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I bought an ALR5 and two Ortlieb backrollers…deciding what other bags to get so I can do a full long term tour, tent and all. Have the light tent, bag, cookset, etc. Thinking bar bag, and no front paniers. I’m a little lighter. 160lbs. Total 190lbs with gear. Really appreciate your comments on that.

If I may ask: which exact cassette did you use? The Shimano SLX CS-M7000-11 comes in three sizes - (11-40Z), (11-42Z) and (11-46Z)

Did you say "24 spokes?" That alone is pretty much a deal-killer for touring even at my 165-pound weight. 36 spokes is the "standard" touring bike wheel. I think the Checkpoint might have worked for you have you replaced the wheels with MUCH sturdier touring wheels. But then you would have had a very expensive Checkpoint. I think your advice is spot-on.

Joe, I used a Trek 520 this summer on the 4,200 Transamerica route and I weigh 195 pounds. The bike developed a crack in the frame and I am looking for a new bike. The local Trek shop recommended a Checkpoint ALR 5. My 520 has a "granny gear" of 19.5 gear inches. What was your lowest gear after converting your bike for your long distance ride?

Thanks for the great review! I’m considering a gravel for fast long rides on various surfaces, but also for bike packing and possibly everyday rides. The weight issue has been one of my concerns, and your video helped me reconsider and specify my needs and intentions regarding the gravel (and my other bikes). Greetings from Finland!

Good job and great review/food for thought! Thanks! Mats from Sweden

Isn't that bike a carbon frame? I'm looking at the ALR 5 bike which is aluminum frame and carbon fork.

One question: what torque value are you using for those rear rack bolts? I am bit scared of cracking the carbon frame and was thinking of clip on ones like Aeroe rack instead. If it worked gor you for long time, it must be the right amount.

How do peope feel about the strength and longevity of the mounting points on the carbon frame with a load? Since they are inserts that have a backing that presses against the frame are they relaible or easy to potentially replace? This is my consideration when deciding between the SL 5 or the ALR 5

Your experience is a good advertisement for this bike. You punished it and if it had some upgraded wheels it would have been fine. I think I will be pulling the trigger on an SL-6 soon. Good price right now, and most people seem to like their checkpoints.

I think you just needed a beefy 36 spoke rear wheel and you would have been fine - the rest of the bike sounded like it had no problems

How much weight you lose in this journey from New York to San Francisco?

Would you have liked a flat bar bike with a bull horn for additional position with default on the flat, wider bar with more leverage to steer? Could you also mention the costs involved in doing the mechanical changes? Does the frame/iso speed limit you from raising the stack? Were you okay with the reach or wanted more upright position?

I have the same bike, am about the same weight (maybe slightly heavier), and Iove my checkpoint. I have a second set of deep carbon wheels for road riding, and use the stock ones with Continental Contact urban tires (35mm) for touring (never had a flat on them). I agree about the weight limitations though - on my first tour this past year (Oxford to Barcelona) I left in a bit of a rush and way overpacked, so the bike felt sluggish and wobbly. On the third day I stopped at a post-office and sent home a large box of unnecessary /superfluous gear, after which is was totally great. No issues at all after that, even on rough roads and trails. Not sure of the total weight, but I used a set of small ortlieb panniers (designed for a front rack) and a 10l dry-bag on the rear, a Bontranger frame bag (highly recommend - it fits like a glove) and an ortlieb bar-bag. I now have a packing list that shaves off a further 10 lbs or so of gear. If you are planning to take a lot of gear, and you are a "big-boned" individual like me, then for sure it makes sense to consider a heavier-duty touring bike, but if you like to pack minimally and travel light and fast, this bike is absolutely great. I guess it is a trade-off between speed and agility, vs taking all the comforts of home. In a civilized place like Europe though, you don't need to pack a cooking set/stove or a lot of food etc, as all of that is readily available every few KM, and at reasonable prices (thank the Lord and Baby Jesus for the Super-U's in France!). At home on the road with my fast carbon aero wheelset and a pair of Conti GP5000s, the checkpoint rides better and feels stiffer than my old 2000 US postal-service Trek 5500 which I used to race on. It also does really well and feels secure and steady with fatter gravel ties on light off-road, and I have raced it in CX races as well. So it's a very versatile bike. The only gripes: (1) the GR1 tires it comes with are kinda crap - swap them for Conti's or Schwalbe straight away- and Bontranger tubeless sealant is also crap - keep away from that stuff (2) why does it come with a tool-holder but no multi-tool? Seriously Trek? (3) the plastic caps sealing the vast multitude of threaded attachment points come out too easily, and get lost (I replaced them with stainless hex grub screws) (4) the removable QR is a bit finicky, I leave it at home and just use the 6mm allen key on my multitool - but given that I almost never have to repair a flat with the Conti Contacts, this is hardly an issue. (5) the cables and hydraulics are beautifully tucked away in the frame, whcih looks great, but there is barely enough exposed to be able to take the bar /stem off and pack it beside the frame for transport - an extra few CM to play with would be nice, but that may just be specific to my build-up.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I weigh 240 lbs and being challenged by the purchase of the bike you have just for the sake of the bike purchase. But I am concerned about the fact that it is not because of the Frame but the spokes, tires and gear ratios that may be less forgiving. After all. ... was it not because of the wheels that you had issues and not the frame or hardware. Just curious.

My safe long distance footpath from my childhood in the 1970’s. Thank you for sharing.

I'm about to buy a SL5. Sounds like all you would have needed to do is purchase a pair of custom built wheels to handle the loads. Many online wheel builders out there can build you something to take the demand of touring. The stock wheels on these bike will never work for that kind of weight.

Heck i weigh 300lbs+ 45lbs of gear and feel like the bike takes it in stride

Excellent video, thank you!

Thanks for the honest review. Good to know where the breaking point was.

Joe, I've got a 2020 Trek Checkpoint SL5 and have been wondering if it was a good choice for an epic cross-country adventure as is. From your video, I'm guessing the answer is no. But for 5-10 days bikepacking trips across all kinds of roads and trails, it would be the perfect choice?

I've just put down the full amount on the 2023 Trek Checkpoint SL5 and on Tuesday next week without training will be doing a 1600km ride from Melbourne to Grafton. I'm nervous but I also wanted a bike I could use for conventional riding. Currently I'm 84 kg but should slim down to 75kg quick enough. I'm hoping I don't break spokes also. I went for the bright red colour to be more visible. Wish me luck 😊

What the SL stands for?

Incredibly detailed and well thought-out video-thanks so much for sharing

The weak part of the Checkpoint is the wheels. Our local Trek store recommends to swap out for touring wheels like wheels from Velocity for a trip across the country. The other option would be the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37V carbon wheels. Salsa bikes are also rated higher. I had asked them about the Warroad. Their response “As an ASTM Condition 2 bicycle the Warroad is rated for a 300lb rider and 55lbs of luggage!” Oh good on ya for a fine trip. I want hope to do the GAP and C&O next year. I’m still deciding on what to ride.

I really appreciate your video. I’m looking at the checkpoint for exactly the same reason you did, it’s versatility. That being said I plan to go with the aluminum version cause I feel it will handle touring better. However, I only considered an upgrade to the drive train for touring. I’ll add some bomber touring wheels to the list now too. Thanks again

Thanks for the review based on your real world experience with this bike.

Thanks Joe. Just what I was looking for. Have a 2022 checkpoint myself. Have some time on my hands, thought about doing same as you. Even have a broken in Brooks imperial wanting to get back out there. But, you make a very valid point. A review based on a real-world test like the one you put that bike through is invaluable.

I weigh 85 to 90kg. I plan on doing a 2 week trip on this bike. Will it hold up?

Thanks Joe. I've been considering doing the same thing. But, I currently weigh in around 230 lbs. I'll never be under 200lbs. Based on your review I'll consider some alternatives.

Thanks Joe, this was a great, informative video. I too was considering the Checkpoint SL5 as an all-round option for rail-trail rides to longer, touring rides. Seeing Van Duzer’s long tour on his Checkpoint, I was optimistic that it could perform as a touring bike. However, seeing your video has given me a deeper insight into that, so thank you! I think I’ll consider a Checkpoint for lighter, shorter bikepacking journeys. I’d like to do the GAP/C&O trail this year and am racking my brain as to what bike I should get. I’m considering going the opposite - buying a touring bike (right now I’m eyeing the Kona Sutra SE), lose the fenders and go a wider tire.

32 or 40 spoke wheels. That is the upgrade people over look when using a non touring bike for touring.

Thanks for the video. Why switch from tubeless to tubes? Is that a touring preference for dealing with flats and probably having to bring tubes anyways? Haven’t toured yet with my CP but planning soon hopefully!

You just need heavier duty wheels

Great review, very informative! As you know, Van Duzer moved on to a Priority 600 x from the Checkpoint. Any thoughts on that type of a bike?

What cassette range in the SLX did you use? Any mods to rear derailleur to make it work?

great video!!

Im a mechanic at a trek shop. Trust me when i say that bontrager alloy wheels are questionable as far as durability. I have warrantied coutless ones. With that being siad most stock rims and wheels that come on bikes are weak. Check out velocity rims and wheels.

I toured more than 50 000km on bicycles.The closest I came to a touring bike was a 8 800km tour with my Ice Adventure2 Recumbent trike.I broke a chain twise...never any spokes...You dont need a $7 000 touring bike to hit the road...what you need is common sence....

Well, since Trek is cancelling the 520 touring bike, it seems like the Checkpoint ALR, seems like the only Trek option?

Would you consider the Check Point if you had the ALR--5 vice the SLR5?. Presumably, the ALR-5 might be more robust...YES...NO??? I am considering an ALR-5 is my "All-Rounder", is why I ask.

Great overview Joe. I’m about your size and have similar concerns with loading up a gravel bike for touring. As pointed out by others, wheels are where most bike companies cut corners. My solution was to build up a second wheel set on welded 650b 32 hole asymmetrical rims with reinforced eyelets. Still light but likely much stronger than the original wheels and More comfortable as I can fit bigger volume tires; plus greater versatility as the originals would likely be fine for road and moderate gravel riding. My main concern would have been with how well the carbon frame would hold up to the additional weight and tension on the rear triangle.

What an unbelievable journey, on so many levels!

I had a 2015 Domane Project 1, Dura Ace, pretty high spec, right away the rear wheel kept breaking spokes, eventually Trek replaced it under warrantee and about a month wait (at least). No issue after that, but watching your video I was reminded that the Bontrager tires flatted like crazy right away as well. $6800, the most I've ever spent on a bike, you'd think they'd QC this stuff better but apparently not. Good to hear your frame held up - others on YT have had cracks develop fairly quickly. Wonder if that's QC related too?

These are so GREAT, Joe! Thanks, again, for bringing us along!

Sounds like the bike was fine, just the wheels failed. I owned the same bike, the stock wheels are really cheap and nasty. They are not the same standard as the rest of the bike. Just use stronger wheels.

Thanks , Joe, for sharing your incredible journey!

Thanks for these videos Joe.

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!! Way to Go Sir!!!!!! Way to GO!

This is a cool video Joe. It just looks hot in this video 😂 that checkpoint is awesome