29er wheels on a proven 140 mm travel chassis with DRCV and Full-Floater design is a big deal.
Remedy 9 on Highline Trail
Trek's Remedy 29 is a very capable descender with big wheels and 140mm of rear-wheel travel. But is it an agile handler and able climber as well?
Riding the Remedy 29 in the rocky terrain of Sedona, Arizona, the bike felt right at home. The bike was a bit of a cheater bike as it allowed the rider to be less selective with line selection and weight transfer while going through technical terrain. The Remedy tackled all obstacles with ease as the big wheels, 140mm of travel, DRCV dual chamber shock and full floater design worked in concert to deliver suspension that was uneventful. It did its job and did it well.
Remedy 9 Turning
The great surprise is handling and quickness of the bike could be described as agile as well. The bike was easy to maneuver and throw around the trail. It was a delight to follow one of the journalists from the UK, as he swung the rear tire around the tightest corners and jumped and whipped the tail in the air at every opportunity.
On climbs, the bike was ok with impressive traction. Wheels and tires were decent in terms of weight, but it would be interesting to try this bike with a 1500 gram carbon wheelset and perhaps a lighter tire in the rear, like the Bontrager 29-3.
Remedy 9 Rear Side View
There are three Remedy models and they all use the same 6.2-pound frame, made with Trek's top-end aluminum-alloy tubes. This frame is available with a broad size range from a 15.5-inch frame all the way to a 23-inch model. A carbon version of the frame is not available at this time but we have little doubt that a carbon Remedy 29 will follow later this year.
Trek utilizes reversible shock mounting chips at the top of the seatstays to allow a rider to adjust the Remedy 29's geometry. In the high position, the bottom bracket sits 14.1-inches off the ground, with a 68.2-degree head angle and 443mm chainstays. In the low position, the bike has a 13.7-inch bottom bracket height, 67.5-degree headtube angle and 445mm stays. This flexibility allows the rider to optimize for higher and steeper geometry, perhaps for the east coast tight and rocky terrain. But we personally see no reason to divert from the low chip setting putting it at 13.7 inch BB height and 67.5 headtube angle.
Trek, as on many of its 29ers, the Remedy uses a 51mm offset instead of the standard 47mm. This decreases trail-the horizontal distance between the steering axis and the center of the tire's contact patch-which can make the bike handle quicker, though with less stability at higher speeds. It's the same effect as making the head angle steeper, but the rider's weight is more centered and more stable.
Remedy 9 on Steep Rock
Continue reading for more information on the Remedy 29er and full photo gallery.
The Tires - Bontrager XR-3 and XR-4
There is a massive battle going on right now with All Mountain bikes with victory heavily influenced by component selection. For mountain bikes of this caliber, one of the key weapons is the tires. Many years ago, Bontrager was in a bit of a disadvantage as their tires were not on par with their new bikes such as the Remedy and the Fuel. But they realized their weakness and they remedied this situation by seeking the expertise of tire designer Frank Stacy.
For the Remedy, the tires chosen are the new XR-3 or 29-3 which have short, open knobs with a cuts or siping. The XR-3 seems like the perfect blend of grip and speed for the Sedona terrain. Transition knobs are well placed too for consistent and dependable cornering.
Bontrager XR-3
Back home, we've tried the XR-4 tire which features bigger, deeper knobs. If we were ever in looser, more slippery terrain, we would not hesitate to put the XR-4 on the front or front and back. We feel that these new Bontrager tires are a true advantage for the Trek Remedy 29.
The tires have excellent grip and decent rolling resistance. We mounted them tubeless with no fuss and the tires still have good tread after 6 months of use.
As usual, the Remedy 29 uses Trek's proprietary DRCV shocks. Built by Fox, the DRCV is supple for small bumps but it stays linear on bigger hit as another air chamber is utilized halfway through the travel.
The Remedy comes in three packages.
The Remedy 9 - $4,730; claimed weight, 29.6 pounds
Fox Factory Float 34 adjustable CTD fork, Fox Performance Float CTD DRCV shock,Shimano XT 2x10 drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Rhythm Elite tubeless-ready wheels with 12x142 rear thru-axle, and a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post.
The Remedy 8 - $3,560; claimed weight, 30.5 pounds
Fox Evolution Float 34 CTD fork, Fox Evolution Float CTD DRCV shock, Shimano SLX-level 3x10 drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Duster tubeless-ready wheels, 12x142 rear thru-axle, and a Bontrager Rhythm rigid post.
The Remedy 7 - $2,863; claimed weight, 30.2 pounds
RockShox Revelation RL fork, Fox Evolution Float CTD DRCV shock, Shimano Deore-level 3x10 drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Duster tubeless-ready rims wheels, and Bontrager Rhythm rigid post. This model does not have a 12x142 thru-axle rear end, but it cay be converted.
The Future
We cannot wait until the Remedy comes out with a carbon fiber frame, 1x11 drivetrain and the stunning new Bontrager Rhythm Elite Trail wheels, weighing at 1800 grams. At this point, we predict that the Remedy will be available in the Project One program where the buyer can select from hundreds of options.
Model tested: Trek Remedy 9
Price: $4,729.99
Weight: 29.76lb, 17.5-inch size, no pedals
Complete Bicycle Specifications
Remedy 9 on Highline Trail
Trek's Remedy 29 is a very capable descender with big wheels and 140mm of rear-wheel travel. But is it an agile handler and able climber as well?
Riding the Remedy 29 in the rocky terrain of Sedona, Arizona, the bike felt right at home. The bike was a bit of a cheater bike as it allowed the rider to be less selective with line selection and weight transfer while going through technical terrain. The Remedy tackled all obstacles with ease as the big wheels, 140mm of travel, DRCV dual chamber shock and full floater design worked in concert to deliver suspension that was uneventful. It did its job and did it well.
Remedy 9 Turning
The great surprise is handling and quickness of the bike could be described as agile as well. The bike was easy to maneuver and throw around the trail. It was a delight to follow one of the journalists from the UK, as he swung the rear tire around the tightest corners and jumped and whipped the tail in the air at every opportunity.
On climbs, the bike was ok with impressive traction. Wheels and tires were decent in terms of weight, but it would be interesting to try this bike with a 1500 gram carbon wheelset and perhaps a lighter tire in the rear, like the Bontrager 29-3.
Remedy 9 Rear Side View
There are three Remedy models and they all use the same 6.2-pound frame, made with Trek's top-end aluminum-alloy tubes. This frame is available with a broad size range from a 15.5-inch frame all the way to a 23-inch model. A carbon version of the frame is not available at this time but we have little doubt that a carbon Remedy 29 will follow later this year.
Trek utilizes reversible shock mounting chips at the top of the seatstays to allow a rider to adjust the Remedy 29's geometry. In the high position, the bottom bracket sits 14.1-inches off the ground, with a 68.2-degree head angle and 443mm chainstays. In the low position, the bike has a 13.7-inch bottom bracket height, 67.5-degree headtube angle and 445mm stays. This flexibility allows the rider to optimize for higher and steeper geometry, perhaps for the east coast tight and rocky terrain. But we personally see no reason to divert from the low chip setting putting it at 13.7 inch BB height and 67.5 headtube angle.
Trek, as on many of its 29ers, the Remedy uses a 51mm offset instead of the standard 47mm. This decreases trail-the horizontal distance between the steering axis and the center of the tire's contact patch-which can make the bike handle quicker, though with less stability at higher speeds. It's the same effect as making the head angle steeper, but the rider's weight is more centered and more stable.
Remedy 9 on Steep Rock
Continue reading for more information on the Remedy 29er and full photo gallery.
The Tires - Bontrager XR-3 and XR-4
There is a massive battle going on right now with All Mountain bikes with victory heavily influenced by component selection. For mountain bikes of this caliber, one of the key weapons is the tires. Many years ago, Bontrager was in a bit of a disadvantage as their tires were not on par with their new bikes such as the Remedy and the Fuel. But they realized their weakness and they remedied this situation by seeking the expertise of tire designer Frank Stacy.
For the Remedy, the tires chosen are the new XR-3 or 29-3 which have short, open knobs with a cuts or siping. The XR-3 seems like the perfect blend of grip and speed for the Sedona terrain. Transition knobs are well placed too for consistent and dependable cornering.
Bontrager XR-3
Back home, we've tried the XR-4 tire which features bigger, deeper knobs. If we were ever in looser, more slippery terrain, we would not hesitate to put the XR-4 on the front or front and back. We feel that these new Bontrager tires are a true advantage for the Trek Remedy 29.
The tires have excellent grip and decent rolling resistance. We mounted them tubeless with no fuss and the tires still have good tread after 6 months of use.
As usual, the Remedy 29 uses Trek's proprietary DRCV shocks. Built by Fox, the DRCV is supple for small bumps but it stays linear on bigger hit as another air chamber is utilized halfway through the travel.
The Remedy comes in three packages.
The Remedy 9 - $4,730; claimed weight, 29.6 pounds
Fox Factory Float 34 adjustable CTD fork, Fox Performance Float CTD DRCV shock,Shimano XT 2x10 drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Rhythm Elite tubeless-ready wheels with 12x142 rear thru-axle, and a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post.
The Remedy 8 - $3,560; claimed weight, 30.5 pounds
Fox Evolution Float 34 CTD fork, Fox Evolution Float CTD DRCV shock, Shimano SLX-level 3x10 drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Duster tubeless-ready wheels, 12x142 rear thru-axle, and a Bontrager Rhythm rigid post.
The Remedy 7 - $2,863; claimed weight, 30.2 pounds
RockShox Revelation RL fork, Fox Evolution Float CTD DRCV shock, Shimano Deore-level 3x10 drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Duster tubeless-ready rims wheels, and Bontrager Rhythm rigid post. This model does not have a 12x142 thru-axle rear end, but it cay be converted.
The Future
We cannot wait until the Remedy comes out with a carbon fiber frame, 1x11 drivetrain and the stunning new Bontrager Rhythm Elite Trail wheels, weighing at 1800 grams. At this point, we predict that the Remedy will be available in the Project One program where the buyer can select from hundreds of options.
Model tested: Trek Remedy 9
Price: $4,729.99
Weight: 29.76lb, 17.5-inch size, no pedals
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