I have been riding a dirtbike for several years and mountain biking the last two years. I rented the trek rail while on vacation last week and now I want one. Totally a different experience.
I feel like one of the only one’s left without an e-bike. What I notice though is while I keep getting overtaken going uphill, the e-bikers generally just swan around and are slow AF on the gnarly trails.
Dude yes this video is exactly what I was looking for! I have a bad knee so pedal pumping is hard for me so I am going to get one of these! What do you think about this model or the 9.7 for a 300lb 6’3” guy like me? I grew up on dirt bikes and love to play. I’m not a daredevil but love the flow of a great trail! Any thoughts are greatly appreciated as I’m ordering something next week . It’s between trek and kona now.
I recently just built a new eBike from aliexpress on the channel (make sure to check those out). But personally if I were choosing between those 2 options I would go with the Trek. What you are really paying for is motor and battery Tech. Pinkbike, EMBN, and other all say the Bosch motor is the best. When you look at the EWS emtb division the Bosch motor dominates pretty much 1st place to 6th place.
@@gravitycheckmtb Fantastic I actually just ordered a Trek 9.7 from Colorado and I’m picking it up tomorrow! I went with the XL frame. I really appreciate your comment and video!
Cub kuker how is the bike I was worried as the max weight is 300 and it says that includes the weight of the rider do you have any concerns with the bike?
Hoi ik heb de rail 9.8 al een poosje in gebruik en ben zeer tevreden over de prestaties van deze fiets,ik ben 72jaar maar met deze fiets ga ik als een jonge hond over het parcours en zeker in de EMTB ondersteuning gaat de fiets als een beest te keer!!😉voor mij is de wat luidruchtige motor totaal geen probleem daar het wind geruis het meeste overstemd,op deze fiets scheur ik nog wel tot m’n 80ste door 😛 😂groetjes van een enthousiaste ouwe knar Willem
Interesting feedback, from a first ride, comparing a e-mtb to a two stroke dirt bike. Just wish you could have one e-mtb where one day you ride with pedal assist. Then, the next day, with a few simple adjustments, you ride with a throttle.
I'm pretty sure you are riding a Trek rail 9.7. Not the 9.8 model. I have the 9.7 which is identical to what you are riding. The Trek rail 9 series are awesome bikes. carbon frames etc... That being said, GREAT review. I have told others, the best way to describe the feeling of riding an emtb is like this... on low it feels like someone is pushing you when you pedal. On turbo, it feels like the Hulk is pushing you when you pedal. I will never go back to a non-emtb again. Until you ride one, you seriously do not realize how great these bikes are.
Mike, thanks for the comment. It’s been addressed many times the difference between the trek 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9. It is indeed a trek 9.8. I agree until you ride one you don’t understand how bad you’ll want one.
I believe this was a large. I’m 6’ however I always recommend you go and rider different size from different manufacture. Geometry can make a difference. On some bike I ride medium. Some I ride large. It depends on what you like. Find a bike shop and test ride some bikes to find out what’s good for you.
Great video. I am 5'10" and around 180 lbs, which is between M and L for a Trek Rail. I am not a fast rider, I like all of the trails at Alameda, and I'll be riding North Park & Frick Park in the 2021 spring/summer. What size Rail would you recommend for me, the M or the L?
Hard to say on size as a lot of things can factor in. I tend to ride a medium frame even though even would say I should ride a large. It also depends on the type of bike (enduro, trail, DH etc) my suggestion is narrow which bike you want and go to shop that has different size of the same bike and see what you like.
They serve a different purpose and different style of riding. Having owned my eMTB for almost a year I do agree that if I were to purchase an out of the box build from a name brand supplier it would be the Orbea. But it has nothing to do with value. It about the concept of how ebikes should be used. Assistance when you need with only the bare minimum to accomplish it.
I mean compared to Trek Rail, which is about 2k more and I doubt it's anything but marginally faster in the hands of an expert. Some experts prefer the Wild, I just talked to one on here yesterday.
With pedal assist you are still required to do some work. You can change the level depending on how tired you are getting. I started on eco which is very little assist. As the day went on and I became more tired I bumped the power up. I don’t think it effects your work out. It depends on how much you want to work out.
@@gravitycheckmtb thx for reply i think i get it. I was on my way coming from mtb to buy a electric dirt bike like CAKE but i started to look up electric bicycles and i definitely need to try one . What surprised me was that a good electric bicycle cost as much as a electric dirtbike :)
Hopefully we can meet up. Always looking for people to ride with. North park is great but I think frick is the best. North park is a journey for me from Squirrel hill
Riding the same loop over and over on an ebike will get old. Ebikes make your go further. You will eventually start to explore more and more. Bike parks are only part of the ebike equation. Sometimes I ride 7 - 10 miles just to get to the trails I want to ride and then after I ride back home. 20, 30, or even 40 miles off road aren’t out of the question for a days ride.
That’s incorrect. The rail 9.8 is the only version to have a carbon frame, which this one has. It also has the active rear shock. Also I believe for 2020 only the 9.8 comes in this black grey paint option. I’m sure the Reps at the trek store know which model they have lol
@@gravitycheckmtb Ah, for some reason I assumed it was the 2021 model. Its true, the 9.7, 9.8 and 9.9 are the only ones that comes in carbon, but they should come with upgraded gear. That got me confused. Was wondering about the paint-option as well, as it is not on any of the 2021 models. Cheers
Again this has been addressed multiple times. It is in fact a rail 9.8 confirmed by the Trek store themselves. These bike varies in component drastically even on the same model.
Homie, he obviously has one of the first editions of the 9.8 a 2019, which did indeed have the Lyric with different internals, as well as the rear reactiv. So comparing your 2021 to his 2019 won’t work. You can tell it is first edition as the Kiosk is located on the handlebar. I ordered a 9.7 in October of 2020, received it on May 5th, 2021. All the Rail 9 models now come with the kiosk on the top tube. His rear shock is different as well as some drivetrain components.
Never been on an Ebike, just put a deposit on a Rail 9.8 xt gen 3 cant wait to pick it up and have a go, plan to film it like your self also.
I have been riding a dirtbike for several years and mountain biking the last two years. I rented the trek rail while on vacation last week and now I want one. Totally a different experience.
Great video. The best piece I have seen so far.
I feel like one of the only one’s left without an e-bike. What I notice though is while I keep getting overtaken going uphill, the e-bikers generally just swan around and are slow AF on the gnarly trails.
Great vid. Looking forward to seeing the build
There are some videos of the eMTB already up :)
Dude yes this video is exactly what I was looking for! I have a bad knee so pedal pumping is hard for me so I am going to get one of these! What do you think about this model or the 9.7 for a 300lb 6’3” guy like me? I grew up on dirt bikes and love to play. I’m not a daredevil but love the flow of a great trail! Any thoughts are greatly appreciated as I’m ordering something next week . It’s between trek and kona now.
I recently just built a new eBike from aliexpress on the channel (make sure to check those out). But personally if I were choosing between those 2 options I would go with the Trek. What you are really paying for is motor and battery Tech. Pinkbike, EMBN, and other all say the Bosch motor is the best. When you look at the EWS emtb division the Bosch motor dominates pretty much 1st place to 6th place.
@@gravitycheckmtb Fantastic I actually just ordered a Trek 9.7 from Colorado and I’m picking it up tomorrow! I went with the XL frame. I really appreciate your comment and video!
Glad to hear. Tell Trek when you pick it up that you saw my video and to lend me more bikes to review ;)
@@gravitycheckmtb done ✅!
Cub kuker how is the bike I was worried as the max weight is 300 and it says that includes the weight of the rider do you have any concerns with the bike?
Hoi ik heb de rail 9.8 al een poosje in gebruik en ben zeer tevreden over de prestaties van deze fiets,ik ben 72jaar maar met deze fiets ga ik als een jonge hond over het parcours en zeker in de EMTB ondersteuning gaat de fiets als een beest te keer!!😉voor mij is de wat luidruchtige motor totaal geen probleem daar het wind geruis het meeste overstemd,op deze fiets scheur ik nog wel tot m’n 80ste door 😛 😂groetjes van een enthousiaste ouwe knar Willem
I just put a deposit down for a 9.7 M I get it next summer well a 22 model. Sucks the current conditions of getting a eeeeb.
Interesting feedback, from a first ride, comparing a e-mtb to a two stroke dirt bike. Just wish you could have one e-mtb where one day you ride with pedal assist. Then, the next day, with a few simple adjustments, you ride with a throttle.
Stay turned because the current Ebike I am building on the channel will have a thumb throttle. Not exactly the same but should be comparable.
I'm pretty sure you are riding a Trek rail 9.7. Not the 9.8 model. I have the 9.7 which is identical to what you are riding. The Trek rail 9 series are awesome bikes. carbon frames etc... That being said, GREAT review. I have told others, the best way to describe the feeling of riding an emtb is like this... on low it feels like someone is pushing you when you pedal. On turbo, it feels like the Hulk is pushing you when you pedal. I will never go back to a non-emtb again. Until you ride one, you seriously do not realize how great these bikes are.
Mike, thanks for the comment. It’s been addressed many times the difference between the trek 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9. It is indeed a trek 9.8. I agree until you ride one you don’t understand how bad you’ll want one.
Wow awesome bike 👍
Thanks for the review
Is it a L or a M how tall are you and what size do you suggest for 178cm ?
I believe this was a large. I’m 6’ however I always recommend you go and rider different size from different manufacture. Geometry can make a difference. On some bike I ride medium. Some I ride large. It depends on what you like. Find a bike shop and test ride some bikes to find out what’s good for you.
Great video. I am 5'10" and around 180 lbs, which is between M and L for a Trek Rail. I am not a fast rider, I like all of the trails at Alameda, and I'll be riding North Park & Frick Park in the 2021 spring/summer. What size Rail would you recommend for me, the M or the L?
Hard to say on size as a lot of things can factor in. I tend to ride a medium frame even though even would say I should ride a large. It also depends on the type of bike (enduro, trail, DH etc) my suggestion is narrow which bike you want and go to shop that has different size of the same bike and see what you like.
Thanks! Hope to see you next summer at Alameda, North, or Frick Park, and hopefully I'll be on a Trek Rail.
I’m working on a crazy AliExpress Emtb build so I’m sure I’ll see you out there. Look for a video on that coming soon.
Watch this section about sizing and geometry.
ruclips.net/video/PrnZycsrc-Y/видео.html
I’m 5’10” with 32” inseam, and I found the M to be a better fit than the L.
Orbea Wild FS is a better value. Good video
They serve a different purpose and different style of riding. Having owned my eMTB for almost a year I do agree that if I were to purchase an out of the box build from a name brand supplier it would be the Orbea. But it has nothing to do with value. It about the concept of how ebikes should be used. Assistance when you need with only the bare minimum to accomplish it.
I mean compared to Trek Rail, which is about 2k more and I doubt it's anything but marginally faster in the hands of an expert. Some experts prefer the Wild, I just talked to one on here yesterday.
But do you still workout? Doesnt it feel like your foot is on a escalator? Dont know how to ask that in a different way
With pedal assist you are still required to do some work. You can change the level depending on how tired you are getting. I started on eco which is very little assist. As the day went on and I became more tired I bumped the power up. I don’t think it effects your work out. It depends on how much you want to work out.
@@gravitycheckmtb thx for reply i think i get it. I was on my way coming from mtb to buy a electric dirt bike like CAKE but i started to look up electric bicycles and i definitely need to try one . What surprised me was that a good electric bicycle cost as much as a electric dirtbike :)
Yo I ride at that park as well as north park
Hopefully we can meet up. Always looking for people to ride with. North park is great but I think frick is the best. North park is a journey for me from Squirrel hill
this is a 9.7 tbh.... 9.8 come with a lyrik and delux rt3 :)
Riding the same loop over and over on an ebike will get old. Ebikes make your go further. You will eventually start to explore more and more. Bike parks are only part of the ebike equation. Sometimes I ride 7 - 10 miles just to get to the trails I want to ride and then after I ride back home. 20, 30, or even 40 miles off road aren’t out of the question for a days ride.
Nice vid. However, this is not a Rail 9.8. With a Yari fork and the XR5 tires and purion display, this is the Rail 7
That’s incorrect. The rail 9.8 is the only version to have a carbon frame, which this one has. It also has the active rear shock. Also I believe for 2020 only the 9.8 comes in this black grey paint option. I’m sure the Reps at the trek store know which model they have lol
@@gravitycheckmtb Ah, for some reason I assumed it was the 2021 model. Its true, the 9.7, 9.8 and 9.9 are the only ones that comes in carbon, but they should come with upgraded gear. That got me confused. Was wondering about the paint-option as well, as it is not on any of the 2021 models. Cheers
you are riding a 9.7. easiest way to tell is the yari fork and i have the 9.8 it comes with the zeb..
Again this has been addressed multiple times. It is in fact a rail 9.8 confirmed by the Trek store themselves. These bike varies in component drastically even on the same model.
Esa no es una 9.8, es una 9.7
this isnt a 9.8 homie I have a 2021 9.8 xtr this aint it
In 2020 this was a 9.8. This have been covered in several comments. I’m sure Trek knows their own bike models.
Homie, he obviously has one of the first editions of the 9.8 a 2019, which did indeed have the Lyric with different internals, as well as the rear reactiv. So comparing your 2021 to his 2019 won’t work. You can tell it is first edition as the Kiosk is located on the handlebar. I ordered a 9.7 in October of 2020, received it on May 5th, 2021. All the Rail 9 models now come with the kiosk on the top tube. His rear shock is different as well as some drivetrain components.
Finally someone gets it! I’ve explained this so many times.