Nice review. I have this bike on order for the end of Feb./early Mar. Just in time for the warmer weather, and my 60th birthday. I did 1550 mi last year on my Trek Marlin 7 (hardtail). I can't wait to see what I can do on the Checkpoint. I'd like to hit 2000 mi., but we'll see.
@@goodluckchrisclark Yeah, I've definitely been using the wrong tool for the job I've been doing. When I bought the Marlin in 2019, I was just getting back into riding, and had never owned any kind of drop bar bike before. If I'd known then what I know now I'd have bought a Domane or a Checkpoint (if they were around then).
@@goodluckchrisclark UPDATE: I brought the SL5 home yesterday. I took her out this morning and did almost 35 miles. So much nicer a ride than on the Marlin. The 15+ mph headwind on the last leg was the only negative. It was like pedaling through molasses. Otherwise, it was a wonderful maiden ride.
@@goodluckchrisclark do you know if they are switching wheels when doing road or gravel? Im trying to get 1 bike that can potentially do road and gravel
@@regularMattMatt I have this bike with two wheel sets. I've just bought a 28mm road set and I'm quite happy with that. For gravel (or even for winter/wet weather) i'm going to use the original 40mm Bontrager set. (I like the comfort, probably I'm not tough enough 😀 )
I'm close to pulling the trigger on this bike, but with the price, the risk is higher than the reward when it comes to potential theft or frame cracking. I'm probably going to get it anyway damn you trek!
That SL5 is really nice looking. After buying both the RedShift Shock Stop stem and seat post, I will never be without them. They are so much superior to the iso-speed decoupler system Trek engineered and charges a fortune for. They also make an aluminum-framed bike feel extremely comfortable, so there is no need to spend the premium on a carbon fiber bike unless a couple of pounds of weight savings are important to you. Just my 2 cents.
I can see the appeal of the so called gravel bike. Roadies might like its lower gears and greater comfort while mtb riders might like being much faster on the flats.
Nice review, the wheels are complete junk. First thing I replaced. Added a redshift pro suspension post, and a vecnum suspension stem. Like riding sat in an armchair. Ridiculous good gravel bike that can handle single track with ease as well.
So much BS salesmanship in this video it's hilarious. Carbon isn't the be all and end all. Jeez, this carbon is so good that it isn't lighter than the aluminum ALR 5 yet costs WAY more. Give it a rest mate.
How much payola did Trek give you to pump their bike? If it were me, I don't endorse any product unless I get little kickback. Standard business practice.
MISTAKE NOTED! THERE IS NO ISOSPEED ON THE FRONT, JUST LOOKS LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF THE CABLE MANAGEMENT
SORRY GUYS
❤❤❤getting one for Christmas!! The color alone got me! ❤❤❤
Thanks for your review, Chris. Just bought one today. I'm super excited to get the bike out on those long gravel rides
I love my Checkpoint...very high utility and functionality
Thanks Chris. Nice job!!
Is a dropper post advantageous on a gravel bike?
Only if your doing Extreme offroad
SL5 vs Driftless?
Nice review. I have this bike on order for the end of Feb./early Mar. Just in time for the warmer weather, and my 60th birthday. I did 1550 mi last year on my Trek Marlin 7 (hardtail). I can't wait to see what I can do on the Checkpoint. I'd like to hit 2000 mi., but we'll see.
Damn 1500 on a Marlin, you'll easily hit 2k
@@goodluckchrisclark Yeah, I've definitely been using the wrong tool for the job I've been doing. When I bought the Marlin in 2019, I was just getting back into riding, and had never owned any kind of drop bar bike before. If I'd known then what I know now I'd have bought a Domane or a Checkpoint (if they were around then).
@@goodluckchrisclark UPDATE: I brought the SL5 home yesterday. I took her out this morning and did almost 35 miles. So much nicer a ride than on the Marlin. The 15+ mph headwind on the last leg was the only negative. It was like pedaling through molasses. Otherwise, it was a wonderful maiden ride.
Do you think this will still perform good when doing road riding? Or its best to go with domane?
Have a lot of guys just running this full time who switched from the Domane
@@goodluckchrisclark do you know if they are switching wheels when doing road or gravel? Im trying to get 1 bike that can potentially do road and gravel
@@regularMattMatt I have this bike with two wheel sets. I've just bought a 28mm road set and I'm quite happy with that. For gravel (or even for winter/wet weather) i'm going to use the original 40mm Bontrager set. (I like the comfort, probably I'm not tough enough 😀 )
I'm close to pulling the trigger on this bike, but with the price, the risk is higher than the reward when it comes to potential theft or frame cracking. I'm probably going to get it anyway damn you trek!
I definitely wouldn't be afraid of frame cracking, we've never had that issue plus Trek has lifetime frame warranty
I thought they dropped iso speed in the front
In the Domane
@Good boy Ringo checkpoint doesn't have front iso speed the new 23 Gen 4 Domane dropped it.
@@nathanjimenez1562 ....you are right
A bike I'd love you own but will never afford.lol. Good job explaining the bike's features.
That SL5 is really nice looking. After buying both the RedShift Shock Stop stem and seat post, I will never be without them. They are so much superior to the iso-speed decoupler system Trek engineered and charges a fortune for. They also make an aluminum-framed bike feel extremely comfortable, so there is no need to spend the premium on a carbon fiber bike unless a couple of pounds of weight savings are important to you. Just my 2 cents.
good call i will try them
Cool story, bro.
Try the vecnum stem. Another huge step up from redshift stems
How would this bike perform with road tiers?
I just picked up 32mm GP5000s.
Long bike. I had to shorten the stem to make it comfortable
As others have pointed out, there is no front iso speed on the Checkpoint. This needs to be corrected.
Pinned a comment, My bad! Thanks
Does not have front iso speed
My bad, looks the same but it's just for the cable routing
the aluminum one is.
I can see the appeal of the so called gravel bike. Roadies might like its lower gears and greater comfort while mtb riders might like being much faster on the flats.
Trek needs more color options.
Nice review, the wheels are complete junk. First thing I replaced. Added a redshift pro suspension post, and a vecnum suspension stem. Like riding sat in an armchair. Ridiculous good gravel bike that can handle single track with ease as well.
yes,wheels are just ridiculously bad for that level of bike.
You get better gravel bike with less money and better geometry and components level
So much BS salesmanship in this video it's hilarious. Carbon isn't the be all and end all. Jeez, this carbon is so good that it isn't lighter than the aluminum ALR 5 yet costs WAY more. Give it a rest mate.
How much payola did Trek give you to pump their bike? If it were me, I don't endorse any product unless I get little kickback. Standard business practice.
I wish just for fun
How would this bike perform with road tiers?