trek remedy 8 vs canyon spectral

Trek Remedy 8 in review

The Trek Remedy 8 made it to the very top of the group test. It impressed all of our test riders with its outstanding performance, deserving the title Best in Test. But what makes this bike so special?

For an overview of the test fleet head to The best budget trail bike of 2019 – 11 mountain bikes head to head

Last year, Trek gave the Remedy a complete overhaul. Gone is the full-floater suspension, though the linkage still hinges around the rear axle. This decouples the braking forces from the suspension so that both can work independently of each other. Apart from this, the geometry has also been refined. Despite the reasonable price of € 2,999 and traditional distribution model, Trek has managed to spec the Remedy 8 with good quality components. We were particularly impressed by the RockShox Lyrik fork, but the GX Eagle drivetrain is just as rare a sight on bikes in this segment. The componentry is rounded off by plenty of in-house Bontrager parts. Fortunately, the much-criticised dropper post has been revised and now performs just fine. At the back of the Remedy, there’s a RockShox Deluxe shock featuring Trek’s RE:active technology. Even with the climb switch engaged, the shock responds sensitively to small irregularities in the trail. However, it does so without Trek’s Thru-Shaft system, as featured on their more expensive carbon models. We didn’t use the Mino-Link on the seat stay to adjust the geometry – the slack setting was ideal. There are additional bosses on the top tube to mount something like the Wolf Tooth B-RAD system to carry a spare tube and tools – very nice!

The Trek Remedy 8 in detail

Fork RockShox Lyrik RC 160 mm Shock RockShox Deluxe RT3 150 mm Brakes SRAM Guide R 200/180 mm Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle Seatpost Bontrager Line 150 mm Stem Bontrager Line 50 mm Handlebar Bontrager Line 780 mm Wheels Bontrager Line Comp 27.5″ Tires Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2.6″

The Trek Remedy 8 in test

Unlike the old model, the update geometry that offers a central riding position thanks to the steep seat tube angle. It feels steeper in reality than one would expect when looking at the numbers. The rear end doesn’t wallow on steep terrain and performs very efficiently. That makes the Remedy a capable climber and it really comes into its own on technical, twisty climbs. With plenty of traction at the rear and the central riding position, you’ll master even the trickiest sections. Reaching for the shock’s climb switch is only worthwhile on long, monotonous ascents.

Going downhill, the Trek Remedy 8 succeeds in perfectly combining supposedly opposing handling characteristics. The bike is agile yet composed, the suspension is sensitive yet defined. This mixture is what makes the Remedy the perfect all-rounder. Fast flow-trails are as much fun on this bike as a trip to the bike park or a multi-day adventure in the Alps. The rear suspension performs very sensitively and effectively feels like much more travel than 150 mm. The weight distribution on the bike is superbly balanced, allowing it to corner as though by itself, and remaining very predictable when you start to reach the limits of its capabilities. We recommend leaving the spacers fitted under the stem seeing as the head tube is very short. The reach is on the shorter end of the spectrum at 455 mm, but the Trek Remedy doesn’t lack stability. The only two things we didn’t like are the 2.6″ wide Bontrager XR4 tires and the weak SRAM Guide brakes. Both should be replaced with better alternatives at the bike shop. Narrower tires underline the bike’s precise handling and a slightly more robust casing makes perfect sense for the kind of terrain the bike feels most comfortable in.

Top suspension, top geometry, top spec – the Trek has it all!

Agile, playful, smooth and composed – the Trek Remedy 8 has got it all! It also impressed us with its brilliant suspension, good looks and high-quality workmanship. Whether flow-trails or bike-park, efficient climbing or fun descending, the Remedy is the one bike to rule them all. Best in Test!

• efficient climber
• super fun and balanced on the descents
• best suspension in the test
• great value for money

• brakes and tires limit the bike

Riding Characteristics

Value for money, technical data.

Trek Remedy 8

Size: XS S M L XL Weight: 14,08 kg Travel (f/r): 160/150 mm Wheel Size: 27,5" Price: € 2,999

Intended Use

For more info head to: trekbikes.com

The test field

All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 7.0 | FOCUS JAM 6.8 NINE | Giant Trance 29 2 | MERIDA ONE FORTY 800 | Propain Tyee AM Performance | RADON SLIDE TRAIL 8.0 | ROSE PIKES PEAK AM1 | SCOTT Genius 950 | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy 29 | YT JEFFSY 27 AL Base

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role. ↩

How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction? ↩

Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec. ↩

This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes. ↩

How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension. ↩

This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike? ↩

We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail. ↩

No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!) ↩

...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50 ↩

Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70 ↩

Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90 ↩

You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more .

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Trek Remedy 8 2021 vs Canyon Spectral CFR 9.0 2020

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Trek remedy 7/8 vs canyon spectral 6.0/7.0

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Trek Remedy 8

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Weight / M - 14.07 kg / 31.01 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes)

At a glance

Where to buy.

"I was blown away"

"I was blown away at how stiff the new Remedy is. Just right for aggressive trail riding. The sum of the parts adds up to a greatly refined bike, but perhaps the biggest story is the increased value."

"Top of the pack"

"Overnight, the Remedy has become our new favorite test bike in the quiver. It's snappy, responsive, and accelerates like a rocket ship."

"Pure fun"

"There might be similar bikes out there, but Trek’s suspension is worth paying for. This bike smooths junk out better than anything I’ve ridden before."

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum, tapered head tube, Knock Block, Control Freak internal routing, downtube guard, ISCG 05, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 150mm travel
• Fork RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, tapered steerer, 46mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 160mm travel
• Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 230x57.5mm
• Wheel Size 27.5"
• Tires Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.60'' Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.60''
• Chain SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed
• Crank Size: S SRAM X1 Eagle, DUB, 30T steel ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 170mm length Size: M, M/L, L, XL SRAM X1 Eagle, DUB, 30T steel ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 175mm length
• Shifters SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed
• Brakeset Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138mm width
• Seatpost Size: S Bontrager Line Dropper, 100mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 345mm length Size: M, M/L, L, XL Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 440mm length
• Headset Knock Block Integrated, 58-degree radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Q: Where to buy a 2021 Trek Remedy 8?

The 2021 Trek Remedy 8 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2021 Trek Remedy 8 weigh?

A 2021 Trek Remedy 8 weights M - 14.07 kg / 31.01 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes).

Q: What size wheels does the 2021 Trek Remedy 8 have?

The 2021 Trek Remedy 8 has 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2021 Trek Remedy 8 should I get?

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YT Jeffsy 29 CF vs. Canyon Spectral CF 8.0

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I'm stuck between the Jeffsy 29 CF and the Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 . Both look like awesome bikes and I can't figure find anything to tip me one way or the other. I ride in Western PA so I mostly rooty, muddy, slightly rocky trails with a mix ups and downs with technical climbs at times. So pretty much XC/trail riding. I'm not doing any big jumps or drops, but I'm not afraid of a little extra fun on the trails. My current bike is a 29er 2013 Trek Superfly AL full suspension, and before for that I had a Kona Kahuna 29er. I'm not a 29er loyalist it is just what I happened to end up with. For the the area and type of riding I'm talking does any bike stand out better than the other? Also, what would be something similar that I could demo to get a feel for the Jeffsy or Cayon?  

I test rode both of these and ended up with a Spectral. It was not easy to find an event where I could test ride them, so I understand the desire to test ride alternates. The Pivot Mach 5.5 has similar geo to a Spectral, but I haven't ridden one. I'd suggest you ask in the vendor specific forum for YT to get a good answer there, if no one answers here. I didn't like the Jeffsy 27.5 nor the 29 as much as the Spectral for a number of reasons, but the first thing that comes to mind is the drivetrain. There are more important considerations about bike feel, that have more to do with how everything comes together with the frame and shocks, but if you can't test ride them, that is harder to convey and remember (it's coming back to me I think... the Jeffsys felt harsher than the Spectral I think, but who knows, different people inflated the tires and shocks, so it could be that, plus me echoing reviews I read once). Anyways, the e13 TRS+ did not feel as smooth as I wanted. Eagle is finicky to tune perfectly, but I am reasonably happy with it after riding it a lot, and it felt great the day of the demo. As far as 29 vs 27.5 goes, I did not find a 29er in that price range that ticked all the boxes for me, at least for the limited number that I test rode. I think there are 29ers I could get into if I spent more, and some day I might, but for technical climbing and tight trails, I didn't like the feel of the 29 Jeffsy, because it felt harder for me to accelerate. I am sure it would carry speed better when taken up to speed, but that isn't the crux of my riding, and I don't race.  

@Skeggs1993 Thanks for the review and guidance, just curious what types of trails do you normally ride?  

No problem. I ride mostly singletrack with a mix of hardpack, loose over hard, rocks and occasional roots in Northern California. I tend to go for the most technical stuff I can handle, so I spend a fair amount of time descending, and attempting to climb rock gardens, but most of the trails I ride are just narrow and twisty, with frequent technical features. I usually climb between 1500 - 3000 ft a session.  

Fun, did you say? Wasn't the Spectral designed by riders that focus on fun? Dudes of Hazard & Joe Barnes, if memory serves correctly. 27.5 again, usually (but not always) little more playful/flickable ;-) I, myself am contemplating getting a CF 8.0 - in the near future. A little concerned about cracking CS's o_0 although, it doesn't seem to affect carbon models. 'Born to ride!'  

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