Issue #036, Review - December 21, 2018

Trek Remedy 9.9 Review

Things have gotten a little quieter around the Trek Remedy in recent years because the 29er model, the Slash, has been attracting the lion’s share of the attention. Now the Remedy has made an impressive comeback with a revised version – and for many riders, it’s the better choice than the Slash.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy

**Trek** Remedy | 160/150 mm (f/r) | 13.18 kg | € 6,999

At first glance, the Remedy looks very similar to its predecessor, but Trek has tweaked quite a few details and reworked the bike extensively. The new Remedy no longer features a Full Floater rear linkage. Instead – like the Slash – relying on a fixed lower shock mount. The seat tube angle has also become 1° steeper and the seat tube has been shortened to allow shorter riders to use longer dropper seat posts. The travel has remained the same with 160 mm in the front and 150 mm at the rear, whereas the tire width has increased to 2.6″. As is usua l quite a few of the components are from Trek’s in-house brand Bontrager. Fortunately, however, the new 150 mm the dropper seatpost now functions much more smoothly. The package is completed with a FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 fork and a RockShox Monarch shock featuring Trek’s patented Thru-Shaft technology. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain and powerful Shimano XT four-piston brakes help keep everything under control.

You can’t go wrong with this bike – the Remedy convinces in every aspect!

The Trek Remedy 9.9 in detail

Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 160 mm
Schock RockShox Deluxe RT3 Thru Shaft 150 mm
Brakes Shimano Deore XT 4-Kolben 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XO1 Eagle
Seatpost Bontrager Line Pro 150 mm
Stem Bontrager Line Pro
Handlebar Bontrager Line Pro OCLV Carbon 780 mm
Wheelset Bontrager Line Carbon 30
Tires Bontrager SE4 Team Issue
Weight 13.18 kg
Price € 6,999

**Revised**
The Remedy’s shock is no longer floating, instead, they’ve fitted a shock with Thru-Shaft technology. Thru-Shaft technology allows the piston shaft to move downwards through the shock, eliminating the need for an IFP (Internal Floating Piston). This results in a more sensitive response.

**Powerful**
The new Shimano XT four-piston brake provides lots of power and reliability.

**Spacer tower**
Due to the short head tube, you’ll have to stack a tower of spacers under the stem. The knock block prevents the handlebar and fork crown from hitting the frame, limiting the steering angle, which can be particularly annoying when loading the bike into your car.

**Improved**
The Bontrager Line Pro seatpost has been redesigned, making it perform more sensitively. The travel has also been increased. Whether long-term reliability has been improved remains to be seen.

Geometry of the Trek Remedy

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	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	74.2°	74.2°	74.2°	74.2°	74.2°
Chainstay	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm
BB Height	349 mm	349 mm	349 mm	349 mm	349 mm
Wheelbase	1140 mm	1167 mm	1184 mm	1206 mm	1232 mm
Reach	395 mm	420 mm	435 mm	455 mm	475 mm
Stack	587 mm	592 mm	596 mm	601 mm	615 mm

**Helmet** Bontrager Rally | **Glasses** Oakley Jawbreaker | **Jersey** Fox Indicator Jersey | **Kneepads** POC Joint VPD 2.0 Kne | **Hipbag** Bontrager Rapid Pack | **Shoes** Specialized 2FO Cliplite

The Trek Remedy 9.9 on the trail

Thanks to the reworked geometry, the riding position on the Remedy is very centred and comfortable. The rear suspension works sensitively and, together with the 2.6″ wide tires, provides enough comfort without robbing you of too much energy. Out of the gate, the Remedy is very lively and accelerates quickly. Up steep climbs, the front wheel reliably keeps on tracking the ground with little physical effort required from the rider – top! On narrow, technical climbs the bike is very easy to control and behaves predictably. We didn’t use the additional help of the climb switch on the shock and so we could hit the trail back down without much adjustment. Descending, the Remedy shines with an enormously balanced ride. The suspension is one of the most sensitive in the test field, yet it doesn’t isolate the rider from the ground too much. It offers plenty of feedback for a very active riding style. Every little root or rock that vaguely resembles a lip is an opportunity for you to pop of off. Despite their width, the Bontrager tires feel precise and offer good grip and puncture protection. Cornering, the Remedy doesn’t reveal any weaknesses, feeling very balanced. Direction changes are snappy and require little input from the rider. When the terrain becomes steeper, the Remedy feels planted, which is due, in part, to the rear remaining fully active when braking. However, at higher speeds the Trek is not quite as composed as the fastest bikes in the test field.

**Tuning tip:** if you want to ride it really hard, we recommend fitting even tougher tires

Conclusion

The Trek Remedy is the perfect bike when having fun is more important to you than going crazy fast. Its super sensitive suspension and balanced handling make it one of the best bikes in the test field. From flow-trails to bike parks to alpine trails, the Remedy can do it all – an excellent trail bike!

Tops

outstanding rear linkage
powerful climber
simply cuts a fine figure everywhere

Flops

short head tube requires many spacers

Uphill

Downhill

Stability

Agility

Value for money

More info at: trebkikes.com