I still can't quite wrap my head around how this is so much more comfortable than my (very nice!) Aluminum Cross bike with (!) front suspension. I've read so much about carbon and how it's supposed to be more compliant, but I took it for marketing w*nk mostly. I was SO WRONG! And all that while getting so much more power down. Also, the GRX (I have the 2X and love it for the small gear steps in the upper register) transmission is outta this world in terms of shift performance. Soooo smooth! Just an amazing frame, and to this day one of the most beautiful Gravel bikes out there!
Nice set up! I too have the Shock Stop Stem. Rode that stem with my stock bars till I went with the Kitchen Sink Bars-no loop. That was a total comfort game changer for me. I went with the widest bars and got both the top and drop grips. Hope to see you some day on the canal gravel.. Enjoy the Ride!!!
I didn't even mention it on the video (forgot), but there's a clear rubbery piece along the top of the chainstay already! I thought there wasn't anything there until I ran my finger over it. I was like, "Son of a gun... that's cool."
Personal preference. More than enough to pedal 24-25mph on flats, and a 38t front 42 rear is still less range than a typical 46-30 front with 34 in the back.
great video! thank you for making this. thinking of purchasing my first gravel bike and looking pretty hard at the SL Checkpoint. Love this color! Are you able to fit a tube in that storage compartment in the frame?
Hey, I say go for it. Yes. It's a bit easier to fit a Tubolito tube rather than the standard rubber tube, but yes. I typically keep emergency snacks in there and keep a tube in my seat bag, but it's up to you! 🤘
Very nice ride, Todd. I just picked up this bike in the Radioactive Red/Navy. It's pretty much stock except for the dropper post and Fox Transfer dual-pull lever that I added. I love the valve stem cap touch. That is very cool. I added a progressive pride ally decal to mine for my son and his community. Enjoy the adventures and ride safe.
Thanks man! I'm 5'11" and I went with the 54. It was all about the reach and stand over height for me. The Checkpoint is a very long bike. I test rode the 56 and 54, and the 54 just fit me like a glove. I'm going to be publishing a Part 2 to this video that shows a few more upgrades too 🤘 Thanks for watching brother!
How goes it compare to the alr you reviewed? Is the geometry the same? You didn't like that it wasn't beefy enough and too narrow tires. Insights into differences? Thanks Excellent reviews btw. All reviews should be like this... Real world experience
I am in the middle of making that very video, my friend. In a nutshell, with the Trekfest sale going on, it made more sense to go all out with the carbon frame and add the components I wanted, rather than spend $2900 on practically the same bike I already had. I'll get all nerdy with the geometry, etc etc in the video. Great comment!
@@BIIIKES Cool thanks. I'm in between this checkpoint and another gravel bike that's more..off road adventure type with longer wheelbase. Not sure what I need..a more racy or more mountain like bike... I mostly ride road.
I was in between the Grizl and the Checkpoint. Ultimately went with the Checkpoint because "I'm a Trek guy, and got a deal" but also because I can still throw on my 650b 47mm wheel and tires if the need arises. Other contenders included the Grail, but that's a REALLY racey bike... really good on road also. I have the stock SL wheelset (going to throw road tires on there), I have the Aeolus Pro 3v wheels on there now (very wide rim.. makes the 40mm expand out to 42ish) and the 650b DT Swiss G1800 wheels with the Sendero tires. Great for winter or muddier terrain. Figured I'm good with whatever the ride needs. Fast gravel, road or chunky, muddy stuff. Keep me posted!
Hey Donnie. TransX dropper (110mm). GRX 800 series 1x shifters are made to be dropper compatible. Since it's a 1x, there is no shifter on the left brake lever. Instead of moving to the big ring, it controls the dropper. Pretty slick setup.
I just ordered the exact bike in a 54, online it says I'm a 58, a 56 is snug, but a 54 was just right. I'm curious how tall you are? I'm 5'11 I must have short legs, I guess
Nice build. Love the changes you made. Couple questions. I see you swapped the cranks. Are they the 1x GRX Cranks or the 2x and you added the Wolftooth chainring? How did you get the left 2x shifter to operate the dropper?
Hey dude. I specifically ordered a 1x GRX crank set at 170mm, and ensured the 38t Wolftooth oval was GRX compatible. Also, when you get 1x GRX 800 series brake levers, the left brake lever automatically comes with the dropper functionality. It's awesome.
Did you keep your Polygon or did you sell it off? Would be interesting if you did a comparo (I understand different leagues) but I think that would be an interesting video. Enjoy the great looking new bike👍🏼
@@BIIIKES hope you give the comparo a go (even if it will be just based on memory🙂). Thanks for taking the time to reply! Looking forward to it should the video happen. Cheers!
The music stops about 2 minutes in before I give a thorough walkthrough of it. You know, the important part of the video. Thanks for watching. You can check out part 2 of the build if you want as well. It's free, just like this one.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I still can't quite wrap my head around how this is so much more comfortable than my (very nice!) Aluminum Cross bike with (!) front suspension. I've read so much about carbon and how it's supposed to be more compliant, but I took it for marketing w*nk mostly. I was SO WRONG! And all that while getting so much more power down. Also, the GRX (I have the 2X and love it for the small gear steps in the upper register) transmission is outta this world in terms of shift performance. Soooo smooth! Just an amazing frame, and to this day one of the most beautiful Gravel bikes out there!
@@NameNaameNameeNaamee I agree! Great comment and thanks for watching. Love your user name, naaame, etc 😂
nice ride, high tek my friend, Carbon, those was the days, l been riding steel bikes these days, but bikes like yours make me want to grab one
All bikes are awesome! Carbon, steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. Yeah, this bike is definitely waaaaay more capable than I am haha 🤣
Nice set up! I too have the Shock Stop Stem. Rode that stem with my stock bars till I went with the Kitchen Sink Bars-no loop. That was a total comfort game changer for me. I went with the widest bars and got both the top and drop grips. Hope to see you some day on the canal gravel..
Enjoy the Ride!!!
That's awesome!! I love this stem. The kitchen sink bars look great as well. We'll be on that gravel this Sunday!
Love it! Congrats again on the new whip Todd. Cool storage solutions and suspension. Better get some protection on the chainstay
I didn't even mention it on the video (forgot), but there's a clear rubbery piece along the top of the chainstay already! I thought there wasn't anything there until I ran my finger over it. I was like, "Son of a gun... that's cool."
Love the bike and the colour.. ❤
Thank you Batman! Thank you for your service 😋
That's a good looking bike.
I love it!!
Trek makes good bikes, this gravel bike looks comfortable to ride, that iso speed is awesome.
Super comfy! Thanks for watching!
Nice bike! If you decide to wrap the frame and need help, let me know. I've done 3 bikes now in full Invis kits.
Yeah dude!
Nice bike. You must ride some crazy steep stuff to need a 38T chain ring on the front.
Personal preference. More than enough to pedal 24-25mph on flats, and a 38t front 42 rear is still less range than a typical 46-30 front with 34 in the back.
And I do 🤘
great video! thank you for making this. thinking of purchasing my first gravel bike and looking pretty hard at the SL Checkpoint. Love this color! Are you able to fit a tube in that storage compartment in the frame?
Hey, I say go for it. Yes. It's a bit easier to fit a Tubolito tube rather than the standard rubber tube, but yes. I typically keep emergency snacks in there and keep a tube in my seat bag, but it's up to you! 🤘
What seat bag are you using?
It's a Bontrager bag. You can find it directly on the Trek website
Very nice ride, Todd. I just picked up this bike in the Radioactive Red/Navy. It's pretty much stock except for the dropper post and Fox Transfer dual-pull lever that I added. I love the valve stem cap touch. That is very cool. I added a progressive pride ally decal to mine for my son and his community. Enjoy the adventures and ride safe.
Love it!!! Awesome personal touch for your son as well!! 🤘 Enjoy the bike, John!
Great ride! Can I ask what height are your and what frame size is it? Looking to purchase SL5 and I'm in between sizes.
Thanks man! I'm 5'11" and I went with the 54. It was all about the reach and stand over height for me. The Checkpoint is a very long bike. I test rode the 56 and 54, and the 54 just fit me like a glove. I'm going to be publishing a Part 2 to this video that shows a few more upgrades too 🤘 Thanks for watching brother!
How goes it compare to the alr you reviewed? Is the geometry the same? You didn't like that it wasn't beefy enough and too narrow tires. Insights into differences? Thanks
Excellent reviews btw. All reviews should be like this... Real world experience
I am in the middle of making that very video, my friend. In a nutshell, with the Trekfest sale going on, it made more sense to go all out with the carbon frame and add the components I wanted, rather than spend $2900 on practically the same bike I already had. I'll get all nerdy with the geometry, etc etc in the video. Great comment!
@@BIIIKES Cool thanks. I'm in between this checkpoint and another gravel bike that's more..off road adventure type with longer wheelbase. Not sure what I need..a more racy or more mountain like bike... I mostly ride road.
I was in between the Grizl and the Checkpoint. Ultimately went with the Checkpoint because "I'm a Trek guy, and got a deal" but also because I can still throw on my 650b 47mm wheel and tires if the need arises. Other contenders included the Grail, but that's a REALLY racey bike... really good on road also. I have the stock SL wheelset (going to throw road tires on there), I have the Aeolus Pro 3v wheels on there now (very wide rim.. makes the 40mm expand out to 42ish) and the 650b DT Swiss G1800 wheels with the Sendero tires. Great for winter or muddier terrain. Figured I'm good with whatever the ride needs. Fast gravel, road or chunky, muddy stuff. Keep me posted!
What brand is that dropper post and how did they configure it in to your front shifter?
Hey Donnie. TransX dropper (110mm). GRX 800 series 1x shifters are made to be dropper compatible. Since it's a 1x, there is no shifter on the left brake lever. Instead of moving to the big ring, it controls the dropper. Pretty slick setup.
I just ordered the exact bike in a 54, online it says I'm a 58, a 56 is snug, but a 54 was just right. I'm curious how tall you are? I'm 5'11 I must have short legs, I guess
Nice! I'm 5'11 as well.
Nice build. Love the changes you made. Couple questions. I see you swapped the cranks. Are they the 1x GRX Cranks or the 2x and you added the Wolftooth chainring? How did you get the left 2x shifter to operate the dropper?
Hey dude. I specifically ordered a 1x GRX crank set at 170mm, and ensured the 38t Wolftooth oval was GRX compatible. Also, when you get 1x GRX 800 series brake levers, the left brake lever automatically comes with the dropper functionality. It's awesome.
Did you keep your Polygon or did you sell it off? Would be interesting if you did a comparo (I understand different leagues) but I think that would be an interesting video. Enjoy the great looking new bike👍🏼
Good idea 👍 I used most of the components from my Polygon on the Trek. I still have the Polygon frame though.
@@BIIIKES hope you give the comparo a go (even if it will be just based on memory🙂). Thanks for taking the time to reply! Looking forward to it should the video happen. Cheers!
Thanks man! Appreciate you watching!
Nice bike, wish i wasn't forced to listen to music too see it
The music stops about 2 minutes in before I give a thorough walkthrough of it. You know, the important part of the video. Thanks for watching. You can check out part 2 of the build if you want as well. It's free, just like this one.
@BIIIKES i enjoyed part 2 good upgrades, surprised it was still under 20lbs
22 lbs
Nice bike but couldn't finish watching....the noise is too much
What noise?