Custom 20Kg Full Power Trek Rail EMTB

Steve Jones joins DH Masters gold medalist and Paris Dakar racer Johnny Walker to take a look at his seriously custom one-off Trek Rail EMTB!
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[@embn]

What do you think of this custom one-off build? Would you change anything about this EMTB? Let us know down below! 👇

[@ajandlucy]

Well it's clearly not 20kg is it? Clickbait headline much

[@albanogarciagalindo7361]

Hiii!!! First they should show the weight of the bike on the scale... Greetings!

[@walcottav]

Take this bike, it's owner and the show on the road - you two (and viewers) need an e-adventure.

[@M0053]

@@walcottav Seconded!

[@eBikerHowie]

@@walcottav John needs to be one the show's hosts.

[@chrismanuell8029]

Let's see more of John please. Real world bike user with tried and tested mods. 👏

[@edgarcintronec]

What's wrong with the fake one's??? John looks like a friking bug 🐛 on that bike.. 😂😆

[@embn]

We loved having Johnny on the channel! He's welcome back anytime! It was super interesting to see what he's done with his Trek Rail. 👍

[@vwmk5gtiblk]

Best bike check ever! This dude needs a regular segment. 🤙🏻

[@embn]

Agreed!! It was great to talk over Johnny's hugely custom Trek Rail!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

What a complete legend. Hilarious watching Steve struggle to manage this ball of energy.

[@LeSoarien]

Very very nice idea to present enthusiastic riders tweaking their bikes. Loved that!!

[@embn]

Glad you liked it! We loved taking a look at Johnny's bike! 👍

[@willian.direction6740]

Loved John's frank and practical set-up tips for his bike. Thanks Steve more folks like him talking bikes.

[@davidgillespie1280]

"This WILL void your warranty" 🤣

[@embn]

It's got to be said! If you make your bike super custom (like Johnny), then this WILL void your warranty! 😂

[@akaemzett]

This should be required watching for any Trek Rail riders! Great job!

[@andersiderstrom6082]

What a relief to see you interview someone you truly respect. Please apply this level of humbleness and humor to all your segments. Great improvement!

[@paulmaag6958]

I love his point about the fork. It confirms my theory about forks for older riders. The fork needs to be softer for our old, beat up bodies (after 40 years plus of riding off road). I ride an Orbea Rise M-10, with a 150 fork. I ride my fork soft. So, in reality, my 150 fork really sits at about 135mm at rest. Therefore, a 160 fork would be better for my set up.

[@CarkeekW]

I thought that , I got a 170 fork and 160air spring but decided to try 170 first and I'm still on 170 a year later

[@solcoburn8418]

just gonna be sat in the harsher mid stroke when u should be in the softer initial stroke, this is not a good theory lol

[@eBikerHowie]

Loved the interview with Sir John. So down to earth and candid. You tell the difference between John and Steve. John isn't worried about hurting Trek's feelings. I've made almost all of these mods to my bike. What a difference. I've told my Trek rep to stop making a stupid XC bike (150/160) and start making a true eBike (170/180). Instead, they gave us the dumbest of all...the Fuel EXe. OMG. And don't get me started on the new "super heavy" Rail... What a waste.

[@jbloggs4161]

What you mean new super heavy rail? I don't know about 150/160 being xc though lol

[@duncandoughnuts_za]

John is so enthusiastic, I love it. Makes me want to go and tweak my bike

[@koklich]

Makes me want to get Johny to tweak my bike

[@paulbrennan6392]

Known Wak for years absolute legend 👍 taught me a lot, defo needs his own channel.

[@embn]

100%! Maybe it's time for a few upgrades! 😉

[@matlockmeat]

@paulbrennan6392 do you ride round these parts Paul?

[@Roaming50]

I agree with the 10-46. I have never used the 51T on my Orbea Rise since I got it and that includes climbing a 40% grade ski hill. When I replace that cassette I see the 10-46 being the next size.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Same here the 51 is pointless imo Maybe if your battery goes it might be useful

[@robr3939]

These are the episodes I love, informative and funny!

[@embn]

Thanks, Rob! It was a great one to make!

[@TheEventHorse]

Very interesting topic. Everyone loves to mod their bike, and it’s interesting to hear all the reasoning behind the choices of mod, particularly from such an experienced rider. More content like this please. I’ve really only just started riding EMTB and bought a 2022 Mondraker crafty Carbon R which I’ve ‘upgraded’ to reduce weight, clutter, and smoother running, and with one of my wheelsets have managed to shave almost 2kg off the bike from when i got it. It’s cost a fair bit to do, but reckon it’s worthwhile.

[@chemistninja]

Legend - more of this! What a hoot!

[@Nunnyfcht]

Brilliant! Loved this ! Great mods! Great character !made me smile ! I use same ratio cassette

[@kentgrander9137]

That was a great video. As an older guy just getting back into mt biking I got a lot of tips. More of Johnny Walker please! Thanks!

[@ianchamberlain9665]

I like the mod to cure the battery rattling , I have a Velcro strap around the frame and it still rattles like a bar-steward!! Gonna have a play with a mod like that 👍👍

[@joaoafonso70]

Honest and blunt talk. Delicious. Let's see more of sir John, please!

[@theziggyg]

Best video I’ve seen in a long while! Brilliant 😉

[@embn]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!!

[@Phantombari78]

I really enjoyed this video and John's honest input...No sales pitch but honest assessments!

[@johns9974]

John is just brilliant

[@chickenclips]

Gem video guys well done. John is a legend

[@carstenschimansky7001]

Entertainment at it's best! Love it!

[@perryirons1399]

Outstanding video! John knows his stuff!

[@embn]

For sure! Thank you for the support! 👊

[@aleszverca]

Great stuff ✌ although I feel the manufacturers should focus on making motors more efficient in higher cadence ranges. You guys mentioned a sweet spot from 60 to 80rpm...from my experience that's a cadence for light cruising around town or just down the local road to get groceries....etc... I look at my cadence climbing a lot and I always find myself in the 95+ range...where basically all of the motors slowly start loosing oomph. Also shorter cranks on emtbs just help getting that cadence into higher numbers which doesn't help also. So in conclusion, this broad emtb community thinking of the optimal cadence range being that low, under 80rpm is totally flawed if u ask me, especially in combination with shooort cracks. One thing that confirms my thoughts is exactly Trek's new motor supplier for the Fuel Exe TQ. Their boss explained in an interview about the TQ HPR50 motor, because of its design it's capable of delivering the same level of power to cadences up to 140rpm (because in their measurements they found out that riders with half pedal turns sometimes go even higer). Myself if pushing really hard, can get to 130+rpm also easily, and It's very annoying when you start loosing assistance when it's most needed.

[@steeltribe3967]

Really interesting interview, thanks.

[@jasonmaccormack2239]

Finally a guy who tells you as it not the spec sheet crap 👏

[@doodsmxmtb8811]

The Trek Rail is the best eMTB, hands down. My Rail is set up very similar, Zeb, Ohlins, Saints, Schwalbe, Hope, Renthal. I did go with the AXS dropper and AXS GX, I9 Hydra and FR 560's. Best MTB i've ever ridden.

[@AJFixie]

Great video, beaut bike and love to listen to Johnnie!

[@robertocalvo934]

What a legend! Make this guy a regular guest, now!

[@brianthompson1045]

Awesome video! Great interview and guest! Bring him on again. A wealth of knowledge as well as very entertaining. Obviously a man who loves the sport. Well done.

[@embn]

100%! We'd love to get Johnny on the channel again! It was great to see the ways he reduced the weight of the Rail! The custom battery mount was so interesting to see! 👍

[@juslookinatyas]

What a legend 🤙🏼

[@tone351998]

that information on ass scrub on 27inc wheels was well welcomed!

[@MikeBarbarossa]

Salivating over the coil rear shock

[@awggreen]

Great episode!!!

[@embn]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the support!

[@easty-stage-4-fighter.]

my whyte e160 has also 180 forks ,mullet set up and 155 cranks, pleased I'm thinking along the right lines

[@jongusta]

Excellent bike mode review. I have the 20’ Rail and only thing stock left on it is the cranks. At 5’9.5”, I love the M/L sizing of the older larged size Rails as well. I run mine 170/155 (front/rear) travel with full 29 wheels. Tried 160 rear travel, but would hit back end of frame a but too much even with progressive coil spring and no more than 30% sag, so back to 155 with only occasional full shock bottom out with massive compression at speed. I agree, this bike should of been 170/160 at least out of the gate, especially with Fuel Ex as trail bike. Bosch motor not bad, but eats battery lifr a bit too much for me (two 625w batteries on tow for most all rides) and the aluminum internal motor to frame mounting bracket is pathetic with tones of nice and tiny bolts rattle loose or shear completely off causing lots of motor clank on DH and abrupt power outs at times. I am a big of Saint brakes as well, but loving the power and control of the TRP’s DH-EVO’s even more so, especially with thicker 2.3mm rotor.

[@andylivingston4596]

Awesome interview. More of John. Wind him up and let him go Steve. Brilliant.

[@kevdodd6241]

bike looks mint some great upgrades 😀😀

[@embn]

Agreed! It looks so good!

[@jasoncollyer3997]

Wak is our leader, absolute legend and really knows his onions, we need more Wak on the telly

[@tonyo4984]

I thought this was an interesting review of the bike done in a very entertaining, big thanks to Johnny for this, I am coming to some similar conclusions around cassettes, I currently have a SLX 10-51T and never seem to use the 51T. so I'm wondering why I am carrying that weight around! Not sure about the Magic Mary on the back though, I tend to think of Magic Marys as front tyres, great for grip but slow rolling.

[@paulcarter2110]

Best Embn vid

[@ocbyn]

Love this guy. Get him on again

[@etistours6650]

Fantastic review 👍🏻

[@embn]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! 👍

[@CordlezToaster]

Get him on as a presenter for embn, i love the energy. Or give him his own show EMBNTECH

[@Extremegaz25]

John knows his stuff! I ride zeb 170 up front, I think I might go lower pressure think I'm on 65 psi front on rail.

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

I don't really know who this guy is but he's brilliant, more of this fellow please lol

[@islandaerial3414]

I like his take on the fork. Be interested to see this rig after a 'bit of mileage'. Must be nice to have unlimited funds to modify an already expensive bit of kit. 😉

[@nomadiccampervans]

Been wanting a full power motor and smaller lighter battery for ages now, this will be a game changer.

[@brianbathgate4944]

Excellent stuff - what a laugh :)

[@embn]

Glad you enjoyed it, Brian! Cheers! 🙌

[@brianbathgate4944]

@@embn Long time fan of the show :-) You guys and McTrail Rider - sharing the You Tube crown as the best channels about 👍

[@bjrc]

Dream bike right there!

[@embn]

💯% 😍

[@elvislad]

I've got 180mm Yari's on my 140mm escarpe and they feel utterly normal,forget the media anti hype bollox of it's to much,you literally dont notice the extra height,just the amazing feel. £260 from crc...amazing

[@lonh8554]

Him and I have our bikes setup the same way, 160/180 works very well on my 2017 Giant Reign.

[@barbamatteo]

Great review!

[@embn]

Glad you enjoyed it, Matteo!

[@barbamatteo]

@@embn nice to see someone who customize ebikes like everyone of us have made for years with standard mtb! Ebike world seems more "fixed" with no kit frame/engine/battery on sale. John is great!

[@kimkristensen2816]

Super interview when two guys are talking shop. More like that

[@embn]

More to come!

[@noze02]

Great video, it will be interesting to have another interview with him once he gets the Gen3 with 750Wh battery. I like the tuneability of the new Bosch but I am not interested in such a big battery. Actually will be pretty happy with a 500Wh battery if I can tune down Tour, Emtb and Turbo modes...

[@Bikeaddict4235]

This was a great watch, very informative, why do all brands fit long cranks even to their Size S and size XS bikes ?

[@mattrohr1266]

I bought a 2019 Levo comp carbon and set it up with carbon wheels 36-160 fork S works tail cranks with light saddle ti bolts carbon bars etc etc. and It was 43lbs 11speed

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

You are never too old to play with toys, you only grow old when you stop playing with them. This guy looks a lot younger than his 82 years.

[@manugrancanaria]

tengo una rail 7 y es maravillosa

[@MTBTrailsAroundSurrey]

Lovely bike 🙂 - I just don't understand the need for weight-weeny components on an eeb. I get that modding your bike is all part of the fun of ownership, but cutting carb intake down for a few weeks and feeling fitter would smash any of those stats for overall Bike/Kit/Rider weight - a different topic altogether I guess 🙂.

[@jordanmackay3568]

You clearly know nothing

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I know us old and ugly ride these things but I don't want to see them. Give us a nice young person to look at. Sack Jonesy and these geezers.

[@klendatas1]

Damn rail, I will be wanting one until I get at least one 😅

[@davidcarlyon898]

Fab video and build. How do I get a battery plate from Johnnys engineer mate? I really want to order one, can you help?

[@davidcarlyon898]

Electric mountain bike network?

[@OurCognitiveSurplus]

This guy is great 🤣

[@BH-cy9tb]

I’m running 155mm cranks on my 2021 trek rail best upgrade.

[@mattytrials]

Exactly mY alps setup

[@ikklepip]

John Walker - the English Dangerholm 😂. What a character!

[@chuckdiego719]

Really enjoyed this one. Johns a hoot

[@greek42069]

Love trek color schemes love how they use that sunset orange color . What is a full power? Does that mean its pedal assist but also u can use just the throttle to propel yourself and skip the pedaling all together

[@AliBlitz184]

Full powered EMTB is more like a categorization of like bikes with motors with 60 Nm and up. They are still only pedal assist bikes.

[@Phil_Barker]

Best interview I've ever seen. What an absolute legend!

[@embn]

Thanks for the support, Phil! 🙌

[@downundermtb4744]

John is a Legend. Need guys like him in the industry.or just design your own bike John 👍 😂

[@tonyrobinson1623]

Did he say at 12:50 that an Fuel exe can come with a 430 battery? I thought that 360 was the only option.

[@adamklotzify]

im so happy, and hopefully lucky enough in my life, that i can still ride a mtb even with a gut and age like johhny's. godbless

[@justice_jax_berry]

Gotta go with the Nyon computer and the 3D print mount.. way cleaner look…

[@sound_travell3r]

Johny Walker black label 🏷️

[@brokenlegz]

Well done John. A spade is a spade! I like him! Why would you want an underpowered ebike everybody knows??? Everybody knows what?? More power is more power?

[@tomquimby8669]

Does Mr Walker know what the maximum load is for the for the Hope wheels?

[@cristy7610]

Nice video!! Anyone here have a link or something to get that aluminum support hand made for the battery?

[@budak702]

Its really hard to find out which crank and chain ring that would fit on trek rail, this video shows hope cranks can fit, it would be nice if the spec of the cranks and chain ring was mentioned.. nice to see some actual ebike owner showing their build

[@Lee-ic2yn]

It's not hard bro, just make sure the cranks are made for bosch gen4 motor

[@Tony_P]

Love seeing someone making considered , educated mods rather than just accepting something the industry / marketing / manufacturers tell us is what's best for the consumer. The only other mod to do here is ditch the carbon frame. That way , when a stick goes into the mech and destroys the hanger and stay , he doesn't have to beg Trek for a 20% discount on a replacement part that they won't warranty 🤣 15:39 "The cable is flush..." There's no doubting the quality of a Shimano mech but that cable entry angle @16:03 does my head in. Shimano: It's perfect , we will never change it. Everyone: WTF? SRAM: LOL

[@vashon100]

1:10 "I think 150 160 is a good sweet spot" unless you're doing an advertisement for a 140 (Kelly).

[@robhaskins3068]

This video demonstrates how the magic of Emtbs turns us into gleeful kids again. I've been using 150cranks for 3½ years. I find it hard to believe it's only 20 ?? 22kg but then again I am 18 years into my 50's and Steve and John probably think that they're 70 kg🤣. E=Mtb²

[@Paulo-fr3xm]

Great video, and John is spot on with a lot of his tweaks. Done similar to mine but kept it 29 as I'm taller. Trek should take note as the rail is a brilliant bike but could be loads better with simple tweaks.

[@E-bikeEnduro]

I don't know whether to put the 155 or 165 cranks. what do you recommend? thank you

[@br5380]

If John rides a Large, do they make an XXL for us 'slightly' taller AKA normal sized folk?

[@tradition123]

Anyone know where I can get the bar mount for the Kiox!?!?

[@martinstenstrup9509]

What kind of bolts is he using for the drive-unit? (The Gold ones, since they’re not the Originale M8x16mm from Bosch)

[@michaelchristopher2939]

Where can we get the bracket for the battery??

[@thesteeley2082]

Two words ''Pole Voima''....... You won't worry about the weight with the handling 😁

[@Andybarney555]

Guys got a gas monkey t on. Completly un bike related... love it legend

[@geemy9675]

why not go the opposite route and make the lighter bike more powerful? those electric motors probably have a decent room tuning. I understand the problem is that mid drives have integrated and proprietary controllers that are hard or impossible to tune or bypass with an external controller bit it would be interesting to see people working on it

[@danherman7039]

Could we please have some contact details for Mr Walker so we can purchase some of the custom parts for the rail? Thanks

[@douglasyoung3992]

Throwing that type of money at something is it a surprise it performs well? I do believe you could take a piece of Steel rebar and throw 50,000 at it and it would be awesome!

[@danherman7039]

How did John mount the kiox to the handlebars?

[@tradition123]

Wondering the same!

[@mopedmarathon]

The biggest thing of note to me on that bike is bars of a sensible width. Iv never got on with mega wide bars. Why should a mtb need wider bars than a mx or enduro motorbike?!!!!! Madness!

[@Popperklopper666]

What kind of mount do you use for kiox mount on handlebar?

[@tradition123]

Trying to find out as well!

[@garybrown5769]

Is it April 1st ?

[@timeforabeer6338]

The Bosch rattle - clunk is on all the bikes that share that motor..loose battery is just one of the Trek noise issues.I got rid of my Rail.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

I've never had a noise from mine