Suspension is supple and forgiving with plenty of support

Bosch motor

Tyre compound struggles on anything other than perfectly dry terrain

Harsh feeling ride saps confidence

Jun 2023 · Danny Milner

The last time we rode the Trek Rail we awarded it our 2021 E-Bike of the Year crown in the shop bought category. Since then we haven’t had another chance to ride one, mainly because they’ve been flying off the shop floor. Meanwhile, Trek hasn’t rested on its laurels – the front triangle has been lengthened and the extra space used to stuff in Bosch’s biggest 750Wh battery on all but the smallest frame size. So how does it perform and is it one of the best electric mountain bikes on offer? Need to know: Mino link on the seatstay/rocker interface gives high and low geometry settings – useful if you want to run a 27.5in rear wheel Knock Block steering limiter uses interlocking stem and headset spacers, while steerer tube gets oversize 1.8in taper Top tube System controller and wireless remote are available to buy aftermarket, but they should come as standard M, L, and XL frames get 750Wh battery, while S gets a 625Wh This updated Rail is called the Gen 4, but you can still buy the old Gen 3 model. It gets the smaller 625Wh battery, non-Smart System-compatible electronics and a shorter reach. Although buying the Gen 4 seems like a no-brainer, the new large frame is a really big bike, with a 490mm reach and a yawning 35mm gap to the medium. So some riders may achieve a better fit on the old Gen 3. It’s disappointing that Trek hasn’t fitted the latest Bosch System Controller (as found on the Mondraker) to the top tube. Instead you get a measly blanking plate. To enjoy the improved integration and reduced clutter you’ll have to fork out an extra £1,600 for the next model up, which seems pretty stingy. Suspension Trek claims the Rail delivers 150mm travel, but we only measured 140mm (3mm less than the last Rail we tested). However, we didn’t notice this shortcoming on the trail, mostly because the long wheelbase of the Rail gives it excellent stability at high speeds on rough ground. Where we found it wanting was in terms of grip and sensitivity. It struggled to trace smaller bumps, so not only did it lack some comfort on long rides, but it needed more effort to hold a line on off-cambers, through slow turns, and in the wet. Having said that, there’s plenty of support, so as long as we had the energy, we could ride the Rail like a runaway train. Our bike came with a RockShox Zeb in place of the advertised Domain RC. With 38mm stanchions it perfectly matches the hench proportions of the Rail frame, but it wasn’t the smoothest or most supple fork on test. In that respect there was a symbiosis between the Trek’s front and rear suspension, even if it wasn’t quite the fairytale relationship we’d hoped for. Components Trek proffers two brake specs on the Rail 9.7 – Shimano Deore or SRAM Code R, both in four-piston guise. Given the choice, we’d take the Shimano …Continue reading »

Loves to go fast

Suspension lacks finesse

Bosch has spent years touting its motor/battery/display array. Now, Trek’s ultra-high-end Rail eMTB gets the signature tech.

With its updated frame and bigger battery, is this the best electric mountain bike going? Read on for our Trek Rail review.

Incredible suspension performance

Hugely confidence-inspiring ride quality

Powerful & intuitive Bosch Smart System

Big battery offers big range potential

Powerful brakes

Solid wheels & tyres

Battery mount failure

Longer wheelbase has reduced agility

Seat angle could be steeper

Limited size range

Trek’s updated 2022 Rail 9.9 represents a significant departure from the outgoing model. Visit The Loam Wolf to read our review of the tech-focused updates.

Bosch Smart System power and control

Category blending capability

Technical climbing prowess

Lengthy reach numbers are polarizing, sizing jumps

Firm suspension feel at slower speeds

Limited playfulness in tighter trails

Apr 2022 · BHowell

An excellent e-bike with a lot of electronics.

Well rounded ride

Suspension quality

Powerful Bosch motor

Vulnerable Bosch controller and Kiox

Mar 2022 · Guy Kesteven

Trek’s Rail 9.9 eMTB is loaded with carbon fiber and wireless tech. Guy Kesteven explores what the pricey Bosch powered flagship is like to ride on a wet and rocky Lake District demo loop

Lightweight yet super precise full carbon frame

Extended enduro geometry

Superbly controlled suspension performance

Latest big battery Bosch Smart System

Full SRAM AXS and Wiz comms componentry

AirWiz feels gimmicky

Last updated May 25

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• Rail 9.7 Gen 4

Trek Rail 9.7 Gen 4

Rail 9.7 is a long-travel carbon electric mountain bike that gets you to the fun stuff faster. It feels and rides just like our rowdiest trail bikes, and it's built with the same trail-specific tech. The difference is that the powerful Bosch drive system zips up climbs so you can spend less time grinding and more time getting rad. It's right for you if... You’re looking for a super capable long-travel e-MTB that’s built to conquer techy runs and big drops. You want the lightweight and responsive ride of an OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with a high-powered motor to get to more descents faster. The tech you get An OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with a 625Wh Removable Integrated Battery, a 160mm RockShox Domain fork, 150mm of rear travel with a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock, and the latest from Bosch with smart system Performance Line CX capable of speeds up to 20MPH, including the new Bluetooth® LED remote for easy connectivity and all-in-one navigation and activity tracking through the eBike Flow app. A 1x12 Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain, Bontrager Line dropper post, powerful 4-piston brakes for confident descents, and Bontrager Line Comp 30 29er wheels that are already completely tubeless ready, including sealant. The final word Rail 9.7 hits the sweet spot of carbon performance and amazing value. It’s spec'd with quality trail-specific parts and a powerful Bosch drive system so you can send it through the rough stuff and motor right back up for another run. Why you'll love it - The Bosch motor gives you plenty of power for tackling steep climbs with the efficiency to keep exploring all day. Rider-friendly features like Walk Assist and e-MTB mode help you make the most of every ride - Made with the same hard-charging frame tech as Remedy, like Mino Link adjustable geometry, a Straight Shot down tube for extra stiffness, and Active Braking Pivot (ABP) - Bosch's new smart system gives you all the same power and responsiveness with a new Bluetooth-connected LED remote and eBike Flow app that puts even more control and customization at your fingertips - Trek's Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system looks great and is super user-friendly: it fully hides the battery in the frame for protection, makes it easy remove the battery without tools and lets you mount a water bottle cage

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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Journey on the Trans-Siberian: Moscow to Yekaterinburg

This is the second part of a series about my trip across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway in the summer of 2018. I’ll cover the overnight ride from St Petersburg to Moscow, the 16 hours I spent in the Russian capital, and the two-day ride from Moscow to Yekaterinburg.

After a few days in St Petersburg I boarded the overnight train to Moscow. The sleeper train “Red Arrow” departs at 11:55pm. I read (but didn’t confirm) the departure time was set in Soviet times to leave before midnight so travelers could get reimbursed for two working days.

There were three people already in the cabin when I walked in: In one of the top bunks was a girl who looked 20-something, and on the two bottom bunks, two Brazilian men who looked like soccer fans. (It was World Cup summer.)

We exchanged muted hello’s and filled out our breakfast order forms. Without wasting time I followed the process of settling into an overnight cabin:

• Examine and unpack the supplied bedding.
• Make the bed.
• If foreigners are in the cabin, motion to them to follow your lead.
• Exit the cabin to give others room to make their bed and, if they wish, to change into sleeping attire.
• Return when appropriate, and begin smalltalk to spark a deep and cross-cultural conversation that’ll grow richer and bring you closer together with every mile of track until the morning golden hour.

Except the Brazilian men didn’t speak English, and the girl, probably on-guard, remained silent. I went to sleep.

It wasn’t the rocking that stirred me awake every hour, but the impressive guttural symphony coming from the man below me. The snores came in different tones and rhythms, transforming mid-breath with no particular pattern, which made them difficult to ignore. (A few days later, Tatiana, another cabin-mate, refuted my story by telling me sound doesn’t travel upwards. “Then he cheated physics,” I said.) I forced my earplugs deeper and felt relief that this is only a seven-hour trip.

By morning the Brazilians still didn’t speak English but the girl was more inviting. She’s a mother of two—which surprised me—and was headed to Moscow for a meditation seminar. I made whatever smalltalk I could fit between bites of fried cheese fritters until we arrived in Moscow.

It was early morning, and my first objective was to find a quiet part of the city where I can rest until some nearby coffeeshop opens. I took the metro to the nearest patch of green on Google Maps—a park called “Clean Ponds.”

The only available bench was next to a group of Russian men still drinking from the night before. One of the men was slumped over, another was drying in the sun after taking a dip in the pond, another was throwing fists at the wet one, and the rest were fighting to stay upright—only because it’s easier to keep drinking when upright. I decided against napping, and instead enjoyed the scene unfolding to my left.

A woman approached and sat next to me, holding her small dog, and complained about the park’s occupants. Following a light conversation, she lit a cigarette, told me about her (deceased) husband’s medical invention, and proposed I introduce the product to the US market in return for a cut of the profits. She did this while parrying advances from one of the men. (“I have a job and own an apartment in a good location, behind the McDonald’s,” he said.) She gave me her phone number before leaving, probably dreaming of business ventures in America that will not happen.

When the woman left, the party group noticed me. “Where the f— did you come from?!” one of them said. I was prepared to give (and take) a few hits and run, but managed to ease the tension with some jokes and handshakes.

I gave up on rest and went in search of coffee and breakfast.

Irina and Red Square

Irina is a lawyer living in Moscow who’s trying to improve her English. We met on a language-learning website, and arranged to meet in person to walk through the Red Square and practice English/Russian.

The Red Square was staged for the World Cup and crowded with tourists. It felt like the Russian version of Times Square, which I found intolerable. I snapped some shots and hurried us to lunch.

We found a Georgian restaurant just off the main boulevard and spent the next hour chatting about Russia’s legal system, language exams, graduate school, and how long could it possibly take to cook chicken.

In 2007 I was supposed to visit St Petersburg aboard my college’s training ship. My cousin warned me I should brush up on my Russian: “We have smart relatives there, don’t embarrass yourself.” I searched for Russians to chat with online and found Polina.

We spoke every other day in the months leading up to my voyage that summer. I started to like her. We made unrealistic plans for her to travel from Moscow to St Petersburg to meet me for the few days I’d be there. It never happened. Just days before my ship’s scheduled arrival, the captain diverted us to Estonia after failing to get the proper docking permits or visas for Russia. Polina and I exchanged only a few emails over the next decade.

This time, the plan worked.

We met and crisscrossed the Moskva river over bridges as we spoke of life in Russia, her newborn son, traveling, her dreams of returning to freelancing, the things we still do and those we don’t… I don’t remember where we walked or what we passed.

Is this what Captain Smith made me miss? I imagined myself at 19, and Polina getting permission from her mom to take the overnight train to St Petersburg, and my needing to return to the ship by midnight, and maybe ending up like my shipmate and the Croatian girl he fell in love with on the first day in port in Dubrovnik…

The thought made me happy but also underscored the passage of time. We were far from 19, and we both found love on native soil, and she became a mom, and I had to catch the train to Yekaterinburg before midnight.

After saying goodbye to Polina, it was time for the next segment of the Trans-Siberian Railway: A one-and-a-half-day ride to Yekaterinburg. I stocked up on ramen noodles and tea, and made my way to the train.

Riding the Trans-Siberian Railway is interesting for two reasons: The train itself, and the people on it. Life aboard the train doesn’t differ much from one segment to another, so I will write a separate article of observations and survival tips learned throughout the entire trip.

The people, however, did change with each segment. On this segment from Moscow to Yekaterinburg, as urban sprawl gave way to dense forests and wooden villages, I got to know a family from the Far North.

Tatiana, Nastia, and Sasha

My roommates for the 27-hour trip from Moscow to Yekaterinburg were Tatiana and her two children, Nastia and Sasha.

Within minutes of departure I took off my shoes to get comfortable and waited for the hallway activity to calm down before preparing for bed. Tatiana, somehow sensing my inexperience with long-distance train travel, pointed at the blue disposable slippers that came with the provided bedding and gently suggested I put them on. I thought they were silly and not for someone who’s used to rough traveling, so I responded that I’m alright in my socks. She tried to convince me a bit longer before giving up.

Moments later, I went to the bathroom—there’s one at each end of every car—and learned they’re just like airplane bathrooms: small and wet, and you don’t know from what . I returned to the cabin, changed my socks, and donned the blue disposable slippers. Tatiana looked on with approval.

They were traveling from their small military town near the Russia-Finland border (where her husband is stationed) to Novosibirsk — over 3,000 miles away — to visit her parents, as they do every summer. Airfare would cost them three months’ worth of income (by my own calculation), so they took the train, like many Russian families traveling to or from Siberia.

Our conversations spanned life in Russia, life in the US, Nastia’s college ambitions (she’s undecided between medicine and chemistry), traveling (because of the husband’s position in the military, the family is not allowed to travel outside of Russia), drawing, Russian literature, and more… We talked without end for two days while sharing food and drinking tea by the liter.

Tatiana teaches literature and Russian at their local school. She told me about life inside the arctic circle and showed me photos of polar lights, fields of flowers, her shirtless husband stepping out of a bania (a Russian sauna) and jumping into the snow, and other everyday scenes. She worried about what will happen after her husband’s military contract ends next year. She’ll miss Nastia when she stays behind in Novosibirsk for one final year of school and then university.

Tatiana also worried about my safety. She advised me to tell people I’m a local: “Your Russian is good enough,” she said, “that people will believe you and assume that your slight accent and slower pace is due to—” and she raised her fingers to her temple and did a twisting gesture. I nodded, thought for a moment, and decided that was a compliment.

Nastia is a straight-A student interested in chemistry and medicine. She’s not sure which of the two she’ll study in university, but she has another year to decide. She’ll stay with her grandparents in a small village outside of the city for another year until it’s time to attend Novosibirsk University. Although she studied english in school for several years, she never felt comfortable enough to speak it. (The faculty at their local school is made up of military spouses with little or no teaching experience.)

Nastia earns money on the side by painting custom designs on her clients’ nails. Her designs—from cartoon characters to landscapes to sunsets, all painted on half-inch-wide keratin canvases—are remarkable and belong in high-end nail salons of New York. I offered her some advice based on my consulting experience (she should charge more for more the elaborate designs). Her entrepreneurial spirit made me happy for her, maybe because it reminded me of my teenage years when I drew cartoons for money.

Sasha is just beginning to learn English, and this was his first encounter with a native speaker. He was nowhere near conversational English, so he engaged the only way he could: shouting out Russian words from his language workbook to see if I could respond with the right translation. “How do you say, um, ‘lion?’” he asked, and looked at me with a wide smile and alert eyes, waiting to hear a word that matched his notes. “Give Greg a break,” Tatiana said, more than once, after many animals were correctly translated, but I gave Sasha an approving smile to signal it’s alright. “Crocodile!?” he continued…

The next day, as the train approached Yekaterinburg in the early morning, I nudged Tatiana and Nastia awake to say “goodbye,” as they requested the night before, when we exchanged longer goodbyes and I told them how wonderful it was to meet and spend time with them. “Goodbye, Greg,” they replied, and both gave me a smile that I didn’t expect from anyone whose sleep was interrupted, who’s been on the road for weeks, who wouldn’t see her daughter (or mother) for a year, whose future was so uncertain… And still they smiled in the way that only good people do.

Previous chapter: St Petersburg Next chapter: Yekaterinburg

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