TestThe Trek Remedy 29 shines with a smooth ride

Stefan Frey

 · 12.04.2015

Test: The Trek Remedy 29 shines with a smooth ridePhoto: Robert Niedring
Test: The Trek Remedy 29 shines with a smooth ride
A lot helps a lot, thought tester Frey, until the first hairpin bends showed the potent Trek Remedy its limits. The smooth ride on fast descents could even compete with enduro bikes.

Endurance test performance: 3,120 kilometres / 48,000 vertical metres

In my search for the right endurance test bike, I was immediately drawn to the completely redesigned Remedy. 29-inch wheels, 140 millimetres of suspension travel and a slack head angle: the relaunched classic promised to be a bike for all occasions. The 21-inch test bike rolled into the editorial office with ample dimensions. A little bulky, but after a few introductory laps I got to grips with the dimensions of the Remedy surprisingly well. The riding position was perfect with the shorter stem. Of course, the long wheelbase always demanded a little more effort in tight bends. But as soon as I got the almost 14 kilos up to speed, there was no stopping me.

The 29er Fully with its 140 millimetres of travel showed its true talent on fast descents. Lured by the downhill talents, I even let myself be tempted to visit a bike park - and was not disappointed. The Remedy swallowed up entire root carpets with astonishing ease. The Fox fork worked sensitively and always offered sufficient reserves. The special DRCV damper smoothed out even the smallest bumps, but often brought a little unrest to the rear end during the weight-related leisurely climb to the summit. I would also have liked a little more progression at the rear.

  Mino Link: The geometry of the Trek Remedy can be adjusted slightly flatter or steeper using a small flip chip. I opted for the flatter version.Photo: Robert Niedring Mino Link: The geometry of the Trek Remedy can be adjusted slightly flatter or steeper using a small flip chip. I opted for the flatter version.

The complete XT equipment, on the other hand, completely convinced me. Even with minimal maintenance, the chain climbed nimbly from sprocket to sprocket right to the end. As expected, the XT brakes were beyond reproach. I was actually only disappointed by the bearings: loud cracking after just over 1000 kilometres, which shouldn't really be the case in this price range.

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Conclusion on the test of the Trek Remedy 9 29:

With almost endless smoothness and enormous travel reserves, the Remedy can compete with even seasoned enduro bikes. Tight bends and sprint finishes are not its territory, at least in the test size.


Functionality ****
Shelf life ****
(max. 6 stars)

TUNING


- 50 km - saddle swapped: Soft Evoke 2 original saddle swapped for Bontrager RXL Carbon
- 120 km - stem/tyres: 80 mm stem swapped for 50 mm version and Bontrager XR3 Team Issue swapped for SE4 Team Issue

  Bearing play: The bearings on the rear triangle of the Trek Remedy 9 were a noisy weak point and no longer ran smoothly after a good 1000 kilometres.    Photo: Robert Niedring Bearing play: The bearings on the rear triangle of the Trek Remedy 9 were a noisy weak point and no longer ran smoothly after a good 1000 kilometres.

DEFECTS


- 1150 km - rear end cracks: Completely disassembled, cleaned and relubricated; some bearings running with difficulty with significantly increased friction
- 1700 km - Reverb defective: Sent in for service; YEP Components Uptimiser fitted
- 1800 km - Inner bearing: Cracking in the crank area; press-fit bottom bracket replaced

  Rider: Stefan Frey; BIKE test editor. Rides bikes since 1998; weight/height 81 kg/1.88 m; rider type All Mountain/Enduro; favourite area Val Gardena/South TyrolPhoto: Robert Niedring Rider: Stefan Frey; BIKE test editor. Rides bikes since 1998; weight/height 81 kg/1.88 m; rider type All Mountain/Enduro; favourite area Val Gardena/South Tyrol


You can read this article or the entire BIKE 2/2015 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:

Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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