@@Vodafone16v I,ve only done a few rides as the weather hasn’t been great, will be doing a ride comparison vid once it improves. Initial impressions are that Gen 5 feels lighter and more agile but need more riding to form a better opinion.
@jedmtb Ooooh! Hope you can enjoy some quality riding soon! The Rail was a very fast bike and the Gen4 was very punchy. Curious to know if the Gen5 ecosystem with the lighter motor and lighter battery feels the same way or better.
Looks like Trek covered all the pending details to make the best even better. I love my gen4 but I’m definitely considering to get the 5th once they hit the US market. Excellent video
Was waiting for this Gen as my next bike. But with only a mixer setup I’ll have to look at another option. Such a shame as it looks like a good improvement.
@@FantomPhish Yeah I was initially put off as well as I’ve been running 29/29 for almost 10yrs but it was the only bike that met all of my other requirements and having ridden it I’m more than happy with it.
Having ridden a Trek Rail Gen4 a 12,500km I can say that the Gen 5 is Totally a different bike , More playful and the Bosch engine is very linear . I have a 1600km with the Rail 9.8 AXS Gen 5 and very satisfied with it . The Fox grip X 160 also does an excellent job , replaced the damper with an RS RC2T ( with bottom out ) and an alloy Renthal V2 bar .Galfer shark disc . The Bronze brakes aren't too bad either .
Incredible Video. WHy do you think they went with a 27" wheel ? I have a gen 4 and am 265lbs. What addvantages whould that have if I ran mine mullet? Is the smaller diameter wheel easier on the motor?
@@jordanrome8190 I assume they went with 27.5”to make the handling more lively as it accelerates quicker and turns in better but on the downside it doesn’t carry momentum as well, I’d say see if you can borrow a wheel to test it as some people love mixed and others prefer the 29/29
Thanks for video. First time seeing these generation head to head... and honestly gen4 looks better. I have gen4 Rail 9.7 more less stock and I can't see any reason to change ot to gen5
I’ve noticed that you moved from shimano to sram brakes at gen 5. Which are your impressions so far? I’m in between the two systems for a new rail 9.8 bike. Excellent video, by the way!👍🏻
@@jordielias1987Thank you. Both systems work great, it’s tricky on how Trek specs the 9.8 models as the XT has better suspension but the AXS model has transmission and carbon wheel.
@@eltonwong6695 The lower one is the Dirtskirt V2 www.foxfolk.co/en-gb/products/dirtskirt-v2 and the mudguard is the Sicomtb sicomtbproducts.com/product/trek-rail-carbon-alloy-frame-mudguard-all-models-2020-onwards/
Very cool and detailed comparison, great work! I‘d totally buy a Rail+, in fact I had one at home already in a box, unassembled, Rail+ 5. (I am in Europe). But then I noticed, they are categorized ASTM 3 - XC only. No jumps bigger than 60cm permitted etc. I discussed that with the Trek Support and they insist that it is real! There‘s a sticker on it, which says cat3. When I told them, I want to ride it like a Slash, they said, the Rail+ is not the right bike for me. That doesn‘t fit at all with the marketing and the 180mm fork / coil shock option etc. Did yours also come with a category 3 sticker? I returned it in the end, because I felt tricked somewhat. I bought a Trek because of the great reputation and bought it for proper use with jumps, drops, park riding etc. I especially tried to inquire beforehand, if there was a categorization, but the Website, Online manual etc. don‘t mention anything. I‘d still love to buy a Rail+ 9.7 - if it was at least category 4….
@@necessaryjunk My rail didn’t come with any stickers that I saw but to be fair it was wrapped before I saw it, so it may well have had one. Very odd as you say as all of their support documents say it can be run with a 180mm fork and coil.
Do you know the differences between the gen 1, 2, and 3? I don’t think there were major changes which makes it hard to tell. Or was gen 1 the power fly? I think the geo changed for the carbon models between gen 3 and 4. Bellow 4 was it the Bosch system going from purion, old kiosk, new kiosk, than remote.
@@forzer456 From memory the only big change was the gen3/4 750wh carbon models getting a geo update, the rest of the changes were as you mentioned just spec and Bosch controllers/screens.
@ thanks! I was getting confused when I first saw gen 3 and thinking has it been 3 generations already, at least with gen 5 there is noticeable changes.
I own the previous gen of rail, and while a huge number of these changes are incredibly welcome, particularly the retreat from proprietary garbage, the geo chart is pretty weird. The large is now 25mm longer reach?! The large has a wheelbase almost two inches longer than the medium (same with the reach difference)?! The stack on the large is pretty ferocious as well. And the chainstay has actually shortened by 1mm, and isn't size specific?! Hope you weren't planning on getting this bike off the ground or doing more than just charging in a straight line and hoping your front wheel doesn't wash at the first corner. The old Rail geo is so blessed (love me a relatively steep head angle, you can keep the wheel flop on your 64 and below angle bikes), and this just feels like something from 2021 when everything had to be omegareach and omegalength.
@@billydeewilliams8909 Do you have the rail with the 625wh battery? Seems more people where happier with the geo on that over 750wh version. Definitely feel like they could do with another size in the range to bridge the gap.
@@jedmtb Actually, yes. I in fact have the Gen 3, which I had forgotten. I also forgot there was an update to the geo in Gen 4, which now that I look back at that, was not great either. I do approve the Rail+ getting a steeper head angle. I don't know why Trek doesn't make any of their electric bikes in M/L, which they have for a lot of analog bikes.
i have gen 4 in lava red full carbon frame for 6800 dollar on sale and love it. my opinion but to me gen 4 looks better. plus gen 5 sees no power change etc. ill wait for gen 6 to upgrade.
@@jedmtb Yeah i got lava red carbon frame. Wanted black one first but couldnt find it on sale so went for red one and i should have gone for it from the start. The red color is stunning and very eyecatchy. I did some upgrades on it. 40mm enve m7 bar, hope tech 4v4 brakes, changed wheels to carbon wheels. I was thinking upgrading the suspension, but i liked it from day one so didnt bother. My next upghrade i really want XX axs, but its way to expensive atm. The m7 bar, the wheels come with red and cool stickers, combined with red pedals and red colored 4v4 brakes iomproved the looks of the bike alot. Rail gen 5 looks good. But i suspect that this frame will be also the same for gen 6, but they will probably increase the battery size, perhaps power, maybe torque on the motor and new base upgrades and likely cheaper. Ill enjoy my gen 5 Slash 9.8 and gen 4 for a another season or two until gen 6. But hopefully this new bikes gets more attention. I bought my rail solely from looks and that i owned the slash already and they looked similar. But first time i got the bike, i was amazed how balanced this bike was. You could literally let of the handles and it carries you. Lovely bike, no doubt one will come good.
Isn’t the Trek embargo in effect with this bike till like the middle of February? In the USA, you’re not even allowed to acknowledge the new Gen 5 Rail. Bike shops could lose their ability to sell Treks for that.
@@Shawn-in-da-Canyon Not sure, I purchased mine from shop and assumed they were just soft launching it so as not to impact sales of the Gen 4 too much.
Straight forward, no fluff, just the facts between these two generations. Love it. Thanks jED.
Cant wait to play on my upgraded gen 4. Kudos to Jed for the service and upgrade. Fingers crossed i dont break this frame. Lake district here i come
Many thanks for another excellent video and comparison.
Subbed.
@@Pedro285 Thank you!
@@jedmtb eager for a ride review on this .. any plans for further videos on the 9.8?
@ I’ll be doing more vids once the weather improves.
I have a better plan .. bring it with you to NZ!
@@Pedro285 I’d love to ride in NZ the trails look amazing.
Great informative video
Great video mate. I l have the new Gen 5 and Mrs has the Gen 3 both purchased recently. Lovely bikes.
Awesome!!! Much needed comparison!!! But how are the riding impressions!??! How do they compare?
@@Vodafone16v I,ve only done a few rides as the weather hasn’t been great, will be doing a ride comparison vid once it improves. Initial impressions are that Gen 5 feels lighter and more agile but need more riding to form a better opinion.
@jedmtb Ooooh! Hope you can enjoy some quality riding soon! The Rail was a very fast bike and the Gen4 was very punchy. Curious to know if the Gen5 ecosystem with the lighter motor and lighter battery feels the same way or better.
Great video Jed, Looks like a good option for Lake District sled!
@@JasonChambersPhoto I’m planning to ride Grizedale shortly.
@ Good forecast next few days. 😉
The Gen 5 frame has beautiful lines
Informative 👍 Trek Rail might be the next bike I pick up
@@timestampterrysassistant7638 Thanks :)
Looks like Trek covered all the pending details to make the best even better. I love my gen4 but I’m definitely considering to get the 5th once they hit the US market. Excellent video
@@Cheatingforfun Thanks, the Gen 4 is good and the Gen 5 has some nice refinement.
Was waiting for this Gen as my next bike. But with only a mixer setup I’ll have to look at another option. Such a shame as it looks like a good improvement.
@@FantomPhish Yeah I was initially put off as well as I’ve been running 29/29 for almost 10yrs but it was the only bike that met all of my other requirements and having ridden it I’m more than happy with it.
@ that’s fair, unfortunately the types of trail in my local area aren’t suited to mixer..
Having ridden a Trek Rail Gen4 a 12,500km I can say that the Gen 5 is Totally a different bike , More playful and the Bosch engine is very linear . I have a 1600km with the Rail 9.8 AXS Gen 5 and very satisfied with it . The Fox grip X 160 also does an excellent job , replaced the damper with an RS RC2T ( with bottom out ) and an alloy Renthal V2 bar .Galfer shark disc .
The Bronze brakes aren't too bad either .
Incredible Video. WHy do you think they went with a 27" wheel ? I have a gen 4 and am 265lbs. What addvantages whould that have if I ran mine mullet? Is the smaller diameter wheel easier on the motor?
@@jordanrome8190 I assume they went with 27.5”to make the handling more lively as it accelerates quicker and turns in better but on the downside it doesn’t carry momentum as well, I’d say see if you can borrow a wheel to test it as some people love mixed and others prefer the 29/29
Take it for a spin on the trail!!!
Thanks for video. First time seeing these generation head to head... and honestly gen4 looks better. I have gen4 Rail 9.7 more less stock and I can't see any reason to change ot to gen5
Looks really well engineered, great comparison 👏. How does it ride?
@@BikeParkLane Only had a few quick rides on it as the weather is bad where I am but very impressed so far.
I love my rail 5 ❤
I’ve noticed that you moved from shimano to sram brakes at gen 5. Which are your impressions so far? I’m in between the two systems for a new rail 9.8 bike.
Excellent video, by the way!👍🏻
@@jordielias1987Thank you. Both systems work great, it’s tricky on how Trek specs the 9.8 models as the XT has better suspension but the AXS model has transmission and carbon wheel.
What is that Rock & Mud guard on the Gen 4?
@@eltonwong6695 The lower one is the Dirtskirt V2 www.foxfolk.co/en-gb/products/dirtskirt-v2 and the mudguard is the Sicomtb sicomtbproducts.com/product/trek-rail-carbon-alloy-frame-mudguard-all-models-2020-onwards/
Hello! Where can I find the rear fender for my rail 2021 9,8xt 29"
@@1470sas sicomtbproducts.com/product/trek-rail-carbon-alloy-frame-mudguard-all-models-2020-onwards/
Very cool and detailed comparison, great work!
I‘d totally buy a Rail+, in fact I had one at home already in a box, unassembled, Rail+ 5. (I am in Europe).
But then I noticed, they are categorized ASTM 3 - XC only. No jumps bigger than 60cm permitted etc.
I discussed that with the Trek Support and they insist that it is real! There‘s a sticker on it, which says cat3. When I told them, I want to ride it like a Slash, they said, the Rail+ is not the right bike for me.
That doesn‘t fit at all with the marketing and the 180mm fork / coil shock option etc.
Did yours also come with a category 3 sticker?
I returned it in the end, because I felt tricked somewhat. I bought a Trek because of the great reputation and bought it for proper use with jumps, drops, park riding etc. I especially tried to inquire beforehand, if there was a categorization, but the Website, Online manual etc. don‘t mention anything.
I‘d still love to buy a Rail+ 9.7 - if it was at least category 4….
@@necessaryjunk My rail didn’t come with any stickers that I saw but to be fair it was wrapped before I saw it, so it may well have had one. Very odd as you say as all of their support documents say it can be run with a 180mm fork and coil.
Do you know if the SpeedBox works with new motor or they still trying to brick peoples bikes that don’t want the dangerous motor cut off?
@@MikeWendricks-ou4op I’m not sure as I haven’t tested it, I’ve always felt the cutoff is ridiculously low and really should be faster.
can you revert rear wheel to 29.5 - great video thanks.
@stevehanson1734 Thanks, unfortunately not it’s 27.5 only.
Do you know the differences between the gen 1, 2, and 3? I don’t think there were major changes which makes it hard to tell. Or was gen 1 the power fly?
I think the geo changed for the carbon models between gen 3 and 4. Bellow 4 was it the Bosch system going from purion, old kiosk, new kiosk, than remote.
@@forzer456 From memory the only big change was the gen3/4 750wh carbon models getting a geo update, the rest of the changes were as you mentioned just spec and Bosch controllers/screens.
@ thanks! I was getting confused when I first saw gen 3 and thinking has it been 3 generations already, at least with gen 5 there is noticeable changes.
I own the previous gen of rail, and while a huge number of these changes are incredibly welcome, particularly the retreat from proprietary garbage, the geo chart is pretty weird. The large is now 25mm longer reach?! The large has a wheelbase almost two inches longer than the medium (same with the reach difference)?! The stack on the large is pretty ferocious as well. And the chainstay has actually shortened by 1mm, and isn't size specific?! Hope you weren't planning on getting this bike off the ground or doing more than just charging in a straight line and hoping your front wheel doesn't wash at the first corner. The old Rail geo is so blessed (love me a relatively steep head angle, you can keep the wheel flop on your 64 and below angle bikes), and this just feels like something from 2021 when everything had to be omegareach and omegalength.
@@billydeewilliams8909 Do you have the rail with the 625wh battery? Seems more people where happier with the geo on that over 750wh version. Definitely feel like they could do with another size in the range to bridge the gap.
@@jedmtb Actually, yes. I in fact have the Gen 3, which I had forgotten. I also forgot there was an update to the geo in Gen 4, which now that I look back at that, was not great either. I do approve the Rail+ getting a steeper head angle. I don't know why Trek doesn't make any of their electric bikes in M/L, which they have for a lot of analog bikes.
Where did you get the rear fender on the gen 4?
@@302hardtailr6 sicomtbproducts.com/product/trek-rail-carbon-alloy-frame-mudguard-all-models-2020-onwards/
How did you find the cable routing diagrams
Thanks
They under the service section on the Trek website, links are in the description if you want them.
i have gen 4 in lava red full carbon frame for 6800 dollar on sale and love it. my opinion but to me gen 4 looks better. plus gen 5 sees no power change etc. ill wait for gen 6 to upgrade.
@@Stockfish1511 The lava red colour looks really nice, there is rumours of a power increase coming via an update but who knows.
@@jedmtb Yeah i got lava red carbon frame. Wanted black one first but couldnt find it on sale so went for red one and i should have gone for it from the start. The red color is stunning and very eyecatchy. I did some upgrades on it. 40mm enve m7 bar, hope tech 4v4 brakes, changed wheels to carbon wheels. I was thinking upgrading the suspension, but i liked it from day one so didnt bother. My next upghrade i really want XX axs, but its way to expensive atm. The m7 bar, the wheels come with red and cool stickers, combined with red pedals and red colored 4v4 brakes iomproved the looks of the bike alot.
Rail gen 5 looks good. But i suspect that this frame will be also the same for gen 6, but they will probably increase the battery size, perhaps power, maybe torque on the motor and new base upgrades and likely cheaper. Ill enjoy my gen 5 Slash 9.8 and gen 4 for a another season or two until gen 6. But hopefully this new bikes gets more attention. I bought my rail solely from looks and that i owned the slash already and they looked similar. But first time i got the bike, i was amazed how balanced this bike was. You could literally let of the handles and it carries you. Lovely bike, no doubt one will come good.
Isn’t the Trek embargo in effect with this bike till like the middle of February? In the USA, you’re not even allowed to acknowledge the new Gen 5 Rail. Bike shops could lose their ability to sell Treks for that.
@@Shawn-in-da-Canyon Not sure, I purchased mine from shop and assumed they were just soft launching it so as not to impact sales of the Gen 4 too much.
yea its listed on the uk site, seems like the uk is getting it early for some reason.
Great video, but the new rail.... yawn, no thanks.
@ckkone Thanks, everyone likes different things what bikes interest you?