Rail 9.7
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro e-bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$7,049Weight | 50.6 lbs |
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Frame | Carbon |
Suspension | Full, 150 / 160mm |
Fork | RockShox Domain |
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+ |
Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
Groupset | XT, SLX |
Motor | Bosch 250W 85Nm mid-drive |
Battery | Bosch 625Wh |
Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Seatpost | Dropper |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Rail model range
View ComparisonJun 2023 · Alex Evans
Trek’s Rail is claimed to be enduro-descent ready and uses Bosch’s powerful Performance Line CX motor
Great geometry provides stability
Cornering control excellent
Suspension is supple and forgiving with plenty of support
Bosch motor
Tyre compound struggles on anything other than perfectly dry terrain
Harsh feeling ride saps confidence
Jun 2023 · Danny Milner
The last time we rode the Trek Rail we awarded it our 2021 E-Bike of the Year crown in the shop bought category. Since then we haven’t had another chance to ride one, mainly because they’ve been flying off the shop floor. Meanwhile, Trek hasn’t rested on its laurels – the front triangle has been lengthened and the extra space used to stuff in Bosch’s biggest 750Wh battery on all but the smallest frame size. So how does it perform and is it one of the best electric mountain bikes on offer? Need to know: Mino link on the seatstay/rocker interface gives high and low geometry settings – useful if you want to run a 27.5in rear wheel Knock Block steering limiter uses interlocking stem and headset spacers, while steerer tube gets oversize 1.8in taper Top tube System controller and wireless remote are available to buy aftermarket, but they should come as standard M, L, and XL frames get 750Wh battery, while S gets a 625Wh This updated Rail is called the Gen 4, but you can still buy the old Gen 3 model. It gets the smaller 625Wh battery, non-Smart System-compatible electronics and a shorter reach. Although buying the Gen 4 seems like a no-brainer, the new large frame is a really big bike, with a 490mm reach and a yawning 35mm gap to the medium. So some riders may achieve a better fit on the old Gen 3. It’s disappointing that Trek hasn’t fitted the latest Bosch System Controller (as found on the Mondraker) to the top tube. Instead you get a measly blanking plate. To enjoy the improved integration and reduced clutter you’ll have to fork out an extra £1,600 for the next model up, which seems pretty stingy. Suspension Trek claims the Rail delivers 150mm travel, but we only measured 140mm (3mm less than the last Rail we tested). However, we didn’t notice this shortcoming on the trail, mostly because the long wheelbase of the Rail gives it excellent stability at high speeds on rough ground. Where we found it wanting was in terms of grip and sensitivity. It struggled to trace smaller bumps, so not only did it lack some comfort on long rides, but it needed more effort to hold a line on off-cambers, through slow turns, and in the wet. Having said that, there’s plenty of support, so as long as we had the energy, we could ride the Rail like a runaway train. Our bike came with a RockShox Zeb in place of the advertised Domain RC. With 38mm stanchions it perfectly matches the hench proportions of the Rail frame, but it wasn’t the smoothest or most supple fork on test. In that respect there was a symbiosis between the Trek’s front and rear suspension, even if it wasn’t quite the fairytale relationship we’d hoped for. Components Trek proffers two brake specs on the Rail 9.7 – Shimano Deore or SRAM Code R, both in four-piston guise. Given the choice, we’d take the Shimano …Continue reading »
Loves to go fast
Suspension lacks finesse
Feb 2023
Bosch has spent years touting its motor/battery/display array. Now, Trek’s ultra-high-end Rail eMTB gets the signature tech.
May 2022
Trek’s updated 2022 Rail 9.9 represents a significant departure from the outgoing model. Visit The Loam Wolf to read our review of the tech-focused updates.
Bosch Smart System power and control
Loves to go fast
Category blending capability
Technical climbing prowess
Lengthy reach numbers are polarizing, sizing jumps
Firm suspension feel at slower speeds
Limited playfulness in tighter trails
Apr 2022 · BHowell
An excellent e-bike with a lot of electronics.
Well rounded ride
Suspension quality
Powerful Bosch motor
Seat angle could be steeper
Vulnerable Bosch controller and Kiox
Mar 2022 · Guy Kesteven
Trek’s Rail 9.9 eMTB is loaded with carbon fiber and wireless tech. Guy Kesteven explores what the pricey Bosch powered flagship is like to ride on a wet and rocky Lake District demo loop
Lightweight yet super precise full carbon frame
Extended enduro geometry
Superbly controlled suspension performance
Latest big battery Bosch Smart System
Full SRAM AXS and Wiz comms componentry
Mega money
AirWiz feels gimmicky
Mar 2022 · Jeremy Benson
The Rail 9.7 is a powerful electric mountain bike from the Trek Bicycle Company. This 29er has 150mm of rear-wheel travel paired with a 160mm fork and a...
Jan 2022
Price: $13549.99.00 | Model Year: 2021, 2022 | Trek's best long-travel electric mountain bike, designed for All Mountain and Enduro Riding. Light weight optimum compaction low void (OCLV) carbon fiber and magnesium frame comes in three sizes. Flip chip spacer in the rear swing arm further refines geometry for low and high settings.
Trek's best long-travel electric mountain bike, designed for All Mountain and Enduro Riding. Light weight optimum compaction low void (OCLV) carbon fiber and magnesium frame comes in three sizes. Flip chip spacer in the rear swing arm further refines geometry for low and high settings.
Available in three premium color schemes, the bike is setup with 29" wheels but can accommodate 27.5" or a mixed mullet setup (smaller rear wheel, larger front). Sturdy 12mm and 15mm thru-axles with Boost hub spacing offer stronger spoke bracing angle. Magnetic 6mm hex wrench quick release lever makes trail-maintenance convenient.
SRAM AXS wireless electronic shifting, dropper post, and air pressure settings and alerts for the tires and suspension. Bosch Smart System LED Remote, Kiox 300 display, PowerTube 750 battery, and CX motor with eBike Flow app. Premium quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes with extra-large 220mm front extra thick front rotor. Bottle cage bosses and ABUS keyed-alike code keyset.
Excellent weight positioning with the motor and battery low and center, but the PowerTube 750 goes from 9.7lbs to 10.8lbs with the color-matched Trek RIB cover and handle. Longer wheelbase due to longer battery design. Two smartphone apps required to configure all of the electronics (SRAM AXS and Bosch eBike Flow). No USB charging with the Bosch LED Remote despite having a USB-C port built in.
Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame, Removable Integrated Battery (RIB), tapered head tube, Knock Block, Control Freak internal routing, magnesium rocker link, Motor Armor, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 12mm thru axle, 150mm travel Tire Clearance: 2.6" Colors: Miami Green / Nautical Navy; Matte Lithium Grey / Mattetrek Black |
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Fork | RockShox Domain RC, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, oversized crown for eMTB, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 160mm travel Travel: 160mm Spring Type: Air |
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+, 230mm x 57.5mm Travel: 150mm Spring Type: Air |
Headset | Knock Block Integrated, 58-degree radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom |
Stem | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 50mm length |
Handlebar | Bontrager Comp, alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 780mm width |
Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width |
Seatpost | Size: S, Bontrager Line Dropper, 100mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 345mm length; Size: M, L, XL, Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 440mm length Type: Dropper |
Pedals | VP-536 nylon platform |
Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, long cage |
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Crank | E*thirteen, 34T, steel |
Shifters | Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed |
Cassette | Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51, 12 speed |
Chain | Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed |
Brakes | Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, M6100 lever, M6120 caliper Type: Hydraulic Disc |
Rims | Front: Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle, Rear: Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
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Front Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle |
Rear Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Rapid Drive 108, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle |
Tires | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.50'' |
Disc Rotors | Shimano RT76, 6-bolt, 203mm |
Motor | Bosch Performance CX, magnesium motor body, 250 watt, 85 Nm, 20mph or 32km/h max assist |
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Battery | Bosch PowerTube 625 Recycling Program: ♻️ Call2Recycle |
Charger | Bosch standard 4A (100-240V) charger |
Last updated April 28
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