DREAM BUILD | 2021 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gravel Bike Build

Dream gravel bike? You bet, this video we build the 2021 Trek Checkpoint SL 6. Detail video and a cinematic soundtrack to help this bike catch fire. Love how it turned out and can't wait to get the pedals turning and bike riding.
Let me know what you think in the comments below & Don't forget to subscribe!!!
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[@albertmanzo9510]

Great tech video James for those who never put a high end bike together!! Great bike to ride! Cheers all!!!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks! 👍

[@VanWo]

Just bought the ALR5 myself, the SL6 is beautiful!

[@cameronrobertson9518]

ALR 5 gang. I got the blue one

[@VanWo]

@@cameronrobertson9518 Nice! Mine is the Black with blue decals

[@hosenozzle387]

I love the colored walls of the tire. Very nice job on the choice!

[@ruialexandrematossantossil8634]

I I bought a Trek Checkpoint Sl6 2021 at the beginning of August and I'm still waiting for it to arrive. I've been waiting for this video for over a month.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I'm just lazy getting it built. Mine was on order for several months but so glad it is here!

[@ruialexandrematossantossil8634]

@@Jamesthebikeguy And the review? When you can do?

[@garagesale5948]

How much does it weigh?

[@misaelramos83]

Wow I really like those new mast seat posts. I bet they help bring out the vertical compliance in the frame.

[@dominicwalker9947]

Someone loves this bike. His name is James the bike bro.

[@PAPADPOV]

Sick video and a sick bike! Whoop woop!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You know it!

[@fedebe8977]

on my sl6 2021 i'm putting single ring 40t grx, i love this bike!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Good choice. Can't say I haven't thought about it too

[@tyman3331]

Did it come disassembled like this from the factory (I.e. bar tape and drop bar separately)? Thanks!

[@treyhorn5645]

I'm going with Rad!! Beautiful !!!! Look at that tire clearance ..

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yeah buddy!

[@BikeLife154]

Beautiful bike and build! The one thing that I can’t see past though is a brake hose cable tied to the front fork on such an expensive bike! Don’t Trek know it’s 2021?!

[@arndtbc]

I put the carbon hoer bars on my 2020 Checkpoint SL5 I really like them. So mine came with 105 drive train and ultegra shifters and brakes. Do you think the GRX equipment is any better or is it basically you get the rear derailleur clutch and not much else?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

GRX is a ton different than Ultegra. GRX rear derailleur is more or less a XT derailleur vs the clutched Ultegra RX. Cranks are totally different, chainline is different. The only "sameish" thing is the Brakes, Shifters(like the ultegra short reach), and the cassette. So in terms of a gravel bie it is well worth it.

[@MrDistill]

No internal routing for the front break?

[@bonzobanana1]

Interesting that the frame is made in Taiwan. Trek are known for using Quest Composites in mainland China in fact the Quest site clearly shows Trek bikes as well as Canyon. I guess this could be either because higher end carbon fibre frames come another manufacturer or they have the frame finished and painted in Taiwan to get the all important 'Made in Taiwan' sticker.

[@ionut5316]

Do you like the paint? It looks more like a stained clear coat, I can see the carbon through it, I have't seen anything like this.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Love the paint. The see through candy like paint is awesome!

[@Alien_nation]

what is the name and size of tires you put on?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Specialized Sawtooth 700x38c

[@Alien_nation]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I think I’ll put them on my checkpoint

[@arndtbc]

HI James, going to attempt to build a bike up. what stem did you use on this one?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Specialized SL Stem

[@EndUser-yu7gg]

So you didn't like the stock Bontrager bars? ... I been having more than a few feel issues with them but I hate that I might have to go swapping parts on such a costly purchase

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Stuff like bars, grips, wrap, saddle, pedals, ect are all normal to change out and why typically even on a bike like this not that fancy of stuff. They know you are likely to swap so they put a lower priced bar/saddle on the bike so that its not too painful when you remove and bin it.

[@hondaxdood]

Very cool vid, enjoy the ride! 🚴🏼

[@Sangram-IND]

very Beautiful love it❤️🔥👍

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Christian_naber]

Beautiful build! But i think this was the first time seeing someone cutting electrical tape with side cutters

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Haha, why not?

[@timothyluchetti7772]

Thanks man. I am picking my SL6 up on Thursday. Why did you remove the reflector on the wheel?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Vanity mostly.

[@sfdint]

For some reason serious cyclists regard them as very uncool. Try posting a picture of your bike with reflectors in a FB biking group sometime...you'll get some comments!

[@adriansardina8528]

Does anyone know the size of tire he used?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yes... 700x38c

[@bikepacking330]

Very good bike

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

For sure!

[@JamyRyals]

Really nice build! How many teeth did go go for the big gear in back?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

34t

[@JamyRyals]

Jamesthebikeguy good call, same choice I made. Sometimes I wish it was a 36 ;)

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

With the Sub compact up front 48/31 I doubt I will need anything lower. After all that is greater than 1:1 gearing

[@hehehetb1976]

How much all expenses sir?thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Check with your local bike shop

[@kishannabiyal2076]

When you reviewing trek marlin 7 2021

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Whenever I can come across one. They have been hard to find as of now.

[@euprosus6996]

sawtooth? why no pathfinder?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

100% because I like the look of the tread, lol. Pathfinder is likely as good or possibly a better option but... meh.

[@aaronbehindbars]

I've run both tires. I think the Sawtooth is a little better in the dirt, without much of a penalty for rolling resistance on pavement. The Pathfinder rolls great with the slick center section, but it is a little less secure braking on loose surfaces. Sawtooths are a very cool looking tire. I think I would give them a slight nod over the Pathfinders.

[@MarioOG89]

awesome!

[@JGriff-pp3ym]

Well done 👍🏽...

[@karankhadaliya]

I'm jalousie bro 😤😤😤

[@EvilRubberBiscuit]

Some might criticize using a Specialized 15mm rise hover bar on a Trek. “Purists” be damned though. I’ve been considering the Aerofly 25mm on my ‘21 Émonda since Bontrager doesn’t have anything like it. Great video!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks, happy riding

[@karankhadaliya]

I'm jealous bro 😤😒

[@JogBird]

im waiting for the next gen checkpoint, w t47 bb, downtube storage, and and triple pack forks... this version was rushed out imo

[@LarryRichelli]

Jones Bars transform a gravel bike. I love them so much because they give me 5 different had positions.

[@Muhammad_Aslem]

Hi

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Hello!

[@kelvingrover4043]

It's looks like your back yard BUILD again lol made in tywana built in your back yard lol

[@sfdint]

Kind of a departure from your usual matter of fact informational review style. More of a love affair?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Haha trying my hand at some more artys videos for fun. This is based off of the Gee Milner "Dream Build" series.