Trek Rail Size and model

[Tomunleashed]

Hi Folks,

Looking at getting a trek rail, and it seems I fall right in between sizes L and XL. I'm 6'1.5 (186cm), so just wondering what others have gone for and any advice. Ideally it would be best to test one at the LBS, however this isn't an option at this time. I think I'm swaying towards the L, just as I would prefer something a bit more agile, however not sure whether it would feel too cramped.

I'm also torn between the higher component speck of the 9, but like the idea of going carbon with the 9.7. Does carbon even make much of a difference to the ride? All comments welcome and thank you!

 

[Four Flusher]

Hi Folks,

Looking at getting a trek rail, and it seems I fall right in between sizes L and XL. I'm 6'1.5 (186cm), so just wondering what others have gone for and any advice. Ideally it would be best to test one at the LBS, however this isn't an option at this time. I think I'm swaying towards the L, just as I would prefer something a bit more agile, however not sure whether it would feel too cramped.

I'm also torn between the higher component speck of the 9, but like the idea of going carbon with the 9.7. Does carbon even make much of a difference to the ride? All comments welcome and thank you!

I'm 6'1" and I ordered a Rail 9.8 XT with a May delivery, haha. I'm also between sizes. The Rail will be my third EMTB, I had a large '19 Levo Comp and presently ride a large Rocky Instinct A70, both are alloy. As for sizing, the Levo fit a bit better, the Rocky seems a bit small but I like the handling on a smaller bike. I'm going carbon this time, mostly because these bikes are heavy and at 70, 5lbs makes a difference. I know that going to a carbon frame only drops the weight by 2 lbs, but the XT also drops the weight a bit. I plan on adding light weight parts to make sure that my bike stays under 50lbs.

 

[coregrind]

At 175cm, I’m on the border between M and L for the Rail with my choice being the smaller of the two. I don’t have my bike yet but had a try on the Medium previously and liked it quite well. It seems many are sizing down, if between two.

For the model, I was trying to decide between the 7 and 9.7 as well. My choice being the carbon, primarily due to availability. The prices were close enough, plus the suspension, wheels & brakes are the same. I plan to swap out many of the parts so I wasn’t too concerned with the stock drivetrain differences between the two. If I was going with 12-speed, my preference is Shimano.

EDIT: There is no US-spec 9 as an option, so that's why I mention my comparison of the 7 & 9.7.

 

[Tomunleashed]

I'm 6'1" and I ordered a Rail 9.8 XT with a May delivery, haha. I'm also between sizes. The Rail will be my third EMTB, I had a large '19 Levo Comp and presently ride a large Rocky Instinct A70, both are alloy. As for sizing, the Levo fit a bit better, the Rocky seems a bit small but I like the handling on a smaller bike. I'm going carbon this time, mostly because these bikes are heavy and at 70, 5lbs makes a difference. I know that going to a carbon frame only drops the weight by 2 lbs, but the XT also drops the weight a bit. I plan on adding light weight parts to make sure that my bike stays under 50lbs.

Sounds good, what size Rail did you order and were you able to demo one? I think it's starting to make sense going carbon.

 

[Tomunleashed]

At 175cm, I’m on the border between M and L for the Rail with my choice being the smaller of the two. I don’t have my bike yet but had a try on the Medium previously and liked it quite well. It seems many are sizing down, if between two.

For the model, I was trying to decide between the 7 and 9.7 as well. My choice being the carbon, primarily due to availability. The prices were close enough, plus the suspension, wheels & brakes are the same. I plan to swap out many of the parts so I wasn’t too concerned with the stock drivetrain differences between the two. If I was going with 12-speed, my preference is Shimano.

Thanks Chris, I think sizing down seems the right thing to do... and I guess its easier to make the bike bigger than smaller if required. I think I'm leaning towards going carbon too as the rest can be spec'd up as you say. Thanks!

 

[JMD]

188cm here, got a 2021 XL Rail 9.8xt very happy with fit, geo & handling. Much better than previous bike 2019 Large Levo expert.
I made the mistake of buying the large Levo without trying a XL.
The Rail works good with a mullet setup if you want it a bit livelier.

 

[bluewater87]

definitely go with XL.
I have ridden large and XL and the XL with a 35mm is perfect. I was worried it would be a bit too big when I ordered it but not at all.
I couldn’t live with the large, even with it being a few hundred $ cheaper.
I’m 6’2” and got the 9.7 XL.

 

[Four Flusher]

Sounds good, what size Rail did you order and were you able to demo one? I think it's starting to make sense going carbon.

I ordered a large, only did a short demo in the parking lot. Sizing is a personal choice thing if you're between sizes, I'm sure that I could be happy on either but after riding my Rocky that was definitely small for me for about 10 months and 1500 miles of single track, I'll error on the side of the smaller version.

 

[Mike a769]

Hi Folks,

Looking at getting a trek rail, and it seems I fall right in between sizes L and XL. I'm 6'1.5 (186cm), so just wondering what others have gone for and any advice. Ideally it would be best to test one at the LBS, however this isn't an option at this time. I think I'm swaying towards the L, just as I would prefer something a bit more agile, however not sure whether it would feel too cramped.

I'm also torn between the higher component speck of the 9, but like the idea of going carbon with the 9.7. Does carbon even make much of a difference to the ride? All comments welcome and thank you!

L

 

[Mike a769]

L

And I like my sons 7 better than my 9.7

 

[jcarlson9]

Im 5ft 10. I rode the rail 7 XL, too big. The large is just right for me

 

[dixie600mhz]

I'm also 5' 10" and the large is just right if that helps.