trek rail bike review

Trek Rail Review | A plush, powerful & frustratingly near-perfect electric mountain bike

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Rail 9.8 XT

https://www.trekbikes.com

From $7,499 AUD ($12,499 AUD as tested)

- 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

Justin & Dan review the Trek Rail

Since it was introduced back in 2019, the Trek Rail has joined the likes of the Specialized Levo, Merida eOne-Sixty and Norco Sight VLT as one of the stalwarts of the Aussie e-MTB scene. Available in alloy and carbon across a wide range of price points, and powered by the excellent Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the Rail has grown to become a very popular electric mountain bike.

We last reviewed a carbon Trek Rail 9.8 in 2019 and an alloy Trek Rail 9 in 2021 . Though they weren’t perfect, we were mighty impressed by the quality of the suspension and the balanced handling. Trek has since updated the Rail lineup, incorporating a suite of improvements that are designed to take its technical prowess to a whole new level. To see how all the changes play out on the trail, we got our hands on this shiny Trail Rail 9.8 XT to put through the wringer.

Watch our Trek Rail video review here:

For a full-powered e-MTB with dual 29in wheels, the Rail is arguably one of the best-handling bikes in its category.

An overview of the Trek Rail

Designed to cover everything from backcountry trail riding through to e-Enduro racing, the Trek Rail features a 160mm travel fork and 150mm of rear wheel travel. It comes fitted with 29in wheels, though by flipping the Mino Link into the High position, Trek says you can run the Rail as a mullet with a 27.5in rear wheel.

As with almost every Trek full suspension mountain bike, the Rail is built around the ABP four-bar suspension platform. The most rearward pivot is concentric to the thru-axle, which Trek says helps to decouple braking forces from the suspension.

The top models are equipped with a custom RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3 shock. Codeveloped between RockShox and Trek, this fancy shock features the unique Thru Shaft damper design, and as we’ll discuss shortly, is a big contributor to the Rail’s overall ride quality.

Frame & geometry updates

While the alloy frame remains unchanged, the Trek Rail’s carbon frame has been beefed up significantly.

The seat tube has swollen to a 34.9mm diameter, increasing chassis strength and allowing you to fit a modern long-stroke dropper post. Trek has also adopted the new 1.8in head tube standard to bolster front-end stiffness, while improving the proportions with big travel forks like the RockShox Zeb and Fox 38.

Also new is the Knock Block 2.0 headset. The steering limiter still prevents the handlebar controls from smacking into the frame, but a larger turning radius means it’s entirely unnoticeable on the trail.

Along with the beefier frame, Trek has also updated the Rail’s geometry. The most significant change is the seat tube angle, which steepens by almost two degrees to 76.7°. The reach has increased, growing by 12-22mm depending on the frame size, and the head angle is also a hair slacker at 64.2° in the Low geometry setting.

One number that hasn’t changed is the 448mm rear centre length, which is about as short as you’ll find for a 29er fitted with a Bosch motor. In comparison, the Scott Patron gets a 454mm rear centre, while the Avanti Hammer-E LT comes in at 462mm.

Bosch smarts

The latest carbon Trek Rail also updates to the Bosch Smart System. The tidy Kiox 300 display is tucked out of the way behind the headset, while the LED controller sits next to the left-hand grip.

Powering the Rail is the Bosch Performance Line CX motor and a 750Wh PowerTube battery. You can charge the battery in situ, or it can be easily removed from the frame with a key for charging separately.

Compared to previous generation Bosch systems, the latest Smart System provides you with far greater functionality and the option to tune the motor. If you’re curious to learn more about its full potential, check out our Bosch Tuning Tips article for everything you need to know.

Trek Rail price & specs

There are five models in the current Trek Rail lineup; two with alloy frames and three with carbon frames.

Prices kick off at $7,499 AUD for the Trek Rail 5, which is pretty good for a Bosch-equipped bike. However, it’s worth noting that the alloy models do carry over the previous generation frame, which uses a smaller 500Wh or 625Wh battery along with an older display and controller.

On the other side of the price spectrum is the Trek Rail 9.9 XTR, which sells for $15,999 AUD. This model is also available to customise through the Project One bike builder, for those who want something a little different to the norm.

As blingy as the 9.9 model is, we’re not particularly interested in the additional electronic gizmos it comes with. Instead we requested the Trek Rail 9.8 XT to review, as we think this is the bike that more people are likely to purchase. Despite selling for $3,500 less, it still features the same carbon frame, rear shock and Bosch Smart System as the 9.9 model, albeit with a more practical parts spec.

What about the 2023 Trek Rail?

It’s worth acknowledging that since receiving our 2022 test bike, Trek has quietly introduced some updates for the 2023 iteration of the Rail.

These changes are predominantly based around the user interface, with the alloy Rails updating to the Bosch Smart System with the LED controller and Kiox 300 display. The carbon Rails will then come with the newer Mini Remote and System Controller. Otherwise the frames, motors, batteries, and the majority of the component spec will be identical between the 2022 and 2023 models.

For those eager to wait for a 2023 Trek Rail model, we’ve been informed that stock will begin arriving in Australia in April.

2022 Trek Rail 9.8 XT

• Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon, ABP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
• Fork | RockShox Zeb Select+, Charger 2.1 RC Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
• Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3, 230×57.5mm
• Drive Unit | Bosch Performance Line CX, 85Nm
• Battery | Bosch PowerTube 750Wh
• Wheels | Bontrager Line Comp, 30mm Inner Width
• Tyres | Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 2.5in Front & SE5 Team Issue 2.5in Rear
• Drivetrain | Shimano XT 1×12 w/e*13 Plus 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano XT 4-Piston w/203mm Rotors
• Bar | Bontrager Line Pro OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm Rise, 780mm Width
• Stem | Bontrager Line Pro, Knock Block, 45mm Length
• Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp Lock-On
• Seatpost | Bontrager Line Elite, Travel: 150mm (M), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
• Saddle | Bontrager Arvada
• Confirmed Weight | 23.94kg
• RRP | $12,499 AUD

Testing the Trek Rail

In addition to testing the Trek Rail 9.8 XT on our home trails, this bike has accompanied us along some bigger alpine missions up at Mt Buller in Victoria’s High Country.

Buller has proven to be a terrific environment for a big and burly e-MTB like the Rail, with plenty of entertaining options for gaining elevation and some brilliant purpose-built descents to enjoy on the way back down. Tying it all together are epic views of the surrounding mountains, making this one of our favourite destinations to explore over the summer months.

To give it a proper workout, we took the Rail on a smorgasbord of backcountry singletrack around Buller including the recently refurbished Delatite River Trail, Clancy’s and the absolutely brilliant Stonefly. We also used the Rail to rack up plenty of self-shuttled laps of the gravity trails, including Outlaw and the classic ABOM.

Trek Rail sizing & fit

While models like the Slash and Fuel EX are known for being offered in a huge range of sizes, the carbon Trek Rail models are currently only available in Medium, Large and X-Large sizes in Australia. We’re told that a Small will be arriving later this year, which will come fitted with a 625Wh battery to fit inside its shorter downtube. In the meantime, those after a Small will need to look towards the alloy Rail.

To suit the height of Dan (183cm) and Justin (180cm), we’ve been testing a Large. Compared to the previous model the reach has grown from 465mm to 487mm, which is a significant jump. The steeper seat angle does help to position the rider more centrally within the cockpit, though we reckon it could be a lick steeper since the effective top tube length on this bike is very long.

This presented more of an issue for Dan, who has shorter arms and prefers a more upright climbing position. To suit his proportions and riding style, Dan slid the saddle all the way forwards on the rails to steepen the effective seat angle and shorten the distance to the grips. Justin on the other hand had no such issues with the saddle in the middle of its adjustment range, and found the cockpit to be perfectly comfortable out of the box.

The takeaway from our experience? We’d recommend that anyone on the border between two sizes take a closer look at the geometry chart, as you may want to size down rather than up.

Even with the saddle shunted forwards, the Rail doesn’t suffer from a front-heavy riding position. That’s because the stack height is quite generous, coming in slightly taller than the old model. Combined with the well-proportioned bars, amenable grips and saddle, we’ve found it to be a comfortable bike during long exploratory missions out in the hills.

Suspension setup

Setting up the Rail’s suspension is made easy thanks to Trek’s online calculator , which is a fantastic tool for getting you started with air pressures and rebound settings.

For Justin (85kg), the suggested settings proved to work well right off the bat. In comparison, Dan (83kg) made use of the recommended air pressures but trended towards a faster rebound setting to suit his more aggressive riding style.

There’s plenty of adjustment available with both the Zeb fork and Super Deluxe RT3 shock, which allows you to tweak the damping to suit different trail conditions. In particular, the 3-position compression dial on the rear shock makes a notable change to rear end grip and support, so we’d recommend experimenting with all three settings.

Once set up to preference, we didn’t need to touch the suspension at all throughout the test period. Bigger riders or those who are particularly heavy on their landings may want to fit an extra volume spacer in the rear shock to increase bottom-out support, but the stock setup will likely work well for most.

Trek Rail weight

Without pedals and with the tyres setup tubeless, our Trek Rail 9.8 XT test bike came in at 23.94kg.

That’s a little heavier than claimed, though it’s a reasonable figure for a big travel e-MTB with a 750Wh battery. If you’re particularly concerned about weight, you might want to look towards the mid-powered Trek Fuel EXe , which is over 5kg lighter.

Although the Bontrager SE6 and SE5 tyres use reinforced Core Strength casings, at just over a kilo each they’re significantly lighter than a full-blown DH tyre. Factoring in the abuse we’d likely be dishing out on the Rail, we fitted a CushCore Pro insert into the rear wheel to help ward off potential punctures and rim damage. Tyre pressures were set between 21-24psi up front, and 24-26psi out back.

What do we dig about the Trek Rail?

As with previous models, we’ve been consistently impressed by the outstanding suspension performance on the new Trek Rail. This bike is beautifully balanced, offering great small-bump sensitivity while still delivering heaps of support. Along with the powerful brakes, aggressive tyres and long wheelbase, you can ride this bike bloody hard on some very rowdy terrain.

It has to be said that the Zeb is a perfect match for a burly bike like the Rail. An e-MTB is inherently more difficult to correct if you push it slightly off-line, with the added weight compounding any mistakes. The Zeb’s stiff 38mm chassis helps to keep the front wheel tracking where you want it, while the sensitive action soaks up off-camber impacts, maximising ground contact for increased grip.

It’s a similar story out back with the custom Super Deluxe shock. Trek says the IFP-less design of the Thru Shaft damper reduces the ‘stick-slip’ effect when the shock is rapidly changing direction between compression and rebound, resulting in smoother and more responsive operation. Given how supple it is back there, it’s hard to argue with that claim.

Combined with the trunnion bearing mount and ABP linkage, the Rail delivers incredible sensitivity across a wide range of impacts and riding speeds. Traction and compliance are superb, with the shock recovering well on rapid-fire impacts. We never fully bottomed out the rear suspension, while the mid-stroke support means the Rail has surprisingly good pep on flowier jump trails. The fact that it ‘only’ has 150mm of rear travel means it doesn’t totally numb the trails like a longer travel e-MTB would.

Stout frame & responsive handling

Enhancing the Rail’s enthusiastic on-trail demeanour is its stiff carbon frame, which feels noticeably sturdier and more responsive than previous iterations. Paired to the Zeb up front, the handling is direct and surefooted.

Much like the Canyon Spectral:ON , that chassis stiffness never results in untoward harshness. Indeed the supple suspension, high volume tyres and alloy rims ensure the Rail contours the terrain rather than pin-balling you around.

The short rear end also contributes to the responsive handling, helping to make the Rail feel manageable despite its heft. While a longer rear centre can improve high-speed stability, it tends to make the bike more sluggish and harder to leave the ground. Trek has avoided that sensation with the Rail, with its short chainstays providing a welcome dose of agility. It rips corners confidently, and thanks to the supportive suspension, it’s also more than happy to take to the air.

Bosch power & control

Along with its supple suspension and sturdy chassis, the Bosch Performance CX Line motor is another key component to the Trek Rail’s all-round performance. In our experience, this is the best full-powered motor out there.

Set to the adaptive eMTB mode, power delivery is responsive and intuitive. There’s plenty of low-range torque on tap, and the overrun feature means power continues to be applied even if you need to briefly coast over roots and rock ledges on a technical climb.

It’s particularly advantageous for larger-sized riders, with the Bosch motor providing masses of support and powerful acceleration. For lighter riders, bumping the assistance mode down to Tour+ will still provide that intuitively adaptive power output, albeit with a less abrasive punch and a milder overrun.

If you’re willing to make use of the lower powered settings, it’s possible to eke out some serious mileage. Indeed with the big 750Wh battery, you’re unlikely to experience any range anxiety with the Rail. This bike offers proper long-range potential, making it a fantastic option for huge e-MTB adventures out in the mountains.

While it will happily cruise along, the Rail also enjoys climbing fast and aggressively. Despite not having enormous chainstays, it’s still very calm and composed on steeper gradients. There’s little wander from the front wheel, with the long wheelbase and active suspension keeping the whole bike glued to the ground.

We didn’t encounter an excessive number of pedal strikes, though switching the shock’s compression dial into the firmer position does lift the ride height noticeably. Furthermore, flipping the Mino Link into the High position will garner you an additional 5mm of pedal clearance, while sharpening the seat angle and shifting more weight onto the front wheel. This will be useful for more active riders, and those who are scaling chunky climbs and eroded gullies.

The only real limiting factor on the climbs is the rear tyre, which didn’t have as much bite as we wanted. The tread profile is a little too shallow, and it lacked grip when the conditions were wet. We’d consider fitting an SE6 on the rear, which would offer more predictable traction on loose and slippery terrain.

What don’t we like?

As with the previous Trek Rail 9 we tested, we encountered a few annoying issues with our Rail 9.8 XT.

Most disconcerting was the battery rattling around in the frame. After a dozen or so rides we noticed a heavy clunking sensation on the descents that felt a bit like a poorly-adjusted headset. This turned out to be from the upper battery mount, which had come loose from where it bolts into the downtube. While the battery was still able to provide power to the motor, it meant the whole assembly was rattling around inside the frame. Not ideal.

This is of course a disappointing experience to have on a bike costing over $12K.

Our local Trek dealer put in a warranty claim, and within a couple of days we received a solution. This comprised of a small metal bracket that sits on the outside of the downtube, with two bolts passing through it to secure the internal battery mount to the frame. The bracket did the job, and has eliminated the clunking sensation on the descents.

This is of course a disappointing experience to have on a bike costing over $12K. Having to spoken to other Trek dealers, it appears that we’re not the only ones to have encountered this issue, which leaves us wondering why bikes are being sold without the bracket in the first place.

Even after the fix, the Rail hasn’t been totally quiet. The Bosch motor exhibits the usual clacking noise on the descents, though we found it pretty easy to ignore after the first few rides. One of the Mino Link bolts and the main pivot came loose partway through testing, which required some fresh Loctite and a torque wrench to keep them snug. The rear thru-axle has also come loose on two occasions, so we’d recommend checking it regularly to make sure it remains nice and tight.

It can be a bit of a tank

While the Trek Rail is a mostly well-balanced bike, it has to be said that riding across flatter and more mellow terrain is not its raison d’etre. Its long wheelbase and overall heft can make it a handful on tight and flat turns, which require some muscling to negotiate.

The short chainstays mean it isn’t a total barge, but compared to the previous version it does require a more forward-biased riding position. This sees it rewarding a more active and assertive rider, especially when you’re threading the front wheel through twistier singletrack.

For smaller folks and those who are newer to the sport however, the Rail can feel like a bit of a tank. If you’re looking for a less brutish riding experience, you might want to consider the lighter and lower-powered Fuel EXe or perhaps even an alloy Rail that features less stretched-out geometry.

Now while it is a lot of bike to manage, we should point out that for a full-powered e-MTB with dual 29in wheels, the Rail is arguably one of the best-handling bikes in its category. It’s certainly far more fun and involving to ride than the Scott Patron , despite being more capable overall.

It is less agile than the Specialized Levo however, which shares the same amount of travel but packages it into a dedicated mullet platform with a 27.5in rear wheel. Of course it is possible to fit a 27.5in wheel to the back of the Rail, which would be a great option for riders looking for a more playful character and a little extra tyre-to-arse clearance. If you do decide to go down that route, you can take your Rail into a Trek dealer to have the Bosch system reconfigured for the smaller wheel circumference, which will maintain the proper speed reading and motor output.

It’s worth noting that even with the Mino Link in the High position, a mullet setup would result in a lower BB. With that in mind, it may be worth considering fitting a 170mm airshaft to the Zeb, since the Rail’s frame is rated for it. This would lift the ride height and slacken out the head angle further, turning the Rail into a more gravity-focussed machine.

Component highs & lows

When it comes to the price to performance ratio, there’s no doubt that the Trek Rail 9.8 XT hits the sweet spot in the range.

The suspension is top-notch and offers plenty of usable adjustability. The Zeb’s Charger 2.1 RC damper is excellent, and really doesn’t give up a whole lot compared to the pricier Ultimate version. The Thru Shaft shock is brilliant, and it’s a big reason why the Rail is so plush and controlled.

The Shimano XT groupset is solid, and we’re glad to see a genuine Shimano 12-speed chain when other brands have been skimping and fitting a KMC chain instead. Unfortunately a freak encounter with a rock that got jammed in the chainring caused the chain to break while Justin was partway through a Stonefly mission. A spare link rescued the day, though once back in the workshop we had to replace both the chain and chainring. It was a timely reminder that stuff gets absolutely hammered on an e-MTB, and having a fancy XTR or AXS drivetrain might not be the most practical approach.

We did bleed the brakes partway through testing, as the rear was feeling slightly spongey. Thankfully it’s a quick and easy process to do with Shimano brakes, and we didn’t need to touch them for the remainder of the test period. While heavier riders will benefit from fitting a 220mm rotor up front, we found the stock setup to be plenty powerful.

Given the bush-bashing you can do aboard the Rail, we’ve been happy to have alloy crank arms and rims. Bontrager’s Line Comp wheels have been absolutely solid throughout testing, with no loose spokes, rim dings or freehub pops to speak of.

We’ve also managed to come out the other side with zero punctures or sidewall tears, which is quite frankly, amazing. The stock tyres will perform well in most Australian conditions, though if this were our bike, we’d put the SE6 on the rear to increase climbing grip and cornering traction on loose surfaces. We’d then fit a stickier compound tyre up front, like a Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip, a Specialized Butcher T9 or a Continental Argotal Super Soft DH tyre.

As far as touch points go, the LED controller is functional, but the way it sits up above the bar makes it somewhat vulnerable in the event of a crash. The Kiox 300 display is nicely tucked out of the way though, with a vibrant screen that provides you with access to loads of data without being too distracting for the rider. Still, we’re glad to see Trek update the Rail for 2023 with the newer System Controller and Mini Remote for a more discreet user interface.

What about the alloy Rail?

If you didn’t quite have the budget to stretch to the Rail 9.8 XT, the alloy Rail 9 is definitely worth consideration. It features the same suspension package, wheels and tyres, and it still gets a Bosch Performance Line CX motor. It’s equipped with a smaller 625Wh battery though, and it uses the slightly older generation frame with a shorter reach and slacker seat angle. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as we found it to be a slightly more agile bike due to the shorter wheelbase, which will potentially be preferable for less experienced riders.

Trek Rail vs Norco Sight VLT

Speaking of comparisons, a bike that we’ve spent a load of time on is the Norco Sight VLT , which is another thoroughly popular e-MTB in Australia.

Like the Rail, the Sight VLT features 160/150mm of travel and is built around 29in wheels. It’s also available with an alloy or carbon frame, though Norco has equipped it with a Shimano EP8 motor and a custom battery that’s available in 500, 720 and 900Wh sizes.

The spec you get for the money is notably better with the Sight VLT. With a 720Wh battery, the top-end Norco Sight VLT C1 sells for $12,899 AUD. That’s a similar price to the Rail 9.8 XT, but the Norco’s spec is significantly more desirable with Fox Factory Series suspension, SRAM Code RSC brakes, a OneUp dropper, DT Swiss wheelset and Maxxis DoubleDown tyres as standard with a 3C MaxxGrip Assegai on the front.

Spec aside, these two bikes do produce quite a different ride experience on the trail.

The Sight VLT feels like a bigger, heavier and less refined e-MTB. This sensation was accentuated on the bike we tested, which came fitted with a 900Wh battery that weighs half a kilo more than the Rail’s 750Wh battery. However, it’s really the Sight VLT’s longer rear centre (462mm vs 448mm) that makes the biggest difference in terms of handling.

The longer wheelbase does make the Sight VLT incredibly stable, and we found it would happily plough its way downhill with a plush and bottomless feel to its rear suspension. However, it’s not as responsive as the Rail. It’s noticeably harder to change direction, with a cumbersome feel through the corners and across tighter trails. It’s also much more difficult to lift up the front wheel when launching off a drop or manualling down the trail.

The long chainstays and steep seat tube angle makes the Sight VLT a very planted bike on the climbs. Unfortunately the Shimano EP8 motor doesn’t produce the same power or overrun as the Rail’s excellent Bosch motor, resulting in slower climbing speeds and less assistance on technical stop-start features. The Rail pulls further ahead on tight switchback climbs, with its shorter chainstays allowing it to pivot around with more precision.

While both bikes are great examples of a modern full-powered e-MTB, the Rail edges out the Sight VLT when it comes to suspension performance and all-round handling. Whether it’s worth the price premium depends on how much value you place on its ride quality, Bosch system and Trek’s warranty support.

Trek Rail vs Trek Fuel EXe

Of course the competition for the Trek Rail isn’t just coming from other brands. With the recent introduction of the Fuel EXe , Trek now has an alternative choice in its e-MTB lineup.

Compared to the Rail with its 85Nm motor and 750Wh battery, the Fuel EXe takes a sleeker and lighter-weight approach. It’s built around a tiny TQ motor that puts out 50Nm of peak torque, and it uses a much smaller 360Wh battery. Along with its slimmer frame construction, it weighs in at just 18kg for the complete bike.

The Fuel EXe does have less travel with a 150mm fork and 140mm at the rear. However, the frame will accommodate a 160mm travel fork, which is exactly how we set it up for our long-term Fuel EXe review . Along with stickier tyres and a few other changes, the Fuel EXe is an incredibly capable and fun e-MTB to ride.

Comparing the two bikes, it’s obvious that the Fuel EXe’s suspension isn’t as plush as it is on the Rail. The extra 10mm of travel and the custom Thru Shaft shock gives the Rail hypersensitive performance that delivers more grip and more comfort when things get choppy. Along with the slacker geometry and added weight, it’s a more planted bike at speed, especially when full-gassing it on hectic DH trails.

When things get tight and twisty however, the lighter Fuel EXe offers greater agility. It’s easier to ride, with more intuitive and involving handling that doesn’t make you feel like you’re an unwilling passenger. The lower weight is instantly noticeable on the trail, allowing you to change direction with less effort. It’s just also easier to deal with on a practical day-to-day basis, like when you need to flip it over to repair a puncture or load it onto a bike rack on the car. Combined with its softer and whisper-quiet motor output, it’s a less intimidating bike for newer riders.

The Fuel EXe is no doubt the better option if you’re riding in a group with regular mountain bikes. It’s quiet and stealthy, so it’s less out of place. And with the motor set to the lower assist modes, you’ll be riding at similar speeds to everyone else.

If everyone in your riding group has a full-powered e-MTB however, you’ll be putting in considerably more effort with the Fuel EXe. You’ll need to make use of the highest assist setting, which tends to drain the 360Wh battery quite quickly.

Speaking of, we actually had both the Fuel EXe and the Rail during a big backcountry ride around Mt Buller. On the final climb back to the village, the Fuel EXe’s battery ran flat, while the Rail finished with 50% left in the tank. Put simply, the Rail offers you more capacity for long rides with plenty of elevation gain. That makes it the better option if epic rides in the mountains are on the agenda, particularly if you’re going to be riding with other e-MTBs.

Flow’s Verdict

The latest generation Trek Rail continues to be one of the best handling full-powered e-MTBs we’ve tested.

The cornerstone is its terrific suspension performance, which offers excellent small-bump sensitivity and grip with a responsive feel all the way throughout the travel. Indeed the way it manages to balance big-hit compliance while still giving good pop is mighty impressive. Along with its stout chassis, long wheelbase and burly build kit, the Rail is capable of monster trucking its way down some pretty gnarly descents.

It isn’t a total barge on flowier singletrack however, which is largely down to its taut carbon frame, responsive suspension and short chainstays. Certainly for a 24kg e-MTB, it’s one of the more intuitive and fun bikes to ride.

It’s a mighty fine technical climber too. The powerful Bosch motor is responsive and intuitive, while the 750Wh battery offers loads of range for proper all-day rides in the mountains.

We reckon it would benefit a steeper seat angle, and given how many frame sizes Trek offers in its regular mountain bike range, it’d be great to see the Rail produced in a similar range of sizes. And while the majority of the build kit on the Rail 9.8 XT proven to be solid, we were disappointed to encounter a glaring problem with the battery on our test bike. This is an expensive bike after all, so we have high expectations.

Once that issue was sorted, the Rail has proven to be a solid performer that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed on some epic rides over the summer season.

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for smaller riders or those who are newer to mountain biking, as its overall heft and raked-out wheelbase can make it a handful on more mellow terrain. Those riders will likely be better served by the lighter Fuel EXe, or perhaps even an alloy Rail with its slightly more moderate geometry.

But if you’re after a powerful and highly capable e-MTB that thrives on enduro-type trails, the Rail delivers control and composure in spades, especially when things get steep, fast and chunky.

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Trek Rail Review (Updated 2024)

93 /100 Overall score Users (0 reviews) Our rating 93 Click for price

by  Daria Vitel  

May 18, 2023

Mountain biking is one of the best adventure sports out there! However, it is no walk in the park, and coping with the rough and unforgiving terrains can be overwhelming for some. As such, you need a serious machine that can handle the unforgiving circumstances without breaking down.

If the name is anything to go by, the Trek Rail sounds like a mountain bike built for plowing through the off-road trails. Add a powerful Bosch drive system to the bike and you know that there’s nothing slowing you down. 

In this review, we put the Trek Rail in the spotlight by looking at its various features to determine what kind of performance you can expect from it.

Table of Contents

The Trek Rail is one of the most charming mountain bikes you’re going to encounter. Its sleek-looking frame naturally complements the adventurous yellow and teal colors. But beauty goes further than skin deep on this amazing bike. The frame is built using a strong alpha platinum aluminum material that will comfortably cope with the punishing terrain.

Built around Trek’s Removable Integrated Battery (RIB), the frame completely conceals the battery inside the down tube, leaving you with room to mount a water bottle cage. The frame is constructed using exclusive technology that consists of a Mino Link adjustable geometry.

This allows you to fine-tune the head tube angle and BB height without interrupting suspension performance. The Active Braking Point is a patented feature that allows you to adjust how the bike’s suspension reacts to braking and acceleration forces independently, giving you enhanced handling. 

The frame’s top tube dips towards the seat post, which helps to reduce the standover height of the Rail. This makes for effortless mounting of the bike, which is something that shorter riders will appreciate. The Bontrager XR Rail comp grips are ergonomic and help to enhance the comfort of the ride.

The Trek Rail will tackle the rough trails just as impressively as its non-electric siblings. It is pretty lightweight and handles effortlessly but sturdy enough to carry riders as heavy as 300 pounds. It is also available in four different frame sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, which will comfortably suit rider heights between 5’.2” and 6”5”.

The only downside to the Rail’s frame is the TranzX dropper seat post, which at only 130mm, is too short for the “Large” frame size.

The Rail is equipped with the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which is lighter and smaller than its previous versions. This makes for clear integration and nimble handling while boosting efficiency, helping you to cover more ground on a single charge cycle. 

The 250W motor can propel you to top speeds of 20mph, which is something that will impress any daredevil.

The 75Nm torque produced by the motor is enough to see you clear steep slopes and hills without breaking a sweat. The low and central placement of the mid-drive motor also increases the stability of the bike for comfortable handling.

Managing the Rail’s motor is an intuitive Purion display situated on the handlebar. Despite being a little bulky, the controller is pretty easy to operate and features an intelligent eMTB mode. This exciting pedal-assist mode will automatically adjust the amount of power delivered depending on the terrain, allowing you to focus on the fun of the ride while also conserving battery power. 

The Bosch Performance CX motor is complemented by a Bosch PowerTube 625Wh battery, which is integrated into the down tube to give the bike a seamless design. This is nicely secured inside, which prevents it from rattling while shielding it from debris on the trail.

The battery is designed for long-range riding, meaning that you’ll have more than enough time to explore the outdoors and push your endurance to the limit. An external charging port makes for convenient charging, and this you can do both on and off the bike.

You’ll have an easy time removing and re-installing the battery. To remove it, just pull it out to the side; there’s even an integrated handle to further simplify the process. 

You don’t need any tools to do this, which is quite convenient when you want to charge, store, transport, or perform maintenance on the battery. 

The Rail uses a pair of Shimano MT-520 four-piston hydraulic disc brakes that perform well when coupled with 200mm rotors. These should give you an all-weather braking performance and the confidence to take on the loose trails and steep descents without fear of losing control.

The hydraulic discs offer far better performance than mechanical ones. The brakes levers are also responsive and will stop the ride on a dime with a slight pull

The Bontrager Line Comp 30 29" tubeless-ready wheelset pairs well with the 29ers and offers great durability. They hold up comfortably with you on the bike and remain stable even after day-long adventures in the harsh terrains.

The 29-inch Bontrager XR5 tires that the Rail runs on roll quite fast and will have you covering more ground with the least pedaling effort. They are also chunky and provide great stability during your ride. However, the tires deliver little traction when leaning the bike into a corner. 

So, take care not to lose your handling on those sharp turns on loose surfaces. 

What Do We Like?

The first thing that will catch your eye about the Trek Rail is its sleek design with exciting colors. The yellow and teal frame mixes well with the black of the tires, allowing you to look funky on the rugged trail and stand out from the crowd. 

The Removable Integrated Battery system is a useful feature that won’t make it too obvious that you’re “cheating” with an top electric bike . It also allows for effortless removal and installation of the battery, leaving you with the luxury to charge the battery either on or off the bike.

The all-new and fresh Bosch Performance Line CX motor is not only smaller but also lighter and quieter than previous versions. Despite this, it offers greater functional efficiency, meaning you get extra hours to enjoy the adventure. Furthermore, it doesn’t add too much weight to the bike, which makes for easy handling.

You’ll also be impressed by the overall geometry of the bike. Thanks to the Mino Link adjustable geometry, you get to fine-tune the head tube angle, as well as the BB height without affecting the suspension performance. This is a Trek exclusive feature that ensures you remain comfortable on the Rail.

Another great spec is the 625Wh battery, which is appropriately hidden inside the down tube. The battery pack offers great range to power your ride for as long as you want. With the eMTB mode, the battery is nicely conserved for durable performance on all kinds of trails.

The tubeless-ready Bontrager rims and tires make it possible for you to do away with the tubes when you want better traction on the road surface. This also means that there are fewer flat tires and less weight on the bike, for you to remain mobile at all times.

• High-tech geometry
• Removable Integrated Battery design
• Nice overall design
• Patented Active Braking Point
• Tubeless-ready rims and tires
• Long-range battery
• Powerful Bosch motor

What Don’t We Like?

The stability of the Rail is a little bit off when negotiating corners at low speeds. The Bontrager tires don’t offer sufficient traction when leaning on the bike, which is something you should be aware of on those sharp turns.

If you’re a tall rider, you won’t be comfortable with the height of the seat post, especially for the “large” frame model of the bike. It may feel a little bit awkward to ride on.

• Reduced traction on turns
• Short seat post

Advice to Buyers

The Trek Rail is an amazing electric mountain bike that will bring a new meaning to your off-road escapades. It takes advantage of the latest in Trek technology and mixes the best specs to deliver a performance for the ages. 

With this bike, you’ll be able to conquer hills and slopes on the trail with ease and comfort. If you don’t mind spending just under $6000 to get your hands on this exquisite machine, then what’s holding you up?

Trek Rail E-bike Series

In the above review, we’ve been highlighting the Trek Rail 7 but the Rail is a series that consists of seven bike models. In addition to the Rail 7, you'll get the Rail 5, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.9XTR and 9.8XT. These all vary in price, with the Rail 5 being the cheapest of the bunch and the Rail 9.9 the most expensive one. 

Aside from the colors, the stark contrast among these bikes lies in the frame material. The more expensive models, including the Rail 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9 come with an OCVL Mountain carbon frame whereas the lower-end, i.e. Rail 5 and 7 are made of an Alpha Aluminum Platinum. 

The Trek Rail  5

The Trek Rail 7

The Trek Rail 9

Overall, the Trek Rail is stashed with a variety of high-quality features that bring out the high-level performance you can expect from a manufacturer of Trek’s caliber. From a powerful Bosch motor, high-tech frame geometry, long-range battery, just to mention a few; you’ll have a great time whenever you take this bike out for a ride.

The few negative aspects on the Rail don’t come close to being a deal-breaker. This bike is exactly what you need to venture into those tough and uncharted off-road territories!

Our Rating   93 /100

Trek rail .

  The Trek Rail is the electric mountain bike of choice when you need to spend the whole day outdoors riding tough trails and conquering dreaded terrains. It combines a wealth of high-quality features with the latest Trek technology to deliver a performance reserved for the pros!

About the author

Daria was born and raised in the Ukraine, studied in Barcelona (where she discovered her passion for e-biking), and is currently living in Barcelona. Her main passion is cycling and digital marketing, that's why she is always looking for an amazing new e-bike to make her journey even more unforgettable!

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Trek Rail 9.9 first ride review: fully tech-loaded flagship, long travel, e-MTB

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.

BikePerfect Verdict

Trek’s Rail 9.9 is definitely excessive rather than essential in terms of spec but it’s a genuinely outstanding superbike with lightweight and responsive, yet unshakeably confident and controlled, Bosch Smart System boosted performance

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

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Trek’s Rail e-MTB was already one of the best electric mountain bikes available, the 2022 9.9 gets new longer frame geometry based on the excellent Slash Enduro bike .

For information on Bike Perfect's testing procedures and how our scoring system works, see our how we test page.

It also gets a bigger battery, Bosch’s latest Smart System motor and management suite, and a full set of the latest SRAM wireless AXS componentry including unique wireless tire and suspension monitoring tech. Retailing for $13,799.99/£12,600 it’s a vast amount of money though, so does it all add up on the trail?

Design and geometry

At first glance, the new Rail frame looks the same as last year's bike. Trek’s classic rocker link, rear axle concentric ABP suspension, the RIB (Removable Integrated Battery) side entry battery system in the down tube, geometry tweaking MinoLink eccentric shock chip and Knock Block 58-degree steering lock system are all carried over. The head tube on the full carbon frame is now a massive, oversized 1.8in tube though. Reach numbers are extended significantly with the large stretching from 465mm to 491mm and the XL we tested growing to 521mm. That makes the new Rail even longer than Trek’s Slash Enduro bike and makes room for Bosch’s new 750Wh PowerTube battery on every size but the small, which gets a 625Wh cell. The small 9.9 has no space for a bottle either, but a standard bottle fits on the bigger sizes.

While you can get your Rail with any of Trek’s Project One custom options if you’re prepared to wait, the three stock finishes are all very special anyway. The metal flake Dark Prismatic finish of my sample looked stunning when the sun occasionally shone in the Lakes. 

Components and build 

There are two other big upgrades with the Rail 9.9 too. The bigger battery is joined by the latest Smart System bar remote controller and top tube mounted KIOX 300 display. Teamed with the Bosch Flow smartphone app this gives much more customization of modes and displays including biometric wattage and heart rate displays (needs a third party sensor) and servicing/software update prompts. You get one of the best eMTB motors in the form of Bosch’s well-proven Performance Line CX Gen4 motor with 85Nm of torque. This is matched to e*thirteen’s latest Carbon Race cranks with a 34T chainring (the largest the frame will take). Trek also complements the frame finish with the ‘oil’ anodized version of SRAM’s premium XX1 AXS wireless groupset including chain and 10-52T cassette.

SRAM has also given Trek two exclusives for the 9.9. The Zeb Ultimate fork and already Trek only RE:aktiv Thru Shaft Super Deluxe rear shock are both equipped with AirWiz Bluetooth pressure sensors. These let you calculate and then set your target fork/shock air spring pressures in SRAM’s AXS smartphone app. LEDs on the AirWiz fork top cap and shock top block will then flash green or red depending on whether you’re in the sweet spot. TireWiz 2.0 valve sensors do the same for the tire pressure on both wheels. These versions are also custom-shaped to sync with the Bontrager Line Pro carbon rims.

SRAM also provides the excellent Code RSC brakes with 200/180mm rotors. You should get a RockShox Reverb AXS wireless operated post too but our bike came with a Bontrager cable-operated unit. The rest of the kit is top-line Bontrager (Trek's own brand) too. That includes carbon 780mm bars, a 45mm (same on all sizes) stem, and its SE5 and SE6 Enduro tires in 29 x 2.5in sizes. That brings the whole bike in at just over 22kg which is impressively light for a bike with such a large battery.

Ride, handling and performance

I tested the Trek Rail 9.9 at the Wheelbase Cycles Demo Day so bike time was limited and they only had an XL size when I'd normally ride a large. The test trails were excellent though and riding it alongside four other eMTBs from Mondraker, Whyte and Scott meant I could still learn a lot about this flagship e-MTB.

Firstly, despite the massive reach, larger battery, and 64.6-degree head angle (I ran the geometry in the low mode) I was surprised how responsive the Rail still felt. The healthy surge from the Bosch motor certainly helps, but it consistently felt bright and precisely alive in terms of where it put its tires and responded to my weight shifts. That’s partly due to the very accurately metered mid-stroke movement of the RE:aktiv Thru Shaft shock that I’ve previously put plenty of time into on the Slash enduro bike. Despite the oversized headtube and open side of the downtube where the battery slides in, the frame has a really well-balanced feel too. Definitely decisively locked onto whatever trail target you choose but not in a brutal or bruising way. Add the Zeb Ultimate fork upfront and even the most geologically aggressive situations are smoothed very effectively with minimum speed loss. Only 150mm of rear travel, relatively short 446mm chainstays and the shock character means it’s certainly not a dumb or numb ride experience though. So while the sheer length of the XL and the down tube full of battery took some turning compared to a conventional rig or a shorter e-bike it didn’t stop me popping and playing around with whatever features I spotted. 

The welterweight Bontrager carbon wheels work well with the bike too. The lifetime rim warranty removes some of the worries about charging headlong into sharp and pointy situations. The instant pick-up freehub syncs really well with the half kick power surge of the Bosch motor to hoik the Trek up stepped, scramble climbs, or power wheelie it off drops/through puddles. Neutral ABP pedaling action and very supple top end to the suspension stroke means it charges up technical climbs with real relish too, and I could stay on line up rocky sections even when filming GoPro footage one-handed.

The Bontrager tires have largely benefitted from recent updating too. A softer TW top compound right across the tire means they roll slower and wear quicker than previous versions, but braking and driving grip are noticeably better. They’re really consistent in the grip they offer at all lean angles too, so while I was still drifting through high-speed boggy grass sections on the Rail I wasn’t wiping out in comedy 360 spins like those around me. The extended wheelbase definitely helped in these situations too, and once I’d realized how much the big Trek liked getting sideways, that became my grin guaranteeing mission for the rest of the test ride even on loose rock sweepers.

If you want a more trail happy feel as standard on your Rail, it can be set up as a mixed wheel-size mullet bike. The resulting 63.9-degree head, 336mm bottom bracket height geometry would be proper slack and slammed as well. Though the 29er wheels on both ends fitted as standard, definitely help when it comes to smoothing out the trail and keeping speeds higher.

The Rail was one of the Bosch Smart System bikes I rode over the demo weekend and first impressions are very good. There are a lot of buttons on the 3D remote, but they’re reasonably intuitive in terms of placement, and quick glance power setting color swatches are easy to read. The KIOX 300 display is super clean and while the top tube mount means more of a deliberate look down than a bar mount I appreciate the crash-proofing gains. SRAM’s AXS Eagle transmission was as flawless as ever, dramatically reducing hang up or worries when changing gears on the charge. I was nervous about the full carbon cage of the XX1 rear mech when getting loose and sideways in the hills around Staveley though. So while I respect the flagship components flex, I can’t help thinking the semi-metal X01 mech would be a smarter option. As AirWiz is just a pressure communicator, not a tuning guide like the standalone ShokWiz box, it feels more like a gimmick than a genuine gain. Especially as shocks and forks rarely lose air for fun. The TireWiz 2.0 sensors on the other hand give useful quick glance reassurance on a component more likely to lose air though.

Early verdict

Trek already had one of the best-regarded e-MTB platforms around with the Rail and this new frame literally extends its performance even further. Despite the extra reach and full-day ride battery capacity, the handling still feels lively and responsive on top of a rock-solid, surefooted baseline. The carbon frame and carbon component parade mean it’s impressively light too with instant reaction wheels adding extra pop and play. 

While the RE:aktiv Thru Shaft shock adds potential servicing complications, I’ve had nothing but outstanding precision control and smoothness on bikes using it despite several months of combined hard hammering. Bosch motors are generally regarded as the most reliable option and the new Smart System adds a lot of useful functionality and much better rider ergonomics.

While AXS was flawless and the Wiz monitors were fun, I’d certainly suggest that the $9,199.99/£8,900 Rail 9.8 GX (same frame, battery, Smart System and color options) is the sweet spot in terms of performance for the price. Then again Trek UK has already sold through its allotment of 9.9s for this year, so there’s clearly a market, so if you want one you need to start searching dealers as fast as possible.

Tech Specs: Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS

• Price: $13,799.99/£12,600.00
• Model name: Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS
• Discipline: E-enduro
• Head angle: 64.6-degree
• Frame material: EW OCLV Mountain Carbon
• Sizes: M, L, XL(tested)
• Weight: 22.2kg without pedals
• Wheel size: 29x2.5in
• Suspension: RockShox ZEB Ultimate, AirWiz 160mm travel, 44mm offset/RockShox Super Deluxe Thru Shaft, AirWiz 150mm travel
• Drivetrain:  SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 10-52T 12 speed rear mech, chain, cassette and shifter
• Cranks: e*thirteen e*spec Race carbon, 34T chainset
• Brakes: SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200/180mm rotors
• Cockpit: Bontrager Line Pro OCLV Carbon 780 x 35mm bar, 45 x 35 mm stem
• Wheelset: Bontrager Line Pro 30
• Tires: Bontrager SE5 Team Issue front and SE6 Team Issue rear 29x2.5in tires T7
• Seatpost: Bontrager 175mm dropper post (RockShox Reverb AXS as standard)
• Saddle: Bontrager Arvada saddle

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect since we launched in 2019. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

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Trek Rail 9 (2021) electric mountain bike review

• Danny Milner
• November 20, 2020

The Trek Rail 9 is as rewarding to ride as it is easy to live with. Our E-Bike of the Year.

Product Overview

Overall rating:, trek rail 9.

• Enduro-bike pace and composure coupled with a superb motor
• Tyres don’t do the bike justice

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

Editor’s Choice 2020

Launched in 2019, the Trek Rail largely flew under the radar, undetected by most of the mountain bike media, ourselves included. The reason for the distinct absence of reviews? Well, it wasn’t because Trek was unsure of its product, it simply didn’t have any bikes to send out to test because they were flying off shop floors at an unprecedented pace.

Thankfully we managed to get our grubby mits on one this year, and the timing really couldn’t have been better, the arrival of the burly RockShox Zeb fork and increased torque on the Bosch Performance CX motor providing the power and steering precision needed to keep the wheels on this 29er monster truck moving forward at a blistering pace.

Make no mistake though, the Trek Rail 9 isn’t just designed to plough. Thanks to its poppy suspension response and balanced geometry, it’s every bit as agile as it is capable on steep technical terrain. It’s beasts climbs too, the instant engagement of the Bosch motor giving you a friendly nudge if you stall, while the overrun of the motor, that briefly gives assistance when you stop pedalling, not only make it easier to get up and over big steps or fallen trees, it opens up lines that are simply impossible on a Shimano equipped e-bike.

Our E-bike of the Year test wasn’t just a willy waving contest about which bike was the longest, slackest or had the most power, even if Trek won on all fronts. It was also about the user interface and how easy the bikes were to live with. With Trek’s side mounted Removable Integrated Battery (RIB), with its integrated protective cover and handly carry handle you can swap batteries in seconds and charge the 640Wh powerpack on or off the bike. Providing, of course, you don’t lose the bloody key.

If Tonka did mountain bikes, we reckon they would look a lot like the Trek Rail 9. Pumped up in all directions, the Rail is like a two-wheel linebacker. With a head tube thicker than a rhino’s neck and a down tube with the diameter of a tree trunk. Somehow, though, it all looks entirely in proportion thanks to the 38mm stanchions of its RockShox Zeb fork and the generous sizing of the Alpha Platinum alloy frame.

Trek has taken a novel approach to battery removal and installation. Unlike most e-bikes, where the battery inserts through a hole in the underside of the down tube, Trek has cut a window in the side. This makes removing the RIB (Removable Integrated Battery) battery a breeze – no bending down, looking for keyholes and trying to catch it before it drops on the floor. The cover has been attached to the battery, so they both come out as one, and there’s even a carry handle at one end. The only criticism we can level at the Rail is that you still need to carry around a key to unlock the hatch.

Read more: Best electric mountain bikes – E-Bike of the Year

Trek has thrown its full arsenal of tech at the Rail: ABP, Mino Link, Knock Block, Straight Shot and Thru Shaft. And while these headline features are great sales tools, it’s little details like the hidden speed sensor, with magnet attached to the brake rotor, and Kiox display unit mounted to the top tube, that show the lengths Trek has gone to designing the Rail. The only hairline cracks in its armour are that the rear brake hose rubs on the seatstay, and that there are no stiffness-boosting Torque Caps at the front hub.

Thru Shaft Damper makes for supple, sensitive suspension

There’s enough stiffness to the chassis of the RockShox Zeb that this minor omission is forgivable. It feels unflinching in every situation and this serves to amplify the rock-solid nature of the bike. Due to the larger air volume, pressures are relatively low – even for an e-bike – and this means one or two psi can make a big difference to the feel. In the end we added a third token to the air chamber to help cushion those big bottom-out events, but overall we felt like the Select+ Zeb had marginally less damping control towards the middle and end of the stroke compared to the Whyte’s Fox 38.

No such complaints at the rear however, where Trek’s exclusive F1-derived Thru Shaft damper (a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate) gave both excellent small bump sensitivity and generous mid-stroke support. The damping rod passes right through the shock body, so there’s no need for a pressurised internal floating piston to allow for oil displacement, and this creates a more sensitive damping circuit. We mostly ran the shock in the softest low-speed compression setting, but did find the middle position useful for raising the ride height slightly without eating into comfort levels too much.

160mm-travel RockShox Zeb fork is burly enough to take on any terrain

Trek’s in-house Bontrager cockpit put us into the perfect attacking position, with the short head tube making it easy to get enough weight over the front end. The saddle rails on the Bontrager Arvada seat got bent in a crash, and the 170mm Bontrager Line Elite dropper post had noticeable play at full extension.

Although Trek has fitted a big 36t chainring, the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with its 52t sprocket ensured we never ran out of gears on the climbs, even if traction was in short supply from the shallow-tread of the stock Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tyres . Just about acceptable on dry trails, they don’t have the bite that a bike like the Rail demands, or deserves, in the soft conditions we typically see in the UK.

Kiox display unit is neatly incorporated into the top tube

Trek Rail 9 performance

Everyone who rode the Trek Rail 9 was impressed by how capable it is. With the Mino Links in the slack position, it boasts a 63.5º head angle that is comparable with its enduro race bike, the Slash. In fact, in a straight fight , it would be interesting to see which Trek would be fastest against the clock on a downhill track, because the Rail always remained utterly placid however nasty the terrain beneath its wheels. It really is a sledgehammer on the descents, yet it never feels too unwieldy at slower speeds, and although it takes a bit more effort and a more dynamic riding style to change direction than either the Whyte E-160 or the Merida eOne-Sixty, it still corners like it’s – you guessed it – on rails.

Trek hasn’t tried to achieve the shortest chainstay length, so with the steep effective seat angle, you’ve got a bike that’s just as capable up as down. And the instant response and addictive boost of the Bosch motor meant we had a ton of fun challenging ourselves on the most technical climbs.

What’s new for 2021?

Who knows what will change. But if anyone at Trek is reading this, the Trek Rail 9 needs better tyres as the Bontrager SE5s don’t have enough bite to transfer all of that power into forward movement in damp conditions. We’d also like a more user friendly controller for the Bosch Kiox display and possibly a hex bolt to replace the key to release the battery. All minor niggles that don’t distract for the stellar ride quality, so please don’t change anything else.

The Trek Rail is as rewarding to ride as it is easy to live with. True, the Whyte E-160 nudges ahead by a few percentage points in terms of suspension performance, but the Trek beats it hands down for convenience, and yet never lets it get out of sight out on the trail. In fact, in terms of pure downhill speed, the Trek has so much stability that we were continually shocked just how fast we could ride it. The Rail dominates the descents and flattens the climbs, and in that respect it’s every bit as potent as the Slash, but with its own built-in uplift.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

Trek Rail 9.9 AXS eMTB—Greatness Bedeviled by Gremlins

Great performance e-bike, killer motor tune, but so many glitchy electronic accessories.

The Takeaway: On singletrack, the Rail 9.9 AXS is a superb e-bike. But wonky electronic accessories and the locked-down Bosch Smart System tarnish its greatness.

• Rail models with Bosch Smart System priced from $9,000 to $13,500
• 750Wh battery one of the largest in its class
• Smart System models get new frame with longer reach and slacker head tube angle
• Rail 5, 7, and 9.7 do not use Smart System and carry forward previous generation Rail frame

Price: $13,500 (Rail 9.9 AXS as tested) Weight: 51.3 lb. (medium)

2022 Trek Rail—What’s New

For 2022, the high-end Trek rail models—the 9.8 and 9.9—get a new frame with geometry inspired by the Slash, as well as Bosch’s latest e-bike system (more on both below). Besides geometry, the new frame features a larger diameter seat tube for 34.9mm dropper posts, a bit more tire clearance (now fits 2.6-inch rear tire), and a new Knock Block with an increased (72 degree) turning radius.

2022 Trek Rail—Bosch Smart System

Matt phillips bosch claims 85nm of max torque, but the motor feels stronger..

The Rail 9.8 and 9.9 use Bosch’s new e-bike ecosystem, which the company calls “Smart System.” One important note: Bosch’s 2022 Performance Line CX motor for Smart System offers identical performance to the previous Performance Line CX. But while motor performance hasn’t changed, almost everything else has.

One of the most significant changes is the new, larger, 750Wh battery (for most sizes—more on this below), a significant bump up from Bosch’s previous 625Wh battery. That gives the Smart System Trek Rail one of the biggest batteries: larger than a Specialized Levo’s 700Wh battery and the new Pivot Shuttle’s 726Wh battery. (Norco still wins the battery game with its optional 900Wh battery for the latest VLT models.) There’s also a new 4A charger that’s only compatible with the new battery—Bosch’s older charger does not work with the new battery, even though the plug looks the same.

The range is very condition-specific, but I did a 31-mile ride with over 2400 feet of climbing using a combination of eMTB (mostly) and Turbo (occasionally) modes and finished with plenty of battery remaining (I forgot to write it down, but I remember being impressed: Around 40 percent remaining sticks in my brain).

Unfortunately, the 750Wh battery does not fit in the size small Rail frame, so those must make do with a 625Wh battery.

Other new Smart System bits include a new Kiox 300 color display and a new handlebar remote. The latter is large and seems overdone (six buttons, lots of lights), and it looks like it just wants to get wrecked in a crash. The lower profile remotes of Specialized and Shimano seem more suitable for mountain bike riding.

On the Rail, the Kiox display resides on the top tube just behind the stem. This enduro placement keeps it more protected in a crash but also harder to look at while riding. It is a bright and clear display, though it’s not customizable and has some other faults I’ll get into later.

A new smartphone app named Flow ties the whole system together. It connects to the Smart System bike and records activates—a GPS track, elevation, speed, distance, power, and cadence—which riders can then download as a GPX file and manually upload to their favorite ride logging site. At present, you can’t pair a heart rate monitor to the Kiox (or the Flow app), the only service integration built into the Flow app is Apple Health, and there’s no web portal for accessing the information.

Trek and Bosch representatives hinted that heart rate connectivity to the Kiox, Strava integration, and a web portal are coming in future updates. The app also allows riders to push over the air updates to the bike, tune some assist modes, and provide information about the remaining range and other ride metrics. Activity tracking is not perfect, however. On one occasion, I started the ride with the Flow app paired with the bike, but I saw it did not record elevation or the GPS track when I finished the ride.

One annoying thing about the Smart System: it only talks to Bosch computers. You can’t connect a Garmin or Wahoo computer to a Bosch e-bike (Shimano and Specialized e-bike systems connect to third-party GPS computers). So, if you’re like me and ride with heart rate and use Strava, you have to use the Kiox—the bike doesn’t function without the Bosch display— and a Garmin or Wahoo.

Bosch has a locked ecosystem where bikes with their systems only work with their displays and their apps. This, in my opinion, is dumb and highly frustrating from a user’s perspective. Specialized and Shimano’s systems work with third-party products and services, why can’t Bosch’s? It also makes me fear that there’s some sort of subscription lurking on Bosch’s roadmap, which forces you to pay to access features or updates. As you’ll see below, the Bosch motor is excellent, and the Rail is a very good bike, but the locked ecosystem, the lack of features compared to the competition, buggy activity tracking, and the hulking handlebar remote are very annoying.

2022 Trek Rail 9.9—All The Wizards

The top-of-the-line Rail 9.9 models get Quarq TyreWiz and RockShox AirWiz sensors. These pressure sensors (in a perfect world) provide a quick visual check to let you know if the tire and suspension pressure is in the proper range. For example, slow blinking red means the pressure is too low; fast blinking red means it is too high; blinking green means it’s in the correct range.

Note that the AirWiz is not the same as SRAM’s ShockWiz: The latter is far more advanced and collects much more information. AirWiz simply tells you if your pressure is in the proper range.

You still set up your suspension the old-fashioned way: put enough air in the fork and shock to achieve your sag. Then, after you know your suspension pressures, you use SRAM’s AXS app to set the AirWizards target pressures: When they drift plus or minus five PSI from the target pressure you selected, you’ll see a red light. The app suggests suspension pressures, but I found them way off for both the fork and the shock.

It’s much the same for the TyreWiz, though you can select a plus/minus PSI range of one to 20 (?) PSI. I don’t like that you can only set PSI in whole numbers, and I prefer my tires at 23.5 in the front and 26.5 in the rear (those pressures result from a lot of time and experimentation). I also wish you could set a smaller plus/minus range: 22.5 PSI and 24.5 PSI are, to me, a lot different than 23.5.

Assuming they work as they should—one of my TyreWizards read minus 23.5psi with no pressure in the tire and zero with the tire at 23.5psi—it is, in theory, nice to have a quick way to check and see if your pressures are correct. But the wizards don’t seem to wake up consistently, and app pairing is wonky. For example, to see pressure changes in the shock, I’d need to open the app, connect the AirWizard, read the pressure, adjust the pressure in the shock, close the app, open the app, reconnect the AirWizard, read the pressure… repeat until I hit the proper pressure.

Then there’s the drawbacks: all of those batteries, the increased size of the shock (which eats into clearance), and the fact that you’re supposed to remove the TyreWyz and install a little plastic spacer if you’re going to inject tubeless sealant through the valve.

We’re talking about $12,500 to $13,500 bicycles here: any added gizmo should be flawless and seamless. The Wizards are far from that. Frankly, I think Trek should save the rider a lot of money and hassle and just ship the bike with a digital air pressure gauge and a digital shock pump.

2022 Trek Rail Models

There are five Rail models with the Bosch Smart System. They are:

• Rail 9.8 GX $9,000
• Rail 9.8 XT $9,000
• Rail 9.8 GX AXS $10,000
• Rail 9.9 XTR $12,500
• Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS $13,500

There are also three lower-priced Rail models—two aluminum, one carbon—with Bosch motors, but without the Smart System. These models also use the previous generation Rail’s frame and not the new frame with the new geometry and other updates of the more expensive models.

• Rail 5 $5,600
• Rail 7 $6,600

Trek Rail—Geometry

The Rail 9.8 and 9.9 models get revised geometry inspired by the Slash. Compared to the previous Rail, teach grows by an average of 19mm per size, and the seat angle gets two degrees steeper.

Trek’s Mino Link in the rocker link offers a low and high geometry position with a +/- 0.4-degree change in angles (64.6° or 64.2° HTA and 77.1° or 76.7° STA) and six millimeters of BB height change. Trek ships the bike in the low position and recommends high for mullet (27.5-inch rear wheel) setups. There are four frame sizes (small through extra-large), though the small size frames are currently unavailable.

The Rail 5, Rail 7, and Rail 9.7 carry forward with the geometry of the previous generation bike.

Trek Rail 9.9 XX1-AXS Ride Impressions

I loved riding the Trek Rail 9.9. It handles well, the suspension is excellent (once again, the extra weight of an e-bike makes the suspension, especially the fork, feel extra smooth and supple), and Bosch’s motor is excellent—especially the e-MTB mode.

But, all the gremlins from the Wizards, apps, Kiox computer, and the locked-down ecosystem that doesn’t work with a hugely popular ride logging platform (Strava) or connect to hugely popular GPS computers (Garmin or Wahoo) computer are just ridiculous.

A few more examples of the annoyances I encountered. There are four riding modes, but Bosch only lets the user customize two of them: Shimano and Specialized let the user customize all the riding modes. The battery—even when on the charger for 24 hours—wouldn’t charge more than 97-percent. And the data screens on the Kiox cannot be customized: a feature found on even low-cost cycling computers.

Electronics, apps, and connectivity are an increasing part of the cycling experience, especially the e-bike experience, and especially the high-end e-bike experience. But while the goal of all these features is a better user experience, it’s the opposite when those features are buggy or don’t work at all. On an unpowered bike you can replace the brakes if you don’t like them, or take the Fox fork off and install a RockShox if it is a better fork. But on an e-bike, you can’t change out the drive system and its display, or use Shimano’s e-bike app to tune your Bosch e-bike motor. With the Rail, you’re wedded to the Bosch Smart System and the rest of its ecosystem for the life of the bike.

Ideally, a bike should be flawless and easy to live with; yet, some of Rail’s the flashiest features were quite the opposite. So many times, I felt like I ran into a brick wall while trying to get it to do something that is easy to do with another e-bike—if it could at all—or get some gizmo to work as advertised. Apps, software, and firmware, however, are never done. Bosch and SRAM could roll out updates and a lot of the frustrations I encountered on the Rail could go away in a blink. I hope that blink comes soon.

But, when I got out on the trail with the Rail, and I almost—almost—forgot about the gremlins and annoyances because it is brilliant on the trail. And despite all my complaints about the Bosch system, one of the best parts about the Rail is the motor.

Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS

The maximum quoted torque is 85Nm, the same as a Shimano EP8, but the Bosch motor feels stronger. It feels close to and maybe even a bit more potent than Specialized’s 95Nm “Full Power” motor. It doles out power beautifully, especially in eMTB mode, which let me flow through low-speed technical sections with challenging traction without lurching yet offered a full-power boot when I stomped on the pedals, accelerating out of a switchback. I’d put the Bosch equal with the Specialized motor at the top of my list as far as the motor tune goes. I still give the overall edge to the Specialized though, because the Bosch has a high-pitched whine, some inelegant clunking, and a bit of vibration that the ultra-smooth and quiet Specialized motor does not have.

That great motor is attached to a well-done chassis. Of the three longer-travel e-bikes I’ve been r this year (the Levo, the Yeti SB160, and the Rail), the Rail feels the most tossable to me. It’s a robust bike free of detrimental flex but still feels supple and lively—surprisingly so for an e-bike.

There’s excellent suspension here too. Or was once I figured out that the weird harshness and noise I felt/heard on larger hits came from the shock’s reservoir smashing into my water bottle. I scooched the bottle cage up enough that the shock cleared the bottle, the rear end got smoother, and the bike got a whole lot quieter. There was great support on climbs and higher G corners, with little harshness on square-edge bumps and impressive sensitivity on smaller bumps.

Trek’s updated geometry is longer than the previous Rail, but even so, it’s not a crazy long bike. Overall, I think they’ve hit a nice balance: It’s stable at speed and composed when dropping into the steeps but remains deft and manageable at lower speeds. Even though the geometry comes from the enduro-oriented Slash , this bike rides and feels like an all-arounder to me: You won’t mistake it for a poppy play bike, nor an enduro sled.

The seat angle is reasonably steep at 76.1°, and considering the precipitous climbs you can power up on this bike, it’s probably about right. Even so, I pushed the saddle back on the rails a bit because I felt too far forward on lower angle climbs and flats.

As this is a Trek, this Rail gets the entire suite to Bontrager house brand components. Most worked just fine, though the Line Pro dropper was sluggish, and the remote is meh at best. Again, $13,500 bike—let’s get a Bike Yoke Revive on this, not some mediocre house brand thing. The SE6/SE5 tire combo worked well in my conditions, though I did wish for a sticker compound at times. The casings held up better than I expected—no flats so far—though I think we’re at the point where all 50 pound, 150mm-plus travel e-bikes should get Cush Core liners (or similar) for extra flat protection and tire support. I’ll also reiterate the statement I made in the 160E review about SRAM’s Code brakes with 220mm (front) and 200mm (rear) rotors: they’re enough brake, but only barely. I think we’re at the end of the era where repurposing components designed for unpowered bikes is good enough for a modern e-bike.

Trek Rail 9.9 XX1—Verdict

If it wasn’t clear already, I had a love/hate relationship with the Rail 9.9 AXS. All the electronic gremlins and that locked-down Bosch system—ugh. It’s difficult to recommend the Bosch when the Specialized and Shimano e-bike systems offer excellent performance without the headaches. Hopefully, Bosch and SRAM will work out the issues with updates. And if Bosch continues with their closed system, they have to add all the features its competitors offer, and its platform lacks. Because in this guise, I can’t recommend the Rail without reservation.

But once I got it out on the trail, I loved the Rail. It is one of my favorite e-mountain bikes and the best e-all-arounder I’ve ridden so far.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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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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TESTED: 2022 Trek Rail 7 e-bike

The trek rail is trek’s most aggressive emtb offering..

Photographer: Tim Bardsley-Smith

Tester: Will Shaw 

Riding Experience: More than my looks would suggest 

Generally Rides: Moustache Game 6, Norco One25, Norco Section A1

Height: 186cm

Weight: 84kg 

Bike Test Track: Newcastle and surrounds

The Trek Rail is Trek’s most aggressive eMTB offering. Pairing 160mm of front travel with 150mm in the rear, the Rail has been in Trek’s line up in its current iteration since 2020. The Trek eMTB range also includes the Powerfly FS, which pairs a 120mm fork with 100mm of rear travel. 

I reviewed the 2021 Trek Rail 9.8 XT in late 2020, which was the carbon version of this bike. For 2022 the two carbon models of the Rail have moved to Bosch’s new Smart System, which uses a 750Wh battery. The lower priced Rail 9 and Rail 7 stick with Bosch’s Generation 4 Performance Line CX Motor and 625Wh battery. There’s a significant difference in the pricing of the Smart System versus non-Smart System models with the Trek Rail 9.9 XTR (Smart System) selling for $15,999 and the Trek Rail 9.8 XT (Smart System) coming in at $12,499. Conversely, the Trekl Rail 9 is $10,999 and the Trek Rail 7 on test here is $9499.

So, at $1500 from its nearest alloy competitor, and $5500 from the top-of-the-line Rail 9.9 XTR, the Rail 7 is very much the budget-oriented model in the Rail line up. Being familiar with the bike’s geometry having ridden the old 9.8 XT with identical geometry, I was excited to see if the value focused spec package would deliver similar performance. 

In terms of comparable bikes on the market, with its Bosch Performance Line CX Motor the Rail 7 is competing with other long travel Bosch eMTBs from brands such as Cube, Scott, Moustache, and Orbea. 

Initial Impressions

Whilst the 9.8 I tested in 2020 was a carbon frame, the Rail 7 is an all-aluminium affair (except for the magnesium rocker link). The frame retains the exact same geometry, as well as additional Trek features including the Knock Block headset and Mino Link geometry adjustability. 

My XL Rail 7 weighed in at 24.6kg without pedals and with 90ml of sealant in each tyre. This is about what I’d expect for an XL long travel eMTB with burly components. The bike I received was in the Dark Aquatic/Trek Black colour, and there’s also a Mercury/Dnister Black colour. 

One highlight of the 9.8 XT I reviewed in 2020 was the custom RockShox Super Deluxe Thru Shaft shock, which was the most supple air shock I’ve ever ridden. The Rail 7 features a standard RockShox Deluxe Select +, which does the job but doesn’t have the incredible sensitivity of the custom Super Deluxe Thru Shaft. The shock is a breeze to setup though, with Trek’s suspension calculator offering good base settings, and the only external adjustments being two compression settings (open and firm) and 10 clicks of rebound.

Sticking on the suspension theme, the Rail 7 was the first opportunity I’ve had to ride the RockShox Domain RC fork. The Domain features 38mm stanchions like the ZEB but comes equipped with RockShox’s older Motion Control damper. The fork has low-speed compression, rebound, and bottom out adjustment via tokens. On the Rail 7 it comes with 160mm of travel. I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Domain, which I’ll touch on more later.

With less external adjustments than a bike with higher end suspension, setting up the Rail 7 was a simple process. I lopped the bars down to my preferred 760mm, which is made easy by Trek’s guides on the Rhythm Handlebar. The left-hand side of the cockpit required some adjustment to get comfortable with, as the rear brake, dropper lever, and Bosch Purion display all use their own mounts. I ended up with the Purion display a touch far from my thumb for my liking, but I was still able to reach it to change modes when necessary.

The drivetrain and brakes are a full Shimano 12-speed affair. The hybrid drivetrain meshes an SLX shifter and chain with an XT mech and a Deore cassette. The Shimano M6100 levers mated to four pot M6120 calipers are unmatched at their price point. 

Bosch’s Performance Line CX Motor is the same motor as the Smart System motor that comes on the higher end models in terms of specifications (85Nm of torque, up to 340 percent assistance), and the 625Wh battery lets you do a hell of a lot of riding if you’re happy to put some work in. 

On The Trail

As I’d spent a fair bit of time on the 9.8 XT, I immediately felt at home aboard the Rail. Despite its relatively roomy front end (the XL I tested in the low setting has a 495mm reach) and weight, the Rail 7 can be ridden with a more active ride style than many other eMTBs. I think part is this is down to the excellent front to rear balance (495mm reach matched with 448mm chain stays), and part of it is down to the active suspension.

Despite having a far lower price tag than the ZEB range of forks, the Domain RC’s performance is very close to its pricier sibling. With low-speed compression, rebound, and the ability to add or remove tokens for bottom out control the Domain RC is a tunable fork with a fantastic ride feel. One thing I like about forks with 38mm stanchions is the stiffness they provide when you’re on the brakes in steep terrain. The Domain RC didn’t give up anything compared to the ZEB Select on the Rail 9.8 XT in this department. 

The rear end of the Rail 7 features similarly impressive suspension. The Deluxe Select Plus Shock isn’t as supple as Trek’s custom Super Deluxe Thru Shaft that comes on the 9, 9.8 XT, and 9.9 XTR, but it does provide great traction and support across a range of trail situations. 

I didn’t use the Mino Link adjustment during testing as I tried it on the 9.8 XT, and I think the lower setting suits the Rail’s aggressive intent much better. One reason I would consider going to the higher setting would be to raise the bottom bracket if I was taking on super technical climbs where you’re likely to hit your motor case on obstacles. I did hit the motor case on the odd obstacle, but overall, I prefer the feel of the lower bottom bracket and slacker head angle.  

One difference between the 2021 Rail 9.8 XT and the 2022 Rail 7 is Trek’s proprietary eMTB Lite mode. Trek’s eMTB Lite mode offers assistance that varies between 140 percent (Tour mode) and 250 percent. This is most similar to a mode used by other Bosch brands called ‘Tour +’, which offers assistance from 60 percent right through the maximum assist on offer with the Performance Line CX Motor, which is 340 percent. 

eMTB Lite is a great mode to use out on the trails. As the maximum assist is 250 percent rather than 340 percent it stays lower in the power curve throughout most of your ride, meaning your battery will go a fair way further. Bosch’s ‘regular’ eMTB mode assists from 140 percent (which is the linear ‘Tour’ mode) through to 340 percent and tends to stay closer to the top of the power curve. eMTB Lite does a good job of letting you do more of the work on climbs that aren’t too steep, and then kicking in when you need it on punchy climbs. It's a set and forget setting which really lets assistance blur into the background.

The additional range offered by eMTB Lite appeared to be around 300-400 additional vertical meters from my very uncontrolled testing. If I go for a ride where I session descents by climbing a fire road in eMTB and Turbo Mode I’ll normally get around 1000 meters of climbing in before I’ve used the entire battery (I weigh around 84kg, plus kit). With eMTB Lite I was getting 1300-1400 meters. 

The Trek Rail 7 offers a lot of long travel eMTB performance at a much lower price point than the pointy end of the eMTB market. Time and time again when I ride Shimano’s lower end drivetrain and brake products, I question why anyone would need anything more. 

My one concern about the Rail 7 was the Domain RC fork, having not ridden one before. My concerns were proven to be unnecessary as the Domain RC offers most of the ZEB range’s performance at a fraction of the cost. 

The Rail sits in between different models offered by other brands due to its geometry and componentry. For example, Scott offer their Genius eRide, which has a 160mm fork paired with 150mm of rear travel, but throughout the range they spec forks with 35 or 36mm stanchions and the angles are slightly less aggressive than the Rail. Scott also have the Ransom eRide, which pairs a 180mm fork with 170mm of rear travel. 

As Trek only have the Rail in their long travel eMTB line up, it needs to be able to ride both undulating terrain and be capable of more gravity specific usage. While I think they’ve done a great job with both geometry and componentry to achieve this, it’d be great to see a Rail with more rear travel in future, and if I was using my Rail as more of a shuttle sled, I’d be interested to see how it performs with a 170mm fork.  

The Rail is in the ballpark price wise compared to other eMTBs in this travel bracket including the Scott Genius eRide 920 and Focus Jam Squared 6.9, although as I said it probably straddles between those models and Scott’s Ransom eRide range and Focus’ Sam squared range. Whilst those models have more travel than the Rail, I feel that the Trek Rail’s use of RockShox’s 38mm forks and more aggressive geometry make it more suitable to gravity riding than the Genius eRide and Jam Squared. 

If you’re tossing up between the Rail 7 and the other Rail models on offer, aside from the bigger Smart System battery on the 9.8 XT and 9.9 XTR there are also some geometry differences. The Smart System bikes come with steeper seat tubes, slightly slacker headtubes, higher bottom bracket heights, longer reaches, and longer wheelbases. If you’re not concerned about the range offered by a 625Wh battery and you want a reliable and capable long travel eMTB, the Trek Rail 7 is a great choice. You could even buy a spare battery and still be ahead in terms of total cost.

Want more e-bikes? 

Read our Specialized Levo Comp Alloy review

Read our 6 Unexpected Benefits of E-MTBS

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Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS – In our big 2022 eMTB group test

The new Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS has both muscles and brains. With its new Bosch Smart System motor, networked RockShox AirWiz suspension and countless electronic components, the Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS is determined to secure the Best in Test as the best eMTB all-rounder of the year in our big 2022 eMTB group test. Will it succeed?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 – 13 models in review

The new Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS 2022 relies on the same successful concept as its predecessor , combining 29″ wheels and 160/150 mm travel. Our test bike in size L tilts the scales at 23.52 kg and retails at € 13,599. The big news for 2022 is the brand-new, neatly-integrated Bosch Smart System , the sole example of which in this test is found on the Trek. The system includes Bosch’s bar-mounted LED remote and new Kiox 300 display. The latter sits well protected on the top tube but operating the many small buttons on the remote takes some getting used to. In typical Trek fashion, the new 750 Wh battery is secured with a lock and can be removed from the side of the down tube, leaving a big 50 cm opening in the frame. Inside the downtube, foam inserts are intended to prevent the battery from rattling. However, at high speeds the battery develops a life of its own, shifting and vibrating inside of the frame.

Fully networked – The spec of the Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS in detail

All the electronic SRAM and RockShox components on the Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS are networked. The RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and proprietary Super Deluxe shock with Thru Shaft technology come equipped with the new AirWiz system, which monitors the air pressure in the fork and shock and displays it on your smartphone via Bluetooth. Simultaneously, the TyreWiz sensors on the wheels allow you to check tire pressures in real time and can alert you if the pressure drops below a predetermined value. That’s a must with the puncture-prone Bontrager SE5/SE6 tires, where the thin casing could potentially lead to irreversible damage to the Bontrager Line carbon wheels if the pressures drop too low. Unfortunately, having to run fragile tires at high pressures comes at the expense of traction. A wireless XX1 AXS drivetrain delivers silky smooth shifting while SRAM CODE RSC brakes with a 220 mm front rotor and 200 mm disc at the rear ensure powerful and reliable deceleration. Although our test bike was delivered with a Bontrager Line Elite dropper post, the production bike comes with a high-quality, wireless 170 mm Reverb AXS dropper post.

Overkill! While all the electronic gadgets make setup easier, they don’t bring any real advantages to the trail.

Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS

Specifications.

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh Display Bosch Kiox 300 Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate 160 mm Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe ThruShaft 150 mm Seatpost Bontrager Line Elite 170 mm Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 220/200 mm Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12 Stem Bontrager Line Pro 45 mm Handlebar Bontrager Line Pro 800 mm Wheelset Bontrager Line Pro 29" Tires Bontrager SE5/SE6 Core Strength 2.5"

Technical Data

Size M L XL Weight 23.52 kg Perm. total weight 136 kg Max. payload (rider/equipment) 112 kg Trailer approval yes Kickstand mount yes

Specific Features

TyreWiz AirWiz

One Trek to go, extra long, please! The geometry of the Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS in detail

The Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS is only available in three sizes, M to XL, because the long battery doesn’t fit into a size S frame. A flip-chip in the seat stays allows you to adjust the seat tube and head angle by 0.4°. However, in most situations, the steep setting doesn’t improve handling, which is why we recommend sticking with the slack one. At 487 mm, the Rail has the longest reach in the entire test field, suggesting a stretched and sporty riding position. That being said, the huge spacer stack under the stem ensures an upright riding position on the trail. With its firm suspension, the Trek doesn’t have the same plush touring qualities as the FOCUS JAM² or the Norco Sight VLT C1.

A fair-weather bike? The Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS uphill

The Bosch motor packs a punch from the very first pedal stroke and takes the edge off steep ramps. With its lively character, the Rail allows experienced riders to play with the terrain on their way to the trailhead and accelerate out of corners with great momentum. If you’re less experienced, you should actively weight the front to prevent the delay in motor response when off the pedals from pushing you out of corners. That being said, that lag helps you overcome obstacles on technical climbs, provided the conditions are right. Simply put, the Trek is an excellent climber on grippy terrain but reaches its limits on loose and wet terrain, where the rear wheel slips easily out of control. The firm suspension sits high in its travel, keeping the front wheel tracking on steep climbs.

The Trek Rail carves through berms as if on rails.

An (un)balanced downhill machine – The Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS downhill

Downhill, the Rail has a penchant for man-made flow trails and offers a balanced riding position. The efficient suspension and excellent freedom of movement make it easy to pump through rollers and berms. On steep gnar with tight switchbacks, the low and central riding position prevents you from diving into the loam head first. Unfortunately, the tires generate little traction, making it hard to hold your line on slippery off-camber slabs – here the Orbea holds its line far better despite having similarly-firm suspension. On rough and fast descents with big compressions and nasty rollers, the excellent suspension releases its huge reserves efficiently and never bottoms out, even on nasty hits. However, with fast consecutive hits and hard landings, the battery rattles loudly against the frame, creating vibrations that travel all the way into the handlebars, robbing you of confidence on fast descents.

Tuning tip: more robust tires with soft rubber compound (Doubledown or Super Gravity casing)

Riding Characteristics

Motor feeling, motor power, value for money, application, forest road, flow trail uphill, flow trail downhill, technical single trail uphill, technical single trail downhill, downhill tracks.

In our 2022 eMTB group test, the Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS wasn’t able to assert itself against the competition in any situation. In dry, grippy conditions, it has the potential to be a very decent climber while experienced riders will be able to use the excellent suspension and freedom of movement to have fun downhill. Unfortunately, the battery rattling loudly against the frame on downhill tracks is a major issue. As a result, the Rail emerges as the clear loser in this 2022 eMTB group test. Hopefully Trek will do something about this soon.

• suspension offers plenty of reserves
• performance on technical climbs

• battery rattles loudly against the frame
• spec doesn't do justice to the potential of the bike

You can find out more about at trekbikes.com

The test field

All bikes in test: FOCUS JAM² 7.0 (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10k (Click for review) | Norco Sight VLT C1 (Click for review) | Orbea Rise M-Team (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.E375 PRO (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 Z ST XT (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL (Click for review) | Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS | Yeti 160E T1 (Click for review) | YT DECOY MX CORE 4 (Click for review)

Relaxed and comfortable riding on surfaced roads, both uphill and downhill. ↩

Easy climbs up trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate incline. ↩

Active and playful descents on easy trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate slope. ↩

Single-track climbs on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and occasionally extreme inclines. ↩

Singletrack descents on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and small jumps as well as some very steep descents. ↩

High speed descents on sometimes very rough trails with large jumps and obstacles that you can’t roll over. ↩

The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values. ↩

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more .

Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Robin Schmitt

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About the author.

Rudolf Fischer

In his previous life Rudolf was a dab hand at promoting innovation, putting his brain behind big-ticket patent assessments that easily ran into six-or-seven-plus figures. These days, the self-confessed data nerd’s role as editor at DOWNTOWN and E-MOUNTAINBIKE is no less exciting. Given his specialism in connectivity, Rudolf’s often placed on the front line of future mobility conversations, but he’s also big into testing new bikes–both on the daily as a committed commuter and intensively for our group tests. The business economist graduate is as versatile as a Swiss penknife, and that’s no hyperbole. Away from two wheels, his background in parkour means he’s a master of front, side and backflips, plus he speaks German, English, French, Russian and a touch of Esperanto. Japanese remains woefully unmastered, despite his best home-learning attempts. Good to know: Rudolf’s sharp tongue has made him a figure of fear in the office, where he’s got a reputation for flexing a dry wittiness à la Ricky Gervais... interestingly, he's usually the one laughing hardest.

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5 Reasons to Buy the Rail 9.7

• Impressive distance range with the powerful Bosch motor and a solid 625Wh battery capacity
• Powerful uphill momentum and confident descent
• Good geometry and enjoyable ride
• Surprisingly plush and comfortable
• Good option in 2021

6 Reasons Not to Buy the Rail 9.7

• A disconcerting rattle potentially coming from the battery or motor
• Slightly quirky display and controls
• Budget-oriented componentry that lacks in enhancing performance
• Less smooth start-off of the motor
• Placement of the water bottle holder
• The aesthetic of the remote (not visually appealing)

Bottom Line

The Rail 9.7 offers an impressive distance range and powerful performance, making it a great option for those looking for an enjoyable and comfortable ride. While there may be some minor quirks and budget-oriented componentry, overall, this enduro eMTB delivers on its promises and provides a solid choice for riders.

Average Expert Scores

Frequently asked questions - rail 9.7, what type of terrain is the rail 9.7 ebike suitable for, are hydraulic disc brakes included on the rail 9.7, what is the battery capacity of the rail 9.7 ebike, does the rail 9.7 have a full suspension system, what type of drive system does the rail 9.7 use, what is the wheel diameter and width of the rail 9.7 ebike, what is the frame material of the rail 9.7 ebike, what is the maximum speed the rail 9.7 ebike can reach, how much does the rail 9.7 ebike weigh, sign in to ask a new question for others to answer:, related products.

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City OKs new Moscow Mountain trails

Moscow Mountain could have a new 2-mile system of bike trails in two years thanks to a local volunteer group and a Tuesday decision from the Moscow City Council.

The Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association is proposing to build and maintain the trail system on the mountain near the intersection of Moscow Mountain Road and Rock Creek Road.

MAMBA is a local nonprofit organization founded in 1997 that develops, maintains and promotes the use of more than 60 miles of non-motorized trails on and around the Moscow Mountain area.

The group wants to construct the trails on 20 acres of land that was donated to the city in 1941 by Harry and Nina Powell. It is currently undeveloped and not being managed for recreational purposes.

MAMBA anticipates construction will cost $10,000. It has applied for a grant from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to fund the project, and asked the city to provide a matching $5,000. The city approved the match along with a license agreement for the trail system.

MAMBA anticipates construction to start this spring and for the trails to open in May 2025.

The nonprofit says this new trail system will discourage unauthorized user-created trails, improve recreational activity in the area and appease those who want more advanced mountain bike trails.

Councilor Sandra Kelly said she believes this project will help with the city’s tourism, and she appreciates that MAMBA will maintain the trails.

Councilor Gina Taruscio also praised MAMBA’s ability to tackle a project like this.

“The reputation you guys have precedes you and I really think this is a ridiculous no-brainer,” Taruscio said.

In other business, the council approved an appeal that will allow The Jubilee School Montessori in Eastside Marketplace to have a day care for children ages 3 to 5.

City staff previously determined the proposal did not meet the license requirements because the facility did not have a fenced outdoor play area adjacent to the day care.

Malia Mason, director of The Jubilee School Montessori, approached the council to appeal the denial. She said the school wants to incorporate 3- to 6-year-old children into its school program, but the city requires a day care license for 3-year-olds.

The school plans to create an outdoor play area in the future. There is currently an outdoor space behind the building. Mason also said that 3- to 4-year-olds would not use the outdoor area because they are only at the facility for three hours in the morning.

There was much debate about this request, particularly about whether the school’s unique education model justified waiving the day care rule regarding play areas. The motion to approve the license passed 4-2.

Also on Tuesday, the council approved a grant request to the Idaho Parks and Recreation to upgrade Lola Clyde Park by adding parking, frontage improvements and an internal pathway system.

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