Trek Checkmate Review

[@bicyclestation]

Shop - www.thebicyclestation.com/

[@luisgarcia22]

Trek can thank Dylan Johnson for messing up their launch xD

[@L3uX]

Next time, they consult Dylan Johnson lol

[@joelnace1793]

These guys are spot on with what they say about this bike. I got this frameset as a replacement for my Gen 4 Domane which had isospeed issues. Trek and my local bike shop really stepped up with their costumer service in my instance. I use it as a roadbike 90% of the time. If am doing a ride that calls for MTB tires, I ride my MTB. This frame with the RSL bar really flies. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the isospeed holds up.

[@chriswheeler3147]

What tire size do you use on the road? 30 to 32 road tires?

[@joelnace1793]

@chriswheeler3147 I used 30s on the Domane. I'm in the process of going to 32s on the Checkmate as they wear out. So, I have a 32 on the back and 30 on the front on Bontrager Aeolus 51 pros currently

[@mister_ray]

I love my Checkmate SLR 9. Got it to do fast group road and gravel rides. So far so good. I run 40mm Schwalbe G-One Speed and G-One RS tires.

[@matthewhair6110]

I did a quick test ride on a Checkmate, and absolutely loved how zippy it felt. I'll be buying one once I figure out the right cockpit size. I do wish it was cheaper, and I do wish it had a bit more tire clearance. I'm coming from a collection of current gen Domane+ SLR7 AXS with 35mm semislick Gravelkings, and previous gen Checkpoint SL7 AXS with 40mm semislick Gravelkings. So 45mm would be bigger for me anyway.

[@reidrandall7178]

I agree 100% with this video! I got a frameset and built it up with the idea of being it being bike that can do it all. I am running maxxis 40mm receptors pretty much all the time and if I need a little more for some chunkier gravel, I throw on my 45mm ramblers. The bike is so smooth and fast! I love it!!!

[@nicolasenjalbert8130]

Thanks for your Frame Jesse!! I love it so much, perfect gravel all around for the driftless region. The faster you go the best it is. It is 16.4 lbs with pedals

[@jensbrabbit9086]

Agree with your comments. I was a madone buyer who bought a P1 SLR9. I put on 51mm RSL with GP5000’s. It’s incredible all road bike.

[@thewisconsingravelcyclist]

This would honestly be the best gravel bike for my area… lots of hard pack red granite. Local race was done on a gen 7 madone and 34 mm tires. So this with 40 would be freak n quick.

[@bicyclestation]

Easy choice. The you would love the checkmate.

[@JohnPerales]

I just ordered it and I will run 45 on the back and larger on the front. I've been riding a 2023 Domane the last year for gravel racing. Domane had max 38 tire size.

[@deanfranco6859]

I want this bike. I don't race, but I like to go fast, and most of my gravel riding includes 30%-40% road coming and going. So, yeah, this is the bike for me. My biggest hangup is the price. Also: This video comprises the most equivocal 16 minutes I've ever witnessed.

[@bicyclestation]

Honestly totally agree. I didn’t really know how to review a bike everyone all ready made their mind up on. That’s why it devolved into just talking about general gravel bikes. Company’s need to adapt to the market demand better

[@cparker88]

Forgot to mention Stigmata V4, I'm running 2.25 Thunder Burts on mine and love it 👌🏼

[@jameszanghi3564]

I would love to see what you would think of the checkpoint. Same isospeed and bigger clearance. With the aero bars!

[@jonpoon3896]

I have the same feeling about my Time ADHX 45. Rides amazing with 42mm tires. But so many rides where I wish I could have 50mm

[@KevinOlson-m5z]

I’d love to see you guys review the new Gen 3 Checkpoint. I got a Gen 3 checkpoint SL6 and absolutely love it. I would give one a try!

[@arturfreire4329]

For myself, that model, it's amazing 🤩

[@Ehsender]

Giant Revolt Advanced Pro can fit 2.2s. Giant says 53mm but I’ve run 55mm no problem. Also, Parlee had been making a Checkmate style bike in the form of the Chebacco for a long time, minus the aero. Though still a super stiff and reasonably slippery bike that was a joy to ride on road and could fit 45mm.

[@luzikedy1]

No UDH, so bad timing as well, I am not sure what is worst tough. Tires or UDH🤪

[@Ehsender]

good point. Personally I’d rather have the tire clearance if I had to choose. There’s lots of great drivetrains out there. Though the new red xplr is dope. It’ll be even cooler when it trickles down.

[@MaxwellPowers666]

I do gravel events. I have Cat 3-4 fitness.45's have been great for me at all my events. But if I were averaging 20-22 mph at Big Sugar or Unbound then mtb tires are requisite if only for the flat protection alone.

[@bicyclestation]

That’s kinda the issue. Trek made a high end race bike that doesn’t work for high end races.

[@paulvanreesch2493]

Time ADHX 45 on sale. If you have to ask, it's in the name. No UDH, either, just soooo 2023.

[@drill_fiend1097]

I think Specialized really nailed race gravel bike with Crux. Super lightweight and yet no pita proprietary parts like D-shaped seatpost and shaped interal routing handlebar. And yet Crux can fit bigger tires than Checkmate, at least for the newest model. Lauf Seigla is another race bike (Rigid model would be closest) that's well designed for normal users. But the new Checkpoint is definitely a better bike than Diverge, which still isn't UDH.

[@charlesnelson3099]

Im glad you said this. I've been thinking about building or buying a bike for rough city filled pot holes and curbs city riding, with crux, grevil f, and checkmate being high in the list.

[@AceMBP]

What I like the most is the smaller logo. They should go with undercover stealth paint jobs like specialized etc... otherwise really don't want to be seen on a trek or visiting trek dealer... FWIW I know they are decent bikes...

[@alexjohnson6462]

It is unfortunate that you cannot get ProjectOne (custom paint and decals) on more of their bikes. They have not only the smaller font option now, but even a very inconspicuous outline option that you can spec the color for to make the logo as stealth as possible. The worst was when they were pushing that mega-gigantic sized logo a few years ago on more of their bikes. A few people with horrible taste loved it, but I think enough people had something to day about it, so they backed off that a bit and went back to smaller logos.

[@Heimdallar]

For tire width alone, the lauf seigla is a beast. Race geo, bouncy fork, 57!! mm clearance.

[@bicyclestation]

Lauf is kinda an underrated brand

[@bam0505]

100% agree. I was down to siegla vs mog for my final choices. Lauf really gets what people want with the eagle transmission or red xplr options. Had interest in 3T, but that bike was super unavailable. Still is I think. I went with Mog for 1) vanity reasons tbh and 2) Bay Area you can actually find used Mogs for sale. I recommend the lauf to others though, rides great

[@drill_fiend1097]

Mog has internal frame storage and is more bikepacking friendly with mounts. You couldn't have gone wrong with either option.

[@austinhines501]

I’m running the Checkmate SLR with factory wheels (pro 3v’s) on Pirelli cinturato 50’s white XX sl transmission and 48t aero chainring just like yours in the video. I have 4mm of clearance to chainstay on each side. I don’t know of any current gravel bike that is transmission compatible, can run 50’s or bigger and capable of a 48t or bigger chainring which seems to be what the gravel race scene wants

[@bicyclestation]

Enve mog Have you rubbed the frame? My 50s were starting to tear it up

[@austinhines501]

@ roughly 120 gravel miles and at 28 psi it hasn’t made contact (I put some ppf on the chainstays just incase). “Technically” the Mog isn’t transmission compatible with only 420mm chainstays just like the checkmate isn’t “technically” compatible with 50’s

[@bicyclestation]

The big difference is that the 50s tear up the frame though. Running transmission won’t break anything. But I didn’t know it wasn’t compatible. We’ve installed like 25 transmissions on mogs lol

[@MiguelKręci]

Hi! Thanks for a review. At the moment stack in decision process…btw trek domane RSL and Checkmate? What is your tip? I am a road cyclist with plan to go gravel events with mainly Smooth flat gravel at least with short punchy climbs.

[@martinschulthess8]

How does it compare to BMC's Kaius, their race gravel bike? They seem quite similar.

[@mmurmurjohnson2368]

I wonder if this didn't just start out as the new Damone then they switched strategies. I mean the new Madone is really an Emonda, and they basically discontinued the Madone as far as I'm concerned

[@rolffuchs2737]

is it so much faster than the crux?

[@bicyclestation]

In my opinion yes. Strictly due to aerodynamics

[@roscoebertsch7109]

I love the aesthetics of this bike (way better than the rest of their lineup), I think for the average rider who does 3-5 races a year and isn’t super competitive, you don’t need 2.2 clearance. 45 is good enough for a dope bike. It’d be nice if they could shave some weight and compete with the Crux.

[@cyanomical]

i ride my old cervelo Aspero with 28c road tires, and love using it as my endurance/commuting rig. with a max clearance of 40mm that old model probably isnt great for anything other than the smoothest of gravel roads.

[@mlara03celtics]

I rarely go off road but I want to upgrade my current commuter bike to something faster and snappier. Would this work for lets say 90% road use and maybe some light light gravel for someone who wants to go fast on their morning commute?

[@hansschotterradler3772]

Yes

[@DittersGustav]

The geometry seems very low for a gravel bike, did you test it on steep gravel descents? (I know its more mtb territory, but you go with what you have)

[@marciomvp9458]

Yes, if I buy a road bike the checkmate will be on top of my list

[@barrowsworm1226]

Thanks guys, total agreement here. Too bad for Trek, as they really had the worst timing vis a vis their development cycle. Canyon Grail suffers the same fate. I guess you are not a Ridley dealer, but the new ASTR hits the mark for a gravel race bike, with big tire clearance and good aero properties. I wanted to love the Checkmate, but the tire clearance is just not enough-I am willing to pay the slight weight penalty for Isospeed, as a little shock absorption in the rear is probably going to be faster over the long haul of gravel rides/races. It is funny, there is more than one brand where their "gravel adventure" bike is better suited to racing than their "gravel race" bike, due to tire clearance. I am probably going to get a Pivot Vault, and put a nice aero one piece integrated bar/stem on it for my new "gravel race" bike. Should be aero enough to save some watts, and the geo works for me, as I prefer a bit more stability.

[@adamossowski7627]

What size of spacers do you use drive and non drive sides to fit mtb cranks?

[@bicyclestation]

What bottom bracket?

[@ukaszm2896]

Czy sprawdzałeś jaka szerokość opony zmieści się z kołami zipp 303 zł xplr sw?

[@bicyclestation]

Have those wheels coming in for testing soon!

[@songjoseph3314]

i rides checkpoint SLR with 45c tyres and i hate it. currently running 38c terreno zero. so i think checkmate is the prefect bike for me apart from they removed the internal storage.

[@CycleXplorer]

True, looking at a new frame and it has to fit the girthy tyres 🛞

[@blaiseface88]

Thanks for this review! I’ve been looking for a bike I can mainly ride on the road, but that can also handle gravel rides on the weekend and the occasional race. Before watching this, I was leaning towards a crux, but you’ve made a really compelling case. I’ve never owned a bike with an integrated handlebar, though. How difficult would it be to pack the checkmate for traveling?

[@bicyclestation]

It’s not impossible. But I think it would depend on how long you cut the break hoses. Try and shove as much slack into the bar as possible is my advice.

[@SebastienPerreault-kx4ct]

You say the Rambler 50 in the back rub, but would you ride like a Continental speed king 2.0 as a front tire ?

[@bicyclestation]

Yes. I think the front would be fine.

[@davidvonslingshot]

the UDH gravel frame/concept is pretty new….. I would love to hear from Trek HQ if your theory of 3 year development is accurate…. I expect they need to change it or it’s doomed.

[@Heimdallar]

UDH has been a thing for years in the mtb space.

[@davidvonslingshot]

Not In Gravel

[@bicyclestation]

Eh I disagree. The mog has had UDH for like 3 years now.

[@BrettinLux]

Buy a mountain bike if you want a mtb tyre. This is a race bike built for gravel racing.I rode the Gravel World Champs a few weeks ago in Belgium.I hardly saw any tyres over 45 there.Majority were 40-45mm and a few 47mm.

[@shabapotata]

Why not just put a non integrated handlebar stem combo on a checkpoint? Like regular stem and regular bar. Then you can have whatever negative rise you want!

[@bicyclestation]

It could work. I’d have to run a 110 -17 or -25.

[@robpittman3132]

As far as Euro gravel goes, 45 is still fine. The tire clearance only sucks for US gravel…and I know people who are still riding Synapses and Domanes for BWR events.

[@mellissanash7517]

Maybe Schwable should offer 45mm version of their xc tires.

[@mister_ray]

The Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite tires in 700x45 are very durable and capable tires. I use them with the Vittoria Air Liner foam inserts.

[@mellissanash7517]

@@mister_ray sure, but Schwalbe XC, like the Thunder Burt in the video are faster and just as grippier than the Ultrabite based on reviews. I never tired the Ultrabite, but Thunder Burt and Racing Ralph were great on my gravel back, real fast. Right now have the new Rick Pro on order, my frame fits 2.2 max, so why not. Rick Pro is faster than the Ultrabite too.

[@bicyclestation]

I plan on trying the Rick pro on the new able when it becomes available lol.

[@mellissanash7517]

@@bicyclestation It's already on sale now.

[@bicyclestation]

The new able. We have tons of Rick pros in stock. I’ve been racing them on my mtb all year

[@johnmoran959]

Isn’t this the same tire as the new crux as well ?? Wait i thought you liked the Aspero when you did the side be side?

[@bicyclestation]

I think the aspero is the best bike for the money and it’s not even close. The checkmate is slightly better and faster but at a huge cost. Its easy to forgive the aspero for its shortcomings when the bike is in my opinion one of the best bang for the buck option on the market

[@MaxwellPowers666]

Dillman got 20th at Big Sugar on 45's. Although he mentioned he felt he had to be conservative on the downhill for fear of puncturing.

[@Millicente]

I wonder if trek will quick lane an update to accommodate the demand

[@bicyclestation]

I don’t think they could develop a bike that fast and bring it to market. Trek usually works off 3-4 year product cycles. They can’t suddenly turn off the current bike and make a new one. They have already placed orders for the next two years worth of checkmate inventory at the manufacturer.

[@Millicente]

@@bicyclestation sucks for them I guess

[@tuncayyavuzcan]

45mm clearance is perfect for this bike more than enough

[@bicyclestation]

If that was true the racers would be using 45s. The trek racers are craming the biggest tire they can into it. What lifetime racer was using 45s this season.

[@chrisscott8362]

Are you racing this bike? Or are they selling this bike to average folk who will be just fine on 45mm? 😂

[@BadWithNames123]

You don't want "fine" on a 10k bike​@@chrisscott8362

[@aoe76]

45mm more than enough for me.

[@bicyclestation]

Trek is marketing this as their race specific bike. They are not marketing it to average riders.

[@hansraven8378]

Endurance? The bike in M/L is With the integrated cockpit included longer in reach than the Madone in ML. Which is a racing bike. Further the Seat mast in M/L is too long for the riders which Trek believes are the target group (about 1m72-178). I rode this one in M/L like me Madone and it’s a good bike for racing and not for endurance target group unless you Ride a ton of spacers and replace the cockpit.

[@ekreek]

Just put on a 45 slick and call ist a allroad bike.

[@justsomedude7556]

you can run 650B wheels and get some slightly wider tires to fit.

[@bicyclestation]

That would be slower. Trek markets this as an all out race bike. We are reviewing it under that context

[@justsomedude7556]

@bicyclestation true. I also agree with you on the endurance bike. I have a CheckPoint gen 2, that I have 2 wheelsets, and I got rid of my Domane and use the CheckPoint with road tires. Ride is fantastic. I looked at the CheckMate and would consider a frame in the future as it would work for my gravel needs and road needs as I have no need for anything more than a 45mm tire.

[@hannawald2]

Trek says 45mm max but they have always been a little bit more conservative than others about their tire clearance. I think official ETRTO norm requires 6mm clearance for gravel bikes (4mm for road bikes). It would be really great if you could measure the real max tire width than can fit into the bike. There are many people waiting for this info:) Wider is better is really trending now. People used to tell me I don´t need more than 45 but they now want more as it is just being pushed in the media. I am still undecided about that:) 42mm Sworks Pathfinders are around 430g. Heavier than road tires but still similar territory. Mtb tires are more like 650g. Don´t tell me you don´t feel it on the road...and my bike riding is not 100 percent forest paths or similar style but maybe 50 percent road or similar. I have heard one of the reasons why racers switch to mtb tires is that gravel tires are not good enough yet in terms of rolling resistance, best compounds... and also because they ride in a group where you can´t simply choose your line so sometimes you hit the worst and have punctures just because of that. Considering this Checkmate might still be your best option but it is a bad feeling to buy something for that big cash when everybody tells you it is outdated. Something has really changed just recently as you say because it is not only Trek but also Canyon Grail and others. Zipp is praised for their huge width of their new rims but they are as well aero optimised around 40mm, same as Checkmate.

[@bicyclestation]

I did measure it. It’s 45. I tried a 50 and it rubbed the frame.

[@hannawald2]

@@bicyclestationWeird as I would expect 50mm not to rub itself but some mud on it could…as 45 plus 6mm clearance is 51mm. How is it even possible that you squeezed there that 2.1 inch mtb tire > 53mm… those Maxxis Ramblet must run bigger than quoted… but thanks for testing for us:)

[@bicyclestation]

Sorry for the confusion. The ramblers fit in the bike just like this thunderburt does. When I road the 50 ramblers it rub the chain stay on the drive side a bit.

[@ParzivalHB]

This over an Enve Fray, Pinarello X, or Roubaix SL8? Hard to believe.

[@bicyclestation]

I’m just trying to be positive. I think all thoes bikes you listed are great. But the checkmate has bigger tire clearance than all of them. It really was great on the road

[@ParzivalHB]

@ I can appreciate that perspective. You certainly didn’t have that level of enthusiasm for the Fray. But then again, you stated your preference was a slammed stem height. Even look at the checkmate, you have a pretty good saddle to bar drop.

[@alexjohnson6462]

Those 3 bikes have significantly smaller tire clearance (38, 40, and 40). That doesn't necessarily mean they are not better endurance bikes.... they could be (I am partial to the Pinarello), however I think the premise here is more along the lines of an endurance all-road (light to medium gravel) and not just strict road endurance (or super light cgampagne gravel at most). Yes, you could do gravel on 40's... but the Checkpoint gives you a bit more leeway should you want to get slightly rowdier. I guess that was more along the lined of what he was thinking.

[@bicyclestation]

The fray is impossible for me to get the stem low enough on unfortunately. I wish it wasn’t. My wife loves her SL8 Roubaix.

[@bicyclestation]

I honestly thought it was brilliant on the road stretches I was riding between the gravel. Being good on the road is an underrated quality of a gravel bike.

[@unripetoast-nu4lv]

Allied! Release the Able and my money is yours!!!

[@Michael-s5i5j]

Put a 27.5 on the back

[@adamsolomon9353]

Checkpoint used to have good (aggressive=good for me) geometry and high tire clearance. Now they compromised it and released this. Kind of a bummer

[@gregmorrison7320]

Exactly! I have the original Gen 1 Checkpoint, great geo and 50mm up front and 47mm in rear (although it fits a 50mm easy with 2x chain rings) and both the new Checkpoint and Checkmate are a hard no from me.

[@RodimusPrime]

I've done gravel races for years and never wanted more than a 42mm tire. I dont want a mtb or mtb tires

[@bicyclestation]

Do you want to buy a checkmate?

[@kidsafe]

If people want to race on MTB tires, they can race on a Checkpoint SL or put dropbars on a Supercaliber.

[@bicyclestation]

The checkpoint sl doesn’t have race geo. And the supercaliber would be heavy compared to bikes like the mog that can fit a mtb tire.

[@frienduro24]

2 words - Pivot Vault That’s your dream bike

[@bicyclestation]

Almost. The stack is really tall. The new able seems like it’s gonna be the bike that solves this whole issue.

[@barrowsworm1226]

Hmmm… Pivot Vault large: 605 stack, Trek Checkmate: 608 stack. The Pivot is the answer for me. I am curious about what Allied ends up with, but the price will be unreasonable for me. I am not saying the Allied pricing is unfair, I understand the realities of US made carbon frames, it is just more money that, for me, would be better spent on other areas of cycling.

[@bicyclestation]

That’s interesting. The medium vault is 590. The m/l checkmate is a lot lower. Especially with the lower headset top piece

[@barrowsworm1226]

@@bicyclestation I hear ya, the Checkmate is 8 mm lower in M/L vs M Vault. But, I think that difference could be made up for by, perhaps picking the right bar/stem set up (or integrated)-8 mm is not much. At 6' plus a little, I am going for the L Vault 'cause I want the longer reach for stability (I prefer a bit more stability for dirt riding)-my current Stigmata 3 is unnecessarily sketchy at speed on loose over hard gravel-I can deal with it, but it is not very fun/confidence inspiring. I am going to put a Vision Metron 5D Evo on it, which is plenty low for me and my 780 mm saddle height. Gravel geometry reminds me of the first days of MTB and their evolution: they started with 69 degree head tubes, then when racing got going everyone "wanted" quicker handling, and HAs went up to 71 and even 71.5 or 72 degrees! As speeds got higher with the introduction of suspension, XC race bikes started introducing slacker and slacker geo, until we got to where things are settled now. 72 degree head angles, and short wheelbases on gravel bikes (for racing) seems kind of silly to me, perhaps it comes from so many racers with a road background influencing the design of gravel "race" bikes. The Ridley ASTR, looks like a really good option, and a more sensible approach to a gravel "race" bike than a lot of others. Of course, Keegan appears to do reasonably well on the Stigmata V4, with its slack and very long geo, and even exposed brake hoses (he does ride a pretty small frame).

[@DaveGrey-c8t]

Ok. so same tire clearance as the the new Cervelo Aspero (and Canyon Grail), and second only to Spesh Crux in terms of lightest.

[@bicyclestation]

My 2019 allied able is lighter then the checkmate. And this checkmate weighs about the same as the new aspero.

[@9023gregb]

The obsession with larger tire clearance and UDH is not a universal concern as much as many people in the cycling world thing it is. I think you'd be surprised how many people put SKINNIER tires on their gravel bikes, and have ZERO desire to change their drive train to point they care about UDH.

[@bicyclestation]

I definitely agree with you. Those people arnt in the majority of the customers we deal with. I can guarantee you udh and tire clearance was the number 1 and 2 deciding factors for people buying gravel bikes from us in 2024

[@n8torious309]

Interesting that you have like 250mm cranks on a size 54 bike

[@bicyclestation]

What? Its a medium large with 170

[@n8torious309]

@@bicyclestation Look at 6:33 and tell me that doesn't look like a BBC (big black crank)

[@evdb7246]

@bicyclestation - unpopular opinion - most of us don't need mountain bike tires on gravel bikes because we're not charging into a pothole mine field in a cloud of dust in the first 20mi of a pro-level gravel race

[@bicyclestation]

What’s the benefit of not having them?

[@evdb7246]

@bicyclestation benefits of matching tire size to the type of riding most of us non-pros do include: lighter bike, snappier feel, less energy spent needing to accelerate a heavier wheel/tire combo, way less stressing about ‘whether my bike can fit some 2.X” tire’…I could go on but those are the benefits right off the top of my head

[@blck04gt]

The new placement and font size of the Trek logo is so silly.

[@michaelupchurch3779]

Its a beautiful ❤ bike

[@fen2453]

the domane replacement

[@Donnager]

What’s in your left front pocket?😂

[@michaelnewman4302]

Damn you, Dylan Johnson!

[@GlennRacing1]

It’ll run a 50c though, surely that’s good enough for gravel racing ??, just not 2.2 mtb tyres.

[@bicyclestation]

It doesn’t fit a 50. I went on a ride with 50 Maxxis ramblers and they rubbed. I think the racers are all using 2.2s. Not seeing a lot of 50mm tires being used.

[@GlennRacing1]

@ but 2.2,are bigger than 50’s so that doesn’t make sense 🤷‍♂️

[@GlennRacing1]

@ 2.2 = 56c !!

[@erl004]

Did TREK produce this bike to win the UCI Gravel WC?? If you look at the 2024 UCI WC the bike would have been perfect. Maybe this wasn’t only made for the US gravel market? Maybe this was designed to beat MvdP on a Canyon.

[@bicyclestation]

That would make sense. But 100% of the marketing has been centered around the us gravel races.

[@tweaver119]

Is it worth buying an aspero if this bike also has the same issue with 700C rims? I was thinking about purchasing one in early 2025 but it is limited to 45. Not sure what to do about that.

[@bicyclestation]

If you want big tires no. If you don’t then yes.

[@THEOPINIONATEDSPORTSMAN]

They’re heavy. That’s it.

[@BrotherMichigan]

Voice of reason: if you aren't racing professionally and you're not riding terrain where a mountain bike would be a better choice anyhow, you don't *need* 50 mm clearance.

[@bicyclestation]

But what if they want that? Your totally right other then that trek markets this as an all out racing bike. We have to review it under that context.

[@drill_fiend1097]

Having large tire clearance also negates the penalty of running full or clip on fender for bikepacking and muddy environments.

[@DJLaFontsee]

Only bikes that fit MTB tires will be considered Gravel Race bikes moving forward. Gravel bikes as they were pre-2024 will now be sold as All Road bikes. All Road bikes as they’ve been will now be sold as Endurance Road bikes. Endurance Road bikes as they’ve been will now be race bikes. Race bikes will be sold exclusively to pros and Cat 3 heroes.

[@timtaylor9590]

I thought the geo was whack?

[@NoahStephens]

Hey! I made the Hater List! What a pleasant surprise!

[@salsalawyer]

Doesn't the aluminum Checkpoint have clearance for 50 mm tires. They should have at least had the same clearance on the Checkmate.

[@bicyclestation]

Yes. But the didn’t. I has clearance for 45s

[@lindonandlisa8114]

if you are running mountain bike Tyres just buy x c mountain bike

[@n8torious309]

Doesn't hold a candle to the Aspero in terms of road/gravel versatility But same issue - new Aspero came out with shit clearance and it's a flop

[@bicyclestation]

I think the new aspero is rad. Its so cheap it’s hard to call it a flop when its a fraction of the price of the checkmate

[@carolewells9215]

Trek needs to hire dylan lol.

[@Floemo]

Long time trek rider and fan but I would ride a Trek anymore. The brand just lost it in my opinion.

[@bicyclestation]

What’s your opinion on why? It’s been interesting to hear from customers with this opinion. You’re not alone.

[@Floemo]

I was a huge Trek fan boy. Still on a rim brake Trek Madone. Test rode a lot of their new bikes and honestly they just feel really muted and boring. They just lack something and I dont really know what but yeah they just dont feel special anymore. I test rode a smaller brands road bike the other day and thats the first new bike I rode that felt super snappy and wanted to go forward. Trek in terms of another brand feels like Microsoft it works but not very exciting.

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

The relationship you have with that bike is like unrequited love 🥲

[@GottaJibbo0]

How can it costs as much as a used car? A car has 1000's of complex engineering parts

[@bicyclestation]

Well a used car is deprecated. I’m not sure that comparison really makes sense. Bike are expensive due to economy’s of scale. The companies don’t sell as many so they need to be more expensive to recoup the rnd cost. I need a margin as well to run my business. There’s so many factors at place with the price of stuff.

[@FreekaPista]

I can only laugh at Trek's self-inflicted misfortune. Turning their entire business model into trying to sell a new $5k+ to the same people year after year demands that demographic chase after the new trends. The vast majority of the bike riding public doesn't give a shit, but we're also not going to drop $5k on a bike.

[@gregmorrison7320]

Nah, no way, 1x and 45mm clearance, it's a hard hard no.

[@bicyclestation]

You can put a 2x on the checkmate.

[@Datboyvideo]

People who continue to claim wider tires are not slower are just downright incorrect. They’re slower in rolling resistance, heavier on the bike, chunk up quicker, etc etc. If you’re Dylan Johnson it doesn’t matter because 380 watts for 20 minutes at a time in someone’s draft, is going to pull you the speed you need to go. Let’s be honest, you’re not doing that. If you’re riding harder pack gravel this bike is a GREAT option. 45-47s absolutely roll. And if you’re worried about Dylan Johnson’s “aero” claims using wider tires, you need to look at rim width before tire size. The 303xplr running 45s is completely flush to the rim. You can’t get more aero than that. This bike is for racing. And its clear that it’s for racing. I’d love to see it compared to the BMC Kaius, which is the best gravel bike I’ve ever ridden, and maybe this bikes only serious competitor.

[@bicyclestation]

Basically every pro gravel racer is using mtb tires now. Are they all wrong?

[@hannawald2]

@@bicyclestation I have the same question in my mind but from the interviews with the pros they say that: 1) riding in a group means you can´t choose your track so you can hit the worst things on the way as you don´t have a chance to avoid it 2) you might not have the fastest equipment for the majority of the race, it is heavy etc but you just need to survive behind somebody´s draft. And when the terrain is difficult it is often the selection point and you optimise your equipment for this. These are not the conditions in which most of us ride. So for a solo rider Checkmate might still be the best tool, aero optimised, relatively light...but it might not be the best for US gravel races.

[@bicyclestation]

That’s the issue. Trek designed it for all out high end gravel racing and market it as such.

[@timtaylor9590]

Haha too bad trek

[@BrettinLux]

Buy a mountain bike if you want a mtb tyre. This is a race bike built for gravel racing.I rode the Gravel World Champs a few weeks ago in Belgium.I hardly saw any tyres over 45 there.Majority were 40-45mm and a few 47mm. I love my Checkmate 👍

[@bicyclestation]

Why are all the pro gravel racers in the us using mtb tires?

[@BrettinLux]

@ That’s what their sponsors want.

[@bicyclestation]

Why would trek want their sponsored riders to be running specialized pathfinders as a rear tire. That makes no sense.

[@hannawald2]

@@bicyclestation because US gravel is different to UCI gravel. Jasper Stuyven was on Pirelli Cinturato tires on his Checkmate. Most riders used semi slicks, MVDP was on 38mm tires Vittoria Terreno Zero. Vos used 33C Dugast CX tires. From EscapeCollective article I take the definition of gravel races by UCI: “The race should be on existing paths and (gravel) roads with a majority of paths where a car can pass. Single tracks are allowed but should be minimized. No new created paths or prairies are allowed.” So no love for singletracks on road - this is in sharp contrast to what is happening in the US races.

[@bicyclestation]

Yea idk why euro gravel even exists. They arnt really taking advantage of what has exploded in popularity in the USA. But still trek is marketing the bike at USA lifetime Grand Prix events. The bike was clearly designed to be a USA style race bike if you go of their marketing.

[@thakoharris]

Dude, 45s? 45s are great for gravel.

[@bicyclestation]

Yes. But they arnt the fastest option anymore. This bike is an all out race bike and that’s the issue we’re bringing up

[@rauli386]

Everyone cares about big tires

[@kubackjeee]

There is a clear reason people make fun of trek. It's because of their bullshit marketing that is on a level of Kamala Harris

[@carolewells9215]

I just hate trek and will never buy one, 48 now lol.

[@kitka1990]

I am confused. On one hand I like these videos and the bikes... But on the other - a 13 000 $ bike is good? Really? And "2,1 in the front and 47mm in the back looks super bad"... Dude, it's a race bike. It's supposed to perform. Big tire in the front and smaller in the back looks dumb, but it's cool when guys like Lachlan win Unbound on a setup like that... And if you're after looks and that's your priority (clearly in this case) than go buy a one-off Ti or Steel frameset, gonna look miles better than anything from the big brands, and you can specify any tire clearance you want... But wait, then it's gonna be "too heavy" :D What I'm trying to say is that these youtube "reviews" are so inconsistent and full of shit :D And yeah, making an out-dated bike is very much the brand's fault :D come on.

[@bicyclestation]

Would you rather I lie to everyone? I could do that.

[@kitka1990]

@@bicyclestation Kinda couldn't care less, really. It's not like I have a way to check your honesty :) But I'd much rather see you shred it on a nice piece of road, then some light gravel, then a single track (I know you have MTB background, so that shouldn't be a problem) and say "nah, maybe with bigger tire clearance... but it's awesome on road and light this and that". I feel like people make videos with not much substance just to have something to post. And once again - yes, being late to the party is a company's fault, they have dozens of people working on predicting trends in the bike industry, not avoiding them. It's Trek, not Campagnolo ;)