During the months we spent testing these two Trek Rails, our riders worked to hone-in on their feelings about each bike. We focused on YouTube comments from viewers and what they wanted to know along with our own checklist. Testers evaluated the nuances between the components, discussed how much we still like the Rail platform and what we’d likely spend our own money on if we were in the market for a 160/150mm eMTB. As you’ve probably gathered from our last two eMTB Shootouts, our testers are quite fond of Trek’s Rail and while their higher end models, like the 9.9 here are the bikes that have won their respective categories, we remain confident that the Rail 7 would still keep the Rail near the top of the list. While we still really like the Rail 7, with this spec, we couldn’t completely say if it would still be a category winner, after all we’re comparing the best of the best in in our eBike shootouts and small things like brake levers and dropper post travel can make or break a pick come voting time.

Before you think we’re too snobby, hear us out. Trek’s Rail 7 is absolutely capable of being ridden at the highest levels. Our head-to-head race times prove it. However, it takes more work to put down the same race times and a bit more nerves to really hang it out on gnarly downhills. While we’ve read the comments that the differences in component and suspension spec are nothing more than “Placebo effect,” the reality is, there is a perceivable difference on-trail. When it comes to riding the Rail 7, creature comforts like shifters, brake levers, and the Bosch display feel cheaper than what’s found on the 9.9. If you look beyond the refinement and polished appearance of the 9.9, does the Rail 7 perform without issue? Absolutely, but it’s like getting in a luxury car versus an economy car. They’ve both got power steering, power windows and a radio, but how they feel once inside can be a very big deal to some. To those with a refined pallet, the differences will justify the increase in price, maybe not to the 9.9, but certainly to a spec above the 7…let’s get back to the performance.

Once we adjusted to the cockpit, short dropper post and brake levers, we quickly forgot about our nitpicking and let the bike work. Trek has done a great job making their Rail eMTB a very versatile machine that will do a broad spectrum of riders well. It is a strong climber, comfortable in the saddle, and can be pushed and ridden hard. Riders who are over 180lbs or ride aggressively, regardless of model, will likely find the need to add volume reducers to the shock to give a bit more platform as Trek has fairly conservative shock tunes. Like the Rail 9.9, the Rail 7 floats over obstacles, is snappy, fun and does a great job popping off little trail features.
To put it simply a slower rider on a Rail 9.9 is still going to be slower than a faster rider on a Rail 7. That doesn’t mean a slower or newer rider doesn’t deserve or can’t enjoy the refinement the 9.9 offers but is rather a compliment to how capable the 7 is. Often times consumers focus too much on components or materials that don’t matter as much as they think. Focus your upgrades on areas of the bike that are guaranteed to make your traction, safety and confidence better first, the rest is for show. As our timed race runs and rider feedback showed, when all we did was focus on riding, both bikes are pretty dang close. We tried to quantify the test for the number crunchers out there and the best way we could put it down was to come up with a percentage of how much fun we had on the Rail 7 compared to the 9.9 and then compare the prices. If the 9.9 gave us a fun factor of 100%, then the Rail 7 gave us a fun factor of around 90-95% for 62% of the price. We’re not rocket surgeons, but that seems like a pretty definitive answer for those who are on a budget and looking to make a smart buy. Almost all the fun for 62% of the price? That’s a win. If you’re not just interested in fun, but really want to enjoy top-tier components, adjustability, creature comforts and refinement, then get the 9.9! Or maybe check out the Trek Rail 9.8, either way, you’re going to be stoked on a pretty sweet eMTB.

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Chapters:
What is the video?:  0:00
Bike Introductions:  0:54
Carbon vs. Aluminum?:  2:52
Which display unit did you prefer?:  5:21
Fun to Price Ratio: 6:11
Head to head Race format:  7:26
How would you upgrade the Rail 7?:  9:54
Overall impressions:  12:19

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