trek rail 5 components

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Trek Rail 5 upgrades and advice appreciated

• Thread starter Blue Moon
• Start date May 15, 2020

Active member

• May 15, 2020

Hi all, I’ve well over 2000miles on my PF7 and I’m now thinking it’s time for a change. My wife has a Rail 7 (red/black) and she loves it. There’s no way I could have an identical bike and the yellow/blue option isn’t to my liking. As the basic spec on all the lower Rails is the same I’m seriously looking at a Rail 5 625w. The one thing that I’m struggling with are the SRAM gears. I love the finger/thumb trigger on the Shimano set-ups. I appreciate the SX set-up can be upgraded to GX and at worst this is what I’ll do however can any of the following be done: Can the Shimano trigger be used with the SRAM GX gears? What is required to change to a complete Shimano set-up, does everything have to be changed?  

Hi BM I have a 2019 powerfly LT 9.7 and it came with shimano shifters. I prefer the SRAM gripshift so I've just swapped it over. It works flawlessly, therefore my experience is that Shimano and SRAM are compatible  

Administrator

🛠️Wrecker🛠️

Get a Rail 7 and have it wrapped rather than Invisiframed.  

I want my 2 Dollars!

• May 16, 2020

I have bikes with both systems. I grew up with Shimano but after using the Sram NX for a couple years and Shimano SLX and XT (7000 series?) They are both fantastic. I wouldn't hesitate on an NX group. The NX is crisper I think. It won't jump up 2 or 3 gears at a time but you get used to that super fast. Are they putting Eagle on ebikes? I thought that they are usually 11 speed. Pretty sure the new Levo I'm riding is Sram 11sp Also, the Sram bar mount is pretty slick and has some cool adjustment features to put it where you want it - if it feels awkward.  

• Thread starter

Doomanic said: Get a Rail 7 and have it wrapped rather than Invisiframed. Click to expand...

Blue Moon said: Now wrapping sounds like an idea but surely there are some real tricking parts around the rear suspension where it would be awkward to get a decent finish. Have you had any experience with it? I’ve googled it and there’s a company, Shack Wrap in Bury (5 miles away) that do it. I’ll give em a call or ask even my LBS. Click to expand...

WilkyWay said: I invisiframed my Rail as soon as I got it, it’s surprisingly easy if you just follow the instructions, even around the suspension parts and strangely therapeutic if you’ve got a spare few hours. You can hardly tell it’s on unless you know where you’re looking. View attachment 31332 Click to expand...

Essential Wraps In the Forest of Dean, so not close, but offer full bike wraps. The biggest problem with the 5 is the forks as they are not upgradeable.  

What about a 9 instead? You can get them for a similar price to a 7 when the first came out... Trek Rail 9 2020 Electric Mountain Bike  

• May 17, 2020

I am replacing the RAIL 9.7 shifter and RD with shimano XT 12s. Other components remain SRAM NX. There are no particular problems and it is very comfortable.  

themonkster

• May 18, 2020

Trek Rail 5 Owner. I originally ordered the 7 in the Red / Grey. My LBS couldn't get it for over 3 month's so they knocked my 500.00 off a Rail 5. I actually preferred the Green but liked the spec of the 7. Before the bike left the shop. I had it Shack Wrapped in a Matt wrap. I'm local to Shack so he picked the bike up from the shop and dropped it back off before I'd even seen it. I dropped some parts off I wanted changing to the LBS before I collected the bike. Brakes - Shimano MT520/501 4 Pots + Ice Tech Rotors Dropper Lever - One Up Components V2 Shifter - GX E-Mtb Derailleur - GX Eagle Tyres - Maxxis DHF 2.5 up front and Maxxis Aggressor 2.5 rear. Both set up with Tannus Armour I'm really glad I went with the 5. I love the colour. I was a bit gutted it doesn't come with the 625kwh. I did a 40 mile ride the other day with 4000ft climbing and didn't kill the 500kwh. I'm happy with that. It's handled everything I've thrown at it at the moment no trouble. Fantastic bike for the money.  

themonkster said: Trek Rail 5 Owner. I originally ordered the 7 in the Red / Grey. My LBS couldn't get it for over 3 month's so they knocked my 500.00 off a Rail 5. I actually preferred the Green but liked the spec of the 7. Before the bike left the shop. I had it Shack Wrapped in a Matt wrap. I'm local to Shack so he picked the bike up from the shop and dropped it back off before I'd even seen it. I dropped some parts off I wanted changing to the LBS before I collected the bike. Brakes - Shimano MT520/501 4 Pots + Ice Tech Rotors Dropper Lever - One Up Components V2 Shifter - GX E-Mtb Derailleur - GX Eagle Tyres - Maxxis DHF 2.5 up front and Maxxis Aggressor 2.5 rear. Both set up with Tannus Armour I'm really glad I went with the 5. I love the colour. I was a bit gutted it doesn't come with the 625kwh. I did a 40 mile ride the other day with 4000ft climbing and didn't kill the 500kwh. I'm happy with that. It's handled everything I've thrown at it at the moment no trouble. Fantastic bike for the money. Click to expand...

Blue Moon said: If you’re local to Shack Wrap you’re probably local to me. Which LBS do you use, Cooksons Whitefield? Click to expand...

LunarHybrid

• Sep 11, 2020

E*POWAH Master

• Sep 12, 2020

Trek Rail 5 2020 changelog - Cushcore Pro 29" front + back wheel - Cushcore valves (included) - OKO Magicmilk tubeless - Stans Tubeless tape - Cane Creek Helm MK1 160mm coil front suspension - Maxxis Minion DHR II + DHF tires - EBC Redstuff brake pads front and rear (CFA493R) - Volspeed V3 - SRAM GX Eagle derailleur (SX snapped to branch) - SRAM GX Eagle chain (SX lasted 500km) - SRAM GX Eagle trigger (Was so cheap and easy to replace the SX) - SRAM NX Eagle cassette (tooth snapped from SX) - Trek OEM freewheel/driver (old started to breakdown and the new as already play = shit formula quality) GEARS Gears feel ok and really hard to think what more I could ask from them. Not a limiter to my speed right now. TIRES Tubeless + new tires and maybe Cushocores ended tire problems totally. Few times training was expected. SUSPENSIONS Cane Creek Helm fork was a BIG game changer compared to sticky 35 Gold. Riding became so much smoother and more reliable and predictable. BRAKES Brakes have been decent. They could be even more powerful and sensitive(?) with one finger but they're ok at the moment. Shimano XT could be next step. New pads was 50% not needed as I could have sanded the old ones, but it was just too nice to buy cheap new pads and change them. OTHER Dropper started to became sticky but servicing got it a lifetime extension. Only feature that could be "nice to have" is to get it down with just a button. AXS can do this but 600 euros is totally too much for it. Plans for future - Coil rear shock or a shock that "pairs" with current Helm front suspension. Now it feels maybe a little unbalanced combo. Riding skills are too poor to make any deeper analysis. - Pair of wheels DT Swiss EX511/FR560 with DT 350 hubs - Kiox/Nyon/etc. upgrade should be considered when it's possible to get full bike datalog out of it. Now feels a bit startup thing.  

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2023 Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 Review

Are you looking for a reliable electric mountain bike to tackle trails in the woods? The new 2023 Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 eMTB could be your ideal pick as it comes with a powerful motor, well-balanced geometry and plush suspension set up.

E-bikes are slowly becoming more popular due to their helpful boost on technical trails and steep climbs. Fortunately there is immense variety available from various brands and models.

Among the many high quality options is the 2023 Trek Rail 5 Gen 2, an electric mountain bike that is ready to take you wherever you need to go with confidence.

This review of the 2023 Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 goes over everything this bike has to offer, providing you with an overall impression of what type of rider this might suit best.

If you are looking for a powerful and reliable ride that keeps up with your active lifestyle, then read on- this review will tell you all that you need to know about this versatile eMTB.

The Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 is the most recent enduro mountain bike from the famous bike manufacturer.

This redesigned full suspension all-mountain-ready bike has a lot of features that have been honed specifically for those looking to really get after it on the trail.

So what’s new and exciting about the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2? Read this review to find out!

The 2023 Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 is a top-of-the-line mountain bike that takes performance and versatility to the highest level.

It features an Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame with Boost 148 spacing, and componentry that includes Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain and 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes. It also comes with a TranzX dropper post, RockShox 35 Gold RL 160mm fork, and Bontrager XR4 Comp tires.

Whether you’re hitting the trails hard or muddying through rough terrains, the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 will deliver an exhilarating ride thanks to its nimble handling and control.

With this amazing mountain bike you can go from all mountaineering to enduro racing with no hesitation.

– Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame w/ Boost 148 spacing for optimal strength & stiffness and Control Freak internal routing, magnesium rocker link, Motor Armor, Mino Link

– Bosch Performance CX motor with Bosch PowerTube 500Wh battery

– Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain for smooth shifting featuring a 10-51t cassette and 34t chainring

– TranzX dropper post to get the saddle out of your way for those fast descents

– RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring 160mm fork for increased agility & control incorporates air spring damping

– RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock with 230mm x 57.5mm of travel to smooth out those technical trail rides

– 29″x2.60″ Bontrager XR4 Comp tires for superior grip & traction on varied surfaces

– Alex MD35 tubeless compatible wheels

– Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide powerful stopping force

Frame and Suspension

The Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame features a Removable Integrated Battery (RIB), tapered head tube, Control Freak internal routing, magnesium rocker link, Motor Armor, Mino Link, Boost 148 spacing, 12mm thru axle, and 150mm of travel.

The Boost 148 rear axle means stiff performance while being incredibly lightweight thanks to its flat top tube, hydroformed downtube, and tapered headtube.

With a total of 150mm of suspension travel, this ensures that you can handle all terrain without worry.

The RockShox Deluxe Select+ works with the RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring 160mm fork up front for a smooth yet capable ride.

Shimano Deore components make up much of the drivetrain with an 12-speed long-cage derailleur controlling the shifts on the 10-51t tooth cassette for as much range as you need.

E*thirteen provides the crankset and 34t chainring that helps to spin the Bosch Performance CX motor. The pedal assist motor features 85nM of torque up to 20mph and is good for 250 watts. 

Powering this beast is a respectable Bosch PowerTube 500Wh battery that can be removed from the frame and ridden without it.

The 29” Alex MD35 wheels are standard fare and laced up to Bontrager hubs—an excellent combination that allows the tires to hug corners.

The tubeless ready wheelset is wrapped with the highly rated Bontrager XR4 Comp 29×2.60” tires.

Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide exceptional braking capability when paired with 203mm 6-bolt rotors; these give you amazing stopping power no matter what type of terrain you’re tackling.

Overall, the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 lives up to expectations in almost every way.

It has excellent geometry that can handle most any situation you want to take it through, spec perfect for enduro riding, plus impressive weight savings compared with previous versions of this series making sure everyone can enjoy their time spent outside pedaling hard or ripping downhill descents equally well!

From novice riders just learning their way around a bike park or tech trail network to full blown racers who trust it underfoot completely—this model may be exactly what they’re looking for!

Order online and have it shipped to your local dealer for final assembly!!

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Trek Rail 5 625 W

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / SM High, SM Low, MD High, MD Low, LG High, LG Low, XL High, XL Low

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Fork RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, oversized crown for eMTB, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 160 mm travel
• Motor Bosch PowerTube 625
• Battery Bosch PowerTube 625
• Hubs Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle
• Wheels Alex MD35, tubeless compatible, 32-hole, 35 mm width, Presta valve
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager XR4 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29x2.60"
• Chain Shimano Deore M6100
• Crank E*thirteen E*spec Plus, 34T, 165 mm length
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore M6100, long cage
• Shifters Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed
• Brakeset Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT420 calliper
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8 mm, 15 mm rise, 750 mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138 mm width
• Seatpost Size: S, TranzX JD-YSP18, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 361 mm length; Size: S, Bontrager Line Dropper, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 345 mm length; Size: M, L, XL, TranzX JD-YSP18, 130mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 425 mm length; Size: M, L, XL, Bontrager Line Dropper, 125mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 395mm length
• Stem Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8 mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 50 mm length
• Grips Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on

Q: How much is a 2022 Trek Rail 5 625 W?

A 2022 Trek Rail 5 625 W is typically priced around €5,599 EUR 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 5 625 W?

The 2022 Trek Rail 5 625 W may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2022 Trek Rail 5 625 W have?

The 2022 Trek Rail 5 625 W has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2022 Trek Rail 5 625 W should I get?

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Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 Review

• Last updated January 17, 2024

• All of our bikes are electric, but all of our writers are human.

CHARGE TIME

Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 Review: Takeaway

For the price, there isn’t much to compete with the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2, short of the Gen 3 version on sale in 2023. It comes with great specifications and will shred the trails with contempt. The powerful Bosch Performance CX motor kicks like a mule, and all the components come together on this e-bike so you can have as much fun as you can with your clothes on.

Ideal for...

E-bike overview.

A top-end heavyweight trail shredding machine, the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 is designed to attack trails in every way. A 150mm, long travel shock and fork will take even the biggest jumps without bottoming out. Riding uphill and down is supported with the 130mm travel dropper post so you can adjust your posture perfectly.

When it comes to maneuverability, the Trek Active Braking Pivot (ABP) system ensures grip even as you touch your brakes in cornering. The 4-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes are powerful enough to control your descent even in the steepest and wettest sections.

Built for high-octane downhill riding, the Rail 5 will boost you uphill like a bull thanks to the 250W Bosch Performance CX motor that offers up to 85 Newton meters of torque. You’ll keep on riding uphill for miles thanks to the 500 Wh battery.

Between the motor and battery is the simple-to-use Bosch Purion controller. This offers the new eMTB mode that’ll give you just the power you need as you need it without constantly adjusting with your thumb.

Reasons to Buy

If you’re after a big, heavyweight eMTB that’ll shred the downhill sections like a pro and get you back up the mountain with equal disdain for the terrain, this is the right e-bike for you.

Built to be agile and quick when you pedal hard and tackle bends with optimum performance, it also has a big beast of a motor to get you back up. The 12-speed, 10-51 pedal drivetrain offers a range of ratios from flying like your life depends on it downhill to riding up the hardest of slopes. Fear nothing on the mountain on the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2!

Things to Consider

Looking at Bosch’s real-world range calculator for this e-bike, the 2023 Rail 5 Gen 3 has a 625 Wh battery that might get 20 miles on eMTB mode. That’s on soft, forest hillside terrain. If you want to hurt your legs and go on Eco mode, you might get 29 miles. Neither ranges are insufficient but are something to consider if you were planning on a longer day in the saddle.

Specs & Components

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know .

Offering a brutal 85 Newton meters of torque, the Bosch Performance CX motor is one of the leading eMTB motors, period. Lightweight and powerful, combined with the big, 51 t cog at the back, this e-bike can handle nearly every incline short of a vertical sand cliff.

The Trek Bontrager off-road tires are grippy and will handle dirt and mud alike, perhaps making this a year-round sport if you like getting caked in the brown stuff.

Playing with the Bosch range calculator shows that eMTB mode and Turbo mode offer the same range. It’s only when you start going very easy on the power settings that you start seeing better mileage.

On a flat road run, you may do 50-60 miles per charge, but this e-bike isn’t built to ride to work on. It’s designed for terrain that would break most other e-bikes. As such, the range is good compared to other similar hardcore eMTBs.

Essentially, the Rail 5 Gen 2 is as comfortable as you’re going to get for an eMTB of its caliber. Sat in a comfortable trekking position, you’ll be able to throw your weight around into turns and jumps. The remote-controlled seat dropper post helps with uphill and downhill sections.

The Rail 5 Gen 2’s long travel shock and fork are there for the bike to tackle big jumps and can be tuned to your average weight. The Active Braking Pivot (ABP) system ensures grip even on downhill turns, helping you keep your speed up on those sections.

An e-bike has a number of components that need regular care such as the pedal drivetrain, disc brakes, and shock/fork. The tires aren’t tubeless or tubeless ready, so you’ll do well to put Slime or a similar compound inside. Also, consider stocking a couple of spare tubes for your ride.

Trek offers lifetime warranties on most of its parts. Bosch and RockShox also offer good warranty terms.

Standing solid and proud, the Trek Rail 5 Gen 2 is a master of the mountain. It looks like it will handle aggressive downhill sections, and its components suggest that this is the case. It’s offered in two color schemes: crimson and black or Miami green and black — perhaps his and hers colors if you’re lucky enough to be a couple who enjoy the sport together.

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

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• Rail 5 Gen 2

Best in Class winner!

It was a close competition, but not much could match the Rail on every type of terrain. The Bosch system will get you up any trail and the geometry is as close to perfect as we have found for all-around riding.

"Our e-bike of the Year"

"Rail dominates the descents and flattens the climbs…it’s every bit as potent as the Slash, but with its own built-in uplift."

"Sets the bar"

"Whether flowing or technical, it literally glides by the competition like it's on rails while also offering plenty of comfort for long days in the saddle."

"E-MTB dominance"

"One of the best all-rounders in the test. This tuxedo-looking bike symbolizes class and intention with a big win on battery life."

Which generation is right for you? 

Go Rail Gen 4 for minimalist smart system compatibility, Gen 3 for smart system with visible control at the bars, or Gen 2 for a legacy Bosch system that saves your wallet.

Get rewarded for going electric

Electric bike rebate programs are popping up all over the country, meaning you could save big when you buy a Trek e-bike! See if you're eligible for a rebate near you.

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Product features

Bosch performance line cx motor.

Bosch Performance Line CX sets the standard for eMTB performance with up to 85Nm of torque and an intelligent eMTB mode with Extended Boost that automatically adjusts the amount of assist based on the terrain.

Custom eMTB Lite mode

Trek eMTBs feature a custom eMTB Lite mode in place of Tour mode. It gives you more natural-feeling power delivery and longer battery life.

Removable Integrated Battery

RIB is a one-piece battery and cover with a built-in handle that can easily be removed and re-installed in the frame with no tools and no hassle. It’s the most convenient way to remove your battery for transport, security, or just easier charging.

What is the range?

To see how far you can ride your electric mountain bike on a single charge, check out Bosch’s range calculator. We’ve auto-filled the variables for this bike model and the average rider, but you can make adjustments to get your most accurate estimate.

Compliant with leading safety regulations

The e-systems on Trek and Electra e-bikes are third-party tested to meet the latest e-bike safety regulations, including the stringent UL 2849 certification — so all you have to worry about is where your e-bike will take you next.

Suspension Calculator

This suspension calculator will help you optimize your suspension settings for your riding weight. Simply follow the steps to find your best set up.

Bosch Purion Display

Bosch's Purion display features a fully-functional speedometer with a backlit display, service interval indicator, and battery range indicator. Its thoughtful design allows riders to scroll through functions or choose the right level of support while maintaining contact with handlebars.

Mino Link adjustable geometry

Fine tune head tube angle by 1/2° and BB height by up to 10mm with the simple turn of a nut. Just flip the link to choose between slack or slacker geometry, without negatively affecting suspension performance. A Trek exclusive.

Integrated speed sensor

You've got one less detail to sweat with the integrated speed sensor. The chainstay-mounted sensor stays protected while the custom hub-mounted magnet stays secure—no more error codes from mis-aligned sensors.

Knock Block

Knock Block has your frame's back when things go wrong. It prevents your handlebars from spinning all the way around in a crash, so your hoses won't get yanked, and your controls won't hit the top tube.

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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Moscow Palace of Soviets – Soviet architectural giant

3 Comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Architecture , History , Photos

Moscow Palace of Soviets is one of the most famous unfinished architectural projects in history. The huge (the biggest and tallest in the world) building would have become the symbol of the victory of socialism, the symbol of a new country and new Moscow . This project is still amazing in our day.

The idea of building the Palace of Soviets was proposed by Sergei Kirov at the First Congress of Soviets, December 30, 1922 (also this Congress announced the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). The idea found the widest support among the delegates.

But the realization of the idea began almost ten years later when in June 18, 1931 in the newspaper “Izvestia” open competition to design the Palace of Soviets was declared. In the same year, December 5, the symbol of old Russia – Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior was blown to clear the place for the new symbol of the Soviet Union. The cathedral was visible from almost anywhere in Moscow in early thirties. New architectural symbol was supposed to be visible from any place in Moscow.

As a result, five groups of architects became the finalists of the contest. The group of Boris Mikhailovich Iofan won the contest. The project of Iofan did not immediately take the form familiar to all lovers of architecture of the Stalin era. The first sketch in 1931 was as follows:

And this is not a sketch but a more detailed version of the project of Iofan also dated 1931

In 1932, the Palace of Soviets became a little more like the final draft

Almost the final version, dated 1933, but still without Lenin but with the liberated proletariat on the roof

The project taking more familiar form

And finally the version approved in 1939

The 316-meter palace was to be crowned by the 100-meter statue of Lenin. The total area of the building was to be 11 hectares, and weight – one and a half million tons. Before the World War II the base of high-altitude part of the Palace was built, the construction of steel frame started. After June 22, 1941 concrete, granite, steel and other construction materials were required for completely different purposes.

After the war several skyscrapers of less size were built in Moscow. The foundation of the Palace was used during the construction of the world’s largest swimming pool. And in the nineties the Cathedral of Christ the Savior demolished in December 1931 was restored on the same foundation.

And what would it be a great view if this building was built after all!

Tags:  Moscow city

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Maria Margherita Innocenti · March 20, 2021 at 12:51 pm

Very interesting article! I would love to use some of the images for an academic publication (in particular Moscow Palace of Soviets 2 and 3). Would it be possible to know the sources of those images? Thank you very much.

Author comment by Sergei Rzhevsky · March 20, 2021 at 2:39 pm

Yes, you can use these photos, won’t mind if you mention our site as the source, although it is not required.

Maria Margherita Innocenti · March 25, 2021 at 7:32 pm

Hi Sergei, thank you for your reply. And do you know if the images are under copyright? And, if yes, who holds the copyright? Thank you.

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