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I've been looking at my options for a new trail bike and the Trek Remedy seems like a serious alternative to a Stumpjumper FSR, which was my first thought. Also looking at the Spesh Camber as probably my no. 1 choice at the moment.
Since a demo of any of the above bikes seems like a pipe dream at the moment, I've been comparing the geometry of the 3 bikes (all in 29er form) and there are a few really notable differences to ponder:-
BB height - The Remedy is about 15 mm higher off the ground (see my other thread)
Wheelbase - The Remedy is the longest, especially if I went for the XL frame size
Top Tube - The Remedy has a short Effective Top Tube compared to the others and hence I may need to size up
Head Angle - The Remedy is the slackest, but has a different fork offset, so probably not much difference in reality
Chainstay - The Remedy has the shortest of the three, despite having the longest wheelbase.
Actually the whole Trek sizing confuses me massively. A few reviews suggest that you may need to size up the Remedy to get a decent cockpit length, which fits in with the quoted geometry except that the Reach figures quoted appear quite long and totally at odds with the quoted Effective Top Tube. But maybe that's just inconsistency in how various manufacturers define their geometry.
But lets say I really did need to size up the Remedy as suggested, that would mean I would end up with a wheelbase of 1212 mm v 1183 mm for the Stumpy and 1161 mm for the Camber. So in old money a full 2" longer and it's not like the Spesh bikes are short!
So I'm thinking that the Remedy is not going to be the most nimble bike around, mainly because of the quirky sizing, but would be interesting to hear the views of any owners of the Carbon Remedy 29 (note that the alloy version is sized differently!) and their thoughts on sizing and living with a long wheelbase.
I rode a stumpjumper evo, camber evo and remedy on a demo day and found they had very different suspension character. Can't remember sizing sorry.
Remedy felt nice and plush. Handled well.
Stump evo not as plush as the remedy, like it had a lot less rear travel. I fiddled with air pressure but could not get it feeling as good as the remedy.
Camber evo obviously less travel and taught feeling rear end. Felt fast and a lot of fun. A little rocketship!
Steeper seat angles give shorter top tubes for a given reach.
I went looking at a Remedy (650b) at the weekend and for the size of the frame, they are quite short reach wise. I'm 6'1" and tried a 19.5" (Treks official size) and was right on the limit of the bike reach wise. Was advised to look at a 21.5" to get the reach right but then not sure the rest of the bike will feel quite right.
Looking at other bikes such as Commencal, their reach is over 1/2" longer for the same frame but with lower standover. Shame as in the flesh, the Remedy is a great looking bike and feels light too.
Steeper seat angles give shorter top tubes for a given reach.
Yes, but the Remedy has the slackest seat tube angle in this comparison by far! The reach figure they quote doesn't make sense relative to the ETT quoted.
skiprat - Thanks, this is massively useful info as I'm also 6'1" tall. The 19.5" v 21.5" is exactly the dilemma I was expecting to face with this bike from looking at the sizing. I'm sure the reach would be fine with the 21.5" plus short stem (which is good) but the wheelbase is then very long indeed as it was already the longest bike with the 19.5" frame. The top tube on the 21.5" is actually only 22mm longer, but the seat tube is a full 2" longer.
Trek Remedy carbon sizing is very odd, they offer an extra frame size, but only 1 size really caters for riders above 6' tall. Conclusion is that Specialized sizing looks much better for me. I sat on a large Camber in the shop and the reach seemed good. The top tube on the large Camber is only 8 mm longer than the 19.5" Remedy, so might not be too bad after all.
skiprat - I've just noticed you said the one you tried was a 650b. Looking at the Trek website, the 650b version has a considerably longer top tube, but apparently less reach than the 29 (same seat angle quoted for both). Trek's figures must be bollocks for one of these bikes surely? Just what I need!
DeeW - Many thanks for your demo impressions of these 3 bikes. Kind of what I was anticipating, Remedy sounds like the plushest ride and Camber fastest and most lively. Stumpy somewhere in between. Decisions, decisions! Did you buy one or just trying out?
Moshi - i only had a sit on and quick scoot round the shop on the Remedy so i think i'll get a demo day in to see what its like. Currently have a zesty that feels longer but could do with trying one after the other.
Some of the figures don't read right on the website, the stand over on a XL frame being lower than that of a S, no idea how that works out.
Some of the figures don't read right on the website, the stand over on a XL frame being lower than that of a S, no idea how that works out.
Yes, also noticed that the actual frame sizes are quoted wrongly for some of the larger Remedy 9.8 29 sizes eg. 20.5" for the virtual 19.5" in the high link position. Doesn't inspire much confidence in any of the other numbers quoted does it? Have to try and find one to sit on I suppose. Looks like a great bike if it actually fits though.