Even on paper, the Trek Rail lands at the upper end of the application scale of our comparison. With the thick ZEB fork with 160 millimetres of travel, the 220 mm brake discs on the front wheel and the slack steering angle, the e-mountainbike has enduro genes. But beware of jumping to conclusions.
The Rail is not an extreme bike for pure downhill riders. The very sensitive rear suspension also makes the bike a comfortable touring companion. The rear suspension also stands out on the climbs with its smooth response behaviour. Roots and stones are sucked up greedily. The Rail climbs well - as long as you don't have to extend the seat post too far. This is because the sloping seat tube makes the effective seat angle too slack for riders with long legs; you pedal a little from behind and no longer have ultimate control over the front wheel. You don't have to worry about this when riding downhill. The sporty geometry positions the rider in the centre of the bike and encourages an active riding style. The large wheels and plush suspension also take the sting out of nasty root fields. Open the brakes and have fun, as you would expect from a full-blown enduro bike. This is where the Trek is in its element and a clear step ahead of the competition.
What's special about the Rail: It is not a pure baller bike. The bike remains pleasantly manoeuvrable and light-footed. A great compromise. Trek packs all this into a lightweight carbon frame with well thought-out details. At 22.5 kilos, Trek has the lightest Bosch bike in our comparison test, and the lightweight carbon wheels provide lively handling. An all-round successful package for almost every area of use, but one for which you have to dig deep into your pockets. The answer to the question, You can find out where the Trek Rail ranks among the top all-rounders in the current issue of EMTB 6/20!
All results of the comparative test
Which bike offers the best compromise for all areas of use? And which one stands out as a comfortable tourer or a fun trail rocket? We tested the e-bikes in direct comparison on a variety of trails and tours. Each candidate also underwent an extensive laboratory procedure. Who excels when it comes to range? And who has the centre of gravity and weight best under control? The full test with all results, data and details is available now in EMTB 6/2020. You can obtain the EMTB conveniently in the Subscription, in our Online shop and as an app edition for Apple and Android.
Max Fuchs
Editor
