Submitted by
Kiwi MTB
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: November 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Rotorua MTB park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5900.00
Purchased At:
Bike Hutt
Strengths:
The bike is stable, tracks and brakes well on the fast down hill, climbs well and the bike has good balance for the techincal rides. The front and rear suspension is awesome and soaks up rough stuff.
Weaknesses:
None worth mentioning.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing like may old NRS1
Bike Setup:
Stock Standard.
Bottom Line:
This bike is outstanding and fun to ride, it is worth every cent.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
juice
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: October 8, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great geometry! The rear end is laterally really, really stiff, and the suspension feels great. Lifetime frame warranty, and five year wheelset warranty are unbeleivable.
Weaknesses:
The seat feels like a 2x4, stock tires aren't as aggressive as the frame warrants. I prefer SRAM shifters/rear D, but that's just personal preference.
Nevegals, short stem, WTB saddle, and SRAM shifting.
Bottom Line:
What a great bike! I was debating a few bikes, but the Remedy had the right combination of geometry, suspension and a killer warranty. It just feels good, and I'll use it from pretty much everything from xc epics to pedally freeride stuff.
Other bikes I was considering included the Reign X, Enduro, and Rocky Slayer SXC. There's really a lot of good bikes out there these days. The Remedy just fit my needs best with slack geometry, but still light and nimble on the climbs. Uninterrupted seat tube was a huge selling point, plus that killer warranty!
One of the things I'm most impressed with are the wheels. They're light enough, standard 3X lacing, tubeless ready, and wide enough for heavy duty use. Most all other tubeless rims are either too narrow or too heavy (ahem, Mavic). These are just right.
The only complaints are minor. I pretty much only run Nevegals for my trail bikes, I prefer squishy saddles, and I like short stems. I'm also switching to SRAM so that all my bikes have the same shifting system - going back and forth is confusing for me.
Trek really has roared back into the mountain bike scene with these bikes. They obviously put a lot of design time into the Remedy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
leroux
a Racer
from Canada Date Reviewed: March 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Paquetville
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Nepisiguit River Com
Strengths:
Design and technology that worth paying the extra (ABP, E2, Full Floater);
ActiveBrakingPivot: no more brakes skid,
E2: with 20mm axle for a lot of stifness,
Full Floater: BOTTOMLESS FELLING (merveilleux !!)
The shocks have a lot of adjustments that are easy to use.
The oversize can on the Fox is nice little bonus.
The Bontrager rims are still straight, who knew ! Peoples who ride those rims doesn't tell enough how they are wonderfull.
The XT group seems more durable and dirt-resistance than the SRAM on the R9.
Weaknesses:
The saddle for sure. Probably missing a fews carbon parts just to make it a bit lighter after what the bike cost (early Remedy had carbon parts). Maxxis tires. The non-waterproofness of the pivot points.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Remedy 6
Bike Setup:
Stock but with 11-34t cassette, CrankBro Pedals, Kenda Nevegal, ODI grips and WTB saddle.
Bottom Line:
Bottom-less felling at its best, never flet likes it bottom out yet. This bike will make you a better rider !! It run over almost anything. This bike kicks butts in XC trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt007
a Weekend Warrior
from Derby, UK Date Reviewed: January 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Spooky Woods, Glentress
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Strengths:
Stable due to good geometry, mostly decent kit as stock, the XT servo wave discs are great, E2 headtube does seem to make the front end stiffer hitting the rough stuff hard. The rear sus feels great always seems keep the back end planted.
Weaknesses:
Lyrik 2 steps were no good, good feature having the adjust but the travel crept down to 130mm and stuck there!, stock stem and saddle were rubbish, i found the XT mech and shifter comb would skip around a bit so i changed to the trusty x0
Similar Products Used:
'05 enduro s-works, santa cruz nomad, Trek fuel ex9
Bike Setup:
Stock with following changes - Maxxis minnion 2.35's, 36t middle ring and raceface atles shifting guide, forks converted to coil u-turn (way way plusher), tompson x4 70mm stem, tompson post and SDG saddle, switched to x0 medium cage mech and shifters
Bottom Line:
Im an ex DH racer and weigh in at 210lb, i mainly ride AM type trails now but i like to pin it on the DH's and generally use this bike for everything. I love it so far, i expected to have to make some mods as there will always be things you want to change on a stock bike, the way i have it set up now im really enjoying it, it taken on everything ive done on it so far. One thing i wouldnt mind would be to lighten it up a bit, mine weights 32.6lb now....... I cant fault it though, great bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Schultz
a Weekend Warrior
from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: November 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
anything tecnical
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
From a bike mechanic
Strengths:
The 18.5" size is a nice addition. At 5'10" Ive always been between sizes, now the 18.5" fits like a glove
Light weight, 08 Shimano xt kit rocks! Lyrik fork bomp proof.
Weaknesses:
Stock, the rear cassette is not good enough, upgrade it before you take delivery! I upgraded to the Shimano xt version.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Slayer 50, Trek EX 9
Bike Setup:
Stock with Lyrik fork, Full XT kit, only upgraded the rear cassette to Shimano XT
Bottom Line:
Trek really did their home work on this one. The perks to the 08 EX/Remedy lineup (Full floater suspension, ABP, Evo link)really work well. I came off an 07 trek ex 9, and the ride difference is unbelievable. Truthfully an 08 EX 8 or 9 would have been more than enough bike for my riding style (small drops, techy terrain), but I test rode an EX9 and a Remedy back to back and the remedy pedeled just as well as the ex. The extra few pound weight for the remedy was a moot point. I weigh in at 190 pounds so the extra girth with the remedy was worth the extra cost. Just to note, I chose the remedy 8 over the 9 because I wanted travel adjustment in the fork. The remedy 9 doesnt have this, but I believe in 09 the remedy 9 will have a travel adjust fork.. So far, I love my bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
drunkenmonkey
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, UK Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere in the Lake District
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4400.00
Purchased At:
Wheelbase
Strengths:
Great all round package for those who want more capability than most enduro/all mountain bikes can offer. Lyrics have been excellent although I understand this is something of a rareity. Their adjustability is excellent and can go from full lockout to plush 160mm at the twist of a dial. The RP23 is great and the propedal a real bonus. Most of the key components are spot on and whilst weight weanies may have something to say about 30-32lb weigh in it is a hugely competent bike.
Weaknesses:
There are unfortunatly a few for such a great bike;
1. Tyres, very thin side walls for this type of bike.
2. The cable routing around the seat tube is poor, leads to endless cable rub and I have even had a trapped disc hose between the frame and rocker arm.
3. The handle bars are too wide - easily fixed.
4. Personal one this, the XT shifters are crisp but the black release lever is too long and gets in the way of the grip - fixed with a hacksaw and file!
5. The saddle is b****y awful and went in the spares box after one ride - replaced with previous.
6. Stem - a two bolt XC stem on an All Mountain bike?
Similar Products Used:
Not so similar but Stumpjumper FSR expert
Bike Setup:
Currently as stock except 36t front chain ring and e-thirteen bashguard.
Bottom Line:
I am extremely pleased with this bike, it is rougher, tougher and more capable than the very impressive Stumpy.
There are some short comings with the package made all the more frustrating by the basic elements being covered so well. The components are often at odds to the end use but these are all fixable with a rummage in your wallet.
I predominantly ride long cx with lots of technical rock descents. This bike rides up-hill beautifully either locked out or fully active. Point it down hill and it really comes into its own. It will soak up most descents with real poise and balance. What it does really well is give you the opportunity to push your limits a little bit more whilst still having something of a safety net. I know the 160mm front suspension has soaked up what should have been an ejector seat moment on more than one occasion.
Buy this bike if you're tough on your bike, want to ride rough technical stuff and have aspirations of geting in the bike park occasionally.
Don't buy this bike if you're a weight weanie, ride more cross-country or pick the easy line down the hill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
amrgb
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh Date Reviewed: August 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Trek of Pittsburgh
Strengths:
What stands out as its main strength (and selling point), is the frame. The new technologies introduced in this model are, for the most part, really effective. It's not just marketing hype.
I have no experience with other AM or full suspension bikes. But if I had to define the frame's behavior, the word would be balanced. This bike has the ability to do everything you can throw at it very well, and put a smile in your face in the process. Climbing, downhilling, jumping, technical terrain, tight single tracks, switchbacks. You name it, it'll ride it.
I also have to mention the wheels. I landed a jump while steering the wheel (noob) and went over the bars. WQhen the dust settled I was expecting to see an untrue wheel. Nope, nothing, as true as before. For me that's the proof that, at least the rims, are a keeper.
Weaknesses:
In the frame I can see only one weakness: the E2 steerer tube (I'll explain later)
The component selection is sometimes questionable. There is a lot of XC parts in this AM bike. The saddle is horrid, the bars are a little on the narrow side (I got the Bonty Race ones), the stem (Race Lite) should be on a XC bike, the grips are kind of weak. Also, a double chainring with bashguard and medium cage rear derailleur would make more sense on this bike.
The fork is another weak point. It is awesome... when it works, which is not often. I'm on my third Lyric in 5 weeks of ownership, 3 of them without riding because of it. The unreliability of this fork spoils a great bike.
Another thing I dislike is how the specs are all over the place. Some people get Bontrager tires, other Kenda Nevegals (my case), other Maxxis. The handlebars are also either wider King Earls or narrower Races. You'll never know what you'll get until you see it.
Similar Products Used:
None. It was a jump of faith.
Bike Setup:
Changes from stock:
- Medium cage X0 rear derailleur, X9 shifters
- 11-32T PG990 cassette
- 24T and 36T RaceFace rings, and RaceFace bashguard
- RaceFace Atlas AM 70mm stem
- Oury Grips
- WTB Rocket V SLT saddle
Bottom Line:
I'll start by explaining why I think E2 is a bad move by Trek. I don't think the benefits of a thicker lower section of the steerer tube are that evident to compensate for the limited availability of other forks and, most of all, the virtually zero resale value of the fork that comes with the bike. This wouldn't be a problem, if the stock fork were reliable, since its performance (when working) is very nice.
This leads to the fork issue. The first one lost 20mm of travel in the first ride. I deflated the fork, inflated to 150psi and then put it back at 95 I was using, and I got about 15mm of those 20mm back. The bushings were loose from day one. And, to top it of, in my second week of riding (150 miles), all the damper oil came out through the knobs. 2 weeks of downtime followed and the new fork came back with new lowers (to solve the bushings problem). Except that now the bushings were even looser. Didn't even ride the bike. SRAM sent me a loaner fork (Lyric Solo Air) which arrived 2 days later. The fork looked new. At first the bushings were good, but after a 25 mile ride I can already feel some play in the bushings (less than on the other ones though).
Unfortunately all the problems reported with the Lyric on the forums seem to persist and are more than a one-off problem. The problem is compounded by the E2 steerer tube. Your options are limited to Lyrics (all have similar problems) and Fox 36's. The biggest problem is that if you quit on the Lyric, you can't sell it, since there is no demand for them without warranty and these problems, and most of all, because of the odd steerer tube.
The specs are a bit on the grey zone. Some AM oriented, some XC oriented. I think that this is driven by two things. First Trek wants to stick with Bontrager parts, and they don't have AM parts. It's either XC or DH. The second is weight concerns. The end result is an inconsistent mix of AM and XC parts which leaves the bike with no clear personality. You have to throw some money to do what Trek couldn't, which is to position the Remedy with the two wheels on the AM camp (even light freeride).
Back to a positive tone, this bike is real fun. I've been riding for the past year on a city park with some nice technical trails with a XC bike. On the most challenging places, I had to choose the easy line, and some trails I couldn't simply do with a XC bike. Now, I've cleared everything at the first attempt with the Remedy. It's not such a big deal that one can clear gnarly section with a AM bike when one couldn't with a XC bike. What is impressive is that I cleared all that stuff at the first attempt in the first day of riding a new bike with a completely different geometry and riding position to what I was used to. That tells how confidence inspiring it is.
All in all, I'm pleased with the bike. But the fork has spoiled the party. I hope this issue gets solved (SRAM has been helpful, but unable to solve it). If you don't want to risk facing the same problems as I, go for the Remedy 9 with the Fox fork. They are not without their faults, but Fox's problems seem to be one-off and not persistent like the Lyric's ones.
Value rating: 5, since I got an awesome deal on it.
Overall rating: 4. It would be 5 if not for the fork and the XC'ish spec.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
carlm6298
a Cross Country Rider
from manchester nh Date Reviewed: August 5, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Purchased At:
rhino bikes nh
Strengths:
rear suspension design, front fork, weight, stability, the bike is a 10+++++ everything thing else is a personal preference
Weaknesses:
rear cassette, tires, again personal preference
Similar Products Used:
rocky mountain slayer, specialized enduro, epic
Bike Setup:
stock except for a gravity dropper, mavic sx wheels
Bottom Line:
this bike is a 10++++++++ it is so GOOD!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lisa Bedker-Madsen
a Cross Country Rider
from SQUIRREL.BAIT@VERIZON.NET Date Reviewed: July 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Mackenzie River Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Centers, Eve
Strengths:
The Remedy 8 feels very sturdy and smooth. I love the seat post, I have always done Thompson, but the adjustment and seat removal is way better on this seat post. I also like the quick release on the seat, it has a little knob you can turn to adjust tightness without getting an allen out. I am really enjoying the Lyric fork and the pro-pedal works efficiently.
Weaknesses:
I don't particularly like the Bontrager tires, and I switched out the XT components for SRAM XO. I am 5'7" and the small was way too compact so I bought a medium. (felt like I was way too forward on the small) The medium is a really big medium. It would be nice if Trek added one more size to it's lineup, as I am sure lots of us fall into the "tweener" size of a bike. Since it feels a little big and so different than my '06 Stumpjumper FSR PRO I am having a little trouble getting used to it, but I love the bike. It is so cool :)
Similar Products Used:
Tried an '08 Enduro and a Giant Trance.
Bike Setup:
All stock except I switched to SRAM XO, it is easier on my hands.
Bottom Line:
This is a very cool bike. It gets people's attention and you feel like you are sitting in a Barcalounger :) Mine weighs in (medium) at 30.5, it could use a little weight drop, but that just adds to the price. Trek is an excellent value for those of us that aren't too cool to ride a mass produced bike.
Get out there and ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
c25porter
a Weekend Warrior
from Issaquah, WA, USA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Catwalk (ashland)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3600.00
Purchased At:
GP Oregon
Strengths:
Great suspension balance and design. Most of the stock parts, overall great package
Weaknesses:
rear cassete, RIMS
Similar Products Used:
KHS AM2000, GT Ruckus, Giant Reign X1
Bike Setup:
Stock except XT rear cassete, Azonic outlaw wheels, Time Z pedals, Cut 1.5" off seat post.
Bottom Line:
It was between this bike and the Reign X0. This one one out for suspension design and front fork. On the rear shock the suspension travel marker (o-ring) is almost always at the bottom, but I have yet to bottom out. Great climber on XC rides. Out of the box weight was 31 pounds no pedals. Now it is 33 with Azonics and pedals. After two rides, I fell off a skinny and that was the end of the rear rim, so i went back to an old set of Outlaws. I don't have buyers remorse, but I am dissapointed in the rims and the rear cassete.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris2407
a Weekend Warrior
from Gloucestershire, UK Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Cwmcarn & Forest of Dean
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3960.00
Strengths:
Climbs really well and more importantly descends brilliantly!
Stock the bike in XL size weighs approx 14.3kg (31.5 pounds). The 2-step travel adjust fork is a big bonus compared to the Fox Float that comes with the Remedy 9.
Its great that they have upgraded the bar to a wide King Earl the early pre production reviews said the original was way too narrow and as I am 6ft 4" I was thinking I would have to upgrade it myself.
Weaknesses:
Tyres it came with were Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 in really thin casing which gave no confidence particularily on the front.
Does not come with rim strip or valve for tubeless which I think is a bit of penny pinching considering the price.
34 tooth cassette on the rear would be better but no big deal.
The RP23 shock's rebound adjust did not work from the offset and had to be fixed under warranty.
Similar Products Used:
Marin Wolf Ridge
Bike Setup:
As stock except gone tubeless with Maxxis High Roller on the front and Continental Mountain King on the rear.
Bottom Line:
What a great bike! Its very plush, light and very adjustable. It looks great and is likely to be quite unusual as stock appears to be quite limited.
The Lyrik is a fantastic fork one of the first I have seen that enables you to realisticaly use all the travel. All the XT stuff works well (the brakes are better than I expected).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Twitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Redding, CA, USA Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Chimney (Whiskeytown)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3850.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Shop, Redding, CA
Strengths:
Everything! This bike climbs like a scalded cat, goes over anything you point it at, and is just all-around great! The suspension system is better than anything else I've tried. Definitely a step up from my old Liquid. Trek's warranty can't be beat, either.
Weaknesses:
I'm not fond of the saddle so far, but will give it time. I'd like to go with a 34 tooth cassette, instead of the 32, but not a big deal.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Liquid, (both prior models)
Bike Setup:
Stock, just like on the Trek website so far.
Bottom Line:
At 31.5 pounds (large)this bike is amazing. I'm riding stuff that would have bounced me off my Liquid, going uphill better than before, and as for the downhill, well, can you say plush? I always liked my Liquid(s), but I wouldn't describe them as plush. Now I know what they say in the mags about that "bottomless feeling". I love the fork, love the shock, and love everything about the bike. Trek is an awesome company to deal with, and the folks at The Bike Shop in Redding are my heroes! This is a bike for people who ride more than dirt roads, trails with some gradient and some technical challenges.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfield, nj Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
top of the sky
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
cyclecraft
Strengths:
Fork, I am a big fox shock guy and was hesitant with the rock shock fork the bike came with but the fork is really awesome. 160mm of travel, the 2 step adjustment is handy for climbing and cornering. The bike is under 30 pounds which is great for an all mountain bike. The bike gives a very plush ride over technical terrain.
Weaknesses:
I don't know if this is more of a preferance than a weekness but the seat is going, it is not comfortable. The rear cassette is 11-32, which is getting changed to a 36. I am not crazy about the tires which are kenda Nevegal, but like I said these are all personal preferences.
Bike Setup:
XT shifters, XT Cassette(which I changed out), XT shadow rear derailur, Xt Front derailur. Rock Shock Lyric 2-step fork, Fox RP23 xv rear shock, Shram chain, Time ATAC carbon titanium pedals.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike, it's plush, light and durable. The fork and rear shock have more adjustments than I need. I am still getting used to the bike, I only had it 2 weeks so far and it has a different ride than my Kona. It climbs as good as my other bike. No complaints. If you like heavy hitting cross country, consider this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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