Trek’s Remedy has been around for a few years and for 2011 the carbon range expanded to three models, with the Remedy 9.7 introduced to offer a more affordable step onto the carbon platform.
The 9.7 is a £700 leap up from the aluminium Remedy 9, and most of that is nearly in the frame. But what a frame. It’s identical to the one on the £6500 9.9 that sits right at the top of the ladder, all-singing all-dancing with its SRAM XX and carbon accessories. That’s a serious amount of money, so we reckon the 9.7, which comes in at £4000, is the bike most people will be interested in actually buying.
The all-mountain trail bike market is a hotly contested one with some big heavyweights vying for your hard-earned cash, and the Trek Remedy is one that regularly features in shortlists of potential purchases.
It’s got a chunky, masculine frame with aggressive lines; it looks tough and ready to smash some rocks on a technical trail, just sat beside the Bikemagic desk. To ensure it’s up to the job, Trek uses OCLV Mountain, a tougher grade of carbon fibre, to better withstand the knocks and bashes that come from the aggressive riding the Remedy encourages. The downtube get extra protection by way of a polymer shield to prevent damage from rock strikes.
Controlling the 150mm of rear suspension is a proprietary Fox Float DRVC RP2 “trail tuned” shock. DRVC (Dual Rate Control Valve ) uses two air chambers allowing the Remedy to be taut when climbing and pedalling along, the second chamber (the sticky out bit above the linkage) only coming into play on bigger hits, kicking in at a certain point in the travel when activated by a plunger and valve inside the shock.
Like the Trek Top Fuel we tested last year, the Full Floater suspension platform is visible on the Remedy. It sees the Fox shock being sandwiched between the rocker linkage and the lower part of the swingarm to increase small bump sensitivity. At the end of the swingarm is the unique Active Braking Pivot (ABP), whereby the rear pivot is located centrally through the axle, which allows the suspension to work independent of braking forces.
New for 2011
For 2011 Trek updated the design with ABP Convert which allows a 12mm Maxle Lite to be used, which pairs nicely with the 15mm bolt-thru axle on the Fox 32 Talas RL fork. The fork features a tapered steerer tube and lockout and adjustable rebound dials, with travel adjustable between 120mm-150mm.
Other details on the frame include a BB95 bottom bracket. Net Molded cups here, and in the headset also, reduce the need and extra weight of aluminium hardware with the bearings press straight in. The wider bottom bracket also means the downtube can be a lot wider, leading to a stiffer main frame. Combined with the E2 tapered head tube and magnesium EVO one-piece rocker linkage, it’s a stiff and rigid frame.
£4000 is still a lot of money though, so the Remedy 9.7 has to work hard to earn its keep. Fortunately, on first impressions it does. We actually reckon the paintjob on this model looks better than the top-end model, and there’s still the same brilliant technology on this bike.
It’s well finished too, with an impressive spec. A SRAM X7/X9 10-speed groupset with a triple chainset. Wheels are DT Swiss M1800 and are tubeless compatible, with Bontrager XR3 Expert 2.3in tyres. Well, they’re claimed to be 2.3in but they look on the skinny side to us. We might be changing them soon.
Bontrager supplies most of the contact points, with an Evoke saddle, Rhythm Elite post and stem and Race Lite Low Riser handlebars. Lastly, Avid’s Elixir R disc brakes scrub off speed.
So that’s our first look on the Remedy 9.7. All that remains is to get it out on the trail and let rip, we’ll let you know how we get on.
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