The "Remedy" model first saw the light of day in 2006. A lot has happened since then and even though the design language has remained the same, the latest Remedy models are visually fresh and appealing. Our test model, the 9.8, is no exception. This comes in a stylish "Matte Dnister Black/Waterloo Blue" - simply put, in anthracite matt and blue. The OCLV carbon frame has a knock-block steering stop, internally routed shift cables and cables as well as the Mino Link to slightly change the geometry.
Trek relies on suspension elements from Rock Shox for its enduro bike: a Pike "RC Solo Air" suspension fork with Charger damping at the front and a Deluxe RT3 shock with the company's own RE:aktiv system and three platform settings at the rear. For the suspension system, Trek also sticks to its tried-and-tested Full Floater (floating shock mount) and ABP technology for active suspension even when braking.

We are pleasantly surprised that Trek have opted for a 2x11 drivetrain from Shimano on the Remedy 9.8. From our own experience and surveys, shifting systems with two chainrings are still very popular on touring bikes. In addition to the XT drivetrain, the brakes also come from the same drawer and are both proven and popular.
The rest of the equipment is no surprise. The in-house Bontrager components are also used on the Remedy. The wheels are the robust "Line Comp 30" in 27.5 inch with Boost110 and Boost148 hub widths and even the XR4 Team Issue tires come from Bontrager.
The handlebars and stem from the Line Pro range are nothing new, but the Drop Line seatpost with 125 millimetre travel is.

An enduro and touring bike

The Remedy 9.8 is a grateful bike. Once the personal settings have been made, it feels familiar after just a few minutes on the first test ride. Despite the fact that Trek places this bike in the enduro segment, the riding position is rather sporty. This makes it comfortable on longer climbs and ensures good power transfer. This can be further increased by turning the Mino Link. The steering and seat angle only rise by half a degree, but it makes a noticeable difference. In combination with the 2x11 XT drivetrain from Shimano - which still offers its advantages over 1x11 systems - the Remedy becomes an almost perfect touring bike.
It masters trail climbs with technical finesse perfectly. As long as you have power, it supports you with its agility and strong propulsion. The suspension is also crucial. Very little muscle fat is lost in the activity of the rear triangle. The same applies when pedaling on the road: there is a slight bobbing, but it is not disturbing. Switching on the pedal mode on the Rock Shox shock completely quiets the system.

Relaxingly fast suspension

The suspension responds very sensitively to fast and small bumps. The Deluxe RT3 shock also does a good job on fast, rough bumps. Above all, it recovers very quickly when the 150 millimetres of travel are fully used, which means that Trek's in-house Re:Aktiv system inside the shock actually works.
To make the most of the travel, we gave the RockShox Deluxe shock 25 percent negative travel - the Pike RC fork just under 30 percent.
Downhill, the Remedy 9.8 shows its strengths on winding terrain where nimble handling is required. The bike is also a hell of a lot of fun when changing direction quickly or playing around. At higher speeds, the Remedy provides a secure riding experience. Great for an all-mountain bike, the Remedy should be even smoother as an enduro bike - even with the geometry lowered.

Conclusion: Even if the enduro characteristics of the Trek Remedy 9.8 are a little more pronounced, it's the perfect choice for demanding tours and it's not too bad for a trip to the bike park. The bike also impresses with a rock-solid and sensible spec for the touring season.

Specifications

Manufacturer: www.trekbikes.com

Test report published in issue 01/2017 of Ride Magazine