Trek Checkpoint Driftless First Impressions! Ride and Review Series

Thanks to Trek West Chester, I was able to be one of first people to take the 2023 Trek Checkpoint Driftless gravel bikes for a ride! Join me as I give you my first impressions (along with final thoughts) during a scenic ride at beautiful White Clay Creek State Park in Delaware.
Trek West Chester: www.trekbikes....
2023 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Driftless: www.trekbikes....
What I ride:
2021 Trek Top Fuel 7 (Size M/L)
www.trekbikes....
2021 Polygon Bend R5 (Size L)
www.bikesonlin...
2021 Trek FX 2 Disc (Size XL)
www.trekbikes....
What my wife rides:
2021 Trek Top Fuel 5 (Size S)
www.trekbikes....
2021 Trek Marlin 6 (Size S)
www.trekbikes....
2021 Trek FX 2 Disc (Size S)
www.trekbikes....
GoPro Hero 9 Black settings:
4k - 24 fps (Superview)
HyperSmooth - BOOST
Bit Rate: HIGH
Shutter: AUTO
EV Comp: (-0.5)
Sharpness: LOW
Color: GoPro
Raw Audio: HIGH
Wind: Off
#trek #trekbikes #checkpoint #checkpointdriftless #TopFuel #TrekMarlin #Ibis #GMBN #Marlin6 #MTB #Delaware #Mountainbiking #Specialized #Giant #XC #Polygon #Gravel #Gravelbikes #driftless

[@JPWookie]

Thanks for the honest review and showing different trail sections, just what I needed to confirm my choice!(I was looking for stable, solid feel for mostly gravel/dirt roads, and rails to trails); Purchased yesterday.

[@BIIIKES]

Awesome!!! Solid choice!!!

[@hugod1276]

Nice video! There's a beautiful church at the end of that trail (London Tract Church). Very nice place!

[@BIIIKES]

Yes!!! Sure is. Thanks for watching man

[@AMehta-ok5pf]

Nice review and love those trails. I ride that section often!

[@BIIIKES]

That’s awesome! Such a great area. Thanks for the compliment! Doing my best with the videos, haha.

[@JJ-rf7dg]

👍 Nice bike and trail.

[@BIIIKES]

Thanks!

[@edmundgil6008]

Yes, I’d love to see your indoor setup !

[@BIIIKES]

Ok!! I'll put something together 🤘

[@TrailSage]

Awesome first look at the Checkpoint Todd. How long did they let you hold on to it for? Great job getting all the b-roll and supporting footage. Bummer about the dropper issue. Seems like it's a good price for a solid bike.

[@BIIIKES]

Hey Sage! I was able to keep it a few days and put it through its paces. Thanks for the compliment with the B-roll, haha. Fun times being a one person film crew 😋 Yeah, disappointed about the dropper. That's something that's really on my must-have list, but this one didn't quite cut it. Not enough travel, and I'd be weary of it malfunctioning on a longer ride (maybe it's just the typical cable tensioning needed with a lot of new bikes). Thanks as always for watching, brotha!

[@jimlap221]

I have the ALR5 AXS and the 40- 11-44 gearing is enough for any hills I normally encounter. The dropper on this one only has 50mm of travel but for me, that's enough as well. It mainly helps with mounting and dismounting that is a little challenging at times. I broke my hip last year and while "fully healed" there are days when throwing the leg over is made better by having that little bit of drop.

[@BIIIKES]

Nice! Yes, I have to admit, I use the dropper on my gravel bike more often just to easily get on and off the bike, haha, but it's really nice on steeper descents. Thanks for watching! You have a fantastic bike 🤘

[@rolffuchs2737]

I rode the Domane against the Checkpoint. I was sitting more comfy on the Domane and you can put in there 38mm tires (officially 35, but there is room for that).

[@BIIIKES]

Yep, most people run 38's when they use the Domane as their gravel bike. Great bike.

[@BIIIKES]

I went to elementary school in NJ w/ a Rolf Fuchs. That's not you, is it? Haha

[@rolffuchs2737]

@@BIIIKES no, Iam from Germany, but my dream is to come to the US for graveling

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

Good ride.

[@BIIIKES]

Thanks dude

[@cyclofeedubox8332]

Good review. Maybe a bit harsh on the tyre size, I think most of these bikes are billed towards roadies and for road specific bikes, 25-32 is standard with 28 being the new normal really. Even cyclocross bikes have a 33 standard for super muddy stuff. For us, 40 is wide as F 😂

[@BIIIKES]

Haha, very true. This is a great bike, and yep, the 40s are fine for most races. I'm just a nut who likes the bigger tires. 47mm Senderos on my gravel bike now 🤣. Thanks for watching, brother

[@hankchase6261]

Thinking about picking this bike up. I’m looking for something I can use for a little bit of everything, commuting every day, rail trails, road rides, and even some bike packing. Been using a mountain bike for trails lately and want some more speed.

[@BIIIKES]

Highly recommend. Amazing bike, and well built. Plenty of tire options out there as well that'll make the commutes faster, and still give you plenty of grip if you take it on some green/blue trails. Keep me posted!

[@dustanlloyd5337]

What is the seat you like? Does it come with that bike set up? Or did you put it on for testing? Is the checkpoint 4 comparable for a first time gracel bike or would I regret not spending more to get the drifter? I dont really want a dropper seat and test rode a checkpoint 4 I am just trying to decide on sizing 54 or 56 because I am shorter but rode a 56 and seem to like it. Any suggestions?

[@BIIIKES]

Everything in the video was the stock setup. Seats are personal preference and based on your sit bone measurements, so what works for someone else might not work for you. The frame size is dependent on your reach, stand over height etc. Again, so personal to you. Get measured up by your local bike shop. Make the choice that's right for you.

[@jmerodgers]

Good honest review! Dont like it when people show you the bike but dont ride it. cant trust their opinion honestly. Question for you, i test rode this today. The Trek store where i live has a video sizing computer, that tells you your size when you are standing on the marks.. Im 5'10 and it suggested a 56 for me. You were riding the 54, and are slightly taller than me.. Maybe its related to inseam?

[@BIIIKES]

Thanks man! Appreciate the kind words. I say you can go with either size, and just choose which is more comfortable for you. Inseam has a lot to do with it as it's usually about stand over height on the top tube. I also prefer a bit smaller bike so the reach isn't as long. They say we should have 60% of weight on the saddle, the other 40% on the handlebars. My main gravel bike is a Polygon (size 56 with a 100mm stem) and I actually just ordered an 80mm stem to bring it a bit closer (plus it's the Redshift suspension stem- excited to try that). One other piece to consider, is that sometimes there's a difference in crank length between a 54 and 56. 54 is usually 170mm and 56 is 172.5. Keep me posted! It was a really fun bike to ride.

[@jmerodgers]

@@BIIIKES Yeah, ive been hearing about that Redshift Stem.. Cool!

[@briananderson5102]

Trek HQ is not in Driftless area. Driftless is SW Wisconsin. Trek is SE Wisconsin. Driftless jeans no glaciers. Very hilly.

[@BIIIKES]

Thanks. Just giving high level reference of what the bike name means.

[@briananderson5102]

@@BIIIKES come ride it!!! Love the bike. I have regular ALR5 and am quite jealous of the lovely Driftless model.

[@BIIIKES]

I would LOVE to, haha. I want to bring my wife out there for a tour of HQ. If I head out that way I'll come back to this message and let you know!!

[@jovannivazquez2167]

i would be so annoyed if my bike came with the praxis crank instead of the grx

[@liantechtube7921]

Would you say this is a good bike to start with gwtting into gravel races like unbound?

[@BIIIKES]

Absolutely. This is not an entry level bike, and Unbound is not an entry level race. This bike can do anything. You'll probably see more Checkpoints (and probably Specialized Diverge and Crux) than any other bike there.

[@Astringent99]

Now i am debating between this one and domane, please help!

[@BIIIKES]

Honestly, I would choose a new Domane. You get the lifetime warranty on the frame, plus the convenience of local Trek shops everywhere.