Love my remedy 8. Its a Swiss army knife of a bike. Good climber, great descender, plenty of suspension travel, 9/10 value, 10/10 fun factor. The mino link is a great idea by concept and it does work well. My only beef is it turn the bike into a pedal strike machine. On rocky-rooty trails it's just about unrideable. But a really nice feature if you plan on paying for a lift pass at a ski hill/ bike park.
Nice upgrades! I'm still rocking stock everything but tires, grips, and a saddle right now. The CB Stamp is on my list of things to buy, those pedals look so grippy!
Great stuff! I own the same bike. So on my fork, I felt it was harsh at the top. I also dropped down 5psi and added the mrp ramp cartridge. I've never been happier. On the wheelset, since it comes with stock 54 Poe, they make a $30 kit to jump it up to 108 Poe. That make a difference in technical climbs, when you have to ratchet. Also, sounds wonderful. I have the stock tires on here but plan on the dhr/f minion combo, so I'm glad your commented about that. Even in my to setting, I tend to get a lot of pedal strikes... I can only imagine what it feels like flipped. Also, I played on a slash 9.7 work odi grips and loved them so much that I swapped them out. Great stuff man
DallasLopez1 Thanks for the love! Yeah the stock tires didn't last long due to the rocks on the trails I ride. I haven't had a chance to tear the hub down but I originally thought they were a standard pawl system not the DT swiss star ratchet - if they are then I'm definitely going to order the upgrade! The ODI grips are hands down my favorite, I have them on all my bikes now.
Adventure Arkansas all you have to do its pull off the free hub body and add the paws and springs. Takes maybe 15 minutes while drinking a beer. I haven't ridden down there. I'm about 4 hours north of you in NW Missouri. If I come down there, I'll want to hit you up
Mine does this. All the way left or right then push and it will move something inside the headset just a tad. Doesn't affect any of the bearing adjustment so I haven't bothered with trying to find a fix for it.
I just bought a 2017 Remedy 9.8. The XR4 Team issues seems really sketchy in loose over hard. I've washed out pretty bad already on them. My old Hans Dampf tires on my DB Release 3 grip much better. I will probably change these tires soon. Also the suspension is really bouncy. Even after dropping the sag and going turtle on rebound it still is a pretty harsh ride so far. Not sure what to do about that. Other issue for me on my 17 is the dropper post lever sucks. The 17 has a 2X on the front so I kinda have to llive with it.
I had issues with the stock tires, but for durability reasons instead. I slashed the rear sidewall within the first 50 miles of purchase, so I immediately threw my favorite Maxxis Aggressor 2.3 EXO on the back. and a DHF 2.5 EXO on the front. Much more grip but it was considerably slower due to more weight and rolling resistance. Suspension is something that you either need to sink a bunch of time into, have prior knowledge, or get pro help for. I personally used the Trek website to get a recommended setting and then adjusted it from there. It's still not perfect but it's super predictable and I have no issues with the setup I have. I could probably spend a few days doing testing and get it really dialed but with it being the middle of summer in Alabama, it's not worth my time. I have the 1x dropper lever which is a dream, if you ever go 1x I definitely recommend getting it (or a shimano or wolftooth). Also, check with your LBS and see if they know about the dropper post warranty, I'm sending mine off right now because it stops working in the wet. They had an inadequate seal design in the first generation that's since been fixed. Since yours is a '17 it most likely has the gen 1 dropper. Cheers.
I finally got the suspension dialed. Bike is phenomenal now. With the minions it's glued to the ground. Really love this bike. I moved the dropper lever and brake around and it's not a dealbreaker now, but I will probably swap it eventually. By the way, I'm in Arkansas so I know all about that heat.
I’m currently riding the same bike, purchased August 2017 and loving it! Looking to upgrade my tires now, do you think there would be enough tire clearance on the rear for a 2.5 wide aggressor?
Hey Steve, I've actually been meaning to do another update video since I've updated my setup since this. 2.5 Maxxis should fit no issue on the rear, currently I have a 2.6" specialized purgatory in the rear mounted on 30mm internal rims and they fit with about a quarter inch of room on either side. I wouldn't run tires that big if I were racing or riding in mud all the time because it'd be really easy to clog up the rear and not be able to move. Luckily I get to ride in the dry or clear water so having mud clearance is not an issue.
Thanks for the quick reply! I think I will give the 2.5 dhf/2.5 aggressor combination a go! I also did the 108t rapid drive upgrade after watching your video!
Hello guys i got the same bike... So Steve i want to know if it's possible to use a 2.5 rear tire.... Know I'm using a stock tire 2.4... plz answer me... I been waiting for u answer for upgrade my bike!!!
I would be hesitant to put a huge rear tire in this bike. Currently I have a 2.3 Maxxis Aggressor with a decent amount of clearance but upping that to a trail wide 2.6 would be pushing it. On a Fuel EX, no problem, but this bike was designed around a 2.5 max tire. I believe you can fix a 27.5x3 in the front with no issue. I would ask the shop you're buying it from to test fit some 2.6 or 2.8" tires before purchasing.
How did the 18.5 work out at your size mate? Looking at the 2018 model too, I'm pretty much 5'6" and was looking at the 17.5. Am I on the right lines you think? Cheers lads 👍
I'm having my eye on this bike! I recently sold a Fuel EX 8 2018 XT 29er because I got a size too small for me (19.5) so I'm looking for another trail do-it-all bike with just enough amount of travel for next year. Can you recommend this for varied terrain? I live I. Sweden very rural area with a lot of deep forests, narrow trails with a lot of roots and rocks and have been going from a hardtail to the Fuel and now next step. Is it as good of a cllimber as the Fuel EX 8 do you reckon? Or what are your experiences with your Remedy? Can you recommend it as a do it all mountain/forest weapon? Greetings from Sweden!
Tobias A Hi from Alabama! Yes, I definitely believe the Remedy is a versatile trail tool. It all depends on how you felt on the Fuel. I also test rode a Fuel and the differences between the two are really subtle but I'd say the Remedy is definitely more capable at the expense of being not as comfortable or pedal efficient. Don't get me wrong, the Remedy is still very pedal efficient - I beat some of my climbing PRs from my hardtail. The rollover of the bigger wheels on the Fuel is huge for average speed but it definitely loses out on the more technical descents. It's really all about what you prioritize: if it's all around speed and longer rides then the fuel is probably a good choice. The Remedy is an all out trail weapon and will definitely be able to handle anything you throw at it.
I'm really annoyed how companies think it's ok to charge 5-8k for a bike when that money can get you a fully kitted car!!!!! I'm talking VW golfs , Mazda 3, loads of toyatos etc etc ......wtf all makes !! Common people you can talk carbon fibre , you can talk SRAM and Shimano, you can mention current geometry this and that , you can even mention all the tyres under the sun..... But you can't convince me that equals the material, the man power needed , the mathematics and geometry of a friggin CAR!!!!!!!
Hey Danny, I understand your concern but urge you to step back and think about economies of scale. VW sells about 100,000 Jettas every year for 20k+, whereas Trek might sell a few thousand Remedies a year for 2.5k+. VW engineers redesign models about every 4 years and have a dedicated team just for that car, whereas engineers at Trek or Specialized might have to help or 1 or 2 bikes instead of being able to focus just on one. They also have a shorter redesign time, about 2 years. Big name manufacturers like Trek or Specialized can sell bikes comparatively cheaply compared to boutique brands like Yeti or EVIL because they produce a much higher volume. You can buy used cars at a lower price because they are older and more depreciated. Try buying a brand new Golf for 8k, you can't. But a 2012 Golf? Yeah, maybe you can find one. Buying a 6 year old bike will also be much much cheaper than the 5-8k original sell price. 2012 Santa Cruz bikes go for under 1,000 dollars because they're not the latest and greatest designs. Design-wise, it might take much less engineering hours to produce a mountain bike, but they have a much smaller staff due to lesser profit compared to VW for example. There are so many economic and engineering factors that come into play that it's hard to see at first why specialty mountain bikes are so expensive. Some people spend 5-8k on bikes, others spend it on a car, and still others on clothes, guitars, you name it. I have no judgement for people who spend that amount of money on hobbies, especially if it brings them joy or fulfillment. Mountain biking also happens to keep you in shape and, in my opinion, is much better than a gym membership. Hope that I opened your mind a little bit on my hobby.
Comparing this bike to the Rocky Mountain Altitude Alloy 50 with an MSRP of 3400 USD: Performance is going to be very similar. Kit is Shimano and Fox instead of all Rockshox like on the Trek. 11-46 XT cassette is not a high point on Shimano's kit, so points off for that. Brakes are dependable SLX M7000 series as well as the shifter. A weird sight on modern trail bikes, the Rocky Mountain uses Shimano hubs instead of other sealed bearing hubs, not a negative just different for servicing. Rear hub will be quiet. The dropper post is a Fox Transfer which is one of the best quality posts on the market right now, major points there. Another high point on the build is the tire kit, DHF EXO front and DHR2 EXO rear. That's 120 bucks on tires you don't have to spend after shredding the stock ones like I did on the Remedy. Overall, the build kit quality is very similar to the Trek. The Rocky Mountain has better stock tires and dropper post but in my opinion an outdated drivetrain for a 2018 bike. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Altitude and would only change my opinion if the actual geometry was wacky. Only way to tell that is to ride it. Happy trails!
![[GEAR] 2018 Trek Remedy 8 Bike Check](/img/n.gif)
Love my remedy 8. Its a Swiss army knife of a bike. Good climber, great descender, plenty of suspension travel, 9/10 value, 10/10 fun factor. The mino link is a great idea by concept and it does work well. My only beef is it turn the bike into a pedal strike machine. On rocky-rooty trails it's just about unrideable. But a really nice feature if you plan on paying for a lift pass at a ski hill/ bike park.
I loved all the info! Because of your video I ordered one myself! Have a great day!
Bought one ! Switched rims to the deemax enduro pro, carbon bar, another stem, seat, tyres, pedals to crankbrothers stamp, Its a dream bike
Nice upgrades! I'm still rocking stock everything but tires, grips, and a saddle right now. The CB Stamp is on my list of things to buy, those pedals look so grippy!
Appreciate all the info! Thinking about picking one of these up this week and this helped big time.
Really nice video I have the same bike and absolutely love it . Good to see some positive tech talk about it because it's a weapon of a bike.
Great stuff! I own the same bike. So on my fork, I felt it was harsh at the top. I also dropped down 5psi and added the mrp ramp cartridge. I've never been happier. On the wheelset, since it comes with stock 54 Poe, they make a $30 kit to jump it up to 108 Poe. That make a difference in technical climbs, when you have to ratchet. Also, sounds wonderful. I have the stock tires on here but plan on the dhr/f minion combo, so I'm glad your commented about that. Even in my to setting, I tend to get a lot of pedal strikes... I can only imagine what it feels like flipped. Also, I played on a slash 9.7 work odi grips and loved them so much that I swapped them out. Great stuff man
DallasLopez1 Thanks for the love! Yeah the stock tires didn't last long due to the rocks on the trails I ride. I haven't had a chance to tear the hub down but I originally thought they were a standard pawl system not the DT swiss star ratchet - if they are then I'm definitely going to order the upgrade! The ODI grips are hands down my favorite, I have them on all my bikes now.
Adventure Arkansas all you have to do its pull off the free hub body and add the paws and springs. Takes maybe 15 minutes while drinking a beer. I haven't ridden down there. I'm about 4 hours north of you in NW Missouri. If I come down there, I'll want to hit you up
To add to that, they're more similar to i9 hubs in that aspect
I'll be back in NWA over Christmas break! Shoot me a PM and maybe we can meet up and ride!
love the bike! keep it up!
Does anyone else have problems with the knock block having a slight play/ slop in it?
Mine does this. All the way left or right then push and it will move something inside the headset just a tad. Doesn't affect any of the bearing adjustment so I haven't bothered with trying to find a fix for it.
I just bought a 2017 Remedy 9.8. The XR4 Team issues seems really sketchy in loose over hard. I've washed out pretty bad already on them. My old Hans Dampf tires on my DB Release 3 grip much better. I will probably change these tires soon. Also the suspension is really bouncy. Even after dropping the sag and going turtle on rebound it still is a pretty harsh ride so far. Not sure what to do about that. Other issue for me on my 17 is the dropper post lever sucks. The 17 has a 2X on the front so I kinda have to llive with it.
I had issues with the stock tires, but for durability reasons instead. I slashed the rear sidewall within the first 50 miles of purchase, so I immediately threw my favorite Maxxis Aggressor 2.3 EXO on the back. and a DHF 2.5 EXO on the front. Much more grip but it was considerably slower due to more weight and rolling resistance. Suspension is something that you either need to sink a bunch of time into, have prior knowledge, or get pro help for. I personally used the Trek website to get a recommended setting and then adjusted it from there. It's still not perfect but it's super predictable and I have no issues with the setup I have. I could probably spend a few days doing testing and get it really dialed but with it being the middle of summer in Alabama, it's not worth my time. I have the 1x dropper lever which is a dream, if you ever go 1x I definitely recommend getting it (or a shimano or wolftooth). Also, check with your LBS and see if they know about the dropper post warranty, I'm sending mine off right now because it stops working in the wet. They had an inadequate seal design in the first generation that's since been fixed. Since yours is a '17 it most likely has the gen 1 dropper. Cheers.
I finally got the suspension dialed. Bike is phenomenal now. With the minions it's glued to the ground. Really love this bike. I moved the dropper lever and brake around and it's not a dealbreaker now, but I will probably swap it eventually. By the way, I'm in Arkansas so I know all about that heat.
I’m currently riding the same bike, purchased August 2017 and loving it! Looking to upgrade my tires now, do you think there would be enough tire clearance on the rear for a 2.5 wide aggressor?
Hey Steve, I've actually been meaning to do another update video since I've updated my setup since this. 2.5 Maxxis should fit no issue on the rear, currently I have a 2.6" specialized purgatory in the rear mounted on 30mm internal rims and they fit with about a quarter inch of room on either side. I wouldn't run tires that big if I were racing or riding in mud all the time because it'd be really easy to clog up the rear and not be able to move. Luckily I get to ride in the dry or clear water so having mud clearance is not an issue.
Thanks for the quick reply! I think I will give the 2.5 dhf/2.5 aggressor combination a go! I also did the 108t rapid drive upgrade after watching your video!
@@stevebutler5852 Cheers man! Glad to be helpful.
Hello guys i got the same bike... So Steve i want to know if it's possible to use a 2.5 rear tire.... Know I'm using a stock tire 2.4... plz answer me... I been waiting for u answer for upgrade my bike!!!
THANK YOU
I'm looking at purchasing this same bike in a 18.5.. I'm 5'8" tall. Could a 2.6 or 2.8 tire fit in this frame?
I would be hesitant to put a huge rear tire in this bike. Currently I have a 2.3 Maxxis Aggressor with a decent amount of clearance but upping that to a trail wide 2.6 would be pushing it. On a Fuel EX, no problem, but this bike was designed around a 2.5 max tire. I believe you can fix a 27.5x3 in the front with no issue. I would ask the shop you're buying it from to test fit some 2.6 or 2.8" tires before purchasing.
How did the 18.5 work out at your size mate? Looking at the 2018 model too, I'm pretty much 5'6" and was looking at the 17.5. Am I on the right lines you think?
Cheers lads 👍
I'm having my eye on this bike! I recently sold a Fuel EX 8 2018 XT 29er because I got a size too small for me (19.5) so I'm looking for another trail do-it-all bike with just enough amount of travel for next year. Can you recommend this for varied terrain? I live I. Sweden very rural area with a lot of deep forests, narrow trails with a lot of roots and rocks and have been going from a hardtail to the Fuel and now next step. Is it as good of a cllimber as the Fuel EX 8 do you reckon? Or what are your experiences with your Remedy? Can you recommend it as a do it all mountain/forest weapon? Greetings from Sweden!
Tobias A Hi from Alabama! Yes, I definitely believe the Remedy is a versatile trail tool. It all depends on how you felt on the Fuel. I also test rode a Fuel and the differences between the two are really subtle but I'd say the Remedy is definitely more capable at the expense of being not as comfortable or pedal efficient. Don't get me wrong, the Remedy is still very pedal efficient - I beat some of my climbing PRs from my hardtail. The rollover of the bigger wheels on the Fuel is huge for average speed but it definitely loses out on the more technical descents. It's really all about what you prioritize: if it's all around speed and longer rides then the fuel is probably a good choice. The Remedy is an all out trail weapon and will definitely be able to handle anything you throw at it.
I'm really annoyed how companies think it's ok to charge 5-8k for a bike when that money can get you a fully kitted car!!!!!
I'm talking VW golfs , Mazda 3, loads of toyatos etc etc ......wtf all makes !!
Common people you can talk carbon fibre , you can talk SRAM and Shimano, you can mention current geometry this and that , you can even mention all the tyres under the sun.....
But you can't convince me that equals the material, the man power needed , the mathematics and geometry of a friggin CAR!!!!!!!
Hey Danny, I understand your concern but urge you to step back and think about economies of scale. VW sells about 100,000 Jettas every year for 20k+, whereas Trek might sell a few thousand Remedies a year for 2.5k+. VW engineers redesign models about every 4 years and have a dedicated team just for that car, whereas engineers at Trek or Specialized might have to help or 1 or 2 bikes instead of being able to focus just on one. They also have a shorter redesign time, about 2 years. Big name manufacturers like Trek or Specialized can sell bikes comparatively cheaply compared to boutique brands like Yeti or EVIL because they produce a much higher volume. You can buy used cars at a lower price because they are older and more depreciated. Try buying a brand new Golf for 8k, you can't. But a 2012 Golf? Yeah, maybe you can find one. Buying a 6 year old bike will also be much much cheaper than the 5-8k original sell price. 2012 Santa Cruz bikes go for under 1,000 dollars because they're not the latest and greatest designs. Design-wise, it might take much less engineering hours to produce a mountain bike, but they have a much smaller staff due to lesser profit compared to VW for example. There are so many economic and engineering factors that come into play that it's hard to see at first why specialty mountain bikes are so expensive. Some people spend 5-8k on bikes, others spend it on a car, and still others on clothes, guitars, you name it. I have no judgement for people who spend that amount of money on hobbies, especially if it brings them joy or fulfillment. Mountain biking also happens to keep you in shape and, in my opinion, is much better than a gym membership. Hope that I opened your mind a little bit on my hobby.
How tall are you? You mentioned in your previous video that you almost went with the medium so I'm guessing 5'10"?
Leif Ostrum Yeah, about 5'10 or 5'11. I have a longer torso so I ended up getting the Large and having the seatpost almost all the way to the bottom.
So what is the size of this frame 17,5 or 18,5 ?
Size Large, it is a 19.5 frame by Trek's measurement (18.5 actual)
What crank boots are those?
They are Raceface alloy crank boots, about 10 bucks from Jenson: www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-Alloy-Crank-Boots
what’s grib?
Hey, What size are you riding? I am about to buy one of these but cant decide whether I'm a 18.5" or 19.5". I'm 179cm. cheers.
179cm = 5'10.5" so right about my height. I ride a 19.5 so you should probably be the same size unless you have super short legs.
I wonder how it compares to the Altitude?
Comparing this bike to the Rocky Mountain Altitude Alloy 50 with an MSRP of 3400 USD: Performance is going to be very similar. Kit is Shimano and Fox instead of all Rockshox like on the Trek. 11-46 XT cassette is not a high point on Shimano's kit, so points off for that. Brakes are dependable SLX M7000 series as well as the shifter. A weird sight on modern trail bikes, the Rocky Mountain uses Shimano hubs instead of other sealed bearing hubs, not a negative just different for servicing. Rear hub will be quiet. The dropper post is a Fox Transfer which is one of the best quality posts on the market right now, major points there. Another high point on the build is the tire kit, DHF EXO front and DHR2 EXO rear. That's 120 bucks on tires you don't have to spend after shredding the stock ones like I did on the Remedy. Overall, the build kit quality is very similar to the Trek. The Rocky Mountain has better stock tires and dropper post but in my opinion an outdated drivetrain for a 2018 bike. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Altitude and would only change my opinion if the actual geometry was wacky. Only way to tell that is to ride it. Happy trails!