Rail (750Wh) Rail 9.8XT first ride review

[irie]

... I think the only thing I need to do is upgrade the brakes.

My braking problem was the brake levers - once I'd upgraded them my brakes worked great. Rail 5 (much modified) with MT420 calipers now with M6100 levers.

 

[Oupy]

Bike shop should be able to adjust/tighten the battery mounts a bit, they did with mine and it made a difference. Now with the damper plate its all pretty snug.
I'd let them have a crack and then you can determine which of the foam bits you need to put back in to get it where you want.

 

[Dave_B]

Not many (if any) reviews mention battery rattle, but that does not always mean it is not happening.

I've just removed all my rubber and foam and returned the bike to my local shop. The owner/mechanic is a rider/owner and he rides a rail. He is fully aware of all the issues and has several 'fixes' applied to his own bike. I talked through all the photo's of my mods to show him what I have attempted. He's going to take a look and give it his best shot at sorting it.

 

[Dave_B]

also had a good chat with him about the Zeb and how difficult it is to setup.
We are both in agreement the Trek recommendations are way off (too stiff). We both agree the Fork is over damped as well.

 

[irie]

Not many (if any) reviews mention battery rattle, but that does not always mean it is not happening.

I've just removed all my rubber and foam and returned the bike to my local shop. The owner/mechanic is a rider/owner and he rides a rail. He is fully aware of all the issues and has several 'fixes' applied to his own bike. I talked through all the photo's of my mods to show him what I have attempted. He's going to take a look and give it his best shot at sorting it.

Would be genuinely interested on seeing what the bike shop says.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I dont have the battery rattle on my Rail like some reports. I did adjust the lower battery mount bolts and try to move them up as much as possible to make everything as tight and snug as possible.

I do however have the classic Bosch motor rattle.

 

[JP-NZ]

@Dave_B I presume you have ridden the bike with the battery removed to prove it’s definitely battery rattle?

 

[Dave_B]

I forgot to do that......

 

[JP-NZ]

also had a good chat with him about the Zeb and how difficult it is to setup.
We are both in agreement the Trek recommendations are way off (too stiff). We both agree the Fork is over damped as well.

I have no idea how many spacers are in mine although the shop gave me what looks like 2 or 3 spacers with the fork manuals. Next week or so I'll get my shockwiz on it and get it setup properly. I'm not using anywhere near full travel so I need to spend a bit more time on it.

 

[Bomble]

also had a good chat with him about the Zeb and how difficult it is to setup.
We are both in agreement the Trek recommendations are way off (too stiff). We both agree the Fork is over damped as well.

I was on the verge on swapping to fox 38’s till I fitted a Luftkapp and skf seals.

 

[JP-NZ]

I was on the verge on swapping to fox 38’s till I fitted a Luftkapp and skf seals.

I have a mate who is riding a 2021 Trek slash with Zeb select +, he told me the luftkappe made a massive difference. I'm a bit hesitant to drop the money as the 2022 Select+ copied the luftkappe and increased the negative area a lot.

Is yours a MY21 or MY22 fork?

 

[Bomble]

I have a mate who is riding a 2021 Trek slash with Zeb select +, he told me the luftkappe made a massive difference. I'm a bit hesitant to drop the money as the 2022 Select+ copied the luftkappe and increased the negative area a lot.

Is yours a MY21 or MY22 fork?

Good question I’ll try and dig the box out, can’t remember when I bought them. I would guess at 21 ultimate

 

[Dave_B]

I did adjust the lower battery mount bolts and try to move them up as much as possible to make everything as tight and snug as possible.

How did you do this Rob?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

How did you do this Rob?

Loosened off the battery holder bolts and moved the mount as far upwards as possible. Theres a tiny amount of free play, maybe only 1mm or so, but you effectively shorted the distance between the mounting brackets.

 

[CordlezToaster]

I just purchased this bike after watching Robs video. Any tweaks/shortcuts i should know about setting up the bike? I assume the Zeb will require a bit of tweaking.

 

[Dave_B]

Don’t use the recommended air pressure for the Zeb. I’m 90kg and using about 75psi

 

[Dave_B]

I’ve got my bike back from the shop.
Both battery plates have been moved closer together and some rubber supports have been positioned against the top mount to prevent any bending/movement of the plate under the load of the battery.

significant upwards bow in the rail plate, suggesting to me and the shop tech that the plate is actually too long.

there is significantly less movement on the battery door, in fact, very difficult to physically move it (compared to the standard setup where it’s easily to wiggle the battery whilst in place.)

Im at FoD on Sunday so will report back after the ride.

I’m not removing the battery to take pics, I want to leave it as is and judge the noise/rattle before I mess with it.

 

[JP-NZ]

Went for a ride this morning. A lot more downhill trails with some decent chunk. Super happy again although the standard grips are on their way to the bin. Im doing okay on the Aravada saddle surprisingly.

Felt great after this ride and home with 28% battery (from 100%) The whole ride in 60% eco and 40% Tour+. I have altered my eco to plus 4 power. It’s perfect on the road and smooth climbing trails.

 

[torabora851]

I think I found another clunking peace in my Rail! I removed it today and it seems there's one clunk less in the Rail clunking symphony
It sits loose and clunks when I just touch it.

 

[Dave_B]

Ok here are the pics of the adjustments made by my LBS. Still not ridden the bike yet but will be doing so tomorrow.

Some thick dense rubber to support the upper mount and some significant adjustment to move the battery mount plates closer together.

The battery needs a very solid push to get it to fit and for the lock to latch (you have to use the key to latch the lock). It feels very solid when in place.

 

[SandroRiz]

>some significant adjustment to move the battery mount plates closer together.

do you mean the upper and lower part to get closer? or something related only to upper part where the lock is?

is the same suggestion of Rob?
>Loosened off the battery holder bolts and moved the mount as far upwards as possible. Theres a tiny amount of free play, maybe only 1mm >or so, but you effectively shorted the distance between the mounting brackets.

Thanks

 

[Dave_B]

Yes, both ends moved closer together.

After todays ride I can report it has massively improved and I think there is now zero movement noise from the battery.

the motor noise however is always going to bother me.

 

[BobMtnBkr]

Dave_B,

Glad to hear you may have solved your “battery clunking” issues.

Question - The “rubber support” shims your LBS positioned against the top mount to prevent any bending/movement under load... Are those shims Trek or Bosch items? Or did your shop come up with the idea ad hoc?

Was this before or after you put the Ohlins TTX22M on?

I’m waiting on Trek to respond to my warranty claim (banging/clunking battery) before I do any ad hoc mods (other than installing the Bosch foam pad – which did very little).

Bob

 

[Dave_B]

It’s just rubber that the bike tech uses at the shop, not a specific Trek or Bosch product.

mum pretty sureTrek will only advise your shop to follow the battery alignment procedure.

 

[Dave_B]

The battery was rattling even with the Ohlins.

 

[irie]

The battery was rattling even with the Ohlins.

My Rail battery doesn't rattle, so send me your Ohlins suspension and I'll send you my suspension. YKIMS.

 

[BobMtnBkr]

It’s just rubber that the bike tech uses at the shop, not a specific Trek or Bosch product.

mum pretty sureTrek will only advise your shop to follow the battery alignment procedure.

Agree with you. They installed the battery alignment parts when I bought the bikes (1 for me & 1 for my wife). Assume Trek will tell them to try again.

Did you look at the PUSH shock before buying the Ohlins?

 

[Dave_B]

No mate, didn’t look at the Push. Ohlins came recommended by @Rob Rides EMTB and I bumped into a guy at my LBS who had one and also recommended it, so I just went for it. I’m very pleased I did.

I’m considering the Ohlins fork now, or maybe a spam shot upgrade for the Zebs.

 

[JP-NZ]

Fully charged my 9.8 on Friday, did two rides with no charging in between. 50/50 mix of sealed road and trails (summer here). Think I'm at a good place with the battery now on its 8th cycle.

Distance = 76.65km (47.6miles)
Elevation = 1340m (4396 feet)

All climbing done on Tour+ and everything else on Eco. NO EMTB or Turbo used. 106kg riding weight, Bontrager XR4 29x2.6 tyres.

Came home with 7% battery left (range said 5km remaining on Tour+)

 

[Oupy]

Nice JP! I used 64% battery for 35kms, 1100m elevation and a mix of Turbo, EMTB and Tour (92kg geared up). I think elevation plays a large part in the drain rate.

Overall I'm really happy with my rail. Geo is perfect for my height, battery has been sorted with the pad and slightly bowed alignment plate and my ears have tuned out the bosch rattle almost entirely. Just really enjoying riding it!