2021 Trek Rail 7 Review: E-MTB that feels like a MTB!

[@kevinpeacock9717]

Just wanted to say i enjoy the videos you out out for us to watch. Always good info on what ever you are riding. Thanks

[@mxengineer1]

Thank you!

[@TomKennedyUSA]

Good analysis, thanks. I'm up near Erie PA, I ride Jakes Rocks in Warren PA and Alameda Park in Butler PA.

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! Those are nice riding areas...easy to find rocks in Pennsylvania mountains! I got my Rail 7 out on some fun downhill stuff last week...still the E-MTB that feels like a regular MTB.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaHHoJiJiN-betE

[@IT-fr4wb]

thnx for yr review, about to lay my hands onto a 2022 w lite use/ Zeb front fork + an extra battery (reason for buying) out here in NZ. only negs I’ve picked up is t Bontrager wheel set is prone to breaking spokes, + t Bontrager tires are at best average(easy fix). expect my riding style on this great bike to challenge t spokes. appreciate yr thoughts on lowering t bottom bracket too/ love it to b mullet but then you mention t fast rolling… cheers

[@mxengineer1]

The Rail is a fun bike - won the 20/21 E-MTB Loam Wolf shootout against a lot of different bikes. The 29" wheels so roll better. I ended up with an XL Rail 9.7 Gen 2 and it has all the same characteristics with a little more room for me (I am 6' 2" 190 lbs). One of my more recent Rail rides... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5eWhoKGrZeNfZY And a fun back to back with my '22 Kenevo Expert....kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoHbi42PpdSoocU Enjoy your new Rail!

[@Mike-up6go]

You commented that some people can hear the Bosch motor. No worries. Its just the afterburner kicking in.

[@mxengineer1]

Ha Ha! Yes I'll say that next time! I do like the Brose internal belt drive to reduce the Bosch/Shimano gear rattle. The new TQ motor is even more stealthy.

[@gclaytony]

Wahoo Elemnt Roam will provide all the additional info and more. I have a Powerfly 4, same motor, display. The Purion displays what you need to know about the bike/battery. Info about the ride

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks for the info. I got a new 2021 Trek Rail 9.7 with the KIOX display and it has all the info I need.

[@7302ab]

great color

[@mxengineer1]

Yes it was! I sold the Large Rail 7 and bought a XL Rail 9.7 Project One bike with a cool purple color that changes color from blue to copper to purple depending on the light and viewing angle. Rails are great bikes! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHimc6Gcf9eMrtk

[@forzer456]

Great video, considering this exact bike second hand with 1500km in an XL, I’m 6’2. How do you find it compared to the levo? Is there anything you would change/upgrade on the rail 7 2020? Do you like the tires and the yari? the newer models come with a domaine fork and the 9 comes with a zeb which I’m conflicted with as I’m not a hardcore mountain biker but want good value parts. Personally the main negatives for this bike is the Bosch display which I wish could be upgraded to the current gen smart system and the 130 dropper (do you think a 150/170/200 would fit?).

[@mxengineer1]

Levo or Rail - no wrong decision. The Brose motor in the Levo is quiet - no gear rattle (Shimano EP8 is most noisy and Bosch is less but can still be noticed). Levo offers Mission Control app which allows for motor power and character tuning - mostly I set it and forget it. Levo chassis is mullet (29" frt 27.5" rear) and that is a slightly different feel. The Rail has a little more compliance/comfort in the chassis and with 29" wheels floats over the trail bumps a little more freely and feels a little lighter in motion. The Rockshox Yari came on my bike and is very plush and compliant. The higher level Rocshox forks are great too. Not much adjustability on the Bosch motor but the (4) maps cover all my needs (I am usually in Turbo!). Biggest weakness on Trek Rail is the seat dropper...not enough travel!

[@forzer456]

@@mxengineer1 thanks, been watching your videos on various e mtb. What made you upgrade to the other rail? Was it just a good deal at the time or you usually go with higher specs once you determine you like the bike. With your carbon model I think I saw it was a yari, is it the same or a higher spec yari?

[@mxengineer1]

@@forzer456 I bought an Intense Tazer MX Pro is XL size with 505mm of reach and now prefer a longer reach (495~505 seems to feel best to me). Local Trek store got in the Trek Rail 9.7 with cool Project 1 paint in size XL....once I rode it decision was made! I bought the Rail 7 lightly used (5 miles!) and it was a size Large....if it was an XL I would probably still have it!

[@wessimpson2544]

Yes the display is weak. You can upgrade to the Bosch Kiox ($260). It got much more info. I might do that down the line. There are some youtube reviews on it.

[@mxengineer1]

The is was basically same Bosch display that was used on my 2017 Trek Powerfly 8 FS. I hoped it would have been updated since then! Like you the Kiox may be a future update on this bike.

[@wessimpson2544]

@@mxengineer1 Nice you are a long term ebiker. How they have changed just since then? I'm so stoked to be getting my first one. I'm a long time MTB years and years of hard tails and then went to full about 6-7 years ago and have loved it since my knees are bad and getting a lot older too.

[@mxengineer1]

@@wessimpson2544 I was watching and reading about e-MTB's in 2015 and 2016. Finally took a test ride on a 2017 Trek Powerfly FS and 5 minutes into the ride I was hooked! I've owned (9) different e-MTB's since 2017 (including the four I currently own). The biggest change has been to geometry: slacker head angles and shorter chain stays and most recently the "Mullet" (29" front and 27.5" rear wheel sizes). The motors have become smaller, more integrated (almost hidden) with smooth and tunable assist levels while the batteries have gotten bigger yet still integrated (hidden). The seemless and natural feeling pedal assist makes my legs feel bionic! Sold my pedal only MTB last year as it was not getting any use! Enjoy your e-MTB experience!

[@wessimpson2544]

@@mxengineer1 Well ebike are doing like dog years. So you are a long time ebiker for real. They have come a long ways for real. The only issue they are $$$ and getting out of reach of the common person in that area. I'm buying the Rail 5 since I can't find a 7 and with tax is around $6K. Last week I was going for a ride I'm in my upper 60's and saw a group of riders all in their 60 they just finished 15 mile ride and were going out for another15 mile one. I heard them talking. I was thinking man they are kicking my tail. Later on a good friend told me the group of 4-5 were all on ebikes. I thought they were reg bikes. I'm looking forward to joining that club.

[@mxengineer1]

@@wessimpson2544 Yes bicycle prices have gone crazy especially the past (2) years...makes motorcycles seem cheap!!! My 2017 Trek Powerfly 8 FS MSRP was $4999. The 2019 Powerfly 9.7 I bought MSRP was $5999 (full carbon frame). Now an aluminum Rail 7 MSRP is $6649 and carbon Rail 9.8 is $9000. '22 Levo Expert MSRP is $11,000. My 21 Intense Tazer Expert MSRP was $6299...for a full carbon frame and rear triangle and decent components...one of the better price/performance deals in E-MTB's.

[@davidgrunklee8407]

Don't you get more pedal strikes with low bb? Just heard you mention that in vid! Good job.

[@mxengineer1]

I have about 50 miles on the Trek so far and have scrapped the pedals a few times but not sure it is actually more than I usually do on my other bikes. I like the feel of the lower bottom bracket especially in the corners - keeps my weight (190 lbs) lower.

[@wessimpson2544]

Nice bike wanted a 7 / my dealers says over a 6 month wait here in North Georgia and they have 7 stores to pull from in the SE. So going for a 5 next month. Yes these get great reviews. It will be my 1st ebike riding full now.

[@mxengineer1]

Yes many of the Trek Rail series E-MTB's are basically not available for months. I felt lucky to get this one. Enjoy your Rail 5!

[@TomKennedyUSA]

I got the Rail 5 instead of the 7 due to availability. Everything's perfect, I'm glad I saved the extra $$. The Rail 5 is an awesome beast (as are all of the Rails).

[@wessimpson2544]

@@TomKennedyUSA sweet it’s in shipping supposed to pick it up next week.

[@mxengineer1]

@@wessimpson2544 I just saw some new '21 Rails at the local Trek store (Rail 5 and Rail 9.7 and 9.8). They all had the new Bosch Kiox display and control panel on the left side of the handlebars (nice update). Very nice looking bikes!

[@robbaxley7647]

Which do you like best the 29 inch tires or the Mullet set up?

[@mxengineer1]

Being a moto guy at heart I prefer the Mullet set up as it feels more like a dirt bike for me. Plus I like the slightly more beefy 27.5+ rear wheel for better traction on an e-MTB. However when I get back on the 29's they feel more like a classic acoustic MTB.

[@ajojoseph6052]

Did you consider the E-Caliber? Why should I chose one over the other?

[@mxengineer1]

I have not been able to test ride the Trek E-Caliber. I have ridden the '20 Levo SL and a '22 Kenevo SL Expert and I the lighter weight is easily noticeable as is the lower pedal assist peak torque (35Nm) compared to my '22 Levo Expert (90Nm) or Trek Rail 7 (85Nm). The E-Caliber only has 60mm of rear suspension travel which will not soak up the bumps as easily as 150mm. From my perspective weight is not such an issue with e-MTB's as the motor provides assistance which makes the bike 'feel' lighter in motion (like this Rail 7). It is easier to dial back the power on the Rail 7 than to need more power on the E-Caliber. Hopefully you can ride a Rail and E-Caliber and decide if either bike speaks to your soul (and wallet!).

[@seanyst1376]

How tall are you unsure weather a large or medium ?

[@mxengineer1]

I am 6'2" tall and would like a little more reach on the Rail 7 size large frame (stock is 465mm....I think 480~490mm would feel better for me but I don't like longer stems as it gets the bars too far in front of the headset). Interesting the all new 22 Rail 9.8 with 750Wh battery has a 490mm reach for a size Large frame (they needed the extra room in the downtube for the bigger 750Wh battery).

[@brentcollins9727]

This guy has a million dollar voice

[@mxengineer1]

Ha Ha! Thanks!

[@motoboggle7525]

Hey Forrest !! Dude what size is this ? ….

[@mxengineer1]

Size Large. I believe the reach is 465 or 470mm depending on the rear mino link position (I run it in the lower position)

[@swansmeister]

picking mine up 2morrow for half the price with 180km on it an,d some extra's that come with it like a good lock, stand and smartphone holder.

[@mxengineer1]

Always fun to get a deal on a great product! I now have a new 2021 Trek Rail 9.7 in size XL - fits my 6'2" frame better. Have fun on your new bike!

[@swansmeister]

@@mxengineer1 thank you, same 2 you! Great review btw!