How do you like the Checkpoint compared to the more relaxed Giant Revolt, or something more aggressive like Factor Oslo? Keep up the great videos ... love your new channel!!
Aerobars are amazing for gravel. They help you go faster when it's smoother, gives your hands a break when it's rougher. Win-win all around. Let the haters be slower until they can't stand it anymore.
I had the honor of befriending James Walsh when he was just starting out and discovering he was incredibly talented at endurance sports. He was "just" a surfer and tried biking and running and his paces were pro-level right from the beginning. As surprising to him as it was to us. We said, "Dude, you might be able to go pro!" Very cool guy.
Nice ride, great info. Just some food for thought, on the aero bars, there are some tradeoffs riders might want to consider. Curious on how your legs felt, during the ride, if they felt more tired or you felt a different soreness or recovery after the ride. Assuming you ride a 56cm having a 72.8° seat tube bending over far enough and reaching forward to ride aero bars the hip angle is tight (closed) so much it limits leg motion, pedal speed and power. Also tension of the tendons and muscles on the upward moving leg fight the down leg motion. As you noted you had to pull on the bars, engaging your entire body to power up the inclines. That wastes a lot of energy. TT bikes and Tri bikes seat tube angles are 76 to 78°. Allowing for a more forward saddle, meaning it can be raised to create more room for hip angle leg motion. It's a relationship with the bottom bracket to body position that robs a lot of leg power by limiting how much quad muscle one can use to apply power to the pedal when the saddle is forward. For safety one should never ride in aero bars in a mixed group, especially if you are going to draft, but if you can draft do you need to have aero bars? The guys with their hands on the brakes are going to stop before the aero guys can lift a finger. Credit for having a forward saddle if you raised it too. Using just the road bars with hands cupping the upper portion of the levers and your wrists laying flat on the bars is a better position to use the power and comfort of that slack seat tube angle to your benefit and of course, drafting. The fit should start at the saddle center being directly over the center of the seat tube and then the road bars adjusted to that fixed saddle position. Allowing your legs to transfer torso weight to the pedals. Safe riding.
Hey! Yeah, hip angle and overall positioning could be a long video on its own. My short answer is this: I didn't change my position as my hip angle on those bars bolted to the top of the handlebars is the same as it is when racing with a low, flat back in the drops. Also, scooting the saddle up on a gravel bike brings with it compromises in handling stability that I don't want to make. Back in the day when I did TTs and triathlons I would have a completely different position, based in part on the points you address. I've sat in on multiple fits with WorldTour and pro tri riders, and talked with many pro fitters over the years, as well as had a few of them fit me for editorial purposes. Thanks for the discussion.
Thanks. I will do a comparison. Short answer: they are similar with progressive geo, down tube storage, and flexing posts/seatmasts. The Diverge of course has the Future Shock up front, so stack is a bit taller. Specialized is going for two niches with two bikes (with the Crux being the super light gravel race bike) with the Checkpoint is full duty.
40mm Schwalbe Allrounds. The stock Bontrager tires died a while ago. Bontrager does excellent wheels and components, but their rubber isn’t my favorite.
Hey Ben, take a think back to your review of the Felt VR. I Have a Felt VR4 running 1x11 44T chainring and EThirteen 9-42 cassette (I also have a 9-46t that I accidentally found out works on my Force 1 hydro mechanical), 35mm Tubeless Schwalbe G-One Allround on 21 mm internal Zipp 30 course alloy wheels. I’m 220lbs do you think this would survive this kind of event? Thank you
Hey Jason. 9-46! Wild. Yeah, you'd be good to go with 35mm Allrounds on that bike. I did it on 40mm Allrounds, which are a bit comfier. But of course you're probably already squeezing those 35s in. The only caveat would be if it rains and you need some mud clearance. I'll check out those eThirteen cassettes now...
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney you’re the man Ben thank you. Yes the 35mm are pushing the frame limit for sure I don’t think it’ll even fit if I go 23mm internal. I was considering selling the VR4 but if it’s good for gravel it’s a keeper. It’s also my first road bike where I hit 52mph on my first ever ride down a mighty hill in Harriman State Park in NY. Thanks again!
That was a one off bag I got a few years ago. I like the size, in that it doesn’t hit my legs. Silca and Layout are making some cool bags. And now Trek is doing its own integrated bags, which I think are in many ways the best option.
Hi Ben. Can I ask what u think about front chainring on sram 1x with 1044 on the back. I have 40t and I am thinking for road and a bit of gravel I could still do most terrain by going up to 44t. I saw this bike had 44t. Is that a choice you would make again
I like having a 42 with the 10-44. That is what is on the Trek. I would still appreciate a bit more range, as 42-10 can get spun out pretty easily on descents. But I wouldn’t want a 44 ring because I find myself trying to shift lower on steep stuff as is in the 42-44. Check out my Ekar v GRX v XPLR video.
How do you like the Checkpoint compared to the more relaxed Giant Revolt, or something more aggressive like Factor Oslo? Keep up the great videos ... love your new channel!!
The Checkpoint is excellent, but I like the Revolt better. Getting on a Factor here in a couple weeks. In the meantime: ruclips.net/video/e4wGjeNyadY/видео.html
Happy Thanksgiving, Love your content, keep up the great work! Question, with all that you have riddin, what GB would you recommend for a Roadie and MTB'r in this lower price point, Im leaning towards an SL5 or 6...but open to oher brands?
Happy Thanksgiving. SL5 and 6 are great options. Giant's Revolt is worth looking at; probably a little more bike for the money. Same with Canyon's Grail (a little more racey/roadie) and the Grizl (a little more adventure-y).
Hey Ben, good stuff as usual. Just curious, how much time had you spent riding in aero bars before the race? 60% - like 3 hours + in aero position? Sounds painful.
Thanks! I put those on the week before. I didn’t change my saddle position at all - it was really just rolling the hips forward a tiny bit more. And it’s not like a TT bike - the arm rests are relatively high. But yeah - best case scenario is to practice lots with anything new.
I was thinking the same. But with still numb hands, three months after 1000km @ Race around Rwanda. I will not do another ultra endurance event without it.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Want to read my review on this bike? Head over to Cyclist for the full rundown: www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/10836/trek-checkpoint-slr-9-etap-review ☑⏺
How do you like the Checkpoint compared to the more relaxed Giant Revolt, or something more aggressive like Factor Oslo? Keep up the great videos ... love your new channel!!
Aerobars are amazing for gravel. They help you go faster when it's smoother, gives your hands a break when it's rougher. Win-win all around. Let the haters be slower until they can't stand it anymore.
I had the honor of befriending James Walsh when he was just starting out and discovering he was incredibly talented at endurance sports. He was "just" a surfer and tried biking and running and his paces were pro-level right from the beginning. As surprising to him as it was to us. We said, "Dude, you might be able to go pro!" Very cool guy.
Glad that you have your own channel. You are one of my favorite reviewers.
Hey, thanks! Tell your friends. 😂
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney lol if i make some I will 😁
Hey, and you got a shot of my bike in there at the end!
Great video Ben and love the editing😉👍
Baby steps, Stout…
Yeah buddy!
Love the RR and that it's only 3 hours from Denver. Nice riding! But that wind and fresh gravel, yikes.
Gotta have gravel in a gravel race. 😁
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney well played
Amazing
Oh yeah!
Nice ride, great info. Just some food for thought, on the aero bars, there are some tradeoffs riders might want to consider. Curious on how your legs felt, during the ride, if they felt more tired or you felt a different soreness or recovery after the ride.
Assuming you ride a 56cm having a 72.8° seat tube bending over far enough and reaching forward to ride aero bars the hip angle is tight (closed) so much it limits leg motion, pedal speed and power. Also tension of the tendons and muscles on the upward moving leg fight the down leg motion. As you noted you had to pull on the bars, engaging your entire body to power up the inclines. That wastes a lot of energy. TT bikes and Tri bikes seat tube angles are 76 to 78°. Allowing for a more forward saddle, meaning it can be raised to create more room for hip angle leg motion. It's a relationship with the bottom bracket to body position that robs a lot of leg power by limiting how much quad muscle one can use to apply power to the pedal when the saddle is forward. For safety one should never ride in aero bars in a mixed group, especially if you are going to draft, but if you can draft do you need to have aero bars? The guys with their hands on the brakes are going to stop before the aero guys can lift a finger. Credit for having a forward saddle if you raised it too. Using just the road bars with hands cupping the upper portion of the levers and your wrists laying flat on the bars is a better position to use the power and comfort of that slack seat tube angle to your benefit and of course, drafting. The fit should start at the saddle center being directly over the center of the seat tube and then the road bars adjusted to that fixed saddle position. Allowing your legs to transfer torso weight to the pedals. Safe riding.
Hey! Yeah, hip angle and overall positioning could be a long video on its own. My short answer is this: I didn't change my position as my hip angle on those bars bolted to the top of the handlebars is the same as it is when racing with a low, flat back in the drops. Also, scooting the saddle up on a gravel bike brings with it compromises in handling stability that I don't want to make. Back in the day when I did TTs and triathlons I would have a completely different position, based in part on the points you address. I've sat in on multiple fits with WorldTour and pro tri riders, and talked with many pro fitters over the years, as well as had a few of them fit me for editorial purposes. Thanks for the discussion.
Great video. Would be interested to hear your take on the checkpoint vs diverge as you have ridden both.
Thanks. I will do a comparison. Short answer: they are similar with progressive geo, down tube storage, and flexing posts/seatmasts. The Diverge of course has the Future Shock up front, so stack is a bit taller. Specialized is going for two niches with two bikes (with the Crux being the super light gravel race bike) with the Checkpoint is full duty.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I appreciate the reply and quick rundown. Best of luck on the channel as we are all looking forward to your content.
Hey Ben, i cant find the other video where you raced with the black checkpoint.
Would love to know how you changed (or didn't) your overall postition to account for the...ahem...
tri bars
You mean Try Bars? 😁 Honestly I didn’t change a thing with saddle height or fore/aft - just rotated my hips forward a touch.
Right on ben,nice one mate 💃
Tyres and size? 🍻
40mm Schwalbe Allrounds. The stock Bontrager tires died a while ago. Bontrager does excellent wheels and components, but their rubber isn’t my favorite.
Some unexpected pine forests! Is it pretty high? Looks fun
When I was a cat 5 I got 4th in my first 3 races 😂🤷🏻♂️
Elevation is 4- to 4,800ft or so: www.strava.com/activities/7367643563
Hey Ben, take a think back to your review of the Felt VR. I Have a Felt VR4 running 1x11 44T chainring and EThirteen 9-42 cassette (I also have a 9-46t that I accidentally found out works on my Force 1 hydro mechanical), 35mm Tubeless Schwalbe G-One Allround on 21 mm internal Zipp 30 course alloy wheels. I’m 220lbs do you think this would survive this kind of event? Thank you
Hey Jason. 9-46! Wild.
Yeah, you'd be good to go with 35mm Allrounds on that bike. I did it on 40mm Allrounds, which are a bit comfier. But of course you're probably already squeezing those 35s in. The only caveat would be if it rains and you need some mud clearance.
I'll check out those eThirteen cassettes now...
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney you’re the man Ben thank you. Yes the 35mm are pushing the frame limit for sure I don’t think it’ll even fit if I go 23mm internal. I was considering selling the VR4 but if it’s good for gravel it’s a keeper. It’s also my first road bike where I hit 52mph on my first ever ride down a mighty hill in Harriman State Park in NY. Thanks again!
What top tube bag is that on the checkpoint?
That was a one off bag I got a few years ago. I like the size, in that it doesn’t hit my legs. Silca and Layout are making some cool bags. And now Trek is doing its own integrated bags, which I think are in many ways the best option.
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thank you. Love the channel!
Hi Ben. Can I ask what u think about front chainring on sram 1x with 1044 on the back. I have 40t and I am thinking for road and a bit of gravel I could still do most terrain by going up to 44t. I saw this bike had 44t. Is that a choice you would make again
I like having a 42 with the 10-44. That is what is on the Trek. I would still appreciate a bit more range, as 42-10 can get spun out pretty easily on descents. But I wouldn’t want a 44 ring because I find myself trying to shift lower on steep stuff as is in the 42-44. Check out my Ekar v GRX v XPLR video.
Don't give me Chamois Hagar steering flashbacks please Ben 😳
Hahaha. I appreciate that Evil went full send with that - if for no other reason than to give us a far end point for context.
How do you like the Checkpoint compared to the more relaxed Giant Revolt, or something more aggressive like Factor Oslo?
Keep up the great videos ... love your new channel!!
The Checkpoint is excellent, but I like the Revolt better. Getting on a Factor here in a couple weeks. In the meantime: ruclips.net/video/e4wGjeNyadY/видео.html
Awesome Review,! I want Aerobars now. Did you ride the Robidoux on 35 or 40 G One All-Round? Curious about your tire selection
40s. 35 is pretty rare for me these days. SBT is about it.
👍
Cool vid Bro, what tires n psi?
Happy Thanksgiving, Love your content, keep up the great work! Question, with all that you have riddin, what GB would you recommend for a Roadie and MTB'r in this lower price point, Im leaning towards an SL5 or 6...but open to oher brands?
Happy Thanksgiving. SL5 and 6 are great options. Giant's Revolt is worth looking at; probably a little more bike for the money. Same with Canyon's Grail (a little more racey/roadie) and the Grizl (a little more adventure-y).
Hi Ben, quick question: which size did you use?
56
@@TheRidewithBenDelaney thank you!
Hey Ben, good stuff as usual. Just curious, how much time had you spent riding in aero bars before the race? 60% - like 3 hours + in aero position? Sounds painful.
Thanks! I put those on the week before. I didn’t change my saddle position at all - it was really just rolling the hips forward a tiny bit more. And it’s not like a TT bike - the arm rests are relatively high. But yeah - best case scenario is to practice lots with anything new.
Aerobars!! 🤮😭😤
🤪😘😘😘
I was thinking the same. But with still numb hands, three months after 1000km @ Race around Rwanda. I will not do another ultra endurance event without it.
Puppy paws rider position 11k is for real men.