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 rear end of the Trek Remedy 8 works brilliantly. Sensitive, defined and seemingly bottomless. Nice!
Less experienced riders will benefit from the grip and traction of the wide 2.6″ tires. However, anyone with an active riding style will be happier with a narrower, more precise alternative.
Although you can’t fit a bottle cage to the bosses on the top tube, you could attach something like the B-RAD system from Wolf Tooth, among other things. Convenient for carrying a spare tube.
The RockShox Lyrik delivers unbeatable performance. It smokes the competition and plays a significant role in the Trek’s test victory!
We’re reluctant to repeat ourselves, but the Knock Block on the Trek’s head tube isn’t optimal. It’s supposed to protect the frame from being damaged by the fork or the bars, but it limits the steering significantly, which is particularly annoying when trying to fit the bike into your car.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 394 mm | 419 mm | 445 mm | 470 mm | 521 mm |
| Top tube | 562 mm | 588 mm | 604 mm | 625 mm | 649 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 100 mm | 105 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm |
| Head angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
| Seat angle | 74.2° | 74.2° | 74.2° | 74.2° | 74.2° |
| Chainstays | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 505 mm |
| BB Drop | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,140 mm | 1,167 mm | 1,184 mm | 1,206 mm | 1,232 mm |
| Reach | 395 mm | 420 mm | 435 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm |
| Stack | 587 mm | 592 mm | 596 mm | 601 mm | 615 mm |
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!
Conclusion
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!
Tops
- efficient climber
- super fun and balanced on the descents
- best suspension in the test
- quiet
- great value for money
Flops
- brakes and tires limit the bike
For more info head to: trekbikes.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to The best budget trail bike of 2019 – 11 mountain bikes head to head
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