James, great review. I bought this bike a few months ago prior to seeing this video;however I watched all of your other videos and knew this bike met my expectations. I can't recommend this bike enough, it is exactly as you described, a one stop shop bike that does it all! Keep up the great work buddy!
Great detailed review James. As someone mentioned below, the details and presentation are much better than the marketing provided by Trek (and other manufacturers). Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Great Review! I wish more channels reviewed the Trek Checkpoint!!! Most other channels focus all the boutique brands that most folks don’t have the money or access to test and purchase. How many people really want to scratch up their $4000 +, carbon fiber gravel frame. Steel or Aluminum and a little touch up paint, probably represents the majority of us who actually beat the crap out of our bikes. I live and work in Poland as a US citizen, and went bought an XCaliber 8!for every day commuting and fitness...45-50 KM per day. Swapped out the Shit-SRAM for full SLX 1x11!groupo, and for ~ $1200, I have an absolute BEAST of a daily rider for all terrain and all the crap weather of NE Europe. Bomb Proof reliable. Wanted the Checkpoint for an “official” gravel bike, but they don’t sell it here. Thanks again!!!
Just got this bike today and loving it so far. The versatility is a huge factor for me since I commute often and also like to go on the weekend adventure. Maybe in the future I'll invest in a second set of thinner tires (or thicker ones!). Downside was it's definitely a steep price for my budget,. However I was riding my Dad's Schwinn from the 70s for some time so it was time to treat myself (especially to a frame size that actually fit me). I think it's a good investment if you want a bike that can hang with those sexy road bikes, but can also get down and dirty on some trails!
dont like the cabling into the down tube, takes away space for a frame bag or other thing you want to carry... also need triple pack mount on fork and grx 1x
Great review thanks, but so crap of Trek to spec this with non tubeless tires! I already have a SL5 but was looking at getting one of these ALR5 to run as a single speed option. I have a toss up between this beautiful color with non tubeless tires or for $260.00 cheaper I can get a lime green ALR5 with the same spec but with tubeless tires. I'm hoping the Matte Axinit will drop in price soon to help me with my decision but both bikes are already on special and in low supply so I guess I'll wait and see which is the last one standing lol!
@@Jamesthebikeguy Well on more investigations it seems the lime green one also does not have tubeless tires and saw a video where the color looks nicer than I've seen in some pictures so I'm close to pulling the trigger, really just need to justify it to myself and the wife now :D
I'm on the fence between getting this bike, or getting a few years old aluminum "all road" bike and swapping out components to make it more of a gravel bike
How much does the ride really vary when you adjust the stranglehold? Seems to me a little bit of a gimmick. I guess you want the shorter setup for single track riding.
Jamesthebikeguy I agree with you on that James....I have not had the problems over the years that some folks talk about? So I can’t say anything bad about PF BB....lol
I’m afraid that PF bottom bracket will get destroyed on a wet gravel ride (think: The Mid South). This has got to be for roadies that only ride in sunny weather. No?
Yep take a perfectly good design and put a shitty PF BB in it. Dumb really really dumb. And you know what they didn't change it for 2021 either. Just put in GXR Group set in place of 105.
![Winter SOLO Laid-Back Bikepacking [ Rolex Explorer II, Trek Checkpoint ALR 5, Ornot, Ortlieb ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dUyvxD3DApI/mqdefault.jpg)
James, great review. I bought this bike a few months ago prior to seeing this video;however I watched all of your other videos and knew this bike met my expectations. I can't recommend this bike enough, it is exactly as you described, a one stop shop bike that does it all! Keep up the great work buddy!
Great detailed review James. As someone mentioned below, the details and presentation are much better than the marketing provided by Trek (and other manufacturers). Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Great Review! I wish more channels reviewed the Trek Checkpoint!!!
Most other channels focus all the boutique brands that most folks don’t have the money or access to test and purchase. How many people really want to scratch up their $4000 +, carbon fiber gravel frame.
Steel or Aluminum and a little touch up paint, probably represents the majority of us who actually beat the crap out of our bikes. I live and work in Poland as a US citizen, and went bought an XCaliber 8!for every day commuting and fitness...45-50 KM per day. Swapped out the Shit-SRAM for full SLX 1x11!groupo, and for ~ $1200, I have an absolute BEAST of a daily rider for all terrain and all the crap weather of NE Europe. Bomb Proof reliable. Wanted the Checkpoint for an “official” gravel bike, but they don’t sell it here. Thanks again!!!
Glad you liked it
Just got this bike today and loving it so far. The versatility is a huge factor for me since I commute often and also like to go on the weekend adventure. Maybe in the future I'll invest in a second set of thinner tires (or thicker ones!). Downside was it's definitely a steep price for my budget,. However I was riding my Dad's Schwinn from the 70s for some time so it was time to treat myself (especially to a frame size that actually fit me). I think it's a good investment if you want a bike that can hang with those sexy road bikes, but can also get down and dirty on some trails!
Nice versatile bike.
I love watching videos because I see different beautiful bikes. I hope I can buy one of the bikes you featured soon.
Glad you like them!
Looking at the 2020 vs the 2021 do you have any thoughts there?
dont like the cabling into the down tube, takes away space for a frame bag or other thing you want to carry... also need triple pack mount on fork and grx 1x
I didn't think about that with the cabling but you are likely correct. GRX I think is coming for 2021
Great vid. With the stock wheel, how small of a tire can it comfortably handle?
28c would be fine
Great review thanks, but so crap of Trek to spec this with non tubeless tires! I already have a SL5 but was looking at getting one of these ALR5 to run as a single speed option. I have a toss up between this beautiful color with non tubeless tires or for $260.00 cheaper I can get a lime green ALR5 with the same spec but with tubeless tires. I'm hoping the Matte Axinit will drop in price soon to help me with my decision but both bikes are already on special and in low supply so I guess I'll wait and see which is the last one standing lol!
Yeah not sure why they dont just spec TLR tires. Slight additional cost I am sure but it would be the better choice.
@@Jamesthebikeguy Well on more investigations it seems the lime green one also does not have tubeless tires and saw a video where the color looks nicer than I've seen in some pictures so I'm close to pulling the trigger, really just need to justify it to myself and the wife now :D
Can you bike check the 2020 merida one twenty 7 400
Unfortunately Merida does not exist in my country
I'm on the fence between getting this bike, or getting a few years old aluminum "all road" bike and swapping out components to make it more of a gravel bike
The checkpoint is a pretty awesome rig
Awesome Review👍
Thanks
pretty color but trek should pair it with grx and threaded bb
The 2021 ALR5 model comes with GRX instead of 105
Yep, 2021s coming with GRX. No threaded BB, but I personally don't agree with the complaints of PF bottom brackets.
How much does the ride really vary when you adjust the stranglehold? Seems to me a little bit of a gimmick. I guess you want the shorter setup for single track riding.
Hans Schotterradler It’s for that, but, more importantly, it’s for tensioning with a single speed setup.
Jamesthebikeguy I agree with you on that James....I have not had the problems over the years that some folks talk about? So I can’t say anything bad about PF BB....lol
I’m afraid that PF bottom bracket will get destroyed on a wet gravel ride (think: The Mid South). This has got to be for roadies that only ride in sunny weather. No?
I doubt it would be a issue. IMO the PF BBs of today are plenty durable. I have several PF BBs without issue
I have one but my paint seams kind of dull. Any suggestions to get it shiny besides washing?
isopropyl alcohol
Looking for a bike that can hold baggage over both wheels like Trek 920. How is the possibility for this bike to do that?
Depending on the weight needed up front you deff can.
I want to get one, but trek says is no longer available for purchase
The 2021's will be available soon but they will be running the Shimano GXR group set. Damn shame they didn't use a threaded BB instead of PF
And as usual, All shops in my area either DONT HAVE...OR made for Tall people Or little people.
Very diggible alumahorse. i'm a bit stuck on steel. If i had a wife, i would swoop it for her. Seems like a good intro to gravel.
Fair enough
Stopped the video @ pressfit BB
Yep take a perfectly good design and put a shitty PF BB in it. Dumb really really dumb. And you know what they didn't change it for 2021 either. Just put in GXR Group set in place of 105.
The PF BB is perfectly fine.
You dont hv the same color bike on ur online store 🤦🏻
Que? In-fact it is right on the linked bike shop's website