Trek Checkpoint SL Generation 3 Review

[@aclements643]

Just purchased the Gen 3 a month ago. After 40+ years of higher end Italian steel and carbon racing bikes, I thought the gravel bike was just a fad. After my son purchased the Pinarello Grevil I was convinced otherwise. I test rode MANY high end carbon gravel bikes and just kept coming back to the Gen 3 Trek. I absolutely LOVE this bike. If you are into gravel or Core 4 racing, this will be great. If you want the bike to be the end all bike for all types of riding except hardcore single track, there simply is NOTHING better IMHO. Trek knocked it out of the park.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment!

[@thedownunderverse]

What’s Core 4 racing?

[@aclements643]

@@thedownunderverse Road, single track, gravel and “level B” or unimproved roads

[@thedownunderverse]

@@aclements643 i see, which to be honest covers most of what “gravel” entails for the vast majority

[@GravelCyclist]

I prefer Core 5, which adds me chugging beer at a convenience store stop during, or a pub after the ride.

[@SNS1212]

I’d be interested in seeing a review on the Checkmate as well.

[@mseekles1972]

Agree

[@GravelCyclist]

Good news... once this Checkpoint ships back to Trek HQ, I should have a Checkmate inbound.

[@cesar0610]

Thanks so much for this review !!! kudos for putting the effort and time in the making it .!!! I'm about to pull the trigger for this Checkpoint frameset and build my own in 2X configuration. I sold my SL Gen 1 and bought a Obed GVR 2X, not a bad choice but a heavy one. Not I want to jump the fence again and this is in my shortlist. Planning to dissemble the GVR and use the components on the CP Frameset. Thanks again

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you Cesar, good luck with your new build!

[@mkenyon7429]

I am happy I got the Gen 2 SL5 with 2x. I would have gotten an SL6 but it was 1x. Guess if I need 50mm or wider tires I get a 650b wheelset. The Gen 3 s look nice but I’d have to convert to 2x. I thinks it is possible with an SRAM mtb rear derailleur.

[@gregmorrison7320]

My Gen 1 fits 50mm front and rear so might be worth trying out. Plenty of room in the rear but I run a 47mm Pathfinder there, in the front I'm running a 50mm Thunderburt, if its inflated hard it's a bit tight but when run at 15-25psi there is about 6mm clearance on the sides. OK for the conditions I mostly run in. Depends on your rims too, my rims are pretty narrow being a little old school Hunt Four Seasons with 19mm internals but honestly these work just fine.

[@GravelCyclist]

Confirmed what Greg is saying about Gen 1, first time I've had a close look at one was yesterday. This Gen 1 was fitted with Conti 50's, I don't remember the model or the particular Bontrager carbon wheels, clearance was tight near the front derailleur, but no worries barring that.

[@festerofest4374]

Same here with my 2023 Gen 2 SL5 with 2x. I hope it last several more years, because I guess I wouldn't be replacing it with another Checkpoint being 1x only. That's a shame. After 2 seasons now with my SL5, I am still totally in love with it... the ride quality is amazing, and I'd never want a bike without downtube storage now that I've experienced it.

[@warchalify]

Thank you for reviewing this bike, havent seen much good reviews. May I ask your thoughts on sizing. Trek size chart puts me at the end of M/L being 5'10 with a 33 inch inseam but that just seems so wrong to me when I compare the geometry to other bikes and my current bike. Thank you in advance!

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there. For the record, I'm not a fitting expert, but I'll do my best to answer your question. I NEVER look at sizing guides, I feel most of them are completely off. With that said, according to Trek, I should also be on the size M/L. Way too big, IMHO. I'm about 5'11" with 32 inch inseam, the Medium fitted me perfectly, barring a stem swap to 90mm. Combined with the top tube and stem length, it was pretty much where I would ordinarily be with say a 54-55cmcm top tube, and a 110mm stem. I also liked the shorter headtube of the M at 130mm. Hopefully this helps a little!

[@donkeyavenger]

Their sizing is pretty far off, I would definitely visit a local fitter and get sized before dropping the coin on a new bike. Trek has me on 61 but I should have got the 56-58 after getting fitted. I didn't know enough when I got into riding and trusted the size charts too much

[@warchalify]

@@GravelCyclist Thank you very much sir for taking the time answering. Definetly helps!

[@b.g01d3nT0ngu3]

Yah I am 5'9 and half and 33 inseam basically long arm and legs for my height and own a sl5 gen 2.. that chart put me on a 56 and I went down to a 80mm stem and still feel I think it should have been a 54cm as the gen 2 has even longer reach than gen 3.

[@MCGMB]

Excellent review but I have a question. You compared to the prior generation in good detail, between Gen 2 and Gen 3, which would you personally choose and why? Thank you!

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello, I have only ridden the Gen 2 Checkpoint SLR, and not the lower tier Gen 2 Checkpoint.

[@toniedvardsen8169]

Great video review👌I am in between checkpoint SL6, ALR5, and a Boone. The SL6 mounts may be what I favour. Not because I wanna go bikepacking for days. But still a great thing for those new bags. Thanks 🙏

[@justsomedude7556]

I've got a set of the Bontrager Girona RSL tires in 42 and love them for the fast gravel and road, been really happy with them. Very fast and really supple. I have the Gen 2 SL7 frame and I also had to roll with a 90mm stem. The longer top tube is a bit deceiving in sizing.

[@festerofest4374]

Also check out the S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 700x42. At 435g they are 45g per tire lighter. They have the smooth center rib which I like, as I'm on pavement about half the time.

[@justsomedude7556]

@@festerofest4374 Yep, had them before and they are great tires as well.

[@mseekles1972]

Thanks for the review video. On the 2x … you can spec the checkmate through project one and order it with sram 2x both force and red. Just no Shimano options whatsoever. Which is a shame.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you, I didn't poke around the Project One part of the website.

[@mseekles1972]

@@GravelCyclist yeah, I keep telling myself not to …

[@mtbmike1328]

Thanks for the excellent review!

[@patrickc4984]

I just picked up my Gen 3. The main reason I chose this over the checkmate was tire clearance. I think Trek missed the boat a little bit with the Checkmate. The trend towards very large tires seems to be the future and the checkmate just doesn't have enough clearance. I was easily able to fit 2.2 Conti Race Kings which are some of the fastest tires for gravel.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

Looks like Trek did a lot of things right about this bike. I like their semi-integral canle routing, the massive tire clearance and the geo that allows for a 40mm suspension fork. You could build it up for some really gnarly conditions. BTW, I tried those 32 oz water bottles and did not like'em at all. They fit very loosely in the cages of all my bikes.

[@GravelCyclist]

Which cages are you using. I pretty much roll with King Ti cage on 95% of personal and review bikes.

[@mkenyon7429]

The 32 ounce bottles fit with plenty of room above on my Gen 2 58cm frame. Comparing like size 2 and 3 frames the 2 has more room at the seat tubes. I use the Trek side load cages and it’s a good secure fit.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

@@GravelCyclist various cheaper aluminum cages on 5 different bikes; I even tried to bend them a little. It seemed the plastic of those bottles was too thin and flexible to be held stable. Then I tried the Zefal 1L bottles, they fit well in my bottle cages. Dropped one on the carpet inside my home and it cracked open. So no luck with large water bottles.

[@johnraub2207]

Try the Trek BAT wb cages for the 32 Oz bottles. I haven't dropped one yet over 1000s of miles of gravel.

[@GravelCyclist]

Zefal are my go to as well for a larger size bottle.

[@johnraub2207]

I road the Girona RSLs at SBT Black course and they held up great. I have the Gen 3 Sl 5. Going to switch to GRX Di2 12 speed. Also, check out Bonty Paradigm Carbon 30 wheels. 29 inner, I mounted 700x50 Bonty Betassos and road those at Big Sugar. Awesome for that course.

[@GravelCyclist]

RSL's would have been a good choice at SBT, only dodgy section is that final descent. You will love GRX Di2 12-speed, I am posting my review of that shortly. I rode Pirelli Cinturato H 700c x 45 at the inaugural Big Sugar, and agree with your assessment that wider is better for that course.

[@chw14556]

I have this bike (SL6) , highly recommend if you can spend the money.

[@GravelCyclist]

SL6, very nice spec too.

[@GlennRacing1]

Checkmate next please 🙏🏻

[@GravelCyclist]

All being well, once this bike ships back to Trek HQ, I'll have a Checkmate inbound for review. Stay tuned!

[@JibbaJabber]

@16:23 Jom, not sure about the fence excuse. Tuesday looks like he caught a whiff of your foot😅 Keep the vids coming👍

[@GravelCyclist]

That foot... indeed.

[@shewh0rn]

It's not a real mystery as to why there is no 2x... with 50 mm tires, unless you want a wheelbase so long that it would take a week to turn the bike, 1x is the only option. To get the 50 mm clearance, Trek is using SRAM's wide crank, which SRAM developed in collaboration with Lauf. It uses a wider MTB bottom bracket in order to get the extra tire clearance, while still maintaining the Q factor of a road bike.I'd just like to know why they're not clearing 57 mm tires like the Seigla does. Anyhow, a front dereailleur would likely rub, or be at risk of getting yanked off if you run into a muddy situation with 50 mm tires. If you convert to 2x, I suspect you'll be limited to 45 mm.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Nice vid, but would you buy one?

[@GravelCyclist]

I think I would go with a Checkmate, hope to review that bike soon.

[@JogBird]

i have 4 other trek bikes and was interested in this, but, the sram-only options makes it a no-go for me.. the frameset option is only for show, the pricing is ridiculous

[@GravelCyclist]

It definitely makes sense to buy a complete bike, and as I alluded to in the video, a head scratcher as to no Shimano pre-built options.

[@bengt_axle]

Could easily fit a rolled up suit into that downtube.

[@GravelCyclist]

I chucked some Vegemite sandwiches into the downtube.

[@GHinWI]

@@GravelCyclist: plus a can of Foster’s

[@GravelCyclist]

@@GHinWI Dude, no self-respecting Aussie drinks that rubbish, yikes! Coopers Pale Ale preferred here :)

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Ever going to take those sunnies😎 off?

[@GravelCyclist]

Nah. I wear my sunglasses at night.

[@gregmorrison7320]

Geometry nah 1x nah Sram only nah Flared 42cm bars nah Headset routing nah Price nah Not much going for the new Checkpoint TBH Nothing to tempt me here. Sticking with my Gen 1.

[@GravelCyclist]

Gen 1 is a pretty nice machine. Was tinkering with one earlier today!

[@gregmorrison7320]

@@GravelCyclist Yeah 29,000 trouble free kms so far, always thought I would turn it into a SS once day when I changed to another gravel bike but never found anything else to tempt me. And the price was great back in 2018.

[@M.t.bottles]

Great review, Nice bike, but internal storage box=weak frame I wouldn't buy any bike with this feature just my opinion. Enjoy the ride!

[@redauwg911]

a lifetime guarantee🏁

[@thedownunderverse]

@@redauwg911will need it

[@GravelCyclist]

Yep, Trek's warranty is stellar.

[@festerofest4374]

I haven't heard/seen any issues related to structural frame weakness or problems around the downtube storage area. And for me, it's a feature I'd never be without now that I have a bike with it and have experienced how awesome it is to be able to fit my tools, small pump, spare tube etc inside it.

[@b.g01d3nT0ngu3]

I've had a fuel ex carbon with the stash and hucked that thing off many jumps and drops and still going strong. Going to be fine and especially on a road,gravel bike lol.

[@thedownunderverse]

Headset routing. No bueno.

[@GravelCyclist]

More and more bikes are opting for this, not perfect, but at least it's not full internal through the stem and handlebar.

[@thedownunderverse]

@@GravelCyclist I had a look at one of these headsets in store in Melb recently. Could fit get my pinky finger in the gaping hole between the hoses. Zero weather sealing. On a part of the bike exposed to the wind, rain, dust… who dafuq designed this and got away with it? It could be a great bike in all other respects but this would be a hard no for that reason alone.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@thedownunderverse Totally get it. This area of the bike with this type of cable routing is ripe for an upgrade to an Enduro Bearing Maxhit setup.

[@thedownunderverse]

@@GravelCyclist yep. If my fit were dialled, I’d take fully integrated through-the-bars routing over this….. if it weren’t for the ring of death. So traditional cable routing it is!

[@gregmorrison7320]

@@thedownunderverse Of course, another mark against this bike.