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Review: The 2019 Trek Remedy 8 is a solid climber and supple descender

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Earlier this summer I spent an evening comparing a bunch of MTB brands’ entry-level trail bikes. A lot of these bikes sit a little over the $3000 USD mark, but at that price you won’t quite get a ‘total package’ bike. When I came across the Trek Remedy 8, I found what I was after – A build spec that didn’t cry out for upgrades.

Now the price tag on the Remedy 8 takes a step up from ‘entry-level’, but I thought those extra dollars were well accounted for. With a 12-speed Sram GX Eagle drivetrain and a Rockshox Lyric RC fork, this bike comes ready to rock. After testing the Remedy 8 for the last few months, I’d say my impressions held true – I don’t think you can spend much less on a bike that won’t leave you wanting.

If you’re in the market for a mid-spec bike that offers great value and uncompromised on-trail performance, Trek’s redesigned 2019 Remedy 8 is definitely a contender in this class.

What’s changed for 2019:

The most significant change is the new Remedy’s fixed lower shock mount.  Trek decided to do away with their Full-Floating suspension design, as they’ve determined a fixed mount offers advantages with longer travel bikes. A solid mount helps increase frame stiffness, reduces weight, and allows for shorter chainstays. They also say since air shocks are getting better at small bump compliance (which the full-floating design aimed to enhance), fixing the shock mount doesn’t sacrifice on-trail performance.

As for geometry, Trek didn’t make sweeping changes to the 2019 Remedy. The seat tube is now a bit steeper than before, and offers more insertion clearance to accommodate dropper posts. The new frame also provides more tire clearance, and can now run up to 27.5 x 2.8” treads.

The Remedy 8’s frame is built from Trek’s Alpha Platinum aluminum, and incorporates their beefy straight-shot down tube design and Knock Block headset. Between the shapely top tube, seat mast and the ground-out welds on the seat mast gusset, the frame could be mistaken for carbon at first glance. That is, until you notice the heavy-duty welds at all the other junctions.

The rear end provides 150mm of travel, which is controlled by a RE:activ tuned Rockshox Deluxe RT3 DebonAir rear shock. The Remedy includes Trek’s Mino Link flip chip, which alters the head tube angle by 0.5 degrees and the BB height by 7mm. I felt the bike’s lower/slacker mode was most suitable for my local trails, so I tested it in that setting for the majority of the time.

Ride Impressions:

One thing that might sound odd at first is the Remedy’s seat tube angle of 68° degrees. However, it’s important to remember this is the figure for the actual seat tube angle. Since the seat mast has quite a kink in the middle, the effective seat tube angle is actually a much steeper 74.7/74.2° in High/Low positions. The seat doesn’t wind up too far behind the bottom bracket, and I was still sitting in an aggressive position for pushing the pedals.

The Remedy’s 65.5 °  steering angle wasn’t too slack for climbing, and gives the bike stable handling on fast downhill sections.  The bottom bracket sits at 13.74″, which was high enough that I wasn’t smashing rocks with my pedals but still provides a low-feeling center of gravity.

Being a smaller guy, I like lightweight bikes. Even with its aluminum frame the Remedy 8 weighs in at 32lbs with pedals (which backs up Trek’s claim of 31lbs without).

In its stiffest setting the Rockshox Deluxe RT3 rear shock is very firm. While it will use about half its travel when prompted, it typically rides high and stiff making for a firm ride on bumpy trails. In the stiffest setting I found the rear end would clunk when meeting larger rocks or roots, or when it hit the ground after bouncing over an obstacle. Small bump compliance was good, so I’d recommend using the stiffest mode for logging roads or smoother surfaces.

My local trail’s climbs are mostly singletrack (above photo aside!), so almost all my climbing was done in the middle setting. This mode definitely offers the best balance of pedal support and comfort. I didn’t lose much pedalling efficiency in this setting, but the shock handled bumps much better. Some big bumps can still feel a bit harsh in this mode, so I’d say the Remedy’s uphill ride isn’t as plush as other suspension designs I’ve ridden (FSR and four-bar particularly) but the pedalling efficiency is noticeably better. I found the Remedy also pedalled quite well under standing sprints, only giving up a bit of additional bob.

After reading all about Trek’s RE:activ shock tune, I wondered if these harder uphill impacts were a by-product of the shock’s regressive damping curve . Ideally the shock is supposed to isolate pedaling inputs by resisting compressions at lower speeds, but I wonder if some larger bumps were mimicking that low-speed compression and producing more resistance than desired. Ultimately it was only occasional impacts that produced this clunky feel, which is a small price to pay for the bike’s excellent pedalling abilities.

On really technical climbs leaving the shock wide open will provide great traction and comfort, but there is some loss of efficiency. The bike will give up a little bob and sag rearwards into its travel, so I’d stick with the shock’s middle setting for anything but the roughest trails.

I also noticed the Remedy skips over chattery sections very well, and as claimed the ABP suspension remains highly active while braking. The wide-open shock willfully wallows into its travel, which leans the bike into a more aggressive downhill stance and makes it easy to get behind the saddle. While it softens trail inputs extremely well, the shock still provides enough mid-stroke support to pump you through rollers or berms, and resists bottoming out until you give it a good hard smack.

Another thing I noticed right away is the Remedy’s frame is very stiff. That big, straight down tube gives the bike carbon-like stiffness, which helps you plow straight and true through rough patches of trail. On the flipside, the well-rounded Remedy is still a snappy jumper that pops off roots and rocks easily.

Components:

Sram’s GX Eagle drivetrain performed without fault for my entire test. I’m stoked that mid-range drivetrains are as good as they’ve become, offering pretty crisp shifting and perfect chain retention thus far. With a 10-50t cassette and a 32t front ring, gear range was never a problem.

There are some house-brand Bontrager parts on the Remedy 8 including the handlebars and stem, the saddle, the 125mm Line dropper post, the Line Comp 30 wheelset and the XR4 Team Issue 2.6” tires. The Line post never gave me any mechanical issues, and I found the 125mm drop was sufficient for a medium-sized rider like myself. The Arvada saddle wasn’t my favorite but was fairly comfortable, so I never swapped it out.

The wheels feature 29mm internal width rims to spread out the 2.6” tires nicely, and they’ve taken no notable damage during my testing. I noticed the Bontrager tires roll very smoothly and quite fast for a fairly luggy MTB tread. They provide pretty solid grip overall, but not quite as much as the Maxxis Minions I got to try on this bike too.

Despite the Sram Guide R brakes having four pistons and 200/180mm rotors to grab, I was surprised to find them not biting as strongly as expected on some high-speed trails. 90% of the time they were perfectly fine, but when the trail goes from ‘high speed straight’ to ‘180 degree corner’ you’ll have to give these levers a good squeeze. ( Editor’s note: We’ve had varied performance out of the SRAM Guide brakes, but there are two things that have drastically improved any set with issues. First, make sure the compression nut at the lever is tight. We just had a set on a stock bike from the factory that were loose enough it was letting air in during the bleed. Second, once those compression nuts are tightened properly, give the brakes a proper full bleed. )

Trek’s 2019 Remedy 8 is a bike that I’d guess will either tempt a lot of buyers out of the entry level price range, or appeal to aluminum fans who are looking for a non-carbon bike with a solid component spec. I was very happy with the Remedy’s two-sided personality – It clenches its teeth when you’re cranking up the trail, yet devours big hits when it’s time to scream downhill. The Remedy 8 is available in Matte Trek Black or Miami Blue, and retails for $3999 USD.

trekbikes.com

Steve Fisher is a staff contributor for Bikerumor. Steve has been writing about trail, enduro and downhill mountain biking (plus a few commuter bikes) for seven years. Prior to that, Steve wrote for Whistler Traveller Magazine and Mountain Life Magazine. Steve is based in Pemberton, British Columbia, an area that offers plenty of challenging world-class singletrack and makes for great photos!

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It looks like the surprisingly slack ST result is more based on poor spec communication from TREK. On some of their other bikes they include an Effective ST Angle (see the Remedy 9.7 27.5 for example), from the BB to the saddle which is more relevant to positionals and handling, where on this bike they only show the angle that the seat post actually sits at. Effective ST Angle looks more like 74-76 degrees just by putting a protractor on the screen.

Correct- on any frame with a curved/offset seatpost, you can only have a defined STA at any given saddle height. The taller you are, the slacker it is. The listed STA is the angle of the upper portion of the tube relative to flat ground, but the seat tube starts out nearly vertical/forward. I have a 2019 fuel ex with about the same STA and the first time I hopped on it felt like a tri bike it was so steep

Effective vs actual seat tube angle…

I had a 2019 Remedy 8 as a loaner/demo. Coming from an older Remedy, the Lyric is an excellent upgrade to the suspension. But that Knock Block is a deal-breaker for me. I was blocked out of my very first turn on the bike during setup in my driveway. That’s a turn I easily accomplish on other bikes and not as tight as some of my most fun trail maneuvers or even a good, long trackstand. There’s no use for a bike that I can’t point where I need it to go.

Get someone who has a background in bike journalism to explain the difference between actual set angle and effective seat angle to you.

Great review, thanks!

Hello readers; Regarding the seat tube angle… I must admit, when I re-read my text is sounded like I had given no consideration to the difference between actual and effective seat tube angles, which on this bike was probably worth mentioning. Trek’s website doesn’t list an effective STA, only the actual (and only in the mino link’s High position). My concern was people seeing that number and coming away thinking that the seat tube is super slack on this bike, so I felt the need to mention that it really isn’t. I’ve made an edit to the article which should clear this issue up. I will also get in touch with Trek and see if they can provide me with an effective seat tube angle for the new Remedy, and hopefully I’ll add that in soon. I’m actually glad these comments popped up, they made me realise I could have explained that much better. Happy trails!

Please bring the Remedy 29 back !

No need. This 27.5 Remedy absolutely shreds and climbs briliantly. I happily keep up with mates on more XC style 29ers on the ups and fly on the downs. I was all set to get a 29er but got a great deal on a 2019 Remedy 8 and couldn’t be happier. So playful and fun….absolutely stoked!

Hi Max, What size did you get? I am 182 cms and thinking the 19.5 but I have read reviews that they feel small.

I’ve put a FOX DPS shock to 2018 Remedy’s, and I realized how big piece of crap is that Deluxe RT3 with Re:activ valve. Now the suspension works as it should be!

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Trek Remedy 29 9 review

Big-wheeled bruiser with running back moves

This article originally published on BikeRadar

Trek took its sweet time introducing 29er versions of its popular Fuel EX and Remedy models. While we were impressed with the former at the company's recent launch event in Sedona, Arizona, it was the Remedy's awesome capabilities that truly blew us way.

Big, fat tires, 140mm of well-tuned suspension and a gloriously stout front end yield supreme confidence to let you barrel over trail obstacles with reckless abandon, but the Remedy 29's fantastic handling also gives it the grace and agility to mean you don't have to.

Ride & handling: Big bones but light on its feet

Trek's 26in Remedy was already a capable machine, but the 29in version is even more so. Our top-end Remedy 29 9 tester was wonderfully stout and solid from tip to tail, and it's especially noticeable up front, given the burly aluminum front triangle, usefully wide 750mm aluminum handlebar, and sturdy Fox 34 Float fork.

Add it all up and you get a wonderfully predictable front end that you can truly drive hard into rough terrain, confident that the line you chose is the one the front wheel will follow.

Charging down the tricky Highline descent in Sedona, Arizona – with its myriad drops, steep chutes, and variable grip – was simply no problem. The bike barrels over square-edged rocks without missing a beat, and rails rough corners with far more confidence than a visual inspection of the trail conditions would normally allow.

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That stiff front end paid dividends even at slower speeds on the far more treacherous Hangover trail, where misplacing your tires by just a centimeter can mean the difference between making it around a corner or tumbling down a steep rocky face. Few places we've ridden illustrate the 'look where you want to go' edict so well.

As on the previous Remedy, rear suspension performance was excellent, with a supple feel off the top, a deep well of useful travel thanks to the Trek-exclusive DRCV-equipped rear shock, and good bottom-out control (which we used more than once). It's a lively feeling rear end, too, with lots of mid-stroke pop to help spring you out of bermed corners and dips in the trail.

Surprisingly, we found the new Remedy 29 to actually feel more nimble than the 26in version, despite having a similar bottom bracket height and chain stays that are about 12mm longer. While the 26in Remedy feels tall and is occasionally slow to transition from edge to edge, the 29 feels lower to the ground and quicker to change direction at speed. Some credit, perhaps, goes to the longer top tubes and shorter stems relative to comparably sized 26in Remedy models.

As always, very tight confines expose the long-travel 29er's greater overall length. But, even then, Trek has done a good job of making the 29 minimally cumbersome. Thanks to an increased-offset fork crown, the trail dimension is nearly identical to that of the 26in bike, so the front end feels appropriately light and not at all floppy.

There's no getting around the heft of the new Remedy 29 9, though. It has a total weight of around 13.5kg (29.76lb) for a 17.5in frame without pedals, and nearly 3.5kg (7.72lb) wheels and tires (not to mention the increased inertia given the larger diameter). So don't expect to set any acceleration records, but the bike pedals impressively well, especially for a model with this much capability.

Maintain a steady pace and you can rest assured that the rear end will faithfully claw its way up steep and rocky climbs. The active suspension does an excellent job of maintaining traction, too, and we rarely switched the Fox Float CTD rear shock out of the fully open mode, even on the fireroad climb up to the Hangover trailhead.

Trek sticks with its tried-and-true rear suspension design

Frame: Burly aluminum construction plus Trek's trademark suspension

Trek made no mention of a carbon Remedy 29 chassis – although you can bet the farm that one is coming – but there's little to complain about with the all-new aluminum one. While we can't comment on the frame weight (we weren't able to tear one down for an actual measurement at the launch event), it's unquestionably rigid, with large-diameter, hydroformed tubing throughout and corresponding oversized stays to maintain that stiffness from tip to tail.

Subtle details include the S-bend down tube that creates enough room for a water bottle cage, and the steeply sloped top tube and short strut that reinforces the seat tube while leaving plenty of standover clearance.

Trek applies its usual bag of suspension tricks to the new Remedy 9's rear end, including the Full Floater dual-dynamic shock mounts for a more finely tuned spring rate, ABP (Active Braking Pivot) concentric rear dropout pivots that supposedly reduce the effects of braking on suspension performance, and the magnesium Evo rocker link that ties the seat stays to the shock.

A pair of flippable chips at the rear of the Evo link allow for slightly adjustable frame geometry, too, with the low position offering a 67.5-degree head tube angle and 350mm (13.78in) bottom bracket height. The high position delivers a steeper 68.3-degree head tube angle and raises the bottom bracket by 9mm. We did our testing with the bike set in the low position.

Other details include a mix of internal and external cable routing – including a port for stealth-style dropper posts, a tapered 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in head tube, a 92mm-wide bottom bracket shell with press-fit cups for use with standard 24mm-diameter spindles, cartridge bearing pivots and aluminum hardware throughout, and molded plastic guards for the down tube and driveside chain stay.

Equipment: Fantastic Shimano Deore XT group and solid kit but weighty wheels

The build kit on the Trek Remedy 9 29 is unapologetically workhorse. Included in the mix is a nearly complete Shimano Deore XT 2x10 group (a KMC X10 chain is the only substitution) and a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper seatpost with Trek's Bontrager house brand filling in the rest.

As usual, the Deore XT drivetrain was utterly flawless, with precise chain movement, excellent tactile feedback from the trigger shifter paddles, and quiet running even after hours in the ultra-fine Sedona dust.

Ditto for the matching hydraulic disc brakes, which provided tremendous power (partially thanks to 180mm rotors front and rear) as well as fantastic control – which we tested thoroughly on the Hangover trail's steep, shear rock descent.

We had no issues with the majority of the Bontrager gear. The Rhythm Pro stem was sturdy with its generously proportioned extension and beefy handlebar clamp, the Race Lite aluminum bar was pleasantly rigid and usefully wide at 750mm across, and while the foam seemed softer than on aftermarket versions, the Evoke 2 saddle was still comfortable after our third ride of the day.

Bontrager has made enormous leaps forward with its tires in recent years. The Remedy 9 29's XR3 Team Issue treads were meaty and grippy, with their well-reinforced knobs clawing tenaciously into the loose Arizona ground. They're also reasonably light considering the true 2.3in width and carry speed well. We wished for a slightly softer compound on bare rock, though.

The wheels are a bit more disappointing. Currently, Trek's website lists the stock wheelset as the new Bontrager Rhythm Elite model with its trick Rapid Drive rear hub, but that's a typo – production bikes are actually coming with the old model, complete with about 200g of extra mass and a far slower-engaging rear hub. We tested the Remedy 29 9 with both old and new wheelsets and the new one is noticeably better.

Price: US$4,729.99/£3,799 Weight: 13.50kg (29.76lb, 17.5-inch frame size, without pedals) Pros: Very stiff and predictable chassis, fantastic handling, great suspension, superb drivetrain and brakes Cons: Heavy wheels dull the otherwise sharp reflexes BikeRadar verdict: TBD pending longer-term testing More information: www.trekbikes.com

Complete bicycle specifications

Frame: Trek Remedy 29, 140mm travel Available sizes: 15.5, 17.5 (tested), 19, 21, 23-inch Rear shock: Fox Float CTD DRCV Performance Series Fork: Fox 34 Float 140 CTD FIT, Factory Series, 15QR dropouts Headset: FSA No. 57E, tapered 1 1/8-to-1 1/2-inch Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Pro Handlebars: Bontrager Race Lite Low Riser, 750mm Tape/grips: Bontrager Rhythm lock-on Front brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785 w/ 180mm SM-RT86-M rotor Rear brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785 w/ 180mm SM-RT86-M rotor Brake levers: Shimano Deore XT BL-M785-L Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD-M781-D Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus RD-M786-SGS Shift levers: Shimano Deore XT SL-M780 Cassette: Shimano Deore XT CS-M771-10, 11-36T Chain: KMC X10 Crankset: Shimano Deore XT FC-M785, 38/24T Bottom bracket: Shimano press-fit Pedals: n/a Wheelset: Bontrager Rhythm Elite TLR Disc 29 Front tire: Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, 29x2.30-inch Rear tire: Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, 29x2.30-inch Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 2 Seat post: RockShox Reverb Stealth

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Field Test: Trek Remedy 9.9

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Bike Review: Trek Remedy 9.9 27.5

There are few bikes that have as strong a reputation on the trail as the Remedy. Over the years this bike’s suspension design, geometry and wheel size have evolved to suit the needs of the modern rider. The previous two generations delivered solid performance and were more than ready for rowdy riding. For 2019, Trek has unleashed yet another Remedy with a few modern tweaks.

WHO IS IT MADE FOR?

The Remedy has varied in purpose over the years, ranging from 27.5- to 29-inch wheels and from 140mm to 150mm of rear travel. With the longer-travel Slash dominating the enduro category in Trek’s lineup, the Remedy functions as an all-purpose trail bike with all-mountain tendencies and a generally rowdy pedigree. This bike will do just about everything comfortably without overwhelming the rider in terms of travel and wheel size.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

Trek has introduced several new technologies in the last two years that the previous generation of Remedies lacked. For this model, Trek updated the geometry, going a bit longer and slack- er while still using its Mino Link. The Mino Link gives riders the option to adjust the geometry between two positions—high and low. The high setting keeps the bottom bracket up and the front end a bit steep while keeping the reach a touch longer. The low setting drops the bottom bracket, slackens the front end and shortens the reach.

Aside from the geometry, the Remedy carried over the Straight Shot downtube, keeping the frame design beefy and stiff. Along the outside of the downtube is a built-in frame guard to protect against trail debris and damage from rubbing against a tailgate pad. This year Trek ditched the Full Floater link, similar to what was done with the Slash. Eliminating the Full Floater link allowed Trek to increase the frame and rear triangle stiffness without compromising the suspension performance. Similar to other Trek frames, the Remedy uses Trek’s Control Freak internal cable routing and PressFit 92 bottom bracket shell.

Last year Trek announced its new RE:aktiv with Thru-Shaft shocks that eliminated the Internal Floating Piston (IFP). This shock was found on the previous-generation Remedy and has been carried over to the 2019 version. Along with the proprietary shock is Trek’s ABP suspension design that allows for better traction when braking.

There are several versions of the Remedy available, ranging from aluminum to carbon fiber frames. The 9.9 tested is Trek’s highest-end version with a retail price of $7000. Riders can get into the alloy versions for as little as $3300 or a carbon fiber frameset for $3000.

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?

Trek put a lot of research into its suspension platform, and the RockShox Deluxe with Thru-Shaft shock was a major standout during our testing. Up front, the Fox Float 36 with Grip2 balanced the bike and gave our test riders plenty of adjustments to dial in the feel of the fork. The stock Bontrager Carbon Line 30 wheels gave the 2.6-inch-wide SE4 tires a nice profile and offered quick hub engagement. This was our first run with Shimano’s new four-piston XT brakes, and they delivered plenty of stopping power on steep sections of trail.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Setting sag: Trek offers a suspension setup guide on its website with sag numbers and rebound and compression settings. We started with Trek’s recommended settings, with 30-percent sag in the shock and about eight clicks of rebound from closed. The fork took some time to dial in, but we started with 20-percent sag with two volume spacers in the fork. We spent quite a bit of time playing with the high- and low-speed rebound settings that come with the Grip2 damper and found the right setting was subjective based on the trails we were riding on the low-speed setting. The high- and low-speed compression on the fork took a couple of rides to dial in, but once we found the sweet spot, our test riders were happy with the performance and ride quality.

Moving out: The short 50mm stem and longer reach gave the Remedy a modern fit, especially paired with 780mm-wide handlebars. Most of our test riders couldn’t get comfortable with the stock handlebars, as they didn’t offer as much sweep as other  bars we have ridden. We dropped the tire pressure a touch lower than what we would normally run in the 27.5×2.6-inch Bontrager SE4 treads. This width benefits from the larger air volume without compromising speed.

Climbing: The Remedy is an efficient climber for a bike with this much travel. While you won’t set any personal records on the long grinds, you’ll be able to spin the climbs out comfortably. The wider 2.6-inch tires gave us plenty of traction when clawing up steep bits of singletrack and rocky sections. Our test riders were able to shift their weight over the front end comfortably to cruise over technical obstacles.

Descending: Trek designed this bike to descend, and with the suspension open and an ambitious rider on board, there is very little the Remedy won’t do. Dropping into steep sections of trail, the long reach allowed us to shift back behind the handlebars and confidently pick tight lines. The Fox 36 fork was plush off the top and had a healthy amount of mid-stroke support to keep our test riders sitting up. The RE: aktiv with Thru-Shaft shock has a very balanced feel in everything from small bumps to bottom outs. Whether in high-speed or slower technical sections, the shock was controlled and helped keep the Remedy balanced. The Remedy was plenty playful when descending singletrack, looking for bonus lines and not afraid to pop off any lip or jump.

Cornering: Dropping into corners, the wider 2.6-inch tires grabbed at the trail, allowing us to lean the bike over confidently. The smaller 27.5-inch wheels were easy to whip through switchbacks and tight turns. The wider 780mm bars gave our test riders plenty of leverage and played a part in encouraging our test riders to lean the Remedy over as far as they could.

TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?

During our testing, we never messed with the stock handlebars. Most of our test riders opted for a different pair of bars with a little more sweep. We strongly recommend taking your time dialing in the fork and even having your local Trek dealer help you find the right settings. The Grip2 damper works quite well but does have a broad range of adjustment.

BUYING ADVICE?

Over the years the Remedy has evolved with the needs of trail and all-mountain riders alike and has continued to prove itself a burly machine. This iteration of the Remedy is sturdy and inspires plenty of confidence to keep the tradition alive by riding hard and having fun on just about any trail on the mountain. If you want a bike that won’t shy away from double-black-diamond lines and will keep coming back for more, the Remedy has just about everything you’ll need. www.trekbikes.com

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• Anneke’s Blog
• Down The Trail

Trek Remedy 8 in review

The Trek Remedy 8 made it to the very top of the group test. It impressed all of our test riders with its outstanding performance, deserving the title Best in Test. But what makes this bike so special?

For an overview of the test fleet head to The best budget trail bike of 2019 – 11 mountain bikes head to head

Last year, Trek gave the Remedy a complete overhaul. Gone is the full-floater suspension, though the linkage still hinges around the rear axle. This decouples the braking forces from the suspension so that both can work independently of each other. Apart from this, the geometry has also been refined. Despite the reasonable price of € 2,999 and traditional distribution model, Trek has managed to spec the Remedy 8 with good quality components. We were particularly impressed by the RockShox Lyrik fork, but the GX Eagle drivetrain is just as rare a sight on bikes in this segment. The componentry is rounded off by plenty of in-house Bontrager parts. Fortunately, the much-criticised dropper post has been revised and now performs just fine. At the back of the Remedy, there’s a RockShox Deluxe shock featuring Trek’s RE:active technology. Even with the climb switch engaged, the shock responds sensitively to small irregularities in the trail. However, it does so without Trek’s Thru-Shaft system, as featured on their more expensive carbon models. We didn’t use the Mino-Link on the seat stay to adjust the geometry – the slack setting was ideal. There are additional bosses on the top tube to mount something like the Wolf Tooth B-RAD system to carry a spare tube and tools – very nice!

The Trek Remedy 8 in detail

Fork RockShox Lyrik RC 160 mm Shock RockShox Deluxe RT3 150 mm Brakes SRAM Guide R 200/180 mm Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle Seatpost Bontrager Line 150 mm Stem Bontrager Line 50 mm Handlebar Bontrager Line 780 mm Wheels Bontrager Line Comp 27.5″ Tires Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2.6″

The Trek Remedy 8 in test

Unlike the old model, the update geometry that offers a central riding position thanks to the steep seat tube angle. It feels steeper in reality than one would expect when looking at the numbers. The rear end doesn’t wallow on steep terrain and performs very efficiently. That makes the Remedy a capable climber and it really comes into its own on technical, twisty climbs. With plenty of traction at the rear and the central riding position, you’ll master even the trickiest sections. Reaching for the shock’s climb switch is only worthwhile on long, monotonous ascents.

Going downhill, the Trek Remedy 8 succeeds in perfectly combining supposedly opposing handling characteristics. The bike is agile yet composed, the suspension is sensitive yet defined. This mixture is what makes the Remedy the perfect all-rounder. Fast flow-trails are as much fun on this bike as a trip to the bike park or a multi-day adventure in the Alps. The rear suspension performs very sensitively and effectively feels like much more travel than 150 mm. The weight distribution on the bike is superbly balanced, allowing it to corner as though by itself, and remaining very predictable when you start to reach the limits of its capabilities. We recommend leaving the spacers fitted under the stem seeing as the head tube is very short. The reach is on the shorter end of the spectrum at 455 mm, but the Trek Remedy doesn’t lack stability. The only two things we didn’t like are the 2.6″ wide Bontrager XR4 tires and the weak SRAM Guide brakes. Both should be replaced with better alternatives at the bike shop. Narrower tires underline the bike’s precise handling and a slightly more robust casing makes perfect sense for the kind of terrain the bike feels most comfortable in.

Top suspension, top geometry, top spec – the Trek has it all!

Agile, playful, smooth and composed – the Trek Remedy 8 has got it all! It also impressed us with its brilliant suspension, good looks and high-quality workmanship. Whether flow-trails or bike-park, efficient climbing or fun descending, the Remedy is the one bike to rule them all. Best in Test!

• efficient climber
• super fun and balanced on the descents
• best suspension in the test
• great value for money

• brakes and tires limit the bike

Riding Characteristics

Value for money, technical data.

Trek Remedy 8

Size: XS S M L XL Weight: 14,08 kg Travel (f/r): 160/150 mm Wheel Size: 27,5" Price: € 2,999

Intended Use

For more info head to: trekbikes.com

The test field

All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 7.0 | FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE | Giant Trance 29 2 | MERIDA ONE FORTY 800 | Propain Tyee AM Performance | RADON SLIDE TRAIL 8.0 | ROSE PIKES PEAK AM1 | SCOTT Genius 950 | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy 29 | YT JEFFSY 27 AL Base

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role. ↩

How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction? ↩

Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec. ↩

This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes. ↩

How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension. ↩

This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike? ↩

We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail. ↩

No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!) ↩

...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50 ↩

Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70 ↩

Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90 ↩

You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more .

Words & Photos:

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2020 Trek Remedy 8 Bike (discontinued)

• Write Review

Specifications

Sizes and geometry.

www.trekbikes.com

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Trek Remedy 7

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / SM High, SM Low, MD High, MD Low, LG High, LG Low, XL High, XL Low

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Fork RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 160 mm travel
• Shock RockShox Deluxe Select+, DebonAir spring, Select+ RL damper, 230x57.5 mm
• Wheels Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
• Wheel Size 27.5"
• Spokes DT Swiss Champion, J-Bend, Black
• Tires Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.60""; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.60"
• Crank Size: S, SRAM NX Eagle, DUB, 32T steel ring, Boost, 170 mm length; Size: M, M/L, L, XL, SRAM NX Eagle, DUB, 32T steel ring, Boost, 175 mm length
• Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB, 92 mm, PressFit
• Rear Derailleur SRAM NX Eagle
• Shifters SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed
• Brakeset SRAM Guide T hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Comp, alloy, 31.8 mm, 15 mm rise, 780 mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138 mm width
• Seatpost Size: S, TranzX JD-YSP18, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 361 mm length; Size: M, M/L, L, XL, TranzX JD-YSP18, 150 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 445 mm length
• Stem Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8 mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 50 mm length
• Grips Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on

Q: How much is a 2021 Trek Remedy 7?

A 2021 Trek Remedy 7 is typically priced around £2,550 GBP when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2021 Trek Remedy 7?

The 2021 Trek Remedy 7 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2021 Trek Remedy 7 have?

The 2021 Trek Remedy 7 has 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2021 Trek Remedy 7 should I get?

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