Customer Review: 2017 Trek Remedy 9 RSL

This review was written by our customer, Cory Bryant. He is an avid mountain biker out on the east coast and definitely enjoys shredding his 2017 Trek Remedy 9 RSL around. Let's hear what he has to say!
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Intended Use: Trail/ All-mountain
Wheels Size: 27.5”
Front/Rear Travel: 160/150
Aluminum Frame
PF92 Bottom Bracket
Sram X1 Drivetrain/ Guide RS Brakes 

All-mountain, enduro, aggressive trail; all descriptions of the new trendy category of mountain bikes currently cropping up in the industry. With so many buzz words and catch phrases, it can be hard for consumers to know what to look for in a “do-all” ride. Even through all the confusion, there are plenty of top notch, trail crushing bikes out there, and after riding, and subsequently owning, the new 2017 Trek Remedy 9 RSL, this bike proves that it can shred with the big boys.

For 2017, Trek changed up their lineup of trail rides, and for me it has definitely been for the better. With the introduction of the new 2017 Slash and its 29” wheels, the Remedy has been moved to a dedicated 27.5” platform, and in doing so, moves it squarely into the all-mountain category that so many manufacturers have been leaning towards. But with almost identical geometry to the new Slash, the Remedy still has the chops to take on the weekend enduro course, in between tearing up local trails and ride centers. The Remedy 9 RSL is the top tier Aluminum model in Trek’s Remedy lineup, and runs $4,500 retail. Read on for my personal review.

Climbing

As a bike with 160/150mm suspension front and rear, the first question is always: “But can it climb?” The Remedy answers with an emphatic, YES! With their 2017 models, Trek has finally got Rockshox on board with the reAKTIV system they’ve been employing on Fox suspensions on previous models. The new metric Deluxe RT3 shock makes the most of Treks technology to create a rear suspension that is virtually bob-free, even when stand up pedal-mashing rears its ugly head, and with the Dual Position Air Lyrik up front, the front never wandered when climbing whether in long or short travel mode. I can honestly say I have never pedaled a bike with this kind of efficiency and small bump compliance. 30% sag in the rear seems to be the sweet spot for me, and I am able to crush long fire road climbs, and short, steep, rooty ascents with ease. The Bontrager Line Comp wheels provide plenty of stiffness to give you the confidence on climbs, and the spec’d Bontrager SE4 tires do a great job providing the grip to get up even the most demanding hills.

Descending

WOW. That’s the best way I can think of to describe the Remedy’s descending prowess. It absolutely RIPS! For 2017, Trek re-engineered the downtubes on their trail models to be a straight tube, and this change has given the Remedy an insane amount of stiffness. To facilitate this change, Trek has also introduced their new Knock Block system. Simply put, Knock Block introduces a keyed headset and stem that limits the degree of rotation on the fork. This was necessary to ensure the 160mm RockShox Lyrik fork up front doesn’t damage the downtube. When I first walked around the bike, this looked like it could be an issue when navigating tight switchbacks out on the trail, but after getting out on the bike it is not noticeable at all. The stiffness however IS, and it allows the Remedy to pop and play off of anything you point it at. Response on the Lyrik and the Deluxe RT3 is amazing, and with 25/30% sag front and rear, it is the perfect mix of playfulness, and confidence on anything I could throw at it. Boost spacing is employed both front and rear, and with an internal diameter of 28mm on the Bontrager Line Comp wheels, the 2.4” SE4 tires provides loads of grip to completely rail berms and flat turns alike, and still provide a great braking platform. Speaking of brakes, the SRAM Guide RS brakes provide a ton of stopping power, while also giving great modulation.

The wide 780mm Bontrager bars and 35mm Bontrager stem are super comfortable, and create a nice cockpit for long or short days in the saddle. Speaking of the saddle, the included 150mm Rockshox Reverb seatpost has been flawless to date, although certain models may come equipped with the Bontrager Dropline post with 125mm of travel.

Drivetrain

The Remedy comes with SRAM’s X1 1x11 drivetrain, and despite not being the top of the line Eagle 1x12 setup, the 10-42 range proves to be a fantastic and worthy setup for the bike. I am never left wanting more range than what’s available, even when the eventual lung busting techy climbs show up to the party. Shifter engagement and feel get top marks from me, and with a 32T chainring up front, it’s happy sailing all day long. There is no mounting point for a front derailleur, so for those still interested in a 2x setup, you may need to expand your horizons when hopping on the Remedy.

Odds and Ends / Conclusion

With the 2017 Remedy, Trek is still using the Mino Link that has been around for a number of years to allow the rider to adjust the bottom bracket height and head angle. In the “High” setting this creates a head angle of 65.6 degrees, and in the “Low” setting that changes to 65 degrees. Trek also employs their Control Freak cable management system, with makes internal routing a quiet, simple affair. The Remedy also has the tried and true (and sometimes noisy) PF92 pressed bottom bracket, but I have not experienced any issues thus far with it. Two down tube protectors finish off the frame accents.

The Remedy has been an absolute blast to ride, and compares favorably to anything out on the market currently. Long, low, and slack only goes so far in describing the bike, especially when it completely tears uphill and almost goes hunting for the next technical ascent. I looked for months for a bike that could do it all, and after throwing a leg over the Remedy I just knew it was the one for me. I firmly believe that the 2017 Remedy 9 RSL, should be included with the Yeti SB6, Santa Cruz Bronson, and Specialized Enduro, as one of the best all-around, do-everything bikes on the market!