Today I’m FINALLY getting my Revel Rail 29 review fix VS My Revel Rascal, which I’ve ridden for about a year and a half as my single quiver all terrain machine.
After riding my Revel Rascal (and loving it) but feeling like as my riding has developed to the point where I’m getting comfortable with bigger features, the Rascal can leave something to be desired in the amount of suspension available. Meaning that I am apt to bottom it out from time to time.
Because of this, I’ve been VERY excited to test out the new Revel Rail 29 from Revel Bikes!
My Revel Rail 29 Build
Frame – Revel Rail 29 155mm Travel
Fork – RockShox ZEB ULT 29 SB 160mm RC2 Damper – Gloss Black
Shock – RockShox Super Deluxe ULT
Headset – Cane Creek 40-series
Wheelset – Revel Carbon RW30 29″
Tubeless– Stans No Tubes single shots x2
Tires – Maxxis Assegai 29×2.5 3CT EXO+ TR Front, Maxxis Minion DHR ll 29 X 2.4 3CT EXO+ TR Rear
Bar – RaceFace NEXT R 35 x 800mm 20mm rise
Stem – RaceFace Turbine R 35 x 40mm
Post – RaceFace Turbine R
SM (125mm), MD (150mm), LG/XL (175mm)
Saddle – WTB Volt CroMo Black
Shifter – SRAM X01 Eagle
Brakes – SRAM Code RSC (*options available)
Rotors – SRAM Centerline Rotor 200mm 6 bolt front / 180mm rear
Rear Derailleur – SRAM X01 Eagle
Chain – SRAM X01 Eagle
Cassette – SRAM X01 Eagle 10-52t
Crankset – SRAM Descendant Carbon Eagle DUB 170mm 32t
Bottom Bracket – SRAM DUB BSA
Grips – Lizard Skins Charger Evo Grip Black
Pricing
Pricing for this build is the X01 and comes in around $8299. Oh, and this is only on pre-order right now. When I asked Revel they said I’d get the bike around the New Year if I ordered it now (July 2022).
First Impressions
The Rail 29 is a climbing machine! I’m not joking! This bike might climb better than my Revel Rascal. There is so much power transfer through the Canfield rear suspension system that propels the bike forward that it almost feels like an e bike.
When we hit the steep climb up Red Hill in Carbondale CO I was blown away at how well this bike climbed. And I couldn’t wait to see what it could do on the down!
In the Red Hill trail system you get some really good climbs, LOT of cross country, and just a little chunky downhill. But I figured it would be good to see what the Rail 29 would feel like on cross country trails for those that are looking for a one bike setup.
The Rail 29 did everything that my Rascal can do, but it feels a little longer, and a little heavier. Some of this is definitely due to the longer travel that just takes more to move through when riding in technical stuff.
At first I was like “where’s the pop”… My Rascal is a poppy, fun, hit that root on the side of the trail and go flying kinda machine, and I was hoping the Rail 29 would still have that kind of feel.
The poppiness was there, but it’s definitely not like the Rascal. You need to get use to what it takes to liven up the longer suspension travel.
That being said, I’m there has to be some compromises when you go to a bigger bike. But we all just want that bike that does everything!
Revel Rail 29 Conclusion
This bike totally rips!!! You can ride it up techy terrain, down serious chop, and still get it off the ground pretty well when you see that fun little hit on the side of the trail.
It will take a little bit of getting used to if you’ve been riding a poppy shorter travel bike (like the Revel Rascal), but after one ride you’ll have the feeling.
As someone who lives in a van full time and can only bring one bike with me, I will be heavily considering the Rail 29 for my next bike.
If you have any questions that I missed in my video or written review… please drop them in the comments below and I’ll usually get to them right away.
Thanks for reading!
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