Stoked to see this review! I've just bought this bike, picking it up today! Excited for the software upgrade just announced by Bosch that should make it ride even better 😁
@@renthal2372 Hi, unfortunately haven't had a chance to ride it yet. Took it apart to fit the invis kit, haven't quite finished yet. Yes there are a few issues, some Trek, others Bosch. Found out about these on emtb forums, very good forum. Also one of the reasons I've not yet ridden mine, I want to address some of the potential problems. The main issue from Trek is that a few riders have lost their batteries mid ride. There is a procedure to properly align the latch etc to prevent this, some are using straps to secure, as I will be. Main Bosch issue is the chain ring coming loose. Successfully fixed using loctite red thread lock on the chain ring lockring.
@@renthal2372 everybody seems to love the way the bike rides and for my money the Bosch system is better than the Shimano, it's more powerful and bigger battery. I like the Decoy though, was seriously considering buying one when it first came out. Hope this helps!
Phill Gordon Wow, the battery issue is one I haven’t heard about. But considering if I have an issue with the Decoy, I’d literally have to mail it back. I get a lot of heat when I even mention anything off regarding the Decoy on emtb forums lol. It’s not a bad bike at all. It just the sizing/geo doesn’t work for me. But it’s me, not the bike according to everyone else and I need to adjust. It just feels overly cramped for a large. If you don’t mind me asking, what size did you get for your height? If I were to get the Rail, I’d be leaning towards large at 5’9-5’10. And agree totally on Shimano v Bosch. I think that’s why I also am not as impressed on the Decoy. I have an older 15’ Bosch Haibike w/26” wheels that seems to out perform my Decoy in every way.
@@renthal2372 Hey, I am 187cm and have a large. On Trek's size chart I am borderline large/XL, but my inseam puts me on a large. I also have a large Remedy and have often felt an XL would suit me better, but when I tried a XL Rail I felt a bit stretched out, figured this would only be exaggerated on the trails. The reach is a bit longer than my Remedy, and its also 29er vs 27.5, so I think I will be right at home on the Rail. I don't know if all Rails have the battery issue, but enough people are talking about it on the forum to make me want to take preventative steps. It's because it side-loads into the frame, I suspect. Trek have put out a service sheet detailing how to check the alignment, and the straps I'm going to use are just for extra security/peace of mind, may not be necessary.
@@renthal2372 I've read/heard quite a few riders find the geo on the Decoy a bit cramped, you're not alone! The latest Bosch software update makes the Rail even better apparently, I'm waiting for my LBS do that for me. I would definitely get the 7 over the 5 if you can afford.
Nice vid. I'm seriously considering buying this bike as my local shop has a few in stock. Btw, are you from Norway? I'm American of Norwegian descent so I was just curious lol.
Enjoyed your review and found it helpful. I am trying to decide between the Rail 7 and Turbo Comp. I have limited time test riding both bikes and liked them both. While the quieter Levo tempts me the combination of Shimano components and Bosch motor upgrade appeal to me and make the Rail very tempting. I ride a lot of single track moderate to steep hills, downhill flow and some tighter, slower trails. I welcome your thoughts. Thank you!
@@EMTBVideos Came off on the chainring side every time, the reverse threaded castle nut also came undone. No issue with the derailleur as I had it happen on 2 different trek Rail 7's lol
@@capelde I primarily ride blue and black trails, definitely wasn't too hard on it as it came off riding on pavement between trails initially, and then after that numerous times due to the castle nut coming loose.
@@EMTBVideos Thanks for answering! Turns out delivery for Orbea is already in november, while I would have to wait until april for Trek, so i'll probably go with the Orbea. Do you have any thoughts about the performance of the suspension of both bikes? The Orbea seems to have higher specced shock and fork, but maybe the difference is too small to matter?
Hi EMTB, another great to the point and real world review. Would love your opinion on which you preferred between Rail 7 & Merida e one sixty. I've narrowed it down to these two. Thks
I just bought a Merida Eone Sixty Limited Edition. Bike is sensational! Alloy frame is only 500g heavier and I like the Shimano parts. Honestly can’t beat Merida for quality!
Hi a little off subject question , i recently bought a Scott e genius the shop installed the battery extender and now says they are not willing to remove it as its very difficult to this , the good looks of the bike are ofcourse diminished by the ugly battery filling the triangle above the down tube but more importantly it adds about 3 pounds , I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON BIKE HANDLING , Thank you
One more question do u think the extra battery and associated hardware can be removed I decided to take possession without the battery but its installed at the moment
EMTB Videos thank you for replying to my question appreciate it and i enjoyed your educational reviews about emtb, would you know what is the latest du version showing for gen4 performance cx bosch motor?
Very informative video. Thank you. I'm 56. I ride 4 to 5 days a week. More trail than downhill. I cant make up my mind between specialized turbo levo comp or rail 7 (or 9.7 if I find a deal). Any preferences on your end? Thanks.
@@EMTBVideos Thank you for your reply. Question about your reply; you mention LEVO being a bit more burly and then at the end you say The LEVO is less burly. Did you mean to say RAIL at the end??
@@EMTBVideos Thank you!. Valuable info. I keep going back between the two, but looking for the best all around (less burley) trail bike. The new 2021 Levo Comp has the improved motor, fox 36 shocks and 12 speed instead of 11. I dont think they raised the price either. Certainly leaning to this Levo. Thanks again.
@@EMTBVideos Thanks for answering all these questions. As far as the burliness of the trek over the Levo, do you feel the carbon Trek 9.7 would equal the playing field or is it a geometry thing? Actually, the Trek 9.7 is at the same price point as the Levo comp. Thanks.
I’ve had one of these for a couple of months and it’s a great bike. It does take some getting used to the extra weight though compared to a regular mtb, especially downhill. I have the mino link in high position to sharpen up the steering response. Was either this or the Whyte e150s but wanted easy battery removal so unfortunately that ruled the Whyte out.
I have a Rail 9.8 love the bike but the Paint is Junk the clear coat is coming off and it chips Waaaaay to easy I contacted Trek and they told me too bad you would think for $8000.00 Trek would stand behind the bike but I guess not this was my first Trek and going by how they treated me it will be the last
Kan jeg få en full dempet sykkel?? E har subba for ei stund ser på d meste + e vil ha en bra el sykkel sån som vennen mine. Vennen min har trek rail 5 og han andre har kona remote control. Kan jeg få trek rail 7 siden du sikkert ikke bruker den ;)
So you actually believe that on a 24 kg mtb a few grams (max 800) will make a difference on handling? Then you should learn a thing or two. Try and read a little bit about geo, sprung and unsprung weight, and you'll see that such little weight difference won't make any difference. And for what you seems to be riding - mostly fire roads as in the video above - you don't even need a full suspension mtb at those slow speeds.
