This article is part of the Mtbr's Enduro Compare-O. See all the stories in this special section here--https://reviews.mtbr.com/category/enduro-compare-o-2014

One of the many things we've always liked about Trek's Remedy is the company's willingness to not just refine and repaint year-over-year, but make significant changes when the data points demand. With the convergence of riding styles that the "enduro influence" embodies, up-wheeling the venerable Rem' to 27.5-inch hoops just might make it the right springboard for traditional XC riders looking to go a little bigger.

While we've seen some companies essentially carve out existing 26ers to fit 27.5-inch wheels, Trek has taken a more deliberate path, redesigning the 140mm-travel bike from the wheel size up. The result is a characteristically fine ride, if not one that will leave you with some tough choices. More about those later, for now, let's ride.

Classy chassis, great on the ripples

The $5560 Remedy's full-carbon frame has a clean-cut toughness to it-traditional(ish) frame lines and a multitude of tubing shapes selected to maximize strength, rigidity and light weight. Underneath its race-inspired paint job is Trek's tougher, off-road-tuned version of their proprietary carbon layup, OCLV Mountain. The package creates a flex-free chassis from which its Full Floater Suspension system with an exclusive Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) FOX Float CTD shock can work its magic.



Essentially a two-stage shock, the DRCV purports to work optimally throughout the travel stroke by bringing more air volume on-line as-needed. Small impacts initiate only the highly-responsive small-volume air chamber for a supple feel on braking bumps and other high frequency irregularities. As hits get larger, a second chamber kicks in, bringing the benefits of a large-volume shock to the party.

True-to-form, we found the Remedy's small bump compliance to be excellent. It's calming influence was not only felt in the expected places-stutter sections and the like-but also on technical climbs where the subtly reactive suspension had a lively feel that helped the bike find traction. Complicit in its success here-Trek's use of bearings instead of bushings on the upper shock pivot, and yes, likely the attack-angle-improving 27.5 wheels.



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

This same low-end suppleness gave the Remedy 9.8 27.5/650b excellent traction in the corners and a predictable, aggressive cornering feel. Some of our riders felt a wider handlebar than the stock 720mm Bontrager might help get the bike leaned over easier, but that didn't take away from the "rail" feeling once you got there. Our early production bike had 720mm wide bars but current bikes are now shipping with proper 750mm wide bars

As we get to mid-stroke, the shock calls in reinforcements from the second air chamber. A noticeable plushness helps the bike handle larger square-edge hits without bogging down or losing momentum.

When things got bigger-drops, jumps and launches-the Remedy got a little bit out of its comfort zone. We didn't feel the bike was outgunned on these kind of impacts, so much as we felt the margin of error was less than on other bikes in the test. Hit a drop right and with good technique-no problem. Get a little off line or land heavy and the result from the Remedy felt more like "you just got away with one" rather than "I got your back."

That iffy feeling got us thinking about a couple other bikes in Trek's tightly-packed line. Would the 29-inch version of this bike, with the same travel and bigger wheels serve us better? Or should we move on up to their 160mm travel Slash 27.5er?



Our test ride of the Remedy's 29er brother in Sedona, Ariz. proved it capable of gobbling up copious amounts of chunkiness-perhaps more so than the 27.5 version.

We'll dive a little deeper on that in our conclusions on this bike, but first a few more incontrovertible notes, starting-err stopping- with braking performance.

Gimme a brake…and not one, but two shifters please

One of the things most of our test riders really liked about the Trek was the way its ABP Braking system kept even significant braking inputs from disrupting the suspension. Unlike other systems which tend to tighten up in this situation, the Trek's rear suspension kept doing its thing, seemingly undeterred by the braking forces.

Handled by Shimano's XT discs, braking performance was excellent with its heat-dissipating IceTech rotors providing fade-free performance even over long descents.

A full Shimano XT 2x10 drivetrain provided absolute competence throughout the test with no issues shift-after-shift. Compared to a 1x system, the Remedy's drivetrain was noisy with chain clatter, something that's even more noticeable when switching between bikes oppositely equipped.

Continue to Page 2 for more on the Trek Remedy 9.8 and full photo gallery »



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Would you like some Bontrager with that?

Trek uses its sub-brand Bontranger to outfit most everything else on the bike. Notable exceptions being the well-balanced FOX Performance Series 34 Float CTD fork, the adjustable seatpost-a RockShoxReverb Stealth-and the headset-FSA's IS2. After that it's all Bontranger, all the time-which isn't a bad thing.

Lest you dismiss the Bontrager kitting as label-slap-house-branding, let it be known that every bit of the brand's gear featured on this bike would be top-notch fare not only for OE spec but for aftermarket upgrades as well. The high-volume Bontrager XR3 tires are noticeably more grippy than their 26-inch brethren and feature a medium knob height for a good ratio of rolling resistance vs. traction.

The tires are mounted to a pair of Rhythm Comp TLR wheels, which combine to make not only one of the best tubeless systems in our test, but on the market in general. Bontrager uses a molded tubeless rim strip with integrated valves that, in conjunction with the XR3 bead/sidewall design and sealant, makes the system's ease-of-use barely more intricate than traditional tubes. Additionally, the wheels felt stiff and responsive under load-all together a great package.



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Sizing and adjustability

Our Trek Remedy 9.8 was definitely one of the smaller fitting size medium frames in our test. If you like to run a short stem and wide bars-50mm/740mm-consider the next size up, but in all cases test fit and test ride before you commit.

As far as geometry, Trek's clever Mino Link system allows you to alter the frame geometry-head tube angle, seat tube angle, and bottom bracket height-for different riding styles and trail conditions. The low setting gives you a slacker 67.5-degree head angle and 13.1-inch BB height, while the high setting results in a 68.2-degree head angle and 13.6-inch bottom bracket.

While we mostly ran the Remedy 9.8 27.5/650b in the slacker setting, the option to make it a quicker-steering steed is a plus wherever tight handing is more prevalent.

Who is this bike for?

One of our test riders likened the Remedy 9.8 to an "XC bike dipping its toe in enduro." Similarly, pro rider Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski-who chimed in on our How to buy an enduro bike sidebar story-used a Remedy as his transitional bike when he switched his racing focus from cross country to enduro. Which is a good point-of-reference-if you're a rider coming from an XC background, but looking to go bigger, the Remedy 9.8 27.5/650b is an excellent choice.

If you're torn between this and the 29er Remedy, consider your riding style-if you like to throw it around on jumps and want a little bit more maneuverability and playfulness, go with the 27.5. If you want to point-and-shoot and go fast, the 29er is likely the better choice. If you're truly an aggressor on a bike, then the Slash 27.5/650b (which we hope to review very soon) is an option to consider as well.

Bottom Line

The Trek Remedy 9.8 27.5/650b is as solid a trail bike as you'll find. Its Full Floater suspension and DRCV shock provides excellent low- to mid-stroke performance and it's equally impressive ABP Braking system keeps the bike active even when squeezing the lever hard. A solid Shimano XT parts mix, adjustable geometry and complimentary Bontrager componetry-along with a respectable price-make this bike not only a Remedy, but a contender as well.

Pros

  • Great small-to-medium bump compliance
  • Great traction and good climbing ability
  • Best of breed carbon fiber technology
  • Excellent tires, wheels and tubeless technology
  • Smart Mino adjustable geometry
  • Good suspension performance during braking

Cons

  • Can run out of suspension on bigger hits
  • DRCV shock is proprietary-not many aftermarket options
  • Dear Trek, please call it 27.5 or 650b, not both



2014 Trek Remedy 9.8 27.5/650b Key Specs

  • MRSP: $5560
  • Weight: 27.82 pounds (size medium, without pedals)
  • Wheel size: 27.5 inches
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
  • Color: Carbon grey with red/white accents
  • Frame Material: Full carbon
  • Fork: FOX Performance Series 34 Float CTD, 140mm
  • Rear Travel: 140mm
  • Rear Shock: Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) FOX Float CTD
  • Headset: FSA IS2
  • Handlebar: Bontrager Race X-Lite
  • Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Pro 70mm
  • Grips: Bontrager Rhythm, dual lock-on
  • Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
  • Brakes: Shimano XT, 180mm front/160mm rear, IceTech rotors
  • Brake Levers: Shimano XT
  • Shifters: Shimano XT
  • Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
  • Cassette: Shimano XT 11-36
  • Crankset: Shimano XT 2x, 38/24
  • Rims: Bontrager Rhythm Comp Tubeless Ready
  • Hubs: Bontrager Rhythm Comp
  • Spokes: NA
  • Tires: Bontrager XR3 Team Issue Tubeless Ready, 27.5 x 2.35-inches
  • Bottom bracket type: Shimano
  • ISCG Tabs: ISCG-05
  • Chainguide: -
  • Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 3, titanium rails
  • Head tube angle: 67.5/68.2 degrees
  • Seat tube angle: 73/73.7 degrees (effective)
  • Chainstay length: 16.95 inches
  • Bottom bracket height: 13.1/13.6 inches
For more information visit https://www.trekbikes.com.

This story is part of Mtbr's 2014 Enduro Compare-O. Check out our intro story here for all the ground rules and goings ons.