trek checkpoint sl5 gravel bike

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2022 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 Review

• by Riding With Ryan (Official)

In this 2022 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 review we will cover the type of road bike this is, the drivetrain, groupset and additional key features.

There are many different types of road bikes, and the Checkpoint is capable in all disciplines. Where the Checkpoint SL 5 really shines is the gravel and bikepacking categories. The tires are too wide to be a great road bike, but with a second set of tires it could be great at that, too.

The SL 5 is for serious cyclists. The $3,299 price tag is high enough to scare beginners off. This is a great bike for a road cyclist looking to ride off-pavement.

The 2022 Checkpoint SL 5 has a carbon fiber frame. Don’t expect a huge weight savings over the SLR 5 though. This carbon model weighs just 50 grams less at 21.39 lbs.

Your biggest gain from the switch in frame material is the vibration dampening ability of carbon fiber over aluminum. Endurance cyclists and gravel bikers will appreciate the comfort of carbon fiber.

2022 Checkpoint SL 5 Drivetrain

The drivetrain on the 2022 Checkpoint SL 5 is 2×11 Shimano GRX. Whether climbing or descending, you will have plenty of low and high range, and everything in-between. Crank arm lengths vary depending on frame size from 165-175mm.

The Shimano GRX shifters are designed for both comfort and durability. The balance between weight and efficiency is perfect for off-road riding, or mixed use cycling.

Trek used to use a proprietary BB90 bottom brac. et. The T47 threaded bottom bracket on the SL 5 is common, which means finding compatible parts wis easier.

What Groupset Does 2022 Checkpoint SL 5 Have?

The groupset on 2022 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 gravel bikes is Shimano GRX. It is the equivalent to Shimano 105, which is a road groupset. In fact, Checkpoint SL 5 cassette is a part from Shimano 105.

Shimano designed GRX knowing it would be a gravel specific groupset. As a result, the design to maximizes efficiency and durability. The vibrations from gravel biking are hard on road bike groupsets, and GRX is Shimano’s way to solve that problem.

Shimano GRX was first released in 2019, so it’s still new. For the first three years the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Don’t expect that to change either. As Shimano makes improvements to other groups, the technology makes its way to all groupsets. GRX has the benefit of taking from both the road and mountain groups. In fact, Shimano 105 today is very similar to Shimano Dura Ace from 10 years ago.

Checkpoint SL 5 Key Features

Rear IsoSpeed is the best feature on this bike. IsoSpeed takes a rigid frame bike and makes it comfortable on rough surfaces. Doing so allows the seat tube to flex with changes on the trail.

The frame geometry is great for long rides. It has the holes needed to internally mount the cables for a dropper post too. Dropper post compatibility is the coolest feature on the bike that instantly makes you want to spend more money on upgrades.

There are tons of integrated mounts on this bike. The Topeak Aero Wedge ( Check Price on Amazon ) is my saddle bag of choice, but the storage options are endless. You will be able to store your flat kit, nutrition and other supplies on the Checkpoint rather than in a backpack that only makes you hot.

Checkpoint SL 5 Problems

The biggest problem I have with this bike is the weight for this price point. Switching from an aluminum frame to carbon fiber saves weight, but the IsoSpeed decoupler adds it back on. The bike isn’t heavy, but a carbon fiber road bike with a price over $3,000 needs to weigh about 450 grams or one pound less.

Overall the SL 5 is a great bike for bikepacking and gravel biking. Above all, it is fast, responsive, and relatively light weight after accounting for the increased comfort of IsoSpeed. With all the room for storage you can take everything you need to ride the trails less traveled.

If you enjoyed this 2022 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 review, consider reading:

• 10 Ways To Make Your Road Bike Lighter
• Best Chain Lubricant For Road Bikes

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Trek Checkpoint SL 5 – First Impressions

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Checkpoint SL 5

https://www.trekbikes.com

Grab your flannel shirt, lace-up shoes and enamel camping mug, Trek has a new bike that might just be what you’ve been looking for. The all-new Checkpoint 5 SL might confuse you as to what it is exactly, but in fact, Trek has let you decide yourself what to do with it, so far what we can tell is they’re calling it a; ‘gravel bike for epic all-road adventures’.

We know what we’ll do with it – adventures! – but before we give it a run to the hills let’s take a look at this unique animal in closer detail.

So many things to look at.

It might look like a road bike from afar but take a couple steps closer and you’ll notice frame features you’d never see on a classic road bike. We’re talking about; rack/utility mounts, multiple water bottle cage mounts, loads of tyre clearance, 12mm thru-axles, impact protection under the downtube, and an adjustable wheelbase.

IsoSpeed decoupler, the fancy little bump-diffuser.

As seen on the Trek Procaliber is Trek’s unique vibration dampening system; IsoSpeed. Seen on Trek’s cross-country hardtail; the Procaliber, the Boone cyclocross bike and their endurance road bike, Domane.

It’s like the tiniest bit of suspension to take the sting out of the road.

It essentially uses a bushing and axle arrangement at the junction of the seat tube and top tube to allow the seat post to bend backwards independently from the top tube, adding comfort when seated. The top tube and seat tube tube are completely separate parts, joined by the decoupler unit.

See the IsoSpeed used for the purpose of mountain biking here: Trek Procaliber review.

Flow ‘GravelCross’ Bike, sorry, what?

We are aware that our name Flow Mountain Bike is completely void of words like ‘cyclocross’ or ‘gravel’, nor do we profess to be experts in the field of gravel but we’ve ridden quite a few nowadays, and our road bikes are gathering dust because of it. What’s going on?

C’mon, we know mountain bikers are hard on road bikes. There are even gravel events popping up like this one!

Isn’t it just a cyclocross bike?

In comparison to Trek’s cyclocross bike – The Boone – the Checkpoint’s frame geometry is lower in the bottom bracket, taller up the front and has considerably more tyre clearance. The adjustable wheelbase will provide the rider with the ability to select a fast and agile feel, or long and stable.

Other gravel bikes we’ve recently tried out.

Norco’s Search XR shares a lot of features with the Checkpoint, check out the chainstays, multiple mounts, tyre clearance etc. Have a look here.

Cannondale Super X SE is an adaption from a cyclocross race bike for the gravel, a fast bike indeed! Check it out here.

Checkpoint options?

Trek provides the Checkpoint in three models, the SL 6 for $4699 is the top-end carbon frame version with the fancy Shimano Ultegra, the SL 5 we have sells for $3699 with Shimano 105. The ALR 5 uses a is aluminium frame option for $2699.

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Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

My Gravel Bikes Videos & 6 Observations So Far on Trek’s Checkpoint SL 5

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

There’s been so much interest in my new gravel bike, a 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 which I reviewed earlier this month, that I wanted to give you more of the story this week – plus some observations and thoughts now that I’ve got some real rides on it. If you missed the review, here’s a link: https://www.roadbikerider.com/new-trek-checkpoint-sl-5/ .

Some readers got the idea that I was a gravel newbie. So I wanted to explain that while this is my first modern “gravel” bike, it’s definitely not my first bicycle that can do what this Checkpoint can, and that riding gravel and dirt terrain on a near-road bike isn’t new to me either.

So what I did is make two new videos to tell the whole story of my first “gravel” bike and this new Trek. The first bike, a custom, made for me to my spec by Bonny Doon, California framesmith Jim Oxford is unique and the bike also features some of Keith Bontrager’s early innovations. I think you’ll like it. And, in the video about my SL 5, there are some clips of it in action for an idea of what it’s like to ride.

My Trek Checkpoint SL 5 Video

My Old Gravel Bike Video

TrekFest 3/1 to 4/2

I also wanted to pass on – in case you’re interested in a Trek Checkpoint for yourself, that Trek just announced their TrekFest sale. It runs from March 1 to April 2. I don’t work for Trek or have any more details about the sale. But it might be worth checking their website trekbikes.com and/or your local Trek dealer to see if you can save on that new G bike or whatever model you’ve got your eye on. 

6 Observations So Far on My Trek Checkpoint SL 5 and One on Gravel Bike Riding in General

1. favorite feature.

The best thing about riding this gravel bike so far is the ability to hop off the pavement and easily and safely ride on the shoulder when necessary. For example, if an oversize vehicle is passing and the road’s too narrow, escaping to the shoulder is a wonderful option that eliminates any risk. Plus, there’s some pavement that’s so rough that you’ll find riding on the dirt shoulder is smoother, faster and way more fun. Yes, you could probably ride it on your road bike, too, but with gravel tires you’ve got the right rubber and no control or flat worries.

2. Onboard Storage

The SL 5 has a storage compartment in the down tube. I’ve seen this on some Specialized brand bikes too. The compartment looks large inside and a Bontrager stuff bag comes with the bike. It has pockets for a CO2 pump and spare tube. I didn’t have a CO2 pump with me on my RV trip but I did have a tiny frame pump only 6.5 inches long. I tried to put this and a spare butyl tube inside the bag and into the storage compartment and it didn’t fit. I took the pump out and the tube fit fine. My Trek dealer recommended using a TPU spare tube, such as the ones by Tubolito or Schwalbe, which are much smaller than butyl tubes. Here’s my review of the Schwalbes .  I may do that and I might experiment with either modifying the Bontrager bag or making my own to see if I can get more tools inside the compartment.

3. Shifting Comparison

Because I have bikes equipped with Shimano Di2 electric shifting I can compare my gravel bike’s cable-shifting Shimano GRX drivetrain to it. The biggest difference is that front shifting with a cable derailleur requires pushing the shift lever a long way. I measured the lever throw at the tip to be about 4 inches versus the immediate click of the Di2’s button. If you’re used to the super quick front shifts of Di2 you might want to pay more and get a gravel bike with Di2. I don’t find that the rear shifting is that different between cable and Di2.

4. Chain Keeper

Trek equips the SL 5 with a chain keeper, a small device that prevents the chain from falling off the small chainring. It’s become a common feature on lots of bikes, even road racers because as cassettes have gotten more and more cogs, the chain angle has increased a lot, which can cause chain drops. Chain keepers ensure it doesn’t happen and they work well. But, it’s good to know that if you do happen to drop the chain as I did crashing, that the keeper also makes it more difficult to get the chain back on.

Without a chain keeper you can pedal the chain back on or lift it back on. But the chain keeper will keep the chain from going back on if you try to pedal it back on. So instead you have to create chain slack (push the rear derailleur pulley cage toward the front of the bike), and try to lift the chain or backpedal to get the chain back on. It’s not that big a deal but it’s not easy like putting a dropped chain on without a chain keeper.

Disc brakes are ultra powerful and usually reliable regardless of where and how you ride. I’ve had them on my mountain bikes since they first came out. So I was more than a little surprised to bend a rotor on one of my first gravel rides. It caused the brake to drag until I got back to the RV and could straighten it with Park Tool’s Rotor Truing Fork tool ( https://amzn.to/3ZtjjUm ). This got me thinking about my old gravel bike with rim brakes. On that bike if I bent a wheel causing the brake to drag, it would be a simple matter to open the brake so it didn’t drag. That would be a nice feature for disc brakes to have someday.

So far I haven’t had any issues with the Bontrager Paradigm wheels, but a reader named “Agustin” commented that on his Trek Domane with Paradigm wheels he started breaking spokes and on brevets (long important rides), never a good thing. I looked more closely at my Paradigm wheels and from the “S” stamped on the spoke heads, a quick search suggests that these are Taiwanese spokes made by Shuhn Lih Enterprise Co., Ltd. That’s not a spoke I have ever built with so only time will tell if I break them, too. If I do, I will rebuild the wheels with DT Swiss spokes, which I trust. And, I will have to take back what I said about the wheels being reliable. (There are actually only a few spoke brands that you can trust, Sapim is another one.)

Jim Langley  is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of  Your Home Bicycle Workshop  in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read  Jim’s full bio .

Reader Interactions

March 2, 2023 at 6:09 am

I picked my SL5 this January. I find it’s very road worthy and fast. I’m in West Michigan and our mild winter has allowed me to ride off trainer a bunch. The trails in early Spring and late Fall can be messy. This Checkpoint, as compared to my former ALR4 Checkpoint, is a great leap forward. The SL5 is an amazing upgrade. Thanks for you videos. Educational and highly relateable.

March 2, 2023 at 1:41 pm

That’s great to hear you’re enjoying your SL 5 so much, Kim. I’ve only ridden a little bit in Michigan and I loved every minute – beautiful place you’ve got there! I’m very happy you found my videos helpful, thanks for the kind words and have fun on that sweet bike! Jim

March 2, 2023 at 6:44 am

You wrote that you bent a brake rotor on one of your first gravel rides.. Did this happen with your new Trek? How did you happen to bend it? Are these disc brake rotors that filmsy?

March 2, 2023 at 1:37 pm

Hi Karl, Yes, I bent the rotor on my new Trek SL 5 on my first “real” gravel ride. I didn’t see what happened, I only heard the sound. I am pretty sure the rotor must have hit a rock or a rock kicked up and struck the rotor. Either way it warped the rotor enough so that I knew right away the rear brake was dragging. Disc brake rotors are right there on the hub pretty close the ground and they’re exposed to whatever’s down there. In the Arizona desert on the Jeep trails that means lots of sizable rocks. The SL 5 has Shimano disc brakes and rotors which consistently get the best reviews in cycling so I can’t blame the rotors. And when you straighten a bent rotor like I did and have on many bikes, you feel how stiff and strong they are.

There is a way to reduce the risk to rotors, which is to go with smaller rotors instead of larger ones. The trend is to run larger for more braking power. I’m not sure that’s necessary. Had my Trek Checkpoint come with 14omm rotors instead of the 160mm rotors, I think the rotor might not have bent from the impact. And I bet the bike would still stop fine because another gravel bike I built with 140mm rotors stopped perfectly fine.

Hope this is helpful and thanks for asking, Jim

March 19, 2024 at 8:12 pm

The Trek Checkpoint SL is speced with the Shimano RT70 so I will assume these are the ones Jim bent, When I assembled my upgrade Fulcrum wheels for my Cannondale, I went wth 160mm Shimano XT, i.e. MTB rotors. They were slightly thicker than the originals as I had to open up the calipers a fraction of a mm. The rig now works like a dream.

March 2, 2023 at 8:14 am

I talked to a local Trek store to pre-order a Checkpoint SL 5 the day before their big sale started. Unfortunately, it’s not one of the bikes on sale. However, he immediately offered me a couple hundred bucks off sticker price just for asking. So ask — if you’re buying a Trek this month.

March 2, 2023 at 1:12 pm

Thanks for sharing this John, great to hear! Jim

March 2, 2023 at 9:00 am

It doesn’t look like any of the Checkpoints are on sale. When I went to the Trek site to look at all the Checkpoint models, I got a 404 error.

Oops! We bonked. The page you requested could not be found. Let’s grab a coffee and head back home. 404 page not found

Oh well try again later.

Eric see John Marsh’s comment just above yours re getting some $ knocked off your Checkpoint. And here’s the link to the webpage on it on Trek’s website: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/checkpoint/checkpoint-sl-5/p/35169/?colorCode=grey_greydark

Thanks for the comment! Jim

March 2, 2023 at 9:30 am

Riding the shoulder around here, Idaho, is almost a guaranteed flat with goatheads or debris.

March 2, 2023 at 1:17 pm

I have now ridden about 200 miles on shoulders here but mostly in Arizona where there are goatheads and I haven’t had any flats, David. My SL 5 came with 40mm wide tubeless tires with sealant inside. I think it’s equipped that way from Trek or setup at the shop that way. A goathead could definitely puncture the tire but the sealant would seal any holes and prevent the tire going flat or even losing much pressure. Same thing for small glass cuts, staples, nails and so on. That’s one of the reason gravel bikes are becoming so popular. The fatter tires resist punctures way better than skinnier ones.

March 2, 2023 at 10:22 am

Is the SL5 a good bike to add 35lbs for touring? Any other suggestions for this purpose?

March 2, 2023 at 1:27 pm

Hi David! Yes you could easily carry 35 pounds on the bike by adding frame bags to it and/or adding a rack and panniers. The bike has a multitude of mounts all over it as shown in my video. And there are gravel bike frame bag makers (just search on gravel bike bags) who offer lots of different bags to mount on the bike if you don’t want to have a rack and panniers, which can feel bulky and increase wind drag. That’s why “bikepackers” usually choose gravel bikes like this and they put on a frame bag, a handlebar bag and a seat bag as the basic larger bags to carry their gear. This way it’s all tucked in, close at hand for easy access and apart from the added weight it doesn’t feel a lot slower because the stuff you’re carrying is not out in the wind. The tucked-in bags also mean that you can ride even singletrack trails or even where there are no trails and you won’t have to worry about your packs sticking out and snagging on things. Plus, the bags are all pretty fast and easy to remove for when you want to ride without gear.

Thanks for the comment and I hope this helps, Jim

March 2, 2023 at 1:30 pm

Thanks, Jim. So, the frame feels pretty solid? That’s the difference I notice in ‘made for touring’ bikes like the Surly Long Haul and the Gunnar Grand Tour. The bike feels stable even at higher downhill speed.

March 2, 2023 at 1:48 pm

Yes, definitely, Dave. But, how bikes feel is subjective too. You could ride totally different than I do. You could be much stronger or significantly lighter, etc. (I’m about 160 pounds suited up and ready to ride.) So, I would recommend not buying a Checkpoint until you take one on a good test ride to see how it feels to you.

I didn’t buy my SL 5 without researching it and it was highly recommended by two friends who ride a lot. I then test rode the aluminum version and then the SL 5 back to back and I thought both bikes rode great but that the carbon bike was the clear winner. To me the frame feels very solid and stable descending at speed. Coming down Mt. Lemmon I would estimate speeds around 40-45mph and the bike was steady as she goes.

But you should test ride one for yourself and see what you think. Hope this helps, Jim

July 16, 2023 at 9:10 pm

I also test rode and compared the aluminum version with the SL5 and noticed little to no difference on the ride. The test ride was on a “chipped” road and a stoned lane. Trying to figure ot if spending $1000 more for carbon will really make any differnence. Most of my riding will be on paved roads, but they are long rides so comfort is important but that’s difficult to compare on a test ride.

March 2, 2023 at 1:55 pm

I can’t edit my previous reply, Dave, so I want to add some more. The Surly Long Haul Trucker is what I would consider a standard “touring” bike made for racks and panniers. As far as I know it’s a steel frame bicycle, at least it always has been since I’ve known about it and it’s been around for years and years.

The Trek Checkpoint SL 5 is definitely a gravel bike. This is a different animal than a touring bike. The biggest difference is that one was designed for touring carrying the cargo on racks and bags and mostly riding on the road. And the Trek is made for all types of gravel riding and road riding but it’s targeted for performance on both surfaces, too. So, that means it’s lighter and quicker handling than a true touring bike like the Surly LHT.

My point is that it’s comparing oranges to apples. I still think you should ride the Trek and see but if you like the feel of a classic steel touring bicycle and using racks and panniers and mostly tour on the road, the Long Haul Trucker and bikes like it might be the winner for you.

Hope this helps you, Jim

March 2, 2023 at 2:07 pm

Thanks, Jim.

March 20, 2023 at 8:43 am

My SL5 (61cm) is older, it came with Shimano 105, no downtube storage or headtube decoupler, which I have no complaints. I do have access to the downtube for storage but it requires a hex key wrench. I did recently upgrade the wheels to a deeper wider Bontrager carbon set and use the stock wheels for spares on the SL5 and my wife’s FX4 Carbon.

The stock wheels took a real beating for a couple thousand miles of dirt roads and mountain bike trails with zero issues. The carbon wheels are close to a thousand miles with zero issues as well and I am an aggressive 200 pound rider/racer.

The bike is super comfortable and the only item I wasn’t fond of were the stock tires. I’ve been using Bontrager tires for years but I just didn’t feel comfortable cornering at speed on pavement. Otherwise my less aggressive wife has been wearing them out with no issues. I replaced them with Goodyears with the Trek tubeless set-up.

My gravel travels over the decades have been on road bikes with 28c training tires and a Trek X01. Then a decade ago or so I bought a Lemond Poprad disc (manufactured by Trek) followed by a Trek Boone CX with cantilever brakes. The cantilever brakes sucked compared the Avid BB7 setup on the Lemond, but the hydraulic disc brakes of the Checkpoint make all the previous bikes fail in comparison.

We currently have 19 bikes, so I can confidently say, I can recommend this bike. I highly doubt I will replace the SL5 any time soon, unless I break it and if I do, it will be with another Checkpoint.

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Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

• Rider Notes

2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5

A carbon frame gravel bike with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes.

Manufacturer Price

Checkpoint SL 5

In Stock: 52, 56, & 58cm

Checkpoint SL 5 - 2023, 54cm

In Stock: 54cm

For This Bike

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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• 5'7", size 54, Fits large
• 5'10", size LG, Just right
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Jan 2024 · Calvin Zajac

Is Trek’s mid-range gravel machine better than its top-end twin? The Checkpoint SL 7 offers adventure on a (slightly) lower budget, but is that enough to beat the competition in our adventure gravel bike group test?

Outstanding versatility

A lot of practical features

High-quality design, boasting first-class workmanship

No chainstay protector

Read Review

Nov 2023 · Oscar Huckle

How does the Checkpoint platform translate into aluminium?

Well mannered on tamer terrain

Lots of eyelets

Eschews integration

Clean dropper post actuation

Not the most exciting ride

Harsh through the front end when unloaded

Oct 2023 · Guy Kesteven

Trek’s Checkpoint has unique progressive geometry and scissor frame features and all the mount points you could want. But is it a multi-surface, multi-mission master or a complicated compromise?

IsoPulse Decoupler is a significant ride smoother

Well balanced road or rough handling

Efficient speed on all surfaces

SL 6 model is a real performance for price sweet spot

Saddle is a bit squishy on longer rides

Many mounts mean slightly more mass

Controls go through the headset

Non removable front mech tab

Rough rear hub

Oct 2022 · Mat Brett

Get all the details of this fiery red gravel/adventure bike with Trek’s gravel-smoothing IsoSpeed

Sep 2022 · Josh Ross

The Trek Checkpoint is the only bike you need to take you on every adventure

SRAM Rival AXS is the perfect groupset for an all-arounder

Mud-guard mounts

Mounting points for every bag you can think of

Non-proprietary seat-post provides options

Internal storage is convenient

Downtube protection eases worry

Threaded bottom bracket

Ideal all-around gearing

Short stem for added stability means handlebar/knee interference

Lacks included protection for the chain stay

Detail behind the fork steerer collects water and is difficult to clean

Aug 2022 · Sam Challis

Neat tricks combined with smart design equals good fun. The Checkpoint SL is the sweetspot in Trek's gravel range

Effective geometry

Sensible spec

Neat extra frame features

Comfortable

Non-removable front derailleur mount

Headset cable integration design isn’t watertight

Updated geometry and differentiated models for speed, adventure, and all purpose riding

Sep 2021 · Matthew Pioro

Also, a tour of the revamped Trek Checkpoint lineup of bikes and Adventure bags for mixed-surface adventures

Last updated April 28

2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 Review

Are you looking to upgrade your bicycle and don’t know where to start? With so many options on the market, it can difficult to decide which one is best for you. 

Well, if you are an avid cyclist that covers long distances, then the 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 should be at the top of your list.

Trek has been in the business of making bicycles for more than four decades and is renowned for making some of the best quality cycle frames. 

The 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 features a lightweight 500 Series OCLV Carbon fiber frame and parts that have been designed with high performance and durability in mind.

This review is an exploration of the 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 bike; everything from its build quality, handling, components and performance. 

Read on to discover why this road bike is worth investing in.

The 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 is one of the most versatile, race-ready gravel bikes on the market. 

With Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and other components, you can go from crushing all-day gravel epics to exploring singletrack with equal parts speed and confidence. 

In this review, we’ll explore the features that make this gravel bike stand out from the rest.

The Trek Checkpoint SL 5 is a bikepacking and gravel bike that gives you the perfect blend of balance, power and performance on any terrain. 

With its lightweight OCLV Carbon frame and components, this bike is great for rides over miles of hills or through sandy trails. 

Other features include 29-inch wheels, IsoSpeed, downtube storage door, unobtrusive mudguard compatibility and durable Bontrager Paradigm SL rims. 

This is an adventure ready bike designed for those wanting to explore their limits on varied terrains.

– Lightweight OCLV Carbon frame for superior strength

– Shimano GRX 2×11 drivetrain

– Flat mount hydraulic disc brakes

– Unobtrusive fender and bag mounts

– Durable Bontrager Paradigm Tubeless ready rims

– 700x40c Tubeless Ready Bontrager GR1 Team Issue tires

The Checkpoint SL 5 has an incredibly light and stiff 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame which provides excellent handling and response. 

The IsoSpeed decoupler delivers a dampened, responsive ride that absorbs unpleasant bumps while avoiding harsh impacts. 

A storage compartment on the downtube allows you to conveniently store your tools and equipment. 

It also has strategically placed mounts for extra water storage or bags, as well as a wide range of gears that make it an ideal choice for racing across any terrain.

Shimano’s GRX 2×11 drivetrain offers crisp shifting and incredible control while riding off road or in technical conditions. 

The 46/30T chainrings and 11-34, 11 speed cassette gearing combination gives you plenty of options to choose from during climbs or descents.

Running on Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, the Checkpoint SL 5 provides exceptional brake performance with minimal effort required from the rider to modulate stopping power. 

This makes it easy for novice riders who are still getting accustomed to higher speeds on off road terrain.

Wheels & Tires

Tubeless compatible Bontrager Paradigm SL wheels with 700x40mm Bontrager GR1 Team Issue tires offer ample traction to tackle any type of terrains, whether it be dirt roads, gravel paths, or trails full of rocks and roots. 

The generous clearance of this frame allows you to install larger tires (700x45mm or 27.5×2.1″) for riding over more difficult terrain and tracks.

Bottom Line

The Checkpoint SL 5 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-performance race ready gravel bike that won’t let them down when pushed hard in unpredictable conditions. 

The light frame paired with powerful disc brakes alongside tubeless compatible wheels & tires provide extreme control across varied terrain – making it well suited for epic adventures through nature as well as competitive racing against your friends on long weekends away!

Order online and have it shipped to your local dealer for final assembly!!

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​Trek's First True Gravel Bike, the Checkpoint, Is Impressive

The new bike's features and lower-cost versions make it a compelling multi-surface option

What’s New for 2018? Checkpoint is a brand new line in the Trek family ; previously, its multi-surface road offerings were split between the Domane Disc , which has clearance for 35mm tires but is decidedly more a performance road bike in features and geometry, and the cyclocross-focused Boone and Crockett lines. The Checkpoint is a dedicated multi-surface bike, with more tire clearance than any bike in Trek’s drop-bar line, and a full range of mounts for racks, bags, fenders, and hydration.

The Checkpoint Family Includes Carbon and Aluminum Models There are four models in the Checkpoint line, three of which come in men’s and women’s options. The SL6 and SL5 feature OCLV 500 carbon frames; while the ALR5 and ALR4 models are aluminum. Women’s options differ only in saddle and handlebar touchpoints and paint; geometry and most parts are identical.

The two carbon models have an OCLV carbon frame with rubberized armor on the down tube and a rear IsoSpeed decoupler. The SL6 ($3,800) gets a full Shimano Ultegra drivetrain with RT800 hydraulic disc brakes and the new Shimano Freeza rotors. The SL5 ($2,800) has a Shimano 105 drivetrain and non-series hydraulic discs.

The aluminum models don't have the IsoSpeed decoupler or the top-tube bag mount. They do, however, have all of the other bottle, rack, and fender mounts. The ALR5 ($2,000) uses a Shimano 105 drivetrain and non-series hydraulic disc brakes, while the ALR4 ($1,700) is kitted with a Shimano Tiagra 10-speed drivetrain and hydraulic brakes. Both have carbon forks, but not the same version as the SL bikes.

All men’s models come in six sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 61cm. Women’s models come in 49, 52, 54, and 56cm. Both the ALR and SL platforms are also available as framesets.

Claimed weight on the Checkpoint SL bare frame is 1,240g; the ALR frame is said to weigh 1,570g (both in a 56cm). Claimed fork weights are 470g (SL) and 600g (ALR).

Generous Tire Clearance and the Option to Run It as a Singlespeed At first glance, the Checkpoint looks largely like a first-generation Domane or Boone, with a rear-only IsoSpeed decoupler on the carbon models for a little bit of comfort. Trek’s road brand manager, Michael Mayer, says that the company opted to not give the bike the front IsoSpeed coupler found on most current Domane and Boone models for two reasons: Doing so would have increased the price, and the company feels like the larger tires most riders will choose lessens its importance.

The Checkpoint can accept up to 700x45mm rubber. That’s thanks in part to the asymmetric chainstay design, which drops the driveside chainstay so that it can still clear the chainrings while preserving generous tire clearance. Unlike some other brands, Trek does not officially say that the Checkpoint is compatible with 650b wheels. It’s designed around a 700c wheel size.

The Stranglehold sliding dropouts are similar to those found on the company's Stache mountain bike and Crockett alloy cyclocross bike. They allow the rider to adjust wheelbase according to tire size and riding preferences, and offer the option to run the bike as a singlespeed.

Trek didn’t hold back with mount options. Every bike in the line gets up to four bottle-cage mounts: three inside the main triangle (with a high/low option for the down tube) and one underneath the down tube. (Smaller sizes have only two mounts inside the main triangle.) There’s a top-tube mount for a frame bag, and full front and rear rack and fender eyelets. Trek uses 12x142mm and 12x100mm thru-axle wheel attachments and flat-mount disc brakes; cable routing is internal on the carbon bikes and partly internal on the aluminum models. While 1x drivetrains are increasingly popular, Trek opted for double chainrings on all models (all drivetrains are Shimano). Every bike has hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless-ready or tubeless-compatible rims, and comes with the same Schwalbe G-One multi-surface tire in a 35mm width.

The Checkpoint is most similar to Trek’s Boone. But the Boone is focused on racing cyclocross, so there are several important differences. In addition to greater tire clearance, the Checkpoint has a slightly taller stack for a more upright rider position, and a lower bottom bracket.

The Stranglehold dropouts offer some adjustment for overall wheelbase, which allows you to shorten the wheelbase with narrower tires; shorter will mean more responsive handling, while longer offers more clearance for wider tires and a more stable feel.

How It Rides We’ve had limited time on the Checkpoint, but initial impressions are positive. The SL6 model in for testing is no featherweight, but is competitive with other multi-surface bikes that have similar features and parts kits. Trek has long excelled at carbon construction, and the frame doesn’t betray any flexiness under power. With the stock 35mm Schwalbe G-One tires, grip and comfort are excellent on a variety of surfaces; descending on pavement feels a little slow, and the pebble tread isn’t as confident in aggressive cornering on pavement as a design like the Donnelly (née Clement) Strada USH, but that’s not what this bike is really designed for.

On two initial shakeout rides, I piloted the Checkpoint over a variety of surfaces ranging from paved climbs and descents to hardpack dirt to loose, sandy loam and even packed snow with icy ruts. The Checkpoint proved confident and capable in all conditions, and I’m looking forward to getting more time on it.

Joe Lindsey is a longtime freelance journalist who writes about sports and outdoors, health and fitness, and science and tech, especially where the three elements in that Venn diagram overlap.

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2022 Trek Checkpoint gravel bike review: Longer, but not slacker

Major geometry changes make for a new personality that’s rowdier, but also perhaps more polarizing..

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Story Highlights

What it is: Trek’s second-generation gravel bike family|| Frame features: Carbon fiber or aluminum construction, longer and more progressive frame geometry, integrated down tube storage and IsoSpeed rear pseudo-suspension on carbon models, cleanly hidden internal/external hybrid routing, lots of mounts, T47 threaded bottom brackets|| Weight: 950-1,450 g (claimed, frame only); 8.65 kg (19.07 lb), as tested, 52 cm size, without pedals or accessories|| Price: Starting at US$2,400 / AU$3,200 / £2,250 / €2,400; topping out at US$12,000 / AU$16,500 / £11,000 / €12,000|| Highs: More forgiving handling, size-specific IsoSpeed tuning on the SLR models, reasonably headache-free cable routing, traditional frame shaping|| Lows: Handling is more stable but also more sedate, strange bar bend on some models

Going a little deeper down the gravel rabbit hole with a longer front end

Trek’s original Checkpoint was a runaway sales success, offering very good capability on mixed terrain while retaining the nimbleness and agility of road and cyclocross bikes that many nascent gravel riders enjoyed. But as popular as that bike family has been, gravel bikes have continued to veer further into proper off-road terrain since then, and the new second-generation Checkpoint has evolved to keep up with those trends.

By far, the biggest change is in the new Checkpoint’s frame geometry.

Gravel bikes have grown steadily longer up front, and Trek has definitely hopped on that bandwagon here — albeit in its own way. Reach and front center dimensions on the second-generation Checkpoint have grown by about 2 cm across the board, and a 10 mm bump in chainstay length has added further to the total wheelbase (the old Stranglehold adjustable rear dropouts are gone). 

Stem length and handlebar reach each decrease by 1 cm to maintain the same riding position as before, and overall stack dimensions have changed by no more than 6 mm.

Head tube angles have slackened only very slightly, but that’s coupled with a drop in fork rake from 49 mm to 45 mm. Trail dimensions have grown as a result for more steering stability, but the trail figures still aren’t too crazy. Whereas the old Checkpoint was quite road-like with trail measurements ranging from 59-66 mm, depending on size, the new ones sit at 65-74 mm. 

Down below, bottom bracket drop remains unchanged at 74-78 mm, depending on size.

Overall, the intent is to add some stability to the Checkpoint while still retaining some of its trademark agility — and it’s also somewhat telling that the axle-to-crown length of the revised fork intentionally doesn’t account for switching to a suspension fork. 

Interestingly, claimed maximum tire size remains unchanged at 700×45 mm (40 mm-wide tires come stock across the board), although 650b setups finally get the official Trek seal of approval, at least for tires up to 2.1″-wide.

Built-in burrito storage, hidden cabling

Integrated into the down tube of carbon fiber Checkpoint models is the same cleverly integrated storage compartment as is already found in the Domane SLR and multiple Trek mountain bikes. A single lever secures the smartphone-sized hatch, and there’s enough room inside for an included tool roll with compartments for an inner tube, CO2 cartridge and inflator, a tire lever, and a bit more. Directly attached to the underside of the hatch is a holder for a Bontrager mini-tool, too, although it’s missing a chain tool and there’s no obvious dedicated location to add one, either, so you’ll want to source a compact model yourself. 

If you’re open to carrying the repair items somewhere else, I can also say that I’ve done the hard research to confirm that the down tube is sufficiently spacious — and the hatch opening sufficiently wide — for you to stuff an actual burrito inside (just don’t forget it’s in there).

Cable routing is slightly revised from the previous Checkpoint, and arguably an improvement over some of the bonkers fully-internal setups we see on many other drop-bar bikes these days. 

Similar to what Trek has already done on multiple Madone and Domane models, brake hoses and derailleur lines now enter the frame through openings in the upper headset cover. The handlebar and stem are otherwise completely normal items, though, so while the routing is tidier than it used to be (which can actually come in handy if you like to run handlebar bags), it’s not quite as much of a maintenance headache as more fully integrated setups. 

Trek has also equipped those headset cover ports with some rubber gaskets, unlike the more gaping holes on the Madone and Domane. This should keep out a lot of dirt and debris, but water will still trickle in there, so keep that in mind if you tend to wash your bikes frequently, especially since headset bearings will require you to fully disconnect all of the control lines. 

Two Checkpoints now become three

So just how popular was the original Checkpoint? Popular enough that Trek saw fit to add a third variant to the existing SL carbon fiber and ALR aluminum versions.

The new top-tier Checkpoint SLR is aimed more at gravel racing, built with a lighter-weight OCLV 700 carbon fiber blend and a new version of Trek’s Top Tube IsoSpeed pseudo-rear suspension system, complete with an integrated no-cut seatmast and carbon fiber topper. This Top Tube IsoSpeed variant isn’t adjustable like it is on the Madone SLR or Domane SLR, but Trek says it’s been tuned to be on the cushier side of things (similar to the current Domane SLR when its slider is set nearly to full-soft). 

Moreover, since this new Top Tube IsoSpeed design’s flex patterns aren’t tied to frame size, smaller frames can be made more compliant than larger ones, which is the opposite of what you get with the original seat tube-based IsoSpeed (since longer tubes flex more than shorter ones). An integrated elastomer damper promises to minimize bounciness, too.

Going along with that racing bent, the new Checkpoint SLR also features mounts for up to four water bottles (three inside the main triangle on larger sizes) and a top tube feed bag, but the rear rack mounts of the first-generation Checkpoint SL are gone, along with any sort of carrying capacity on the fork. Front and rear fender mounts are still standard, though, to help make the Checkpoint SLR better suited to all-weather duty. 

Claimed weight for an unpainted 56 cm Checkpoint SLR frame without hardware is 950 g.

The second-tier Checkpoint SL carries on with the same mid-range OCLV 500 carbon fiber as the original model, along with the same seat tube-based IsoSpeed pseudo-rear suspension design. Whereas that first-generation Checkpoint SL also had a no-cut integrated seatmast, though, this newer Checkpoint SL switches to a conventional 27.2 mm round seatpost.

That also makes it compatible with internally routed dropper seatposts should you decide to run one, which is in keeping with Trek’s intent for this to be the “sendier” of the two carbon Checkpoint models. This one also gets additional rear rack mounts and accessory mounts on the fork blades for more carrying capacity should your definition of “sendy” comprise just heading deeper into the wilderness for longer periods of time.

Claimed frame weight is 1,150 g for the Checkpoint SL, or about 200 g heavier than the Checkpoint SLR.

Rounding out the new Checkpoint family is the aluminum Checkpoint ALR, TIG-welded from Trek’s hydroformed and butted Alpha 300 aluminum tubing. Aimed at gravel riders on tighter budgets — or even commuters who just want something a little sportier — this one retains front and rear fender mounts, rear rack mounts, fork bottle mounts, a top tube feed bag mount, and up to four bottle mounts on the front triangle. Unfortunately, though, the down tube storage compartment doesn’t make the cut here.

Claimed weight for an unpainted 56 cm Checkpoint ALR frame is 1,415 g.

Now, you might be asking yourself at this point why Trek hasn’t incorporated the Front IsoSpeed mechanism from the Domane SLR into the new Checkpoints. After all, if a big part of the game when it comes to gravel bikes is compliance, shouldn’t a softer ride be better? 

Well, yes. However, Trek says that while Front IsoSpeed pays comfort dividends on something like the Domane SLR with its narrower tires and higher inflation pressures, it was too stiff to make enough of a difference with the Checkpoint’s larger and softer tires to justify the additional cost and weight.

One thing that did make it into every new Checkpoint, though, are new T47 oversized threaded bottom bracket shells in place of the old BB90 press-fit design. This admittedly adds a few grams, but it’s unlikely many people will complain much. As compared to BB90, this setup should be far less prone to creaking and will be easier to service, and it also now finally allows for oversized crankset spindles. 

Models, pricing, and availability

Trek is offering the new Checkpoint in a wide range of models, including four Checkpoint SLR versions, three Checkpoint SLs, and one Checkpoint ALR. All three will be available as framesets — yay! — and it’s expected that the Checkpoint SLR will also be offered through Trek’s Project One custom program.

Models, basic build information, pricing, and claimed weights (for a 56 cm size) are as follows, with all models expected to be available at Trek retailers immediately (at least in some capacity).

• Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap: SRAM Red XPLR eTap AXS 1×12 electronic groupset, Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 carbon wheels; 8.1 kg (17.86 lb); US$12,000 / AU$16,500 / £11,000 / €12,000.
• Checkpoint SLR 7 eTap: SRAM Force XPLR eTap AXS 1×12 electronic groupset; Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels; 8.45 kg (18.63 lb); US$8,300 / AU$11,700 / £7,800 / €8,500.
• Checkpoint SLR 7: Shimano GRX Di2 2×11 electronic groupset; Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels; 8.81 kg (19.42 lb); US$8,300 / AU$11,400 / £7,650 / €8,300.
• Checkpoint SLR 6 eTap: SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS 1×12 electronic groupset; Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels; 8.65 kg (19.07 lb); US$7,600 / AU$10,200 / £6,450 / €7,000.
• Checkpoint SL 7 eTap: SRAM Force XPLR eTap AXS 2×12 electronic groupset; Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels; US$6,300 / AU$8,000 / £5,750 / €6,000.
• Checkpoint SL 6 eTap: SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS electronic groupset; Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 aluminum wheels; 9.05 kg (19.95 lb); US$4,100 / AU$5,300 / £3,750 / 4,000.
• Checkpoint SL 5: Shimano GRX RX600/800 2×11 mechanical groupset; Bontrager Paradigm SL aluminum wheels; 9.65 kg (21.27 lb); US$3,200 / AU$4,200 / £3,200 / €3,500.
• Checkpoint ALR 5: Shimano GRX RX600/800 2×11 mechanical groupset; Bontrager alloy wheels; 9.75 kg (21.50 lb); US$2,400 / AU$3,200 / £2,250 / €2,400.

New Bontrager bikepacking bags, too

Going along with the new Checkpoint is a trio of new bikepacking bags from Bontrager. There’s an oversized handlebar bag and saddle bag — both with generous 9-liter capacities — and also a frame bag that’s offered in six (six!) different sizes for direct-mount attachment to the new Checkpoint’s dedicated threaded fittings. The frame bags can still be installed with traditional straps for other bikes, too.

Bontrager isn’t billing any of the bags as being waterproof, but the handlebar bag and saddle bag are both made of waterproof materials and use waterproof zippers, and the roll top format mimics the dry bags often used in rafting and kayaking. Both of those bags attach with conventional straps and buckles, and both also feature multiple strapping points if you need to lash on additional gear. 

Light mounts are on hand, too, and the handlebar bag even has a dedicated pocket and hose port for a 1.5-liter Hydrapak bladder. Supplemental pockets are included throughout to help organize smaller items, and — dear god, thank you — the inside of the frame bag is lined with high-viz material so you’re not trying to dig around inside a black hole for your stuff.

Retail price for the handlebar bag is US$100, while the saddle bag and handlebar bag both retail for US$120. Prices for other regions is to be confirmed.

So is the new Checkpoint better or just different from the old one?

Trek delivered a production Checkpoint SLR 6 eTap sample to me for testing, built with a SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 1x wireless electronic groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wide-profile carbon clinchers wrapped with 40 mm-wide Bontrager GR1 tires (set up tubeless), and finished with a Bontrager P3 Verse Elite saddle, Bontrager Pro forged aluminum stem, and a Bontrager Pro IsoCore VR-SF carbon handlebar. For my 52 cm size, actual weight was 8.65 kg (19.07 lb) without pedals or accessories — which, it’s perhaps worth noting is exactly what Trek claims for this model in a 56 cm size.

I mentioned earlier that the original Checkpoint has been a huge sales success for Trek, and now that I’ve been riding this one for the past few weeks, I have little reason to think these new versions will be any different. 

As with other bikes with similarly long front ends, the revamped Checkpoint is easier and more confidence-inspiring to ride off-road on even moderately steep or loose terrain than before. Granted, pushing the front wheel 2 cm further out doesn’t sound like much on paper, but it’s often the difference between mild understeer before the tire regains traction, or jackknifing over the bars. 

Overall, the front end of this second-generation Checkpoint feels calmer and more settled in those situations, and there’s less thought and skill involved in navigation tricky ground. And assuming you’re comfortable exploring the limits of just how much you can push that front end, the changes also make for more speed.

Low-speed handling definitely takes a hit, however. Although the geometry of that original Checkpoint would now be considered pretty old-school, one of the things I’ve always enjoyed about it is its road-like agility. It was amusingly quick and nimble, and with room for 45 mm-wide knobbies, a skilled rider could have a blast throttling that thing in the woods. The more toned-down reflexes of this new Checkpoint dampens some of that dartiness, though, and that longer wheelbase and longer rear end feel slower to come around a corner when it’s tight and technical. Nevertheless, hair-trigger reflexes and borderline nervousness are not what most mainstream riders are looking for in a gravel bike, so I’d say Trek made the right decision here. Plus, if you really want quicker handling with (somewhat) fatter tires, there’s still the new Boone .

Given Trek’s stated goal that the Checkpoint SLR is the most race-oriented of the three new Checkpoint models, it’s no surprise that it feels stiff and solid underfoot in terms of pedaling efficiency, too. It’s not on the same level as the company’s ultra-efficient Emonda, but still on the upper-middle end of the spectrum as far as carbon gravel bikes go in general. 

In terms of ride quality, I found the new non-adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed setup on the Checkpoint SLR to be a little perplexing. 

Granted, it’s now been a while since I spent a lot of time on the first-generation Checkpoint, but I have very fond memories of how cushy that older seat tube-based IsoSpeed seatmast felt on rough ground. It was basically a magic carpet of compliance, suspending you on a virtual cloud when things got bumpy.

Trek says this fancier Top Tube IsoSpeed version offers an even more comfortable ride, but I found it to feel firmer — also less bouncy, mind you, but firmer and less dramatically different from a conventional telescoping seatpost nonetheless. And apparently, I’m not alone.

“The little elastomer in the SLR’s top tube unit damps the motion a bit,” explained Trek road product marketing manager Anders Ahlberg. “I’ve found that in testing bikes with and without damping, the bikes with damping feel less compliant just because they’re less bouncy.”

On the plus side, the perception that the rear end is firmer than on the original Checkpoint SL makes for a more balanced feel, and Trek has done a superb job of hiding all of that extra hardware inside the frame. Especially with the matte black finish of my loaner, you barely notice there’s anything unusual going on at the seat cluster area. Combined with the only modestly dropped chainstays and wholly conventional looking seatstays and front triangle, the whole profile of the Checkpoint looks about as classic as something like this can probably be.

I’ve got very mixed feelings on the revamped cable routing used here. On the one hand, it’s undeniably tidier looking, it helps keeps the lines from interfering with handlebar bags, and since none of the lines run inside either the handlebar or stem, it’s easy to swap both of those components or move them around. And kudos to Trek to at least trying to seal up the hose ports in the upper headset cover instead of just leaving them as gaping holes (like on the Madone SLR and Domane SLR) that practically invite water and debris into the frame.

Those ports aren’t watertight, though, so riders who wash their bikes regularly will want to exercise caution, particularly since swapping headset bearings will be a monumental pain in the butt. In general, though, if Trek engineers felt like they absolutely had to implement some sort of semi-internal routing scheme on the new Checkpoint, this is a lot less crappy than how many other brands do it.

As I’ve found with every other bike I’ve ridden with this feature — on road or off — the new down tube storage is brilliant. There’s enough room inside the down tube for a spare inner tube, tire levers, multiple CO2 cartridges and an inflator head (or a mini-pump , depending on the model), and even some snacks or an extra layer, depending on the size of your frame. The included tool wrap makes it easy to organize all of that stuff, and also keeps it from rattling inside. The hatch fits very securely, too, and yet is easy to access with a single lever flip.

I do wish that Trek could find a lower-profile way of attaching the multi-tool to the underside of the hatch, though. As it is, it impinges on the interior space more than I’d like, and if you’re not careful with how you pack the down tube, it causes the hatch to bow outward a little, which compromises the seal and potentially allows water and debris to get inside the frame.

Speaking of which, those new Bontrager Adventure bags seem to be a nice option if you’re interested in taking the Checkpoint on a multi-day trip (and I’ll admit that I was only able to do a test run with the bags loaded up with gear, not an actual overnighter). They fit securely — the strap-free frame bag is especially nice — and don’t wiggle around too much on the trail, and the front and rear bags have plenty of capacity for camping gear, especially if you follow Trek’s guidance and carry your tent poles inside the frame bag instead of the saddle bag. Add-ons like extra layers are easy to attach to the strapping points on the front and rear bags, too.

I do wish that Bontrager had incorporated some one-way valves into the saddle and handlebar packs, though. Although they’re not advertised as proper waterproof bags, Bontrager still builds these with waterproof materials and zippers, and it’s tricky to compress the bags since air essentially has nowhere to go. I also had to get pretty creative in mounting the front bag since the bottom would otherwise drag on the tire on my 52 cm test bike, so riders on smaller sizes or running lower handlebar heights in general should be wary.

There aren’t too many surprises as far as the build kit on this particular bike goes.

The SRAM Rival AXS XPLR wireless electronic groupset is just as good as it’s been the other multiple times I’ve ridden it now, with quick and reliable shifts, ample range from that new 10-44T cassette, and plenty of power from the hydraulic disc brakes with excellent control to boot. The downsized lever bodies feel great in your hands, and so far, I haven’t regretted not being able to plug in any remote shift buttons. It’s still rather heavy stuff, mind you, but in most cases, that doesn’t detract too much from the overall performance, and probably not enough that most everyday riders will care.

I’ve also spent plenty of time with these Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels on this and other bikes, and they’re honestly some of my favorites. They’re appropriately wide at 25 mm between the bead hooks, they feel fast and solid, and the 108-tooth freehub mechanism is very quick to engage (although it’s also quite loud and buzzy). The molded plastic tubeless rim strip incorporates beadlock ridges for a very secure hold that’s still field serviceable, and I’ve found it to hold up much, much better over time than any tape I’ve used. They’ve been quite durable, too, shrugging off the various times I’ve bottomed the tires out on the sharp rocks that litter my local trails.

I also give high marks to the Bontrager Versa saddle for its accommodating shape, supportive padding, and built-in accessory mount underneath the shell, and to the neat Bontrager Pro forged aluminum stem. That stem is nothing special in terms of traditional performance metrics like weight and stiffness, but it’s compatible with Bontrager’s broad array of Blendr faceplate-based accessory mounts to keep things neat and tidy up front, even if you want to run a computer and a front flasher or camera. Only Bontrager, Garmin, and SRM (?!) computers are supported for now, although other 3D-printed options are offered through third parties.

I have more mixed feelings on the new handlebar shape, however. 

As mentioned earlier, Bontrager opted to take a centimeter of reach out of both the handlebar and stem to offset the 2 cm increase in front-end length. This makes sense in concept, but the shorter 75 mm reach of the Bontrager Pro IsoCore VR-SF carbon bar is mated to a comparatively deep 128 mm of drop with a surprisingly traditional large-radius bend. I normally love classic-bend bars on the road, but this bend just feels weird to me and I was never able to find a comfy spot for my hands in the drops.

Final thoughts

Regular readers of CyclingTips will know that I’m generally a big fan of how gravel bike geometry has been evolving over the past couple of years (and I suspect many riders with more of a mountain bike background would agree). The whole longer-slacker-lower thing offers the same benefits on gravel as it does for mountain bikes, and Trek wisely hasn’t gone too extreme in that direction. The new Checkpoint is a more capable bike than the one it replaces, and it’s easier to ride fast on unpaved surfaces, too.

That said, one of the things I really enjoyed about the old Checkpoint was its nimbler personality. It was maybe a bit more of a handful as compared to more modern gravel bikes with new-school geometry when things got rowdier — and there was the small issue of toe overlap, too — but there was nevertheless an element of playfulness and agility that I can’t help but miss.

Does it sound contradictory that I repeatedly praise new-school gravel geometry and yet simultaneously kind of miss the handling of the old Checkpoint? Maybe, but perhaps it’s also just me wishing Trek hadn’t applied the same geometry across the board. If the Checkpoint SL and ALR models are supposed to be the rowdier and more versatile ones, could it have made sense to apply this geometry to those two, but have something more agile for the SLR?

Then again, there’s probably a good reason why I don’t run a bike company or count the beans.

Nitpicks aside, the new Checkpoint is still very fun — albeit in a different way now — and I fully expect Trek will continue to sell a ton of these things. 

More information can be found at www.trekbikes.com .

Our Field Test group bike tests are by no means paid events, but they’re still only possible with some outside support. CyclingTips would like to thank the following sponsors for this round of the Field Test:

• Rudy Project
• Pearl Izumi
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
• Lead Out Gear

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\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\"}}\u0027>\n time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"over 114,000 acres of maine wilderness are now open to gravel biking","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/maine-promotes-gravel-cycling\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/maine-promotes-gravel-cycling\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"over 114,000 acres of maine wilderness are now open to gravel biking\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/maine-promotes-gravel-cycling\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"over 114,000 acres of maine wilderness are now open to gravel biking\"}}\u0027>\n over 114,000 acres of maine wilderness are now open to gravel biking\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"sea otter randoms: the one about carrying cargo of all kinds","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/urban\/urban-gear\/sea-otter-randoms-the-one-about-carrying-cargo-of-all-kinds\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/urban\/urban-gear\/sea-otter-randoms-the-one-about-carrying-cargo-of-all-kinds\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: the one about carrying cargo of all kinds\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/urban\/urban-gear\/sea-otter-randoms-the-one-about-carrying-cargo-of-all-kinds\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: the one about carrying 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display","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-seizes-liege-bastogne-liege-with-dominant-solo-display\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-seizes-liege-bastogne-liege-with-dominant-solo-display\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-seizes-liege-bastogne-liege-with-dominant-solo-display\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display\"}}\u0027>\n tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"tom pidcock leaves 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classic\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/16-attention-grabbing-bikes-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"gallery: 16 attention grabbing bikes from the sea otter classic\"}}\u0027>\n gallery: 16 attention grabbing bikes from the sea otter classic\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"can ineos grenadiers take it to tadej poga\u010dar at the giro d\u2019italia \u2018our plan is to be aggressive\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/can-geraint-thomas-stop-tadej-pogacar-at-the-giro-ditalia-our-plan-is-to-be-aggressive\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/can-geraint-thomas-stop-tadej-pogacar-at-the-giro-ditalia-our-plan-is-to-be-aggressive\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"can ineos grenadiers take it to tadej poga\u010dar at the giro d\u2019italia \u2018our plan is to be aggressive\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/can-geraint-thomas-stop-tadej-pogacar-at-the-giro-ditalia-our-plan-is-to-be-aggressive\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"can ineos grenadiers take it to tadej poga\u010dar at the giro d\u2019italia \u2018our plan is to be aggressive\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n can ineos grenadiers take it to tadej poga\u010dar at the giro d\u2019italia \u2018our plan is to be aggressive\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"carapaz roars to stage win in tour de romandie as race leader ayuso blows","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/richard-carapaz-roars-to-stage-win-in-tour-de-romandie-as-race-leader-juan-ayuso-blows\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": 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\u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\"}}\u0027>\n xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/8-new-shoes-from-giro-q36-5-shimano-fizik-lake-and-crankbrothers\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/8-new-shoes-from-giro-q36-5-shimano-fizik-lake-and-crankbrothers\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/8-new-shoes-from-giro-q36-5-shimano-fizik-lake-and-crankbrothers\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers\"}}\u0027>\n 8 new shoes from giro, q36.5, shimano, fizik, lake, and crankbrothers\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\"}}\u0027>\n highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\"}}\u0027>\n the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\"}}\u0027>\n the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"there are three marquee off-road races in the us this weekend. who\u2019s going where and why","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/best-off-road-races-north-america\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/best-off-road-races-north-america\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"there are three marquee off-road races in the us this weekend. who\u2019s going where and why\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/best-off-road-races-north-america\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"there are three marquee off-road races in the us this weekend. who\u2019s going where and why\"}}\u0027>\n there are three marquee off-road races in the us this weekend. who\u2019s going where and why\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\"}}\u0027>\n the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>contact >", 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Results have arrived, trek checkpoint bikes & framesets for sale.

Shop new & used Trek Checkpoint bikes at TPC - The Pro's Closet. Find reviews, specs, weight info, and prices on various models (SL 6, ALR 5) and popular years (2021, 2022 etc). Read our Trek Checkpoint Quick-Take review below.

Trek Checkpoint Size Chart

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Checkpoint ALR 5 - Weight, Specs, Price

2022 trek checkpoint review - a tpc quick-take.

• Versatility galore: Trek has made the Checkpoint an adaptable machine. With tire clearance up to 45mm, it's eager to take on various terrains.
• Integrated mounts: Whether it's a multi-day bikepacking trip or a quick morning spin, the multiple mounts for bags, bottles, and racks mean the Checkpoint is always adventure-ready.
• IsoSpeed decoupler: Borrowed from its Domane sibling, this tech ensures the Checkpoint offers a smoother ride on those jarring gravel routes, reducing fatigue and upping the comfort quotient.
• Weight concerns: For all its merits, the Checkpoint isn't the lightest gravel bike on the block. This extra heft might make those uphill grinds a tad more challenging.
• Price point: Top spec models, with their advanced features, veer into the premium price range. Casual riders might find it hard to justify the investment.
• Not truly race-oriented: While it handles gravel and trails with aplomb, it's not the most aggressive for racing. Those looking for a sharper, race-focused gravel bike might find the Checkpoint tame.
• Complexities for some: The Checkpoint's array of features could be overwhelming for those seeking a simpler, straightforward gravel experience.

Bottom Line:

Trek Checkpoint SL 7 gravel bike review: a true all-terrain vehicle

Trek's 'Adventure focused' lives up to bikepacking expectations, with stable geometry and practicality

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The Trek Checkpoint SL 7 is an outstanding all-rounder when it comes to all-terrain riding. A true ATV, the Checkpoint provides a planted, confidence-inspiring ride feel which is great for tackling more technical terrain. It might not be as supple as the likes of the Cannondale Topstone, but if long-distance trekking on tough terrain is your bag, the Checkpoint SL 7 is right on the money.

Planted ride feel

Compliant frameset

Handles luggage weight very well

In-frame storage is genuinely useful

Rugged ride feel won't be for everyone

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• Value and conclusion

Gravel riding is a discipline that holds a vast range of different bikes within its sphere, from gravel race bikes, to do-it-all rugged machines. Trek markets the Checkpoint SL range as its 'Adventure-focused' line, and I think they've got it spot on.

Having tested the Checkpoint SL on everything from roaming local trails to an overnight bikepacking excursion (fully laden with camping gear) I can confirm that if you are on the hunt for your next adventure gravel machine, then the Checkpoint SL 7 might just be one of the best gravel bikes on the market.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Frameset

Since its last iteration which came out all the way back in 2018, Trek has given the new Checkpoint platform some serious revamping. The tubes are much chunkier now, giving the bike a much more industrial aesthetic. 

Trek still includes an 'IsoSpeed decoupler' at the seat stay junction - this is a pivot system, similar to Cannondale's 'Kingpin' which allows the seat post to flex fore and aft. This, alongside a standard 27.2mm seat post, is designed to give the bike some extra compliance where the rider will feel it most. Though, I found it doesn't offer quite as much real-world travel as the Cannondale equivalent.

One big change over the last iteration is the extinction of 'Stranglehold'. The system enabled chain stay length adjustment of up to 15mm (and single speed conversion!), which meant riders could alter the geometry between a slightly more stable ride (with longer chainstays), or a more playful one (shorter chain stays).

27.2mm carbon seatpost and ISO speed help compliance

Trek has opted for 435mm chainstays across all models - 10mm longer than the previous shortest setting. This does change the ride feel, which I will get onto, making for a more stable feeling rear end. Once again this characterizes the Checkpoint SL at the more adventure end of the gravel riding spectrum .

The in-frame storage is perhaps the most radical part of this bike's dedication to long-distance riding, and It works well. A section of the frame underneath the bottle cage on the downtube can be quickly released via a small lever, revealing room for a tool roll, and spares. While the 'boot capacity' is nothing overwhelming, it does provide a neat place to hide away annoying spares, like the odd tube, or smaller mini-pumps .

In-frame storage for tools

Trek has also included a plethora of mounting points - three bosses can be found on each fork blade, and the bike even holds the capability to mount a rear rack, which I think is a very underrated option for modern-day bikepacking, even if it isn't the most trendy. As well as these options, the usual suspects can be found with mounting points on the top tube, and underneath the down tube as well.

Notable too is the tire clearance. The new Checkpoint SL is good for 45mm tires when coupled with a 700c wheelset, but this can be upped to a 2.1 inch (53.3mm) for those who like the playful handling of a slightly smaller 650b wheelset. For the rough, and extremely varied terrain in my local testing ground, this too offered some much needed ride forgiveness.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Components

The full Trek Checkpoint SL line-up spans a price range from $3,399.99 / £3,700.00 with the SL 5 to £6,400 with the SL 7, which is the model I had on test. This may be the top of the range for the 'SL' frameset, but it's worth noting with the SLR framesets, builds are priced as high as $12,249.99 / £12,000.00.

Nonetheless, the Checkpoint SL 7 still boasts some pretty high-performance parts, starting with the dependable SRAM Force AXS groupset . Trek opts for a two-by setup rather than a one-by system, which I think, for most consumers, will still be the better option. 

43/30t chainrings coupled with a 10-36t cassette provide a wide range of gears, which is great news for long-distance riders, especially those who carry luggage and this never left me feeling under, or over-geared.

Sram Force AXS groupset throughout

The checkpoint SL 7 rolls on in-house component brand Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels, which feature a 25mm internal rim width and a particularly loud freehub.

Though both the wheelset, and provided Bontrager GR1 tires are both tubeless-ready, the SL 7 comes out of the box with tubes to get started. Although I didn't set up the tires tubeless, it should be pretty easy, especially with a full Bontrager system. Bontrager provides rim strips, which snap into the Aeolus wheels, and are designed to work with Bontrager tires, meaning tight tolerances can be adhered to throughout the product range.

The finishing kit is a fairly standard affair, which can leave a little to be desired from a price standpoint, but then again it should be fairly robust. You do get Bontrager's carbon 27.2mm seat post, but both bars and stem are an alloy affair, with the 54cm frame on test coming stock with 420mm (center to center) bars, which are slightly flared, and a -7 degree 80mm stem. 

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: The ride

As I mentioned all the way back in the intro, this bike got a jolly good reviewing. With gravel bikes often marketed as the 'do-it-all' bike option, I always see fit to test gravel bikes on a whole host of terrain.

I treated the Checkpoint no different, treating it to a heap of different obstacles. My first ride was a shorter blast around a local test loop, which encounters everything from fire road to steep single track and even some small jumps. This loop allows me to gain a pretty good tell on a bike's character from the off, and it is fair to say the Checkpoint certainly lies at the more stable end of the spectrum.

The Checkpoint handled all the terrain perfectly well, but offered a more straightforward ride characteristic when compared with a more flamboyant handling bike like the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 . For those who like a more dependable ride, this will be great news, but as someone whose riding is catered to a more playful experience, the Checkpoint wasn't quite so up my street. 

Bikepacking setup for a real test

Longer rides, and in particular, bikepacking , is where this gravel machine truly comes alive. I took the SL 7 on a (shortened due to illness) one-night trip around the Isle of Wight during testing, and this really allowed me to get to grips with the bike when fully burdened with all the equipment needed for a rough night's sleep away from home. 

The bike remained totally balanced even when loaded up with a saddle pack, frame bag, and bar bag. The in-frame storage too was super useful - as previously mentioned it might not be a huge amount of real estate, but in practice, I found it was just enough to stop me from sacrificing a heavier base layer as I was able to stow away multi-tool, mini-pump, and a tube all in the tool roll. At 8.9kg too, this does make a great bikepacking platform, being rugged whilst not carrying excess weight.

When it came to the steep ups and downs synoptical with the Isle of Wight, the Trek did not falter - in the same breath however, it did not blow me away. While the chunky tubing provides great power transfer and a truly robust feeling ride, I found the ride quality to lack the excitement of other gravel bikes I have tested. The best comparison is the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3, which, though a heavier bike, at 9.22kg, actually feels lighter and more supple than the Checkpoint.

That said I did feel like I could throw the bike at absolutely anything, loaded up with gear or not, especially with the slightly flared bars, which offered great control.

Tire clearance of up to 45mm

For me, this comes down to geometry, and it is a double-edged sword. The Checkpoint, with longer chain stays than many of the best gravel bike contenders, is undoubtedly a more stable and planted ride - and some consumers will love the imposing ride feel this brings, but for others who favor a more supple ride quality, it might not be the bike for you.

It is important to note though, this is not a criticism, much more a characterization of the bike. As gravel riding spans such a wide spectrum, it is essential to consider what riding you prioritize, and what characteristics you want out of a gravel bike.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Value and conclusion

Value aside, the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 is probably the best gravel bike I have ever tested when it comes to bikepacking. An unbeatable ride feel, especially when loaded, made for super easy riding on any sort of terrain, even when tiredness loomed heavy at the end of long days of riding. We tested 9 off-road machines to crown our gravel bike of the year , with the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 winning our 'best expedition bike' title. 

Include value too ($6,699.99 / £6,400.00 for the SL 7 we tested), and I think Trek is still on the money, but equally not groundbreaking. The most obvious competitor to the do-it-all Checkpoint is the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon, which retails for a very similar $6,200.00 / £6,500.00. For a similar price, specialized matches the spec pretty much to every dotted T, also featuring carbon wheels, a second-tier SRAM AXS groupset (albeit one-by SRAM GX AXS), and alloy finishing kit.

There are certainly better value bikes out there though - the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1 for example, which won our overall best gravel bike of the year retails for $5,500.00 / £4,899.00, which is considerably more palatable than the SL 7. You do only get SRAM Rival AXS at this price point, and it doesn't feature the same number of mounting points if out-and-out exploration is what you are looking for, but it is still worth considering.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Specs

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Joe is Cycling Weekly's tech writer. He's always had a love for bikes, since first riding a two wheeled steed before the age of four. Years down the line, Joe began racing at 16, and enjoyed great experiences internationally, racing in Italy, Spain and Belgium to name a few locations. Always interested in tech, Joe even piloted his Frankenstein hill climb bike to a Junior National Title in 2018.  After taking a step back from elite level racing in April 2022, Joe joined our team as a freelancer, before becoming Tech Writer in May 2023. 

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Trek's 2023 Checkpoint SL 5 Is a Gravel Bike Ready for More Than Just Giving You That Burn

Editor's note: Images in the gallery display two color options for the Checkpoint SL 5.

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides). Full profile

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Trek Checkpoint SL 5

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame 500 Series OCLV Carbon, IsoSpeed, internal cable routing, downtube storage door, 3S chain keeper, T47 BB, rack and mudguard mounts, integrated frame bag mounts, flat-mount disc, dropper post compatible, 142x12 mm thru axle
• Fork Trek Checkpoint, full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, rack mounts, fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle
• Hubs Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12 mm thru axle
• Wheels Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21 mm width, Presta valve
• Tires Bontrager GR1 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength casing, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 700 x 40 c
• Chain Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed
• Crank Size: 49, Shimano GRX RX610, 46/30, 165 mm length; Size: 52, Shimano GRX RX610, 46/30, 170 mm length; Size: 54, 56, Shimano GRX RX610, 46/30, 172.5 mm length; Size: 58, 61, Shimano GRX RX610, 46/30, 175 mm length
• Bottom Bracket Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing
• Front Derailleur Shimano GRX RX820, braze-on, down swing
• Rear Derailleur Shimano GRX RX820, 36T max cog
• Shifters Shimano GRX RX610, 12-speed
• Brakeset Shimano RX410 hydraulic disc, flat mount
• Handlebar Size: 49, Bontrager Elite Gravel, 38 cm width; Size: 52, Bontrager Elite Gravel, 40 cm width; Size: 54, 56, Bontrager Elite Gravel, 42 cm width; Size: 58, 61, Bontrager Elite Gravel, 44 cm width
• Saddle Size: 49, 52, Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails, 155 mm width; Size: 54, 56, 58, 61, Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails, 145 mm width
• Seatpost Bontrager carbon, 27.2 mm, 8 mm offset, 330 mm length
• Stem Size: 49, Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 70 mm length; Size: 52, 54, Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 80 mm length; Size: 56, 58, Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 90 mm length; Size: 61, Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 100 mm length

Q: How much is a 2024 Trek Checkpoint SL 5?

A 2024 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 is typically priced around €3,699 EUR when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2024 Trek Checkpoint SL 5?

The 2024 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size 2024 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 should I get?

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56cm Trek Checkpoint SL Carbon Disc 105 Gravel Bike 5'8-6'0 - $1,285 (santa rosa)

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