2023 Trek Checkpoint Gravel Bike Review

Mike from Big Bear Bikes reviews the Trek Checkpoint SL 5 gravel bike.
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Checkpoint SL 5 is a carbon gravel bike made for epic all-road adventures. It's built with lightweight OCLV Carbon, terrain-smoothing IsoSpeed, nimble-yet-stable progressive geometry, internal storage and loads of mounts. All of that adds up to a rad gravel bike capable of crushing the longest, roughest rides and the most ambitious bikepacking trips.
Chamois or cut-off shorts, bikepacking trip or brutal day of gravel racing ? you're going to ride far, go fast and have a great time. You want a bike that's both fast and comfortable, and you want endless carrying options for gravel races and everyday adventures.
A 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame with Rear IsoSpeed and carbon armour, a progressive geometry that's stable at speed and efficient when you're grinding up a climb, internal storage, hidden cables that won't interfere with bags, integrated frame bag mounts and rack and mudguard mounts. Plus, a carbon fork, a 2x11 Shimano GRX drivetrain with lower gears for grinding up hills or through rough gravel and Paradigm SL wheels. You can even run a dropper post to get low on long descents.

[@SDA0271]

I have the 2022 SL5 and it's the best bike i've ever owned. The numerous mount points are one of my favorite features. Extremely well engineered and designed bike!

[@BigBearBikes]

Many thanks for the comments, and we agree. Enjoy the bike 👍

[@timhenderson9794]

I have one. Believe me its an absolutely incredible bike. 10/10

[@BigBearBikes]

Thanks for the feedback, and so glad the bike is working well for you 👍. Team BBB

[@JimS870]

I just ordered this ! But I swapped out the tires for Bontrager R3's in 32 to do more road riding. It's so nice ooking!

[@davidbeeley163]

Great call! Thanks for suggstion. BBB

[@BigBearBikes]

Thanks BBB 👍

[@johnsampson2544]

I picked up this same Checkpoint the beginning of March. She's stock except for the dropper post I added. I have already done almost 900 miles and 16,664 ft of climbing on her. I love the fact that you can ride on the road and do a decent speed, but when the road ends you can ride the fire roads or trails as well. A wonderful machine for the money.

[@richardsoares4653]

How does it go on pavement? I need a bike that’s comfortable on pavement for my commute to work.

[@johnsampson2544]

@@richardsoares4653 It's a great ride on the road. It's pretty quick, even with the 40mm tires it comes with. I run them around 45psi so they can absorb a few of the bumps. The recommended is 51psi, but that is too hard a ride for me. I find the ride to be quite comfortable. The geometry let's you sit up a bit more than on a full road bike, which my lower back really appreciates. The carbon frame and forks do a good job of softening some of the bumps, and the Iso-speed on the seat tube really works. If I ever decide to start riding to work I would absolutely use this bike to do it. The fact that you can just up and go off-road on it is just the icing on the cake. I hope this helps.

[@richardsoares4653]

@@johnsampson2544 thanks for your reply. I’ve been stuck between the checkpoint and the domane. Hopefully I don’t make the wrong decision 🤣

[@johnsampson2544]

@@richardsoares4653 I was going back and forth between those two bikes, as well. I've heard/read that you can do a lot of the same things on either one of them. I think that what sold me was the huge number of mount points on the Checkpoint. If I ever decide to do any bikepacking, I have somewhere to put all the bags/racks/etc.

[@richardsoares4653]

@@johnsampson2544 I’m going to have to see if I can take both for a overnight test. I have lower back issues and need to be certain which one I go with as it’s not a cheap bike for myself.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

I ride a carbon hard tail but I seldom need the heavy front fork and feel slow on flat roads. This Trek isnt as low geared for hills but its lighter weight may balance out that. Might have to ride one and see.

[@BigBearBikes]

Thanks for the comment, and definitely try test riding the bike. It all adds to your cycling knowledge 👍.

[@juhamakipaa7625]

I have same bike and same color.I change gr1 bontracker to pirelli tyres

[@BigBearBikes]

Appreciate the feedback and enjoy the bike. Many thanks 👍 BBB.

[@ylana4444]

I like the bike…not sure about the color red/orange. I like it but part of me feels it may be too loud? Hmmm

[@BigBearBikes]

We agree, you've got to be able to open your garage or shed where you keep your bike/a and it put a smile on your face 😍. Thanks BBB

[@ecnorthernlights2094]

6'3" Long wingspan. Currently ride a TREK 5200 road bike with 60cm frame. Fits well. Would you recommend a 58cm or 61cm?

[@BigBearBikes]

We would suggest visiting a Trek store that has those frame sizes as built bikes on display and trying them both for size. Big Bear Bikes, in Pickering North Yorkshire 🇬🇧, has them both built 👍. Thanks BBB.

[@f1hotrod527]

I am from Wisconsin, I know what "driftless" is ;)

[@BigBearBikes]

👍

[@Quizmate1]

Is it possible to clean and re grease the headset without disconnecting and re bleeding the brake hose lines?

[@BigBearBikes]

Best to contact your local bike shop 👍. Thanks BBB.

[@Quizmate1]

@@BigBearBikes sorry I thought you were a bike shop? 🤔

[@f1hotrod527]

what is alyouminium?

[@BigBearBikes]

Haha 👍. Thanks BBB

[@thatguy9051]

Nice bike, but why 21.5 pounds?? Weight is a factor in racing so why the elephant in the room is being ignored, I have no idea....

[@BigBearBikes]

Hi, thanks for the comment. Gravel bike that are really designed for serious off-road use and luggage carrying, will be heavier then their tarmac optimised brethren, especially if they come with a Life Time Frame Warranty and 300 Lbs rider weight limit. Weight is an important factor also, please visit your nearest Trek store to test ride the bike and feel how the bike makes a complete package. Thanks BBB.

[@dortadamas]

El peso y la comodidad también es importante en una carrera. Dependerá de cuan larga sería la carrera. Pero creo que para muchas carreras de Gravel cortas los PRO evaluarían usar o DOMANE o incluso la de CX: Boone. Para carreras largas, de gran fondo, de varios días donde si o sí debes llevar alforjas y mucha agua una Checkpoint sería más adecuada. Es lo que pienso yo.

[@squareyesj7170]

@@BigBearBikes Poor reason when you consider how light a rigid mtb is, and a lot cheaper too. Trek should just try harder. This bike weighs a ton. Not for me thanks, no amount of sales pitching by you would get me interested.

[@squareyesj7170]

@@BigBearBikes You continue with your sales pitch. My reply still stands. The much lighter mtb can deal wirh all of that, so why are gravel bikes so heavy? I am not intetested in paying a lot of money to ride a tank. No need to repy to this, I will not accept your reasoning.

[@webaggregat]

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[@BigBearBikes]

Thanks BBB 👍.

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

Gravel bikes are the most useless bikes ever made

[@BigBearBikes]

Hi and thanks for the comment, but we would have to respectively disagree with you. What about the 'Penny Farthing'!!! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny-farthing