revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Hello


Would really welcome some advice please


I've been offered the choice of two Trek eBikes:

Trek 8 Gen 4 (might be 5) with the invisible cables or something

Trek 9.8 XT 2024 Gen 4 750 something or other


I've clearly not a clue what I'm doing - but the riding will be:

* Almost exlusively trails


Which is better/would you go for?


Thanks

LOL that's like saying "i've been offered a Honda 650 something or other"

Without a pic or something it's really hard to say.

Ebikes are all about 'motor'. So when were they bought, how many miles on them, what model of motor, what warranty, do they have receipt so you can warranty it... etc.

Sorry buddy-


Both brand new out the box

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bike ... 3/p/41527/

https://www.blazingbikes.co.uk/index.ph ... wcB#152=54

I have a Trek 9 if that helps - Gen 3 motor , so 2022.
Trek without the decimal point in the name are alloy, with the decimal point are carbon. That maybe saves you 600 g on the bike. Which on an ebike is neither here not there.

The Gen 4 allows you to tune the motor to your liking but I have seen some folks being underwhelmed by that.
Get the one with the best suspension

They've both got the same motor, so which ever one you fancy, apart from the motor it's a bicycle, buy it like you would a bicycle

On those two - the Rail 8 have AXS shifting which is electronic ( and will need to have a supply of small batteries to keep it working. It means no faffing around with cables for the rear shifter. Gen 4 motor
The other one have the usual wired connection for shifting.

the Rail 9.8 has better forks - and the chunkier you are, the more you will notice it. And the 9.8 the Gen 3 motor
Not that is helps but I am on the West side of Brighton if you want to have a quick ride of the Gen 2 rail 9 in XL

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bike ... 3/p/41527/

Rail 8 due to the SRAM bits rather than Shimano and the Zeb forks. However you'll need to charge the rear mech battery which can be easily forgotten if busy etc.

Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 3:06 pm https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/ele ... ack__36537

A lot of bike for the money.

I'd go for the 9.8 as it's got better suspension and no faffing charging the gearchange battery.

I've got a 9.0 and love it.

Either one will be fun, ebikes are great, they let the less than fit ride further for longer plus uphills become as much fun as downhills.

Get one or both because, let's face it the boys are going to steal yours and you'll need the spare to ride.

MingtheMerciless wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 6:30 pm

Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 3:06 pm https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/ele ... ack__36537

A lot of bike for the money.

It’s going be a very good deal for someone

Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 9:29 pm

MingtheMerciless wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 6:30 pm

Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 3:06 pm https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/ele ... ack__36537

A lot of bike for the money.

It’s going be a very good deal for someone

Blimey, that is a really good deal. If I thought I could get any decent money for my Haibike I'd be on that like a shot.

Mr Moofo wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2024 12:41 pm I have a Trek 9 if that helps - Gen 3 motor , so 2022.

You have a Gen 4 Bosch…

Gen 4 came in in 2020…

Gen 4 smart system came in end of 2022… Basically the same but with a few added “smart” features to the electrics package.

Gen 3 is pre 2020 and has a MUCH smaller chainring, like 16-18T…

Personally, even with the huge discount, there are better bikes than the Rail out there… It’s a 5yr old design now, and quite heavy at that…

In a recommend what you own situation (because I did lots of research on this too), take a look at the Orbea Wild M10…

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes ... gJKmPD_BwE

Same Bosch Smart system, better geometry, 2-3kg lighter… Some crazy deals on these too right now because the “new” version is on its way with the 5th gen Bosch motor (frame hasn’t actually changed other than the motor mount points!)…

TBF , I mentioned Trek as that is what Docca was asking about.
If I wanted light I would be buying an Amflow

Mr Moofo wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:31 pm TBF , I mentioned Trek as that is what Docca was asking about.
If I wanted light I would be buying an Amflow

Would you ? They're a long way off my list as they're very very new to the game, the geometry is a bit meh and their aftersales is very much open to debate yet... Add to that the fact 120Nm of torque seems pointless to me.

mboy wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 9:46 am Personally, even with the huge discount, there are better bikes than the Rail out there… It’s a 5yr old design now, and quite heavy at that…

In a recommend what you own situation (because I did lots of research on this too), take a look at the Orbea Wild M10…

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes ... gJKmPD_BwE

Same Bosch Smart system, better geometry, 2-3kg lighter… Some crazy deals on these too right now because the “new” version is on its way with the 5th gen Bosch motor (frame hasn’t actually changed other than the motor mount points!)…

Really like that



I need to own up here though: I wouldn't understand how I'd benefit from things like geometry and I'll be at the very best....a very casual rider.

I had a go on the Specialised thing (SL?) and it was lovely but I felt as though I could snap it. Plus people were telling me the Bosch battery was better.

On the assumption that ascending numbers are more ( 9 is more than 8) is the Trek rail 9 better than the Trek rail 8?

Correct, the trek go up in ascending order in relation to Spec.

weeksy wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:51 pm

Mr Moofo wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:31 pm TBF , I mentioned Trek as that is what Docca was asking about.
If I wanted light I would be buying an Amflow

Would you ? They're a long way off my list as they're very very new to the game, the geometry is a bit meh and their aftersales is very much open to debate yet... Add to that the fact 120Nm of torque seems pointless to me.

TBF neither would I as they are unproven and I am not light.
But all of a sudden weight saving on a eeb seemed important.
I don’t really feel ebiking is about having even more powerful motors.

Mr Moofo wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 11:02 pm But all of a sudden weight saving on a eeb seemed important.

If aimed at me, I'll qualify my previous point...

My first eBike was 26kg... Fantastic geometry, but a veritable tank of a bike. Changing direction felt laborious at times, it definitely didn't have enough braking power, and though the sprung to unsprung ratio was fantastic for suspension performance (especially with me on board) getting it off the ground was a real task...

My second eBike was much lighter... Just 19.5kg... Much more fun to ride, more engaging, but I did start to notice its more trail biased geometry on some steeper techier trails, and given I'm up around 95kg in my birthday suit, I did notice the flex quite a bit more when pushing the bike hard.

My third eBike, an Orbea Wild M10 almost perfectly splitting the difference at just under 23kg, with a superbly stiff chassis and fantastic geometry, feels very much like the goldilocks option to me...

YMMV of course... But personally if I can save weight on a bike without compromising its performance or longevity, then absolutely I will, as a lighter bike pretty much always rides better than a heavier one, like for like...