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Just In: Trek Remedy 9.9 Carbon Frameset

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Here it is, the last piece of our Shimano XT test mule puzzle, a Trek Remedy 9.9 carbon frame. Initially we had planned to build a capable all mountain ripper that wouldn’t break the bank and was decently light. That was until the Remedy 9.9 carbon showed up, and our plans went out the window. Coupled with our DT Swiss EXM 150 fork, even with a full XT build kit, this will still be one light 150mm travel bike.

Light weight is great and all, but for a true all mountain rig durability is probably more important, so how does the Remedy stack up? When you first pick up the frame, its burliness belies the true weight as thick tube shapes trick you into thinking it’s heavier than it really is. Then you realize that this weight includes the rear thru axle, full bottom bracket, part of the headset, the shock, and the seatpost collar.

It’s obviously going to be light, otherwise why bother with carbon, but just how light is it?

Find out after the break!

5 lbs, 12 oz for a 17.5″ frame, that’s how light. Remember, that this includes everything listed above and you start to see the big picture. Considering there are 100mm travel frames that are around 5lbs, the Remedy is fairly impressive for a bike of its size.

While the Remedy 9.9 is indeed light, durability seems to have been a top priority which is shown through the use of aluminum for the chain stays, the carbon armor on the down tube, and OCLV Mountain carbon. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “great, another acronym/company saying its carbon is the best, but just watch the following video first before you make up your mind.

I admit, the thought of a carbon all mountain bike is a little unsettling, but after many miles on two generations of Trek Fuel EX 9.8s, the worry is fading. The only negative when you compare the carbon Remedy to its aluminum siblings, is the lack of ISCG tabs, but I’m guessing this is something they are working on.

Even though it lacks ISCG tabs, at least there is a chain guard plate that should protect the frame somewhat in the event of a dropped chain.

When we first set out to obtain a frame to run the new XT group, one of the main requirements was that the frame came equipped with 142 x 12. There are still quite a few companies that aren’t offering it, or that are going with 135 x 12 instead, but the fact that Shimano appears to be supporting 142 x 12 and not 135 x 12 is telling of where the industry is headed. The Remedy frame will allow us to take advantage of Shimano’s new 142 x 12 XT level wheelset, which is a first for the XT level. Like all 142 x 12 from Trek (Scratch includes 135 x 12 hardware), the frame also includes the hardware to run the standard 135mm quick release so you can run whatever you want.

At the heart of the Remedy’s suspension is the Fox DRCV RP23 which is connected to the EVO Link and Full Floater chain stays. DRCV stands for Dual Rate Control Valve, which is tech speak for the fact that inside the shock are two air chambers that are connected via a small plunger. As the shock progresses through the travel the plunger is moved which opens the second air chamber which provides a super plush suspension that still pedals efficiently. Add in the RP23 with Boostvalve and you have a 150mm all mountain bike that can climb like a Billy goat.

The US made Trek Remedy 9.9 has enough acronyms to sink a ship, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a lean, mean, all mountain machine. Built up with a random assortment of parts from my basement, the fully built bike came in at 26 lbs 15 oz, with pedals. Hopefully the next time you see this bike it will boast a full XT kit, along with quite a few more miles with a full review to come.

 

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Mr. C
Mr. C
12 years ago

Nice write up Zach! That’s a very nice weight without going WW, and I like the color too!!

Jonah G
Jonah G
12 years ago

Trek is boring. They also use odd geometry. Even Lance didn’t care much for the Madone.

mtbmww
mtbmww
12 years ago

“I admit, the thought of a carbon all mountain bike is a little unsettling, but after many miles on two generations of Trek Fuel EX 9.8s, the worry is fading.”

I would have thought that Santa Cruz’s success with the LT C, Nomad C, and the new V10, would alleviate the concern/worry regarding the durability of carbon…. Seems like others are finding ways to make light weight, durable, and incredibly fun to ride all mountain carbon steeds. Having and truly loving a Nomad C, I say we definitely benefit from the awesome material and manufacturing technology that folks are using. I also agree with Mr. C, the color is pretty nice.

Mikeyonthemadone
Mikeyonthemadone
12 years ago

Go away Jonah G. Trolls suck!

weez
weez
12 years ago

Jonah G.

“By far the nicest bike I’ve thrown my leg across”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuvqNhx64IM&feature=related

-Lance Armstrong in reference to the Madone

Just a wee bit off….

chip
chip
12 years ago

Sick bike.

best carbon bikes on the market. cool vid!

Travis
Travis
12 years ago

If building from scratch why not use a Float 160 instead of a 150mm? Seems like this bike would rule with a Float 36 160 up front.

Steve
12 years ago

If Trek made the best carbon frames on the market, why so many Superfly failures? If anything, Ibis and Santa Cruz are making the best carbon frames on the market.

Varaxis
Varaxis
12 years ago

@Steve

Superfly failures? You mean the surface cracks in the ’10 SF100 size 17.5 frame swingsarms on the chainstay bridge due to layup pattern there? Wouldn’t call that a failure. It’s a minor defect that can be ridden, but Trek has replaced them with new ’11 frames (see a lot of SF100s with new ’11 frames and ’10 parts on eBay in size 17.5… lol).

Ibis also has many defect claims. Cracks on the front of the seat tube from alu seat posts, cracks on the swingarm, cracks in the lower linkage area on the front triangle, crack in the head tube… all defects in manufacturing and layup. They even issues with the stock Easton EC90 carbon posts bonding with the frame.

Santa Cruz has a much better record. Only really seen a tiny crack in the seat tube split point on the Nomad and a seat tube catastrophically failing on their Tallboy. Seen some really bad crash damage to the Blur LTC look bad, but that’s totally the rider’s fault. Also seen some cracks the resulted from broken pivot hardware, but can’t blame the carbon there, but the bike’s hardware choice seems suspect. Alu VPP bikes crack around the lower pivot points, so that’s something to note (Tracer VP). Even the Heckler, according to reports.

Considering how many bikes Treks makes and sells compared to these boutique brands, I’m surprised I don’t hear more about their carbon mtn bikes busting.

All it takes to find all this info, if you don’t believe me and want to see pics, is googling “cracked [insert frame name here]”.

Varaxis
Varaxis
12 years ago

For the record, I’m more or less just trying to elaborate on the cases that have gone by where people have lost faith in carbon. Also trying sort blind faith and hate in brands from impartial truth. Seems people still haven’t gained faith in carbon, but I have. I think it’s more of a case of paying significantly more for carbon and then the disappointment of having issues with it… people are expecting so much more with the extra they are paying.

I wouldn’t hesitate to ride carbon from most trusted brands, including Trek, Santa Cruz, Ibis, etc. Their carbon brakes don’t fail any more than their alu frames and they typically stand behind their product. For some brands, I’d even be willing to buy used carbon.

This Remedy is beautiful. Looks to be an underhyped contender to compete against the new super hyped up Ibis Mojo SLR and the Santa Cruz Blur TRc.

me
me
12 years ago

I broke 3 Trek carbon hardtails. First broke at a lug/tube joint-warrantied. Second broke a seat stay by hitting a rock in a crash-not warrantied, understandably. The lug/tube construction allowed two of them to be resurrected by Trek where the bond is heated, the failed tube removed then replaced. The last time tho the frame lasted several seasons but eventually failed at the bottom bracket. It delaminated from numerous flying rock impacts (kicked up by the front wheel) and the alu bb insert nearly fell out. Trek would not warranty this failure. IMHO its a design flaw if the bb falls apart like that when being used in its intended environment… i’ve never seen an Alu frame fail like that. I just bought the Alu Remedy 9 so i could get xt and the better shock and fork but wanted the Alu frame just cause i feel that it’ll last longer riding Utah and if it does break, it’ll crack somewhere which should be warrantied. The weight and stiffness and ride quality of a carbon frame are hard to argue with tho.

Eborical
Eborical
11 years ago

I just got a 2012 trek fuel ex 9.8 as a demo bike with warranty.
Works great so far.

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