Suspension/Chassis

Featuring High and Low geometry settings given the choice we’d never go for the option that offers a not quite so good cornering dynamic. At 335mm the bottom bracket is a great setting in the low position, the 480mm reach and 67 head angle making it a perfect shape bike for a rider around six foot. You have to wonder that this is the largest size but relative to many other brands this bike isn’t far off for a six footer.

In terms of features, and this bike has many, Trek will particularly want the integrated bump stop or “knock block” mentioned along with most notably the 1x specific stays, carbon armor, ABP, EVO….. and damper which is …wait for it….. a “Fox Factory Float Evol, Re:aktiv 3 position damper, Kashima coat” …and of course tuned by Trek Suspension Lab. It’s a Trek/Fox collaboration on this bike as indeed most of the Fuel range whilst on the Remedy it’s a Rockshox/RE:aktiv set up for much of the range. If you visited the Remedy story you’ll know we are major fans of this technology.

Feeling

It’s a bike with fire in its belly this one, and it delivers in heaps in terms of quick drive through the crank, a superb poise in corners and a good balance on descents and faster steeper terrain. The bike has an excellent feel to it, arguably on the stiffer end of spectrum but it needs it, for it’s a bike of high tempo. The rear Re:aktiv damper feels slightly more of a dry weather damper than its early Remedy 29 predecessor which began the trend with Penske style damping. On this particular bike it’s certainly one that can get drive out of the terrain, and initial thoughts are that it’s quite different to the RE:aktiv damper on its stable mate the new 2017 Remedy, which feels more like the Re:aktiv of old. A pure grip unit.

As we thought the DT wheels are speed merchants, and whilst the 2.4 rubber gives a bit more cushioning we’d like to take them elsewhere to get a complete verdict. Great resistance in the Fox can allows for easy climbing aided by that new kid in the woods, the Sram Eagle. Crisp and silent, oh and twelve speed if you haven’t already heard.

Limitations. Shorter stem needed, but that’s getting personal.