Trek Checkpoint SL Gen 3 Overview

Again in August, Trek expanded its gravel lineup with the launch of the all-new race-focused Checkmate and the redesigned Checkpoint SL Gen 3. Whereas the media might have given the Checkmate essentially the most launch protection and a spotlight on the time, it was the brand new Checkpoint that instantly caught my eye. 

It’s simple to get caught up within the hype of the lightest, quickest, and costliest new bikes, however let’s face it: race-specific bikes aren’t what most individuals really want. With the Checkmate taking up as Trek’s devoted race rig, the Checkpoint SL’s Gen 3 updates centered on making it extra adventure-ready, snug, and versatile than ever earlier than. 

I examined the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 AXS for 3 months on the gravel ribbons in Truckee, Calif., and Reno, Nev. Throughout this time, I appeared on the bike by way of the lens of what most individuals actually need in a gravel rig.

Whereas Trek carried over some options from the earlier technology — like IsoSpeed — the brand new Checkpoint SL will get elevated tire clearance, further body mounts, a revised Gravel Endurance geometry, and compatibility with Trek’s new line of bikepacking luggage. Trek undoubtedly leaned into the journey updates, however it’s nonetheless fast, environment friendly, and light-weight sufficient to transition right into a race bike for a number of occasions a 12 months.

Briefly: Trek’s Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 ($5,700) is a chameleon of a gravel bike that may just about do all of it. Its up to date design and options add journey and endurance driving consolation and flexibility, but the responsive experience and respectable weight make it a succesful part-time race bike. That is an agreeable bike for the lots — it’s approachable and enjoyable to experience any and all over the place, and that’s precisely what makes it nice.

Looking for a gravel bike? Take a look at GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Gravel Bikes.

Trek Checkpoint SL Overview

Body Design

Trek makes use of its 500 Sequence OCLV carbon fiber on the Checkpoint SL body. The Wisconsin-based model makes use of a number of completely different grades/sequence of OCLV carbon fiber in its frames, with the 500-Sequence being one of many lower-tier choices. This basically leads to a lower cost however heavier weight than the 800 Sequence carbon used within the new Checkmate.

For comparability, the Checkpoint body weighs 1,385 g and prices $2,400, whereas the Checkmate body weighs 1,146 g and sells for $4,000.

Whereas the Gen 3 shares an identical silhouette to the earlier model, the top tube, prime tube, and seat tube shapes are all a bit extra sculpted for a sleeker, extra trendy aesthetic. 

Trek’s IsoSpeed system carries over from the Gen 2 body, though it’s visually extra obvious because the body now exposes the {hardware}. This distinctive design basically decouples the seat tube from the remainder of the body, permitting it to flex barely with an inner strut to soak up chatter whereas retaining the lateral stiffness and responsiveness of a totally inflexible bike. It’s considerably just like Cannondale’s Kingpin system, offering a small quantity of vertical compliance with the objective of enhancing consolation over tough surfaces.

The Checkpoint SL body has a great deal of mount factors on the highest tube, downtube, and fork to suit a variety of body luggage — together with Trek’s new Journey Body, Triangle, and Prime Tube luggage — water bottles, fenders, and entrance and rear racks. Trek additionally claims it optimized the body to suit bigger bottles, even with body luggage put in. 

The body nonetheless has downtube storage however with a bigger door that’s safe, rattle-free, and straightforward to function. Trek reportedly additionally elevated the interior quantity of the space for storing. And, it added a brand new Bontrager (a Trek model) BITS bag to prepare your instruments and hold them quiet. 

Tire clearance is now 50mm (from 45mm), so you’ll be able to match some significantly high-volume gravel tires. Moreover, the body is now suitable with 30- to 40-mm suspension forks for these trying to {smooth} out the experience even additional (all sizes besides XS). The spherical seat tube implies that including an aftermarket dropper submit is an possibility, too. 

The entire full builds include 1-by drivetrains, however the body is suitable with entrance derailleurs. The Gen 3 body additionally has a Common Derailleur Hanger (UDH), enhanced chainstay safety, and headset cable routing. Whereas the headset cable routing undoubtedly makes for a clear look, it could trigger some complications when performing sure repairs and upkeep.

Geometry

One of many greatest modifications to the Checkpoint SL Gen 3 is the transfer to what Trek calls “Gravel Endurance” geometry. Trek mainly shortened the attain and raised the stack top in an effort to make the bike extra snug for all-day driving. In comparison with the Gen 2, the Gen 3’s attain is 9 mm shorter, and the stack is 11 mm greater in the identical body measurement. 

At 402 mm (on measurement massive/58 cm), the attain isn’t essentially that quick, however the greater stack definitely contributes to a extra relaxed and upright physique place, particularly in comparison with low-stack race bikes just like the Specialised S-Works Crux. This definitely lends itself higher to lengthy endurance rides and bikepacking adventures. 

With longer-than-average legs for my top, nevertheless, I nonetheless had a good saddle to handlebar drop on the Checkpoint SL, and I discovered it a lot simple to get right into a extra aggressive physique place by merely driving within the drops. If I needed the entrance finish even decrease, I might simply drop the stem by one other 20 mm by shifting across the headset spacers. 

So, whereas the brand new geometry is extra consolation/adventure-oriented, I discovered it to be simply adaptable to completely different driving kinds. Whereas it undoubtedly isn’t the raciest, I used to be in a position to make it racy sufficient for me, and I’d fortunately line up with this bike for the 2 to a few long-distance gravel occasions I do annually.

Trek Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 Construct

The 7 AXS construct is the top-tier possibility in Trek’s lineup of three Checkpoint SL fashions. As such, it instructions a worth of $5,700, which isn’t any small potatoes however far lower than what premium bikes go for today. It’s very properly outfitted for the worth with a wonderful element spec that leaves little, if something, to be desired. 

The SL 7 AXS will get a 12-speed SRAM Drive AXS drivetrain with digital shifting. This contains SRAM Drive carbon cranks with a 40T chainring paired with a ten/44 cassette. Crankarm size varies by body measurement for a proportional match, with 172.5 mm on my measurement Massive take a look at bike. 

I skilled zero dropped chains, and shifting remained crisp and exact all through my several-month take a look at interval. The 40T chainring and 10/44 cassette combo offered ample vary for each driving situation I encountered. 

Velocity management duties belong to SRAM Drive hydraulic disc brakes paired with 160 mm Centerline rotors. I discovered these to be adequately highly effective, and I used to be in a position to brake simply from each the hoods and the drops. In contrast to older variations of Drive brakes that I’ve used, these by no means acquired mushy or light over time, which was a nice shock. 

The SRAM Drive brake hoods had been snug perches for the fingers. The remainder of the Checkpoint SL’s cockpit was equally ergonomic. Like most Trek bikes, it consists of a beneficiant serving to of Bontrager parts, and that’s not a nasty factor. Stem size and handlebar width improve by body measurement for a proportional match, and I discovered the 90mm stem and 44cm-wide handlebar to really feel spot-on for the dimensions massive. 

The SL 7 will get an OCLV carbon fiber Bontrager Professional Gravel handlebar with IsoCore vibration damping tech that Trek claims to cut back vibration by 20% in comparison with different carbon bars. That’s exhausting to quantify, however I discovered them snug over the chatter.

They’ve a brief attain and a beneficiant 15-degree flare that I acquired alongside very properly with. Bontrager’s SuperTack Perf bar tape added to that consolation with a medium stage of cushioning and a grippy floor.

Out again, a Bontrager carbon seatpost helps hold the burden down and is topped with a Bontrager Verse Brief Elite saddle with hole magnesium rails. Bike saddles are some of the private parts on a motorbike, and I’m hardly ever glad with the inventory choices. However the 145mm width, quick size, side-to-side profile, and beneficiant stress aid cutout labored nice for my anatomy.

One of many nicest components of the construct is the Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35V OCLV carbon fiber wheelset. These 35mm deep rims not solely look boss but in addition really feel stiff and responsive whereas avoiding the extreme harshness and suggestions that some deep-section rims are identified for. In the meantime, the Speedy Drive 108 hub offered a quick and exact really feel with simply 3.3 levels between freehub engagement factors.

The 25mm inner width pairs properly with trendy gravel tires, together with the 42mm-wide Bontrager Girona RSLs that come entrance and rear on the Checkpoint SL. With a super-smooth heart tread and frivolously knobby shoulders, the Girona tires are greatest for hardpacked gravel and mixed-surface driving.

I discovered them to be very fast-rolling, with wonderful straight-line pace and ample grip when leaning them over in agency to barely free gravel situations. At 42 mm broad, they’re fairly voluminous, and I loved working round 35 psi for a big contact patch and enhanced cushioning.

A pointy rock punched a gap within the entrance tire on one in all my first take a look at rides, however it plugged simply, and I’ve had no different points regardless of driving loads of tough and rocky trails and roads since.

Whereas Trek doesn’t embody them with the bikes, it despatched one of many new Journey Body Luggage ($130) to check out. These luggage match the mount factors on the brand new Checkpoint SL and Checkmate SLR frames. The two.8L measurement matches completely beneath the highest tube, the place it’s impressively secure and rattle-free, even when loaded with gear.

It added a major quantity of well-organized, simply accessible on-bike storage with a weight penalty of solely 270 g. The thumb screws made it simple to put in and take away, plus it comes with straps so you’ll be able to mount it on different frames, too.

Construct Choices

Trek presently sells the Checkpoint SL Gen 3 in two different, inexpensive builds. The SL 6 and the SL 5 each function the very same 500 Sequence OCLV carbon body and fork however include alloy wheels and lower-tier parts that hold the worth down. In case you want to construct your personal bike from the body up, the Checkpoint SL Gen 3 frameset goes for $2,400.

For $4,000, the Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 comes with a 12-speed SRAM Rival AXS drivetrain and brakes, Bontrager Paradigm 25 alloy wheels, a Bontrager Elite Gravel alloy handlebar, and a Bontrager Verse P3 saddle. It positive aspects a pound of weight however saves you $1,700.

At $3,200, the Checkpoint SL 5 AXS Gen 3 nonetheless comes with wi-fi shifting within the type of a SRAM Apex AXS 12-speed drivetrain. It has SRAM Apex hydraulic disc brakes, Bontrager Paradigm SL wheels, a Bontrager Elite Gravel alloy handlebar, and a Bontrager Verse Comp Brief saddle.

The Journey

Trek is about as mainstream as biking manufacturers get, and it has many years of expertise making a number of the hottest bikes available on the market. Having examined many and owned a number of Trek mountain bikes through the years, I’ve all the time discovered them extremely simple to get together with, generally nearly to a fault. 

That pattern continues with the Gen 3 Checkpoint SL, particularly because it pertains to the revised Gravel Endurance geometry. By shortening the attain and elevating the stack, this bike instantly has a extra impartial physique place that can definitely be extra snug for extra riders, notably on casual-paced group rides, long-slow-distance adventures, in a single day excursions, and so on. 

Whereas casual-paced doesn’t essentially describe the best way I prefer to experience, as a lanky 6-footer with a 35-inch inseam and quick torso, the Gravel Endurance geometry felt nice to me. My saddle top is already loopy excessive, so the added stack stored me from hinging greater than I like on the waist. Even with the upper stack, my saddle top continues to be fairly a bit greater than the bar prime, however a lot lower than on racier rigs.

For somebody who likes to attempt to push the tempo and experience quick more often than not, I discover that aggressive geometries and the resultant physique positions merely aren’t essentially the most snug for me. Nonetheless, I might get right into a low and aggressive sufficient place by driving within the drops or decreasing the stem. However for placing in miles on common coaching rides, I discovered the Checkpoint SL to really feel fairly excellent. 

Trek’s IsoSpeed system added consolation by lowering vibrations that got here up by way of the saddle. Whereas the body remained inflexible, it offered a little bit of “suspension” for the rider, just like the Future Shock system on the Specialised Diverge STR.

It didn’t really feel something like the standard suspension you may discover on a full-suspension mountain bike. However it was completely noticeable in comparison with most inflexible gravel bikes, even these with deliberately “compliant” body designs. 

The texture of IsoSpeed was fairly refined. By isolating and permitting the seat tube to flex barely, it offered a little bit of a chilled sensation. It decreased buzz and suggestions as a substitute of transferring each vibration straight into the saddle.

As soon as I used to be used to driving this bike, I actually didn’t discover it. Leaping again on my private bike with out IsoSpeed, nevertheless, shortly made me notice how efficient it really was.

The plump 42mm tires additionally performed their half by including cushioning to assist {smooth} the experience even additional. And, the flowery carbon Bontrager IsoCore bar helped hold my fingers from going numb as shortly as they do when driving most alloy bars. The carbon fork was fairly stiff, although, so good line alternative in chunky situations was nonetheless essential to keep away from getting bucked round.

One other good factor in regards to the IsoSpeed system is that it didn’t take away from lateral body stiffness or pedaling effectivity. The Checkpoint SL responded instantly to pedaling enter and had a full of life really feel beneath energy. For a motorbike catering extra towards journey driving than its predecessor, it had a zesty really feel once I acquired on the fuel.

Driving all the pieces from hardpack gravel, free gravel, pavement, and non-technical singletrack, the Checkpoint SL was snug, fast-rolling, and aware of dealing with enter. I loved taking activates a whim, piecing collectively rides on singletrack, {smooth} hearth roads, rutted double observe, and paved bike paths, and it transitioned between terrain and floor sorts with out lacking a beat.

I shortly discovered its limits, nevertheless, when venturing down super-rough, technical, and additional chunky roads and trails, however the identical is true of nearly any drop bar bike with a inflexible carbon fork.  

Though each new super-light gravel race bike continues to skew our notion of weight, 19 kilos, 9 ounces (measurement massive, tubeless, no pedals) continues to be fairly dang gentle for a non-race bike. Positive, for those who rode it again to again with a 17-pound bike, you’d discover the distinction. However in any other case, it didn’t really feel sluggish or heavy within the slightest. Having raced and executed properly on heavier bikes in my life, the Checkpoint SL felt gentle sufficient to me for racing, particularly since I’m not battling for a spot on the professional podium.

I additionally discovered the 7 AXS construct to return collectively very properly, and there’s nothing in any respect that I’d want or need to improve on this bike proper out of the gate. After all, the saddle and tires would be the most evident modifications individuals will make, and certain, you possibly can drop some weight with some lighter carbon hoops, however the bundle is nice and performs properly. At $5,700, it’s a aggressive worth for what you get, too.

Whereas appears to be like are all the time secondary to efficiency, I occur to assume the Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 appears to be like implausible. The glint coat “Bronze Age” paint and carbon matte end is gorgeous, with small purple Trek logos that pop simply sufficient with out being obnoxious. The tan wall tires, huge carbon rims, and conventional body silhouette additionally work collectively to offer it a timeless enchantment.

Last Ideas on the Trek Checkpoint SL Gen 3

To me, the Trek Checkpoint SL Gen 3 is the epitome of what a gravel bike needs to be. Whereas I get pleasure from gravel racing, I don’t essentially need to experience an aggressive race bike on a regular basis. Positive, I need a bike that’s gentle, quick, and environment friendly, however I additionally need a bike that’s snug and up for something, and I assume the overwhelming majority of riders do, too.

That’s the great thing about gravel driving, in spite of everything. Positive, it’s loosely outlined as driving on unpaved roads, however at its core, gravel driving is no matter you need it to be. From {smooth} to tough gravel and paved roads to singletrack, I need a bike that’s as multi-faceted as the game itself and able to tackle any floor, terrain, or hare-brained route I provide you with.

And that’s precisely what the Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 is — a succesful and adventure-ready gravel rig that’s simple to get together with, fast-rolling, gentle sufficient, and enjoyable to experience just about all over the place. Its snug geometry, user-friendly nature, and flexibility give it a mass enchantment that many bikes lack.